Guest deanB Posted May 23, 2021 Posted May 23, 2021 Aren't the valve id's stamped on the top plate next to the socket? From memory, the Cyber 880 power amp is the model that uses 12BH7. If it's the wrong type, it might be why @nil is getting an occasional "electro-fart" as he describes it.
muon* Posted May 23, 2021 Posted May 23, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, deanB said: Aren't the valve id's stamped on the top plate next to the socket? From memory, the Cyber 880 power amp is the model that uses 12BH7. If it's the wrong type, it might be why @nil is getting an occasional "electro-fart" as he describes it. Interestingly it appears to be indicated on some but not other units where the 12BH7/5687 position is concerned, granted in these pics the one without it indicated has the 15th on it and the other doesn't, although the bottom one is from an article on the 15th.. Two more examples. Edited May 23, 2021 by muon* 2
muon* Posted May 23, 2021 Posted May 23, 2021 The ones without it indicated seem to be using the 12BH7, maybe. 1
graham121 Posted May 23, 2021 Posted May 23, 2021 Maybe the supply of NOS 5867’s dried up and a running change was made to the current production 12bh7a’s (same as used in my 880i) but the website documentation has not caught up? Also maybe when changes ( if any ) were made to accept the KT120 and KT150 power tubes? 1
xlr8or Posted May 23, 2021 Posted May 23, 2021 (edited) I've done some research as well. I believe the original 100 non 15th amp had 5687 tubes. The 100 15th amp has 12BH7 tubes instead, which are also taller tubes compared to the previous version with 5687 and 12AX7 tubes of the same height. Regardless, the 12AX7 is the tube to roll. @graham121 I like the tonal character of the Brimar Footscray 12AX7 17mm long black plate angled rectangular getter early 1950's tube you have in that position with your own amp. Edited May 23, 2021 by xlr8or 2
graham121 Posted May 23, 2021 Posted May 23, 2021 1 hour ago, xlr8or said: @graham121 I like the tonal character of the Brimar Footscray 12AX7 17mm long black plate angled rectangular getter early 1950's tube you have in that position with your own amp. @xlr8or so do I! Especially with Philips Australia Miniwatt 12BH7’s in that position instead of the stock EH ones. Or with the stock EH 12BH7A’s and a pair of 1964 Mullard Blackburn 12AU7’s in that position. But I cannot run the Brimar 12AX7 with the Mullard 12AU7’s and the Philips Miniwatt 12BH7’s; it all becomes far too atmospheric and i feel like and listening inside an echo chamber. I can run the Mullard 12AU7’s and Miniwatt 12HB7’s with the stock JJ ECC83S and this gives me a similar presentation to the stock EH 12AU7’s with the Miniwatt 12BH7’s and the Brimar 12AX7; and I do swap between combinations on a periodical basis. Much as I would like to have an all vintage tube setup I am not sure if I can improve much on what I do have without having to go through a lot rolling, and besides I am enjoying the music too much! At least with KT150’s as my power tubes I have no complications there, lol. 2
xlr8or Posted May 23, 2021 Posted May 23, 2021 @graham121 You may want to try an E80CC gold pin version in place of the 12BH7 with the Brimar 12AX7. 2
graham121 Posted May 23, 2021 Posted May 23, 2021 (edited) 16 minutes ago, xlr8or said: @graham121 You may want to try an E80CC gold pin version in place of the 12BH7 with the Brimar 12AX7. @xlr8or Interesting, learn something new everyday, had heard of the E80CC as a replacement in the 12AU7 position but not as a 12BH7 replacement. And if only I had known that a couple of days ago when a pair of them were listed in the classifieds on here! Edited May 23, 2021 by graham121 1
nil Posted May 24, 2021 Posted May 24, 2021 (edited) Thanks SNAers, cripes... this is becoming an energetic and informative chat... all very helpful. So here's my Anniversary amp with the tubes as purchased (S/H). Can't confirm or deny they're factory / retailer supplied tubes. Based on the discussions, the ECC83 (12AX7EH in my case) is the first tube to 'roll' as it will have the biggest impact on sound. @xlr8or thanks for the tips -as a 'totes newbie' it is much appreciated. Also as the topic starter here @Willmax asked for images of speakers too, below is an image of one of the speakers usually connected to the amp (although currently not in use) Edited May 24, 2021 by nil extra info 6 2
xlr8or Posted May 24, 2021 Posted May 24, 2021 Beautiful looking gear. Let's focus on rolling the 3 pawns in the middle first followed by the 2 bishops behind them. Your KT120's don't need to be changed as they are great sounding tubes. 1
crtexcnndrm99 Posted May 24, 2021 Posted May 24, 2021 4 hours ago, nil said: Thanks SNAers, cripes... this is becoming an energetic and informative chat... all very helpful. So here's my Anniversary amp with the tubes as purchased (S/H). Can't confirm or deny they're factory / retailer supplied tubes. Based on the discussions, the ECC83 (12AX7EH in my case) is the first tube to 'roll' as it will have the biggest impact on sound. @xlr8or thanks for the tips -as a 'totes newbie' it is much appreciated. Also as the topic starter here @Willmax asked for images of speakers too, below is an image of one of the speakers usually connected to the amp (although currently not in use) Oweee nice speakers
nil Posted May 24, 2021 Posted May 24, 2021 @crtexcnndrm99 thank you. I wanted vintage Altecs (Valencia, Model 19. or VOTT) but simply can't afford the floorspace, so settled for a modern incarnation. 3
Willmax Posted May 24, 2021 Author Posted May 24, 2021 (edited) As @xlr8or rightly pointed out, I reckon those EH are your weakest link, once they are replaced with some decent NOS tubes you'll probably notice a big improvement. By the way nice choice of speakers to pair with the Cyber 100 15th Edited May 24, 2021 by Willmax
Willmax Posted May 24, 2021 Author Posted May 24, 2021 (edited) After all this conversation about tube rolling @nil's Cyber amp it has motivated me to get my pair of Consonance Cyber 800 back on the rack for a listen Edited May 24, 2021 by Willmax 6 1
Kaynin Posted May 24, 2021 Posted May 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Willmax said: After all this conversation about tube rolling with @nil's Cyber amp it has motivated me to put my pair of Consonance back on the rack for a listen Which ones are they?
