Does anyone else have experience using 6H6P's in the VK-D5SE?
I recently asked BAT whether the 6H6P (6N6P) tube is compatible in the VK-D5SE. The email answer I got -- not from VK -- was that it is not compatible, and that I needed 6H30 tubes.
This contradicts information posted by VK elsewhere on the internet back in 2002 that, "[t]he 6H6 tube will bias properly in the VK-D5SE circuit and will provide just a tad higher output signal."
In the same post he stated about the 6H6, "plate resistance is about 2.5 time higher, meaning that your CD player output impedance will also go up with this substitude. Whether this matters or not - we shall leave to the reader to decide."
Lukasz Fiskus, who is the designer/builder behind Lampizator, modded many VK-D5's over the last decade. He seems to like the 6H6/6N6 tube. He posted, "[t]he biggest and quickest improvement is over 6H30P - the tube popularized by BAT and its creator mr. Khomenko. He raves that 6H30 is a supertube, but in my opinion it is very coarse, hard and glassy by comparison. I hate 6H30 in circuits which I tried, including my own BAT VK-D5SE cd player. Anyone having BAT gear should immediately give 6H6P a try without any other circuit mods. You will be surprised."
I don't know the degree to which commercial interests are at play. I have heard BAT bought up many 6H30 tubes and I have first-hand experience with some of the great BAT products built around them. Then there's this quote about the 6H6/6N6 tube from VK: "To my knowledge the tube is not in production today, basically rulling it out for use in our new products. But for someone who only needs a few pieces this is a good opportunity."
With the price of 6H30P-DR super tube closing in on $200 each I'm thinking it's time to try the 6H6P/6N6P. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experience before I make the switch. Thanks!
