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A higher level than Mullard in tube quality?

I am just getting started in tube rolling which I find pretty exciting. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

I have been upgrading the pre-amp tubes in a DK Design Mark II intergrated amp. My speakers are modded Magnepan 3.6's. My source is a Resolution Audio Opus 21. I listen to mostly acoustic jazz and vocals.

I went from a set of Electro-harmonix 6922 (like $20 each) to used 6dj8 Amprex "Bugle Boy" ($40 each) and that was a nice improvement -- well worth the cost. I just upgraded to Mullard 6922 NOS ($90 each) and WOW! I am amazed at the improvement. I could not have imagine that I could improve a $10,000 rig so much for so little. Now I am thinking ... what's next? Can I spend $300 and get another step up?

At this point, what is my next level up? Or is it more sideways to different type of sounds?

Question: used tubes of the same vintage are significantly less than NOS. Is there any down side to buying used (but tested) tubes? I can get 2 for the price of one NOS and probably get more hours from 2 combined. Also, it seems like a good way to lower the cost of testing different types of tubes ... or ... does the aging change the sound.

Question: I have Mullard Blackburn plant made 6922/E88CC gold pins in GE label from the 1960's. Would I get a different sound if I bought different Mullards, such as from a different time or a different plant? And do I just have to take the dealers word for the details -- it all seems so vague.

Right now I have $300 burning a hole in my pocket to try the next step up. But I fear I may hit the diminishing return ...

Thanks for your comments
mcmanus
tvad
9,467 posts
 
It's not a question of higher quality. Mullard, Siemens, Philips (Amperex), Telefunken are all of essentially equal quality, but they possess different sonic signatures. The issue is one of sonic preference given the listener's system components, speakers and personal taste.

All are excellent tubes.
muzcal
66 posts
 
If you want to test your own tubes and also check for noise, buy the Vacuum Tube Valley tube tester. It also tests at real world voltages.
mcmanus OP
55 posts
 
Thanks for so many great comments and tube suggestions. I read the enlightening "Joe's tube Lore", thanks Sbank. I think I will call Andy at Vintage Tube Services and see if he can put together a sampler of used (inexpensive) tubes for me. Then I can listen and compare the sonics in my system to see where my personal taste leads me.

My take from the comments here is that tube selection is kinda like cords and cables: you reach a level of quality once you get past the mass market stuff and then it becomes character differences and how the equipment interacts with the other components in your system -- and your personal taste.

I listen alot -- several hours a day. I am enjoying the improvement and my system now sounds better that I ever imagined it could. So I can (and do) sit and enjoy. But on the other hand, I am kicking myself for not upgrading my tubes a year or two ago. So little investment for such a great return. But I do feel I have reached a level that is pretty close to the best it can be so it is just tweaking from this point.

Now, given how much I am enjoying tube sound, I am wondering if I should move to a tube DAC. But that is a another post ...
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
All are excellent tubes.
. Yes, I think, that's the point. It is always depending on the System in General (analytic, cold/warm etc.) and how the unit works with it...
I have Mullards, Telefunken, Jan Phillipps, GE and so on here and in one unit one of these Tubes is simply amazing and exactly that Tube in another unit looses it's Magic.
In general I like Mullards (in the ML 2.1 it is a Killer Tube) but you will not go wrong with others.
whart's avatar
whart
1,930 posts
 
So Thom, it looks like you have to update your system profile and pic to reflect the ML 2.1 and I would love to see a report on how they sound, now that you have had time to get to know them.
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