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Phillips Mini's ECC83

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Posted on October 26, 2009 at 10:38:57
Dr.Phil
Audiophile

Posts: 195
Location: Virginia
Joined: May 5, 2008



Need some feedback. I have a chance to buy some Phillips Mini's. One set is LP (long plate)? The other SG (square getter)? Sound wise is there a difference? Another set is SG 45 degrees 1958.

Anyone have experience with these tubes?

Thanks!
PJB
RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 26, 2009 at 23:00:39
Bilbar
Audiophile

Posts: 37
Location: Van Isle, BC
Joined: August 7, 2009
 If they are as you described (SG = square getter), you are very lucky, as those would be old longplates.

RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 26, 2009 at 19:15:49
tvr2500m
Audiophile

Posts: 1380
Location: Boston
Joined: February 2, 2003
 Ask/look for the Philips type and manufacturing codes. These can also be called "etched" codes. This is the best way to make positive ID of what tube you have. These codes will tell you what the particular tube type or "issue" is, in which factory the tube was manufactured, and when the tube was manufactured. This is the best way to get a "baseline" of which tube you're using, to then begin to mix 'n match, compare, contrast, whatever.

There can be some outlying ambiguities in these codes, the codes can be difficult to read, sometimes they are gone (assuming they were there, or should have been there, in the first place), but Philips did us a favor to provide as much documentation about a tube right on the tube bottle.

- SJ

RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 26, 2009 at 18:12:41
Bilbar
Audiophile

Posts: 37
Location: Van Isle, BC
Joined: August 7, 2009
 Are you sure it's not "SQ", for Special Quality? I don't think Heerlen-Philips used square getters, but rather D's, halos, and dimpled discs.

RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 27, 2009 at 05:56:21
Dr.Phil
Audiophile

Posts: 195
Location: Virginia
Joined: May 5, 2008
 Read the box it says SQ I also have four lp that are Philips Miniwatt ecc83 12ax7 long p lates, 1957, full tested, 45°‏

Does the sound differ between the two sets. They sound very transparent, I was told to give them 100 hours of use to really hear them due to being not used in decades.

Any thoughts? I have 4 of each type.
PJB
RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 27, 2009 at 17:53:16
Bilbar
Audiophile

Posts: 37
Location: Van Isle, BC
Joined: August 7, 2009
 Can you make out the etched production codes? You might have to look very closely, near the bottom, or between the pins.

RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 27, 2009 at 18:05:14
Dr.Phil
Audiophile

Posts: 195
Location: Virginia
Joined: May 5, 2008
 most are missing, but one says I65 42d2,tubes look very old, but no used, writing is also most gone. I just got some Volvos also.
PJB
RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 29, 2009 at 16:21:26
Bilbar
Audiophile

Posts: 37
Location: Van Isle, BC
Joined: August 7, 2009
 If the "4" in the code you described is actually a right triangle, those are short plate ECC83s from Heerlen, Holland, probably 1972 production. Nice tubes, but Philips long plates,(whether Valvo, Mullard, Amperex, Philips Miniwatt etc.), are from the mid to late '50s, and would be rarer and generally more sought after. Of course, their sonic character can vary from system to system. Some prefer short plates, but the long plate versions consistently sell for a higher price.

RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 29, 2009 at 17:38:53
Dr.Phil
Audiophile

Posts: 195
Location: Virginia
Joined: May 5, 2008
 They other four tubes are LP 1957...I just tried them this week, after a few days they really setteled in...your right musical and just superb sounding. I think I will keep them...they do sound better the the SQ I have.

Not sure about the Valvo yet, the guy told me 100 hours for burn-in time due to not being used for decades. Not sure this is correct but the Phillips LP really came into their own after running them 8 hours a day for 3 days.

More musical then the TKF's.

Using them with a MCIntosh C2300 tube preamp.
PJB
RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 30, 2009 at 17:28:31
Bilbar
Audiophile

Posts: 37
Location: Van Isle, BC
Joined: August 7, 2009
 Can you make out the production codes on the long plate tubes? There were a number of factories making them for the Philips conglomerate.

RE: Phillips Mini's ECC83, posted on October 26, 2009 at 12:45:16
gortnipper
Audiophile

Posts: 502
Location: Seattle expat in Auckland
Joined: November 28, 2003
 There are a lot of them down here in NZ - all of the ones I have seen are Heerlen production - just like the Bugle Boys, Pope, etc.

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