Willmax Posted May 24, 2021 Author Posted May 24, 2021 (edited) 8 hours ago, Kaynin said: Which ones are they? They are the Consonance Cyber 800 monoblocks, mine are mki version and take EL34/6CA7/KT77 tubes. The current version of this amplifier i.e. mkii comes with 4x KT150. https://www.osbornloudspeakers.com.au/cyber-800-ii Edited May 24, 2021 by Willmax 2
Kaynin Posted May 25, 2021 Posted May 25, 2021 8 hours ago, Willmax said: They are the Consonance Cyber 800 monoblocks, mine are mki version and take EL34/6CA7/KT77 tubes. The current version of this amplifier i.e. mkii comes with 4x KT150. https://www.osbornloudspeakers.com.au/cyber-800-ii Gotcha. Greg dropped off the mkii's to me a few days ago. I was trailing some AM's but they lacked the headroom I want. These 800's have power on tap, absolutely loving them so far. 6 3
Jehuty Posted May 25, 2021 Posted May 25, 2021 On 24/05/2021 at 3:44 PM, nil said: Based on the discussions, the ECC83 (12AX7EH in my case) is the first tube to 'roll' as it will have the biggest impact on sound. If the amp can use U52 brown base, get them, you'll never look back. Mullard GZ34 is another alternative. Unfortunately the metal base GZ34 is too expensive, so you can use black base Mullard GZ34 as cheaper option. On my SET amps, Leak Stereo 20, Stereo 50 and TL/50 Plus, the above rectifiers rule and they affect the sound very much. 2
nil Posted May 25, 2021 Posted May 25, 2021 @Jehuty Cheers. Thanks for the the tips. I'm hearing "Mullard" a lot, so that better be priority No.1. As a side note I lived with some Leak speakers for a year or so. They were ex ABC Perth - and the largest monitors from the old ABC / WASO studio. Lovely bit of kit. I always wondered how they'd sound driven by a Leak Amp.
Willmax Posted May 25, 2021 Author Posted May 25, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, Kaynin said: Gotcha. Greg dropped off the mkii's to me a few days ago. I was trailing some AM's but they lacked the headroom I want. These 800's have power on tap, absolutely loving them so far. Hey @Kaynin Congrats on your new pair of Consonance Monoblocks. That is a snazzy looking setup you've got there with your electronics matching the black colour from your speakers. I've not yet had the opportunity to listen to Osborn speakers, but with so many happy customers around, they must sound really nice. Edited May 25, 2021 by Willmax 2
Kaynin Posted May 25, 2021 Posted May 25, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Willmax said: Hey @Kaynin Congrats on your new pair of Consonance Monoblocks. That is a snazzy looking setup you've got there with your electronics matching the black colour from your speakers. I've never had the opportunity to listen to Osborn speakers, but with so many happy customers around, they must sound really nice. Yeah thanks. Just waiting on a small amp to arrive to sit in the middle of the top shelf, for the deck speakers. Then just upgrades to the streamer/DAC and TT and it's pretty much done. Osborn suit my listening preferences perfectly. The more I listened to other speakers, the more I came back. Not everyone would call them their end game speakers, but I really think these will be it for me... Edited May 25, 2021 by Kaynin 1
Willmax Posted May 25, 2021 Author Posted May 25, 2021 Sorry I forgot to ask, what model are those Osborn speakers?
Kaynin Posted May 25, 2021 Posted May 25, 2021 Epitome Reference towers, upgraded to Elite crossover a few days ago. 1
lemarquis Posted May 25, 2021 Posted May 25, 2021 Osborn speakers certainly give you an insight into what 'Reference' means. 1
graham121 Posted May 26, 2021 Posted May 26, 2021 On 23/05/2021 at 10:20 PM, xlr8or said: @graham121 You may want to try an E80CC gold pin version in place of the 12BH7 with the Brimar 12AX7. On 23/05/2021 at 10:20 PM, xlr8or said: @graham121 You may want to try an E80CC gold pin version in place of the 12BH7 with the Brimar 12AX7. @xlr8or would you recommend any particular E80CC’s, that don’t cost an absolute mint.
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