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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> MINI TORII >> Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
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Message started by P K on 01/30/14 at 22:35:36

Title: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by P K on 01/30/14 at 22:35:36

Final results of six months of tube rolling for the Mini Torii-II I purchased last summer.

Any Comments?

A Mullard OC2 for a OA2 is a big improvement.

A NOS RCA OC3 for a stock OA3 is a very slight improvement.

Time to just listen to the music.

Earlier Tube Rolling and Set up:

FINAL RESULTS AFTER TRYING OUT A BRENT JESSE RCA 6V6G ST, COKE BOTTLE:

Valve Art 350B-coke bottle,blows away the RCA 6V6G ST in my system (mini Torii driving a mid/tweeter at 1000 hz and above)

Amperex NOS EZ80 from Brent Jesse (white lettering with a cartoon of a tube playing a trumpet - Bugle Boy)

Valvo/Mullard NOS Blackburn 12au7 (these are the authentic Mullard Blackburn plant tubes made in 60's with "Gf2/B3J5" and "Gf2/B8E5"etched codes). Even with the Mullards12au7s I use the highest neg. feedback setting for Digital Playback (thus the Mullard 12au7s create a more flexible system).

This is a great combo, 3d deep sound stage, not too hot or bright, airy sound, great definition of instruments, sound stage that is wider than my speakers, balance natural sound.

My System:

Upgraded Linn LP12

Hadcock 242 Tonearm with a Grado Statement Reference1 Wood Body Phono Cartridge.

Vacuum State JLTI Phono preamp (one of the best phono preamps available for under $5k)

Aesthetix Saturn line preamplifier with upgraded Mullard 12ax7 and Amperex Mini Watt SQ 6922 tubes (a great preamp)

Feeding a highly modified custom Behringer DCX2496 two channel digital crossover.

Feeding the Mini Torii for above 1000 hz to a Emerald Physics CS2 mid/tweeter (Selenium D220Ti 1" Titanium Horn Driver 8 Ohm).

Below 1000 hz, a Sunfire amp is being used into dual 15 inch open baffle woofers

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by jorgen on 01/31/14 at 08:34:54

Hi there
Interesting reading. I m currently waiting for my MT, and I dont have any experience in tuberolling, and my set up will be different from yours. Only source, into DAC into the MT and speakers.

But since you seem to have tried a lot of different tubes maybe you can give some advice for a newbieroller. I want to use the stock tubes and have the necessary tubes both for backup and for the possibilities to change sound every now and then. Of course if you know prices as well. If U have the time and energy please inform what changes i can expect from different tubes with different function in the amp

PS: glad to read youre happy with results!

J

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by grinnell on 02/02/14 at 16:47:38

PK,

We have talked about our differences in favorite tubes for the mini. You like the VA 350 and I prefer the RCA 6v6g.

Obviously systems make a huge difference. I wonder if your bi amp'd speakers make the difference b/c the bass is driven by sunfire amp?

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by P K on 02/02/14 at 21:03:18

I agree with your observation about the Sunfire, but I thought the NOS RCA 6v6g st would be in the same league with 350b's (above 1000hz).

The VA 350b tubes were significantly better, I wonder if I tried a bad pair of 6v6g st tubes?

P K

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by grinnell on 02/03/14 at 19:32:32

again maybe the split in freq makes the difference. System dependent :)

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by seikosha on 02/03/14 at 19:54:25

I think it would be pretty much impossible to really correlate tube rolling experiences between two systems when one of them is only reporting on the sonic characteristics from 1k and up. There's a ton of music going on below 1k which can affect your perception of the overall balance even at the higher frequencies.

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by Fireblade on 02/05/14 at 00:58:23

Agreed.

There have been at least a couple members in this forum who were not impressed at all by the Valve Art 350B in their Mini-Toriis, and so this remains a subjective and highly system dependent issue.

Other than generally recognized particular tubes' attributes like openness and warmth, liveliness and speed, there's no straight way to adopt someone else's formula, so trial and error is a must.

BTW, ordered 6414's and RCA 12AU7's (black plates) ...We'll see

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by grinnell on 02/10/14 at 15:27:50

I was one who wasn't overly excited about the VA350b sound in my system. But they are about $40 shipped from amazon so cheap enough to try out.

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by Fireblade on 02/11/14 at 01:52:16

Right, I think Les Lammers wasn't excited about them either. Anyway, I like the G ST's so much, I'm going to try them with the new pairs of drivers I ordered and hopefully raise the bar a little more. These were affordable too.

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by jorgen on 06/11/14 at 11:50:55

Hi can these be used in the MT?
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/pope-6v6gt/

And what would be your recommondations for a EZ90 swap?

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by busterfree on 06/12/14 at 03:25:44

Quote:

Hi can these be used in the MT?
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/pope-6v6gt/

Yes. I have used them in my Mini Torii.

If you are getting them from Upscale, you might as well also order the EZ90 from them as well. I find their prices a little high, but you can rest assured that you are getting a quality and well tested tube.

I also buy from cryoset dot com.

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by hifitubes on 06/15/14 at 14:09:55

You need to get the E80CC in there man!

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by hifitubes on 06/16/14 at 09:01:33

Did you mean: A Mullard OA2 for a stock OC2 is a big improvement?

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by hifitubes on 06/16/14 at 09:18:15

0A2.pdf
0C2.pdf

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by jorgen on 06/16/14 at 11:15:05

you guys think the E90CC is a better alternative than the Ez90??
I checked out ebay and they are pretty expensive.. atleast compared to to the EZ90. I will definately try them out if you think hey are worth it. So..better in what ways? Consensus to the conclusion`?

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by hifitubes on 06/16/14 at 11:17:10

Try the EZ90 that Jim McShane has, very nice. I think they are RT German. Good price.

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by Fireblade on 06/16/14 at 13:14:05

+1

Since I switched to RFT EZ90 rectifiers over a year ago, the sound has improved tangibly.

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by hifitubes on 06/17/14 at 09:12:13

Has Steve approved the 0A2 for MT? I was told there is no drop-in replacement.

Title: Re: Results 6 months of Tube Rolling for Mini Torri-II
Post by Lon on 06/17/14 at 12:10:24

I don't know if Steve has approved it, but it can be used safely. Its use is noted here in this thread:

https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1389541068