Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[bonzo75]

So KR242 and RK242 are two different tubes ?

Yes. RK is from the latter series. Thicker glass, zirconium added.

 

[Zero000]

That's a little bit naughty of the KRs.

You shouldn't really be able to wear out 211s and a good set should last a very long time. I heard of some 211s lasting 15 years left on as radio transmitters. You should definitely get 10,000 hours plus out of them even if you cycle the power a lot. Way more than that, really, in all likelihood.

Anyway, if you are happy with the Psvanes all is good. I would recommend Amperex as an excellent NOS possibility going forward. Not easy to find, these days though. But they do sound brilliant.

Oddly, the quad of Amperex I have been using for many years test the best out of my large 211 collection by a substantial margin. Seems like they really like to be used

 

[bonzo75]

A quad of KR Labs 211 were supplied with the amp. When one of the tubes eventually died, I purchased a set of Psvane 211 tubes (very cost effective). They sound fine in my amp. I'm using the 211 amps to drive the midrange/treble drivers of my Von Schweikert VR100XS towers. The bass inputs are handled by a pair of Spectron Musician III Mk2 running as monoblocks.

The crossover between the bass and mid/treble inputs is around 300 Hz. I don't use any additional external crossovers, running both amps full range with only attenuation ahead of the Spectrons for level matching. Frequencies below the crossover point in the mid/treble present a very high impedance to the tube amps which eases the load that the 211 tubes see.

The combo provides bass with extremely the control and limitless power for my needs. The 211 amps mate perfectly on the mid/treble with their glorious sound. I play mostly classical music, so head banger volumes aren't necessary. My system can still reach full Mahler fortissimo volumes as measured with a dB meter in Cleveland's Severance Hall.

Robert

The KR 211 are better than psvane and Acme sonically imo. The RCA and GE are better than the KR slightly, and then the Amperex is just leagues better than anything. Haven't heard the United and the National union but they are supposed to be great, and the WE 242c which I doubt you will ever find a quad is supposed to be the best. Convince user211 to sell his Amperex quads to you. Worth the money.

 

[Zero000]

Talking of Amperex, I have scored a pair of Amperex 45s.

Thing is I am not sure they ever made them. They might be a rebrand, but I cannot reconcile the internal structure with any 45 I have seen, including Thomas Meyers excellent 45 page.

Should have them next week.

 

[Jazzhead]

So KR242 and RK242 are two different tubes ?

Yes different variants

From the company blurb..

• Use of Zirconium - as the coating for the anodes
• Improved structure support in the least vibrating glass points with double mica
• Ceramic bases
• Gold plated base pins
• Triple thickness glass
• Doubled cooling radiation surface for anode cooling
• Barium heaters that run colder and have better emission
• Closer tolerance matching
• 9th degree of vacuum for extended longevity
• Precise matching of the real original 242 specs and layout.

 

[Jazzhead]

Hi Jazzhead. Do you know the MSRP and availability of the KR-242 & RK-242 variants? Can you describe the sonic differences? Thanks

Rates for the RK and KR are on the BEST300.com website. Belongs to Lucaz's son , who I believe has the exclusive rights to RK series tubes . Write up on the RK242, I have posted above #1537

 

[Zero000]

I'll test these and slap them up against EML GM 45s and see which I prefer soon.

These do look to be Amperex but if anyone recognises the internal structure from another brand please let me know.

Hard to get excited by 45s but I rate Amperex highly. These could be very good. Maybe

 

[adamaley]

My Pacific is still sounding wondeful !

Likewise, the GG you passed on to me. I must say the golden Pacific really looks stunning in your space.

 

[Trab]

I'll test these and slap them up against EML GM 45s and see which I prefer soon.

These do look to be Amperex but if anyone recognises the internal structure from another brand please let me know.

