Modwright SWL9.0 SE Tube Rolling

The Sylvanias have a sweeter top end than the GE 7044, with excellent extension, balance, and no hardness, etchiness or glare. IMO, the Sylvania GB-5687 tubes are a significant improvement over the GE 7044 in the SWL 9.0SE.

well, got a pair of Sylvania GB 5687, and in my system, they took a back seat to the GE 7044, which is so far my favorite. The Sylvanias and the TungSols sound too laid back, the GEs have are more forward and transparent in the midrange, which is key in my system. They are also a little lighter in the bass, and in my room, I've already got too much bass energy, so the GE's sound great. They don't sound closed in at all either, the Sylvania's felt reticent in comparison. Anyway, just goes to show, system matching takes precedence...

Hmm, thats interesting. After reading TVAD's posts I wasn't expecting much out of the 7044s. I wasn't going to post till I tried the Sylvanias (this weekend) but I have also found the 7044s to be a big improvement over the 5687s. I find the midrange to be alot meatier and I think the top end is a bit sweeter as well.

There definitely is a reduction in bass energy, still very tight and you can definitely hear it, just not quite as much slam. So that's a compromise but one I think I can live with.

Anyway, I'll let you know what I think of the Sylvanias next week.

So Mihilli, what are your impressions regarding the GE 7044/Sylvania GB-5687 comparison?

Well, my intial impressions were that the GBs did some nice things tonally but seemed to have a negative impact on dynamics, leading edge and overall rhtyhm.

Now after listening to them a bit more I think they may be growing on me.

So, I'm going to leave them in for the rest of the week. Then Saturday I will do some side by side, listen, change back to the 7044s, listen to the same music again and try to come to a conclusion.

I think where I'm coming to is that they both sound much better then the stock 5687s but individually they each have some distinct qualities, so it's a matter of preferance. GB5687s more of a traditional tube sound, luscious midrange, sweeter highs. Jan 7044s more modern tube sound, better PRAT, more dynamic.

I'll let you know thoughts after the big shoot out on Saturday...............