Forums - OB3's and mullard 6dj8's

walt

Ex Member

OB3's and mullard 6dj8's
01/07/12 at 04:17:20

I frankly a little surprised at the result of how these sound together. Simply wonderful. The Mullards took forever to come on there own. If I had to say I would say the Torii has made another step in braking in also. The OB3's I am using are ST shape Westinghouse. I have been listening to a NOS Empire 2000/E III cartridge and on the Black Widow arm it leaves me with no desire to change. The wife and I had a few days off and we listened to a ton of old vinyl cleaning records on the Spin-Clean between sides.

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will Seasoned Member Posts: 2917	Re: OB3's and mullard 6dj8's Reply #1 - 01/07/12 at 07:03:47 Walt, That is great news the Mullards and OB3-STs are so good in your system. I have always tended to preferring OB3s and have been enamored by Mullard 6DJ8 and 6922 pulls I have lately as well. The Mullard fame appears to be well deserved. Happy listening!
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Pale Rider Seasoned Member Posts: 1285	Re: OB3's and mullard 6dj8's Reply #2 - 01/07/12 at 16:20:42 Walt mentioned: Quote: NOS Empire 2000/E III cartridge and on the Black Widow arm Walt, you're not referring to the classic Infinity Black Widow tone arm, are you? I still have mine that I picked up in the late 70s packed away somewhere.
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Morganc Senior Member Posts: 87	Re: OB3's and mullard 6dj8's Reply #3 - 01/10/12 at 09:58:49 Are there much difference in various OB-3's? I see Sylvania, GE, and Raytheon...... Also any link to describe the difference between OA-3, OB-3, OC-3, etc. Cheers, M
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Lon

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Re: OB3's and mullard 6dj8's
Reply #4 - 01/10/12 at 13:16:14

I've been able to compare three different OA3 tubes, and two different OB3 tubes and I would extrapolate from that and say yes, there are indeed differences between tube types (straight-sided, coke bottle shape) and brands. Experimentation can yield interesting results. The nature of the tube influences the other tubes in teh circuit as well.

The odd thing about my journey is that after buying an additional two pairs of OA3s, two pairs of OB3s, a pair of OC3 and a pair of OD3, I find each time I roll that I come back to the original OA3s that Steve shipped as being "the tube" for my system. Cheesy

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will

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Re: OB3's and mullard 6dj8's
Reply #5 - 01/10/12 at 15:59:43

Morgan,

I don't have GE, but do have early 50s Sylvania, Tungsol, and Raytheon OB3-ST (coke bottle). I will give some general observations based on what I have. Early STs appear to be a distinction. 50s OA3, OB3, OC3W tend to be a bit warmer. But my 80s Sylvania OA3-ST sound more open and spacious than my 50s RCA OA3.

The straight bottle VRs I have tend to be on the more open, spacious, side of the STs other than the 80s Sylvania OA3-ST which is more like the straights tonally. The tall bottle Russian OA3 straight I have is extremely open and bright. All the straights vary tonally, by company, as do the STs...some warmer, than others.

How profoundly they effect a system will depend a lot on how revealing it is. These VRs of the same voltage have generally more subtle differences, but can strongly effect the refinement of synergy. Between voltages...A,B,C, and D, the difference is stronger.

Whichever shape and vintage you use, there is a progression in how they effect the Torii. OA3s will push your amp harder. More density and punch across the sound spectrum. Then progressively, as you go to B, C, D within the same tube type from the same period, the presentation will chill down a notch. So the 50s OB3 ST will sound similar tonally to a 50s OA3-ST but a bit less push across the spectrum. I tend to slightly prefer OB3s in my system, but it depends on the other tubes.

Of the OB3 tubes you ask about if they are 50s tubes, I like the 50s Sylvania and the Tungsol, and the Raytheon I have is the same construction and sound as my Tungsol. They are all similar sounding, but I would call the Sylvania a little more articulate and slightly brighter, whereas the Tungsol/Ratheon are a bit richer and more textural. With the tubes I am listening to now, the Tungsol is my preference, but I have more hours on the Sylvanias.

There are a lot of other VRs I have not heard though, so who knows. One thing is that they are a pretty inexpensive way to explore refining the Torii to tastes. Especially if you find it a bit in your face or too dense, which shows most obviously in the low ranges.

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Pale Rider Seasoned Member Posts: 1285	Re: OB3's and mullard 6dj8's Reply #6 - 01/10/12 at 19:13:06 Like Lon, I have tried a number of VR tubes in my Toriis (and in my Ultra). And like Lon, I keep coming back to the 0A3s. Unlike Will, I have not been very systematic in my review of the VR tubes. I need to do that.
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will Seasoned Member Posts: 2917	Re: OB3's and mullard 6dj8's Reply #7 - 01/10/12 at 20:04:03 Greg, What OA3s are you using?
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will

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Posts: 2917

Re: OB3's and mullard 6dj8's
Reply #8 - 01/10/12 at 20:53:17

As with any cable or tube roll, component shift or whatever, I like to do it first with everything else left as is. Then if it looks promising, I need to tweak the treble/bass knobs a touch at least, and sometimes give the speakers a minor shift to optimize a change.

And I use OA3s at times too and like them. I would not have gotten into this whole VR thing though had I not heard something I did not like in the original setup.

So of course, if the Stock VRs are not a suspicion for something less than optimal in a system, I see not need to go there!

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