2. analog
  3. 1424804939

TUBES: Telefunken EL84 & ECC801

Hello. Who's familiar with sound of vintage 60s military Telefunken E84L (el84) and ECC801S (ecc81) ?

Can you guys recommend me something better than telefunken? I have a set of these Telefunken tubes in my WLM Minueta class-a push-pull and i like it, but this is the only one set of hi-end tubes of highest quality i have. Need to secure myself and buy another as a spare set. Also i'd love to try something better if possible. I listen my WLM in triod mode with Druid MK5 speakers of 101db and love it. I must say when i changed stock tubes (modern JJ & Tungsram) to vintage nos military Telefunked the difference was huge! I believe only with Telefunked i realised what is the tube sound.

I'm considering some other hi-end NOS tubes of that kind from different brands or maybe some top of the line new reissue tubes (i'm still doubt they can compete with Telefunken).

Need help.
chakster

Showing 12 responses by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
Montytx & Elevick thanks for advice! I bough mine from Tube Museum (New York), i've seen upscale audio youtube channel and noticed they sell on ebay and on their website. No i have not tried 7189 (i'll keep my eye on it).

I've heard about Amperex Bugle Boys but never tried. They problem is (as you said) each brand sells in many variations and if there is a strong contenders to go nose to nose with my vintage Telefunkens (quad of E84L and pair of ECC801S) i'd like to know exact model to try.

BTW any thoughts about russian reissues of Genalex Gold Lion or i should look for good NOS only? My telefunkens weren't cheap and in this price i can't buy many.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
Tonyptony, thanks for info
Reading Tube Asylum now.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
Myles ... Military TELEFUNKEN ECC801s matched pair and E84L matched quad from the 60s (nos) - this is what i use in my amp for 3 years and i agree with you description of the sound. Love it!

I only need something else but on the same level of performance , something pretty much involving, maybe different sound. Some modern tubes i have tried were total crap and non involving at all.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
What about best American RCA tubes?
RCA 3 Mica S-Rod 12AT7WA or any other suggestions ...

Top Japanese ecc81 and el84 versions ?

I'm gonna try some old Russians soon.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
@rodman99999

Hi, sorry i've missed your request. I have checked my Telefunken ECC801s and yes, on the bottom they have a diamond. My tubes looks exactly like this one.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
Anyone tested affordable Sylvania Gold Brand 6201 vs rare Telefunken ECC801? 
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
I decided to post my updates here:
Got this set of gold pins Sylvania Gold Brand 12at7WA
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17021429_1595234603828034_5238115527356905272_n.jpg?oh=c84fb2...

... and i must say this is the first tube that i really like compared to my Telefunken ECC801s. What a great experience, this Sylvania sound is something special, i think i have more flow, definitely more bass and while the top end is not so extended as with Telefunkens i still love the highs of Sylvania. very comfortable tube in my system. I think the gold pin version of Sylvania GB is rare, but still not so expensive as Telefunkens.

Now i’d like to replace my power tubes:
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15826550_1525676917450470_2696563606639229955_n.jpg?oh=a47736...
Telefunken E84L which i’m uning now with those Sylvania preapm tubes.

So the question is what can be really good as a direct replacement?

What about late 50s, early 60s cylinder "no hole" plate RCA smoke glass 6BQ5 tubes?
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
@noromance  

Mullard CV4024? Never tried, but they are widely available NOS in every tube shop as i can see (under $50). The Sylvania Gold Brand is not so easy to find, especially gold pins.

Anyway, not i'm looking for power tubes (6bq5/EL84) for back up, those Telefunken E84L is so rare and i want to put them aside for some time. 

I'm happy with Sylvania 12at7/ECC81 as an alternative to my telefunken ecc801s.  Can't buy every tube i wish to try, unfortunately.  
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
I'm sure it will be impossible to beat my military Telefunken E84L (quad) that i use now in my amp, so i'd like to avoid any new tubes made in Russia for various brands today.

I'm looking only for NOS vintage tubes from the 50s or 60s.
Seems like the late 50s or early 60s classic cylinder "no hole" plates with a tilted top disc getter RCA "smoked glass" 6BQ5 NOS is a contender, they are $109 for matched pairs from Brent Jessee. Anyone tried them ?   
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
@bradf yep, Brent said the Amperex Holland OEM labels would be a step up from RCA "smoked glass" 6bq5. But i ask myself should i stay with European tubes/sound i already experienced with my Telefunken E84L or to try different U.S. made RCA sound? 
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
@rauliruegas 

You are an audio hyperactive gentleman so why not ...

Oh, thanks for this description, Raul :) Actually i'd like to try low power Pass Labs First Watt amp with my full range high efficiency (101db) upgraded Zu Audio Druid mk4 speakers as the manufacturer used to run this combo on their shows for demo. I think the pass labs amps are special current amp and unique, designed for speakers without crossover (like my Zu Audio), here is the thread about them. 

However, i love tube amp in my system, all my music created and recorded/mastered with tubes equipment, so why not reproduce this music with push-pull triod tube amp? 
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
Everybody knows than Raul prefer Solid State and that's fine. When we're talking about new concepts and new ideas in Solid State amps, i think First Watt designed by Nelson Pass in USA is worth to try for the owners of high efficiency loudspeaker owners, at least i would like to try (only) if i could find used one for reasonable price.

The fact that we're in 21st century doesn't mean that we have to use only new designed products in audio. Personally i don't care about most of the new stuff when properly designed vintage high-end available 10 times cheaper (turntables, tonearms, cartridges). I'm fine with new speakers, new amps with nos tubes, and new cables, though. I don't care about digital because my favorite music recorded in the 70s and sounds great on original pressings (vinyl). 
More to discover