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Curious what the take is in these old boys? Did a search, but most everything was about the 12AX7 and other models besides the 6DJ8. Seems a lot like those Japanese tubes for their sections being very closely matched and hardly ever microphonic in audio gear.Any input much appreciated!
Follow Ups:
Here is some info that I found from Google:
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Matsushita had purchaced all new tube production facilities from British Mullard in early 50's, after they lost factories by the war. Since they had been known as somewhat second class maker compare with NEC or TEC(now Toshiba), the best production technlogy had needed to be introduced to compete. So, not only factories but also detailes and materials of tubes were identical with Mullard, later Dutch Phillips. Most of their products were exported, purchased by Mullard or othes till early 60's.They gradually modified Mullard given design and add originalities in 60's to the end of tube production in 70's. But always you can see similality to Licencer's design. They had produced most major civilian receiving type of Mullard/Philips design, very seldom original.
Not many tubes can be seen branded Panasonic or Matsushita in outside of Japan, except service parts of their TV or FM Receiver so far.
Takashi
Naperville, IL
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I went ahead and jumped on a lot of them. Was not going to play 'em until I tested them tomorrow, but after hearing everyone say how solid the other models of Japanese tubes were and since the bottles were beautiful and pins nice and straight I went ahead and replaced my Amperex Orange Globe Halo getter w/ a pair. While not quite as extended on top (sometimes a good thing w/ digital) I was very shocked at all the midrange DETAIL and richness from these puppies! Background vocals were more delineated than the Holland tubes and all kinds of air surrounded Eva Cassidy, Rambling Jack Elliot and Sara K.! I'll test the whole bunch over the weekend, but from all I'm hearing the reject rate is pretty awesome w/ these little Japanese jewels. Not saying I'm selling my Amperex, Siemens, and Telefunken stash, but at these prices I have to agree that they KILL the old Sovtecs (which cost 3x these prices) I have around and absolutely no comparison to the few new production I've heard. Just the ticket to keep around for those late nights when you want to roll something in the rig to kick back w/ some vocal favorites. I'll see how they rock n' roll after the testing THANKS for all the input!
I was just wondering ....If you bought a Lot ... maybe you would be interested in parting with a Quad set. :)
Julien Therrien
jntherrien@msn.com
I wasn not aware that matshusita made 6dj8's in the 1960's. i only tried 1970's production. The results were mixed at best. Many were microphonic and exhibited weak dynamics and mediocre soundstage. The good ones had nice tonality and texture in the highs. Reportedly they used Mullard tooling so your report of the mids would make sence.
Very good tubes. Buying them "blind" on ebay without auditioning is a much safer gambit than with European types-- they are much less prone to microphonics and imbalance of the triode halves than European types. Can be a bit "clinical" so may not be the best match for digital media or BAT or late model ARC preamps etc, but very solid, good tubes. I obtained 94 mixed Toshiba, Matsushita, and NEC 12AX7 variants, including NECs legendary 7729 subcontracted by CBS-Hytron and have had astonishingly high rates of tubes with good balance of the triode halves, TOTAL freedom from microphonics ( a buddy used a pair of the May, 1968 Toshibas in an MC headamp with excellent results) and above NOS specs. Until broken in, they disappointed me a bit as they were rather "dry" and transistor-like, but after 50-100 hours the mids opened up and MAN are they nice. For any application besides highgain phonostages or V1 tubes in guitar amps, they are TOTALLY acceptable. They absolutely trash 1980s Tungsrams, and there is absolutely NO comparison with any current Russian or Czech 12AX7. Only a selected Ei elite ( i.e. a selected selected tube!) compares. The $100 I paid for all 94 makes them all the sweeter... I'm not gloating, believe me it's the first break in a long string of negatives...
Oops! Saw you said 1960s. I am referring to 1970s production.
I have a ton of Japanese produced Philips/Mullard, Bugle Boy clone 6DJ8. Fantastic tubes, just about as good IMO as the Holland produced versions. Much better in terms of unit-to-unit consistency, low noise, section match, etc. I buy all I can gets my hands on. Generally go cheap, i.e. $5 a tube.
I would really like to try a few of these in my ARC LS-1 as a buffer. My 1960 British Mullard/German military is a weebit hollow sounding maybe from a bit of ring. Seimens 7308 is cleaner but not as sweet...maybe these could be the answer?
Since they are cheap, it is certainly worth a shot.My experience with the Amperex Bugle Boys, i.e. closed plate Philips, is they are not the best for cathode followers and phase splitters. This is not a hard and fast rule by any means. I tend to use them only in gain stages.
They just tend to be a bit more fussy in these applications. Don't know why. Perhaps just the particular tubes I have on hand.
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