Letter from Hong Kong (23-10): Shawn P on 6N2
Review: Eastern Transmission Audio 6N3 Preamp, Part III
Review: BRZ FU-50 Amp, Part II
Overview: 6N2/6N1 Tube Rolling Guide, Part II
Revised Dec 10, 2023: Preamp Factor section modified. Tube Advice sectin amended.
Revised Dec 5, 2023: Tube Advice section re-written.
BRZ A08 Part I gives details of the amp and slight modification.
BRZ A08 Part II details the First 2 Rounds of Tube Rolling (6N2 and 6N3C)
BRZ A08 Part IV introduces the WE 350B and a new development, Failed Volume Pot!!!!!
Eastern Transmission Audio (ETA) 6N3 SRPP Preamp (Parts I-III)
BRZ FU-50 Amp (Parts I-II)
Note that basically Parts II and III combined gives an Overview of 6N2/6N1 Tube Rolling!
Here in Part III, originally I was to simply cover only Capacitor Change and Tube Rolling of Octal 6SN7/L7, with a bit of comparison with BRZ FU-50 amp thrown in. But events turned out less straightforward, to the extent that I just have to re-write/modify the Comments I wrote in Part II, and I have re-structured the review series by revising and re-locating that section here. So, even if you think you have read it in the old Part II, re-read it anyway - the conclusions are somewhat different. Yes, just like with people, it takes time to know things. After a while, long after visits to this Part III has peaked, I shall further re-arrange and move the 6S_7 tube rolling below to Part II. That shall make a more logical whole for readers not of the first wave.
Round 3: 6SN7/6SL7
For the Primer on appropriate Adaptors, please refer to Part II. As expected, Gain of the 6S_7 are lower than 6N2 and roughly equivalent to 12AU7 and 6CG7 (see Part II). Although the gain of 6SL7 is higher than that of the 6SN7, it's not by much and not always obvious in this setting (even if it's supposedly a forerunner of 12AX7). All of mine (see pic, just 7 randomly plucked from my stash) produced good results. The 6SN7s seemed a little more refined and highlight soloists more, whereas the 6SL7 had a more layered soundstage. If I have to pick, it'd be silver plate Ken-Rad 6SL7 (VT229) and an ordinary looking Tung-Sol D-getter 6SN7 (not in pic above, but on amp at the bottom).
In terms of certain audio parameter (like imaging), the 6S_7 is not superior to, say, the better noval tubes, say 12AX7 and 6DJ8. But, as experienced tube people know, the larger octals have a more organic sound, though the lower gain requires (certainly in this case) the preamp to contribute more!
After all this tube rolling, I'd like to point you towards this bit that Shawn P contributes:
Shawn P on 6N2 (and 6N1)
6N2p is interesting in various ways. The internal elements are silver, they are very cheap, they seem reliable (I have not encountered a dead one) and most interestingly, 6N2p is perhaps the only tube which I have more experience with than doctorjohn.
I have two Decware amplifiers and they both take 6N2p and these amplifiers also take 6N1p and 6DJ8. Recently, I also purchased another EL84 amp from TaoBao which also takes 6N1p and 6N2p (no 6DJ8 for this). Hence, I was able to compare 6N2p with different tubes with the same amplifier.
So how did 6N2p compare with the others? When these tubes were used in my Decware SE34I, the 6DJ8 sounded the warmest with least punch, the 6N1p sounded cleanest and not as warm as 6DJ8 and the 6N2p made the amp sounded more powerful but also roughest. That all made sense since 6N2p had the most gain out of the group. I also observed the same with my newly acquired TaoBao EL84 amp which only has one 6N1p/6N2p before the EL84. When the TaoBao amp was used with 6N1p, it sounded thin and when the amp was used with 6N2p; it sounded thicker and became much more musical and enjoyable.
6N2p is not a bad tube but smoothness is not its strong point. BTW, the Russian 6N2p-ev did sound a bit cleaner than the 6n2p.
I think, after all the Tube Rolling Talk, perceptive readers can take this series (Parts II and III) as a Primer on 6N2 and 6N1 (same pin out) Tube Rolling Guide! I don't think there are better ones on the net.
Round 4: Capacitor Mod and a little Transformer Vibration Damping
Not sure of the BRZ's stock blue "RIFA" boxy caps, I swapped in the "Solen" Polypropylene Caps (0.22uF, 630V). Definitely NOT made in France at the price (Top pic; 1.5 RMB each; I was looking at Audiophiler but they don't have the appropriate values)!
I also loosened the transformer screws (power and outputs) and slipped under them some rubber strips (from heat shrinks). This was to combat vibration, a method I used very successfully in the Dynaco PAS3 (here). However, my effort was not exactly complete as one power transformer screw had two washers underneath (impossible to loosen in a tight spot; top pic, top right corner), between which were grounded the power supply and circuit. Unfortunately, overall, at this point I cannot tell you of significant improvements. Maybe a little faster and less rounded at the edges, maybe not.
