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Hi Fellow inmates. Currently re-tubing an EICO HF-81 integrated. Just acquired and installed the following:1) Mullard 6CA4/EZ81 Rectifer tubes (2)
2) Mullard 12AX7/ECC83 Eico Logo (4)
3) Mullard EL84/6BQ5 RTC-Radiotechnique (4)
4) Mullard EL84/6BQ5 Valvo branded (4) - Awaiting delivery
5) Telefunken 12AU7/ECC82 Tektronix Matched (2) - Awaiting deliveryMy question.......what is recommended as a superior tube compliment for this amp. Please advise. Thank you.
Follow Ups:
I've seen or had 3 or 4 different Eico HF-81's as well as a number of HF-12's. In all cases, the stock Eico labeled tubes were Mullards. I'd say you're headed in the right direction with the tubes that you have/are getting. The Mullard's sound great in these amps.
Any perspectives on the sonic differences in the following tubes?Mullard EL84/6BQ5 RTC-Radiotechnique (4)
Mullard EL84/6BQ5 Valvo branded (4) - Awaiting delivery
Hard to say really. Tube labeling is just that. Labels on tubes. For example, take the RTC labels. Were they made in the Heerlen, Holland Plant? The Blackburn, UK Plant? West or East Germany? Are they relabeled Russian tubes? When you get them, check out the structure along with the etched codes near the base of the tubes. If they were made in a Philips Plant, this will tell you the type and version number, and where/when they were manufactured. The Eico labeled Mullard's that I've seen in these amps were always from the Blackburn Plant and have a round (not rectangular) hole in the middle of the plate. This particular tube has always seemed to be a nice, warm, laid-back sounding tube to me but your ears may vary.They could certainly sound different based on their structure and where/when they were manufactured. Not to mention your equipment, room, ears, etc. Best bet, when you get them, plug 'em in and let your ears to the talking. Such is the fun (and expense) of tube rolling!
Excellent post. Good points. Thank you for your perspective and experience.
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