Hard to get excited by 45s but I rate Amperex highly. These could be very good. Maybe

View attachment 70260 View attachment 70261 View attachment 70262

Look similar to those branded Philco, Ward.. or Super Silvertone. All made in USA.
Take a look:

picture from http://vinylsavor.blogspot.com/

 

[Zero000]

Yeah. I have a couple of Philcos but one broke. Will compare them in the flesh.

 

[Zero000]

Well even the wife is complaining. These Amperex sound shit.

Onto the tester soon to see if anything is wrong technically.

 

[Zero000]

Just in from the Ukraine. 6C4C (aka 6S4S) is a nicely made OTK effort, I must say. No worries with these cheapies even if you drop them.

No filament ring and feels solid when tapping. Good sign.

Sockets not here yet.

 

[Zero000]

I think I remember throwing my good Philco in the bin when one went bad. The Amperex are the same internally, though, definitely.

They actually measure super strong at 3 and 2.8 mA/V, where new is 2.1 mA/V.

The 6C4C adaptors arrived. Listening now on about the 7th track. I am quite taken aback with them at the moment. They absolutely major on clarity. Microphony is low as far as triodes go, too.

On the basis of cost I can say already order some. You can't lose. They are right up there in terms of clarity in my quick and possibly flawed estimation. If you like warm don't bother. But they are incredibly clear sounding things and they are not misbehaving. Separation and imagery is top notch. Bass is excellently defined.

My only worry is they might be a bit much with bright recordings.

 

[Zero000]

Russia 1. Rest of world zero.

I needn't have worried about the treble. This tube / valve really is outstanding.

Either that or the stars are just aligning today and.
my system is just sounding great for other reasons.

This DAC has 6N6P, 6C4C and Westinghouse VU71 in it. The whole system is just sounding bats good . One of the good days that just makes you love the hobby

 

[Zero000]

I meant to try 6C4C years ago when I decided I liked the Tung Sol 6A3 a lot, but my experience with Russian tube sonics was never that good.

Big mistake it seems and it has to be rude not to go fully Soviet block with the 5C3S rectifier.

An unbelievably cheap 5U4G.

Ordered today.

 

[Golum]

.. but my experience with Russian tube sonics was never that good.

Big mistake it seems and it has to be rude not to go fully Soviet block with the 5C3S rectifier.

An unbelievably cheap 5U4G.

Ordered today.

..until you try GM70, GM100, 6c33s,etc ...and few others...
Considering 5c3s - this one is really nothing special, even the "black plate" which is considered "special" felled behind potato masher and for example RCA 5u4g I believe I compared it with...
But as it's cheap, its always good to hear them with your own hearing apparatus i.e. "trust no one"

 

[Zero000]

I was thinking it maybe to much of a good thing Goran. Kind of curious about YO-186 now, though. Luke has some on eBay now from the 1940s.

I would definitely recommend trying 6C4C but having said that has anyone else got any opinions on it? Chime in if so, please, even if you hate them!

 

[Golum]

I'm not sure so many people experiment with different tube models (out of ordinary ones) in Lampi as such, so finding someone tyring YO-186 will be tricky (same goes for 6c4c) - just my guts feeling.
I asked Luke for YO-186 back in Jan/Feb so that may very well be that pair which is tip top...anyhow some saying that famous Telefunken R604 was actually made based on YO-186 not vice versa. Reading how this tube is rated sonics wise in amplifiers it very well might be phenomenal (or not)...

 

[bonzo75]

Romy the cat uses the YO 186 but I understand that is also from a cost perspective compared to telefunken

You think these will work with GG?

 

[Zero000]

YO-186 is the same heater as a PX4 and does not need an adaptor.

EDIT: this is wrong YO-186 needs a B4 to UX4 adaptor.

6C4C is same as 6A3. That used to work in my two switch position Lampi with no issues. I think it will probably work in your GG Ked. Maybe not optimally but worth a try.

Get these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333720534427

and

https://www.ebay.com/itm/201352175853