Audio Aero CDP tube replacement: 6021 v/s 6n16b


During my recent trip to France, I met with an electronic engineer who previously worked for Audio Aero factory (France) and told me of a substantial improvement in musicality and overall sound quality of the Audio Aero CD players if the stock 6021W tubes (cryo or not) are replaced by the russian 6N16B tubes (selling for about $1,50 ea. on Ebay from Russia).

I did some research and came across several DIYers from Europe who have tried this route and confirmed that the 6N16B tubes take the Audio Aero players to another level.

Continuing my research, i recently came across a well respected french DIY website (in French language) - hosted and managed by tube researchers & professionals in France and a forum specifically on tube replacement in Audio Aero players.

It appears that those who have replaced the 6021 by 6n16b swear there is no contest: the russian tubes make the player a much better animal. The site is:

http://www.elektor.fr/forum/forum/publications-d-elektor/tubes-audio/remplacement-mini-tubes-6021.2286101.lynkx?pageStart=1#2497327

There is one caveat though (detailed out in the above thread): the 8 filaments of the 6n16b have to be soldered differently from the way the 6021 are soldered - the latter requires that the filaments be soldered consecutively in an orderly manner (i.e. filament 1 of tube 6021 on position 1 on circuit board, filament 2 on position 2, and so on in a regular pattern clockwise or anticlockwise etc..) , while the russian tube requires that some filaments be soldered in a disorderly sequence - some filaments having to cross others (and therefore require isolation).

I went on Lampizator website and found that Lukas has only praises for these little russian tubes and as he states in his own words: "One of the best sounding tubes of all time. The ubertube". The link is http://lampizator.eu/shop/viewitem.php?productid=51

Lukas uses them in many of his products (DAC, preamp etc.)

Convinced by these testimonies, I have just ordered eight 6n16b tubes from Russia for my AA cd player and am awaiting delivery. Have also bought some JAN 6021W Phillips just in case..

Anyone tried the replacement? Your experience, findings and particularly the complexity of soldering the 6n16b on the circuit board would be much appreciated.

Thank you
lall
I have heard that AA is once again in between distributors.
I hope someone is willing to take on this Brand and keep her on-track w/ product development and customer support.
First think that the tubes 6021wa and 6111wa have an expected lifetime of
about 10000 hrswhen we started with these miniature tubes I proposed to use the 6111wa which has less gain and comes close to this russian 6n16b
replacing the 6021 by a 6111 is easy as they have exactly the same shape.
this might be a better proposition then that funny brother PUTIN-tube.
regards AJ van Doorn
If you tried the 6N16B-V in the AA and you didn't like them all I can say for sure is that it's not the tubes fault.
You cannot "drop" the 6N16B in a circuit designed for the 6021 and expect to work wonders just because they are both subminiature, the two tubes have very different curves.
Biased at ~7mA and with 100V anode-to-cathode the MELZ 6N16B-V is the best kept secret in tube audio and one the best sounding tubes EVER MADE comparable only with BENDIX or diamond TELEFUNKEN.
Dear AJ van Doorn (Triodelogic)
Can you tell us if and when Audio Aero will be back in business?
I concur- Triode12-

I am hoping someone or some other company will re-invent Audio Aero. At one time, they made some of the best spinners
in the market place. Keep me posted & Happy Listening!