Round 5: A Preamp Change
Although I have several preamps, given the character of the amp, I knew early on that I'd like to try my Eastern Transmission Audio (ETA) 6N3 SRPP Preamp. As mentioned, this is a super high-gain preamp and its fast (take-no-prisoner) character I thought would likely suit the BRZ amp to a -T.
But the ETA had been having hiccups for a while already (which was why I didn't use it in Parts I and II). It was losing one channel and so got shelved aside. A couple of days ago, I looked at it and it seemed the output wires had frayed some (my shoddy work during mod). I resoldered the Input and Output RCA Terminals and it came back to life.
In fact, just as predicted, the ETA (with Russian 6N3) elevated the performance that had me rethink the potential of this amp. The high gain and punchy character proved eminently beneficial to the BRZ. It's not just a simple question of getting enough impact, it's that the combo now had much more nuance and microdynamics! Just one illustration. The superb album Aux Etoiles (Bru Zane) mixes the better-known with the unknown. The many unknown tracks, which previously sounded rather generic, sprang to life and held one's attention quite a bit more. No small achievement! In retrospect, the 6J4/6P3P Preamp itself was a bit rounded at the edges too.
Great, right? Not quite. I didn't mention that this preamp had also before this begun to fail at the volume pot. The pot works only for 7-9 o'clock. And then mostly wanes for the rest of the dial, sometimes with hum. it is certain the preamp's pot has gone south. Problem is, the pot is so small and there is so little room. I have to think about how to get in a better one. With other amps of high input sensitivity (like most SET amps, such as my BRZ FU-50 and APPLause 300B amp), even with the severely limited range of the defective pot, it's not a problem. In fact, I used to curse it for having too much gain too soon (still does, but it works here).
BUT, with this low input sensitivity BRZ amp, when the lower gain 6S_7 etc were used, the volume would have to be upped a lot more, into the pot's failed zone. Some classical albums just have too low a level to work. Fortunately, the solution was to stick to the high gain 12AX7 to make the volume fall within the pot's useable range. The sound of ETA + BRZ is simply brilliant, despite that both are cheapest in their categories! The sound now is not as euphonic or "rounded", more neutral but still sweet. But, given the ETA pot failure, I'd withdraw recommendation of the ETA (will amend that review article). Also, I still rotate my 6J4/6P3P
Round 6: vs FU-50 The BRZ FU-50 Amp has long been an everyday amp for me. I have actually telescoped two rounds into this paragraph. Using either 5881 or EL34 (RFT), the sound of the cheaper A20B amp still lags behind the same company's FU-50 amp (using Chatham 5R4WGA, Raytheon 717A and Russian FU50). The FU-50 had more detail, harmonics, transient information and better leading edge - in a word, the DHT characteristics. The FU-50 amp is better built, being tube rectified, choke smoothed and with a better driver stage, for about 50% more money (though, again, one has to spend to upgrade tubes). FU-50 Capacitor Mod and Power Transformer Damping Two days ago, I also did to the FU50 amp what I did to the A20B (above). I changed the stock "RIFA" caps to "Solen" (0.22 uF, 400V; see pic at bottom). And I slipped in rubber strips underneath the Power Trannie (the Output screws looked a little complicated so I didn't do it). The sound gained a bit smoothness and harmonics. I was satisfied and did the comparison again with the A20B and of course the same results were even clearer.
Round 7: Back Track and Reality Testing
After all the changes (caps and preamp), I tried some of my favorite tubes and played some favorite cuts, and everything was even better. More importantly, I went back to the stock Beijing 6N2 and Russian 6N3C tubes. Yes, still enjoyable, but now obviously a far cry from using my old stock tubes. So, it was quite obvious that all the work have significant results. I then switched out the Russian 6N3C for the Chinese (Valve Art) EL34: much better, though of course still not as good as the old stock tubes.
- The Basics and Value of this Amp This is an imperfect, but eminently likeable, amp. Grant you, I bought it for NO good reasons (at least I thought so) - I just wanted to see what I'd get for this ridiculous price, and I was really quite pleased, to say the least! BRZ is a company that builds super-budget products. They are all encompassing, manufacturing everything from DIY boards to chassis and both ss and tube amps. That's why they can undercut everyone. Now, these are built to a ridiculously low point, so expect less than ideal parts quality and perhaps occasional hiccups (so far though nothing has happened to my FU-50 amp but keep my ETA woes above in mind). DIYers can possibly reverse engineer and improve parts quality (plenty of room). Caps are easy but resistors are more problematic. Keep that in mind when you read about my cautions.
