2. amps-preamps
  3. 169632-147734

Mullard E188CC - but with tight bass?

I just digged into tube rolling a bit as my dac (Lab 12 Dac 1 Reference), which is using ECC88s and variants in its output stage, needs a shot of energy and atmosphere.

The stock tubes were 6922 Electro Harmonix. Well, they were okay but nothing special and lacked a precise bass. I changed over to the legendary Amperex bugle boys. My dear, that was an excellent, precise and powerful bass, but the mids were too upfront and I couldn’t relax with them.

Next one was a pair of Siemens E188CC from 1966. Excellent tube, great dynamics, but a bit too cold and lean for my taste and the bass wasn’t as good as from the bugle boys. Finally I now got some RTC E188CC from the early 70ies. Wow, that was the midrange I was missing all the time. Absolutely rich, voluptuous and full of textures. Really amazing, just like the 3D soundstage. The only thing that bothers me is the bass. Again it’s not 100 percent tight and precise enough. Maybe on par with the Siemens but not with Amperex (I have to admit I just used them for 3 days now. Maybe the burn in process will improve the bass but who knows).

So my question is - is there ANY tube out there with such an impressive rich, involving and delicate midrange like the RTC E188CC combined with a tight and precise bass like Amperex? What about the Mullard E188CC - or is it the exact same tube? Valvo, Genalex? Open to anything but I’m not looking out for a compromise regarding the midrange.
barrista0611

Showing 2 responses by dekay

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,706 posts
 
tvad:

Start a new thread here (just for fun)...

Used 5687's to drive 300B's (Audion), but there were DIY preamps popular around that time - 18/20 years ago (based upon a commercial Japanese design - I think) that used them.

You might get some advice, plus list the 5687 unit you are using (didn't see it listed in your system).

DeKay
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,706 posts
 
tvad:

Yes, the Tung-Sols seemed to be favorited (requested) by the DIY preamp crowd as far as I recall, but there were many versions.

The "special" TS's were those with gold/bronze/copper colored plates and/or the same color upright support rods (forget which as I may be confusing some of this with TS 12au7's used in AN and AN knock-offs of the same time period).

I gave away gobs of both to DIY'ers @ the time as I had 2 shoe boxes full of both types (gifts from a tube dealer who was on his last dance with brain cancer).

As a 300B driver my favorite was Sylvania GB (more meat on the bones/harmonically rich), but I also discovered that the non-GB versions with identical construction sounded the same in the Audion amp.

The GB 5687's also included later versions which were sans gold plated pins and which were of different construction (still badged GB).

Apologies for this OT stuff, but I have not responded to the OP due to his entirely different take on 6922 types that I've used and am familiar with in phono and line stage gain positions (chalking it up to different gear/synergy).

DeKay


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