Dominick wrote on 02/22/23 at 16:44:20:Lon….I know for a while you really liked the Amperex Holland Pinched Waist 7062 in your ZROCK2. How would you compare that to the 6211 that you are using now. What do you like more about one tube over the other?
My ZROCK2 is still fairly new, but when I’m ready to roll tubes in the ZRock2, I have a number of the Amperex Holland Pinched Waist 7062’s that I bought ahead of time. I do like it in my ZSTAGE in the relaxed position, so no complaints on the sound.
Dom
Hey Dom, I had the 7062 as the ZROCK2 tube for a long time. All that time I was running 6085 tubes with converter bases in the ZTPRE, and generally RCA gray glass 6NS7 in the Monoblocks. Altogether these complements present a big, vivid sound with clear textures and punchy dynamics. When I started re-inserting the 7308s I started to experience a bit more warmth and a slightly more laid-back presentation, which I liked a lot. With 7308 in all spots and the 7062 still in the ZROCK2 there was a great presentation that I enjoyed for some time. The 7062 gave a kick in the arse to the 7308 sound structure but in time I began to feel the whole was topped with a bit of an analytical, tight edge that began to be a bit fatiguing--which I never experienced with the 6085 in the ZTPRE. So. . . I went through all the 12AU7 types and compatible ZROCK2 tubes, and when I got to this Amperex 6211 I eased back in my listening and I've decided that I really like this complement.
I'm sure in a week or two things may be different! I love to experiment with differing tube complements.
One conclusion I could come from this is that I really like the big sized 12A type tubes such as the 6085, 7062, 6414 et al, they have a lot of dynamic gain and an open clarity. . . I tend to like them when used throughout the components. And the regular sized signal tubes in the 12A family I tend to like together throughout the system. And for some material and some volumes and moods blending them gives a "just right right now" sound to the system.
I hope that makes a little sense. The ZTPRE, ZROCK2, SE84UFO3s can take on so many different sonic characteristics with different tubes that there are so many enjoyable complements that can be put together with so many differing tubes. Personal preferences will be taken on trips and examined!
If you are enjoying the 7062 in the ZSTAGE you will likely enjoy it in the ZROCK2 as well, having the two 7062 tubes in series in the system may create a great presentation.