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OLDER DECWARE GEAR SUPPORT >> The ZEN TABOO >> Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
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Message started by charlieboy on 05/21/08 at 05:40:05

Title: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by charlieboy on 05/21/08 at 05:40:05

When I got my new Taboo from Steve from Mac cables he sent the original tubes ,and some of the Russian tubes n15n-eb ,and 6n15n-ep . I put my tubes in right away which are 1950's 6bq5,a 5u4GB, and a bugle boy. I have been using this combo. Today I'm going to try the tubes supplied by Decware at purchase. First of all whats the difference in the Russian eb and ep? Also I was wondering what other owners like? Thanks.

Charlie

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Rivieraranch on 07/03/08 at 02:51:09

I received my new Taboo today; it came with a JJ ECC83S, which I understand is patterned after the Telefunken, two Sovtek EL84's and a Sovtek 5Y3. I am using these tubes to burn in the unit and will change them all out later. As it is, right out of the box, it sounds very good.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by charlieboy on 07/09/08 at 00:18:52

Congrats! Enjoy keep us posted.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Stone Deaf on 01/29/09 at 05:20:36

Today I swapped to a Mazda 5Y3GB, Cryo Mullard EL84 and a German RFT 12AU7. I like this combo better than the stock tubes I was sent.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Jeff on 02/02/09 at 17:18:15

i've stopped the rolling in the amps finally.
in the taboo:
mullard 5u4g
mazda EL84 (going to try some siemens cv2975 i won off german ebay though).
the driver tubes make a nice difference in rolling. i got some 12au7 Sylvania 1950s production and i like them. also like an RCA 12at7wa that i got off ebay.

in my se84csp:
i was using 6n1p everywhere with a mazda 5y3g and was happy.
but i got a blackburn Mullard ecc88 and put that in the front, and then put some west german production Valvo Ecc88 and that made a nice difference, still warm but a little more air and better imaging, presentation is a little more laid back too. that tube compliment is going to stay in there.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Stone Deaf on 02/11/09 at 20:29:44

Still using the Mazda 5Y3 but have been swapping between Mullard and Genelex EL84 both are the new issues and both sound good. I might be leaning towards the Genelex with all the vinyl I have been playing lately.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Stone Deaf on 03/01/09 at 04:38:53

After several weeks of swapping tubes in the Taboo I have settled on the Genelex EL84. These are the new run Genelex but I think they beat the new run Mullard for my tastes. The front tube is a NOS RCA blackplate and the rectifier is still the cryo Mazda 5Y3GB.

I have my amp sitting on Vibrapods with a Herbie's Audio Lampblack ball in the center well and the amp on top for feet. The Vibrapods sit on a Mapleshade 2" Maple platform using double Isopods for feet. The Equipment rack is by VPI. I am also using Herbie's Audio tube dampers and PS Audio Prelude power cord. Interconnects are Decware Silver and speaker wire is Kimber 8TC with my DIY dress up kit. I have decided I like the Kimber 8TC over the Mapleshade Golden Helix speaker wire.

I have a lot of spare time to kill while waiting on my new ERR Radials. I'm retired and don't have much to do other than listen to music and sip scotch.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Stone Deaf on 04/04/09 at 03:06:43

Can I use GZ37 rectifier tube in the Taboo, has anyone tried this?

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Stone Deaf on 04/11/09 at 16:26:03

I made another swap yesterday. TAD EL84-STR power tubes, I hear these are made special for The Amp Doctor in China. They are a little shorter than other EL84 but are much heavier. They do run hot, glow bright and have some of he best bottom end I have heard and that includes NOS Genelex, Mullard and Telefunken. They also play louder than my other power tubes which is a bonus for me.

I also added an International Service Master GZ34 which I find was built by Matsushima (Japan) using the old Mullard tools. I'm down to one Mullard GZ34 and it lives in my guitar amp.

Up front is a Telefunken 6922.

I am liking this setup very much.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Pale Rider on 03/12/11 at 16:16:23

I may have mis-read, or mis-interpreted, but is it correct that the EL-84 tubes do not activate the Hazen Grid? If so, have you noticed that difference?

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by ZYGI on 03/13/11 at 04:01:18

Pale Rider,

You are correct, the EL84 does negate the Hazen mod. I can hear the difference.

ZYGI

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Pale Rider on 03/13/11 at 16:23:10

Thanks ZYGI. I may order a matched pair of the tubes Stone Deaf described, just to try them out, and use them to compare Hazen in/out.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Pale Rider on 04/24/11 at 20:09:48

Stone Deaf, the GZ37 came up in another thread as well. I am very happily using a Mullard GZ37 in my Taboo.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Pale Rider on 04/26/11 at 16:04:02

Stone Deaf, are you still running those TAD EL-84 tubes? Was wondering if you had done any direct comparison of the stock SV83, so as to hear the impact with/without the Hazen Grid?

I noticed The Tube Store has them 39.95 for a matched pair. Not sure if that is a good price or not, but might be worth a try.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Pale Rider on 12/17/11 at 18:03:24

Just this week, I started using a 1970 RCA 12AY7 (6072) in my Taboo. In its first few hours, it is so far my favorite tube in the Taboo. I have a 12AY7A on order as well, and my guess is it will sound similar. These are apparently popular in Fender guitar amps. Anyway, great dynamics, excellent highs, and very tight bass. And spooky, dead quiet. Low gain makes the Ultra preamp very useful here.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Rivieraranch on 12/18/11 at 00:19:45

I recently tried a Phillips 7062 in mine and it sounded rich, detailed and the bass was fine.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Pale Rider on 12/19/11 at 00:42:06

That's the 12AT7 equivalent, right RR? I have read good things about the Phillips. Still enjoying the Taboo? Me, too. But I have to admit that I do not listen to headphones as much as I once did.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Rivieraranch on 12/19/11 at 13:08:33

The 7062 is in the 12AT7 family.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by judy on 10/29/12 at 11:13:32

the EL84 does negate the Hazen mod. is that really?

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by judy on 10/29/12 at 11:22:56

:o oh

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by JimM on 10/30/12 at 22:07:47

That would be my understanding. The mod works only with the SV83 tube.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by richxuerbel on 01/13/13 at 13:41:41

Just ordered a Taboo; thanks all for the great stuff posted here.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by Rivieraranch on 01/13/13 at 19:40:18

Are you getting the old one or the new, redesigned one?

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by charles hidalgo on 05/09/23 at 16:14:51

Almost ten years to the day. I found you after all these years.

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by charles hidalgo on 05/17/23 at 08:21:49

Telefunken EL84's
Amperex Bugle Boy GZ34
Sylvania 5751 blue tip
Lucid Mode
;D

Title: Re: Favorite tube combos for the new Taboo?
Post by charles hidalgo on 05/19/23 at 15:18:17