- The Basic Sound The Heart is in the Right Place. That is important. Even with stock Beijing 6N2 and Russian 6N3C the sound was musical and pleasing. That tells me the transformers are OK in quality (at least for now, and God knows how many times I've powered on and off the unit for tube rolling!) In fact, in this setup here in SZ, the sound is on par with, perhaps arguably even more musical than the far more expensive Elekit TU-8800 in NYC with Klipsch Hersey. Of course, sonic memories, especially from quite a ways back, can be unreliable. But just that thought is an endorsement perhaps.
- The Driver Tube Technically, the 6N2 is like a 12AX7. Use of just one triode is not the best driver for 6L6 or EL34 (better for EL84). Above, Shawn P remarked that his much more expensive (but still bargain by American standards) Decware EL84 and EL34 amps also use the 6N2 (although the latter uses 2x), and Decware advises Preamp Gain. This sounds right, but won't sit well with those stuck with passive "wire without gain" beliefs! Phase? Each channel being driven by a single triode, should this amp be phase inverting? I don't know and BRZ doesn't give me an answer. I don't have a scope, so I just reversed the loudspeaker cable leads. That seems to focus the sound more in the center; so I think this amp may be phase inverted (I'd welcome corrections). This is how I connect it now.
- The Preamp Factor It follows from the above that with real world loudspeakers, I regard a Preamp (with good gain) a must, and I'd withhold recommendation for those who want to use it as an integrated amp. Mind you, although the preamp sure helps, there is intrinsic limitation on how much half a 6N2 can swing. So, no matter what you do, this will never be the most incisive amp and, sometimes, adjusting the volume knob on the preamp is a little tricky (the amp side is always maxed out). It can be picky with Preamps. As you can see, in terms of gain (and tone) the ETA Preamp suits it more than the 6J4/6P3P Preamp. It follows that high gain, incisive preamps would be better matches (this means some solid state preamps may too). But I still use the 6J4/6P3P Preamp sometimes because I like the 6SN7/L7 and this Preamp can provide the gain (dial almost maxed) whereas my ETA preamp with its defective volume pot cannot at this moment. Also, for the longest time I have in this preamp Raytheon 6X5, Mullard EF94 and RCA 6V6), but recently I swapped in the Hytron 6X5 (from HK stash) and I think it gained some clarity!
- Who is this amp for? It's a good Super-Budget amp (and the stock tubes sound good enough), particularly for those starting out on the SE path (in fact, it redefines the term "super-budget"). Those people can roll tubes a little bit but I'd not go crazy on that, as the cost would be disproportionately high compared to the cost of the amp. While it's surprisingly good (my Beydas 3/5 are not so efficient), it is not for rock fans. Again, with real world loudspeakers, I regard a Preamp (with good gain) a must, and I'd withhold recommendation for those who want to use it as an integrated amp.
- Tube Advice This section is geared towards the beginner. For the Beginner without a Tube Stash I'd think stick to the stock tubes for a while. The 6N2 is rather plain vanilla, but is serviceable (remember even expensive Decware uses it). Keep an eye on the 6N3C - if the plate shows just a little focal redness, it's likely OK (as in my case; and I'm not the only one judging by TB feedback), but if the redness increases, be cautious. I'd think if your stock amp comes with Russian 6N3C, you may want to also get a pair of Chinese EL34s (if just to satisfy your curiosity), as they are reasonably priced, have a little more power than 6L6 types and in general Chinese EL34's sound pretty good. Tonally, it's a toss up. when using my 12AX7 but not when using the stock 6N2, I prefer the stock Russian 6N3C to my ancient Valve Art (from defunct Guiguang). 6N2 Swap As with most amps, swapping the driver tubes deliver proportionately greater benefits than changing power tubes. So the 6N2 is the first tube you should consider rolling. The improvements from Russian 6N2 variants would not be worthy imho, because the 12AX7 looms large. Get the 12AX7/6N2 Adaptor. I also probably would hesitate before getting any of the modern 12AX7s, as they would be more similar than different from 6N2. I'd buy on Ebay old stock 12AX7 tubes that test well (often in lots). Any of my well used 12AX7 tubes (in Part II) trounced the new stock 6N2, and not by a small margin. As for the 6S_7/6CG7 covered in Part II, they are for more experienced users who already have the tubes, and they positively demand a high-gain preamp. It would not be surprising that such users, despite more demand on the preamp, may just prefer the 6S_7 to the 12AX7 (as I do). Power Tube Caution With the power tubes, unless proven otherwise, I'd like to err on the safe side. Given the official BRZ recommendation and the looks of the small resistors, I'd say this amp is NOT for the ambitious Power Tube Roller. Don't use power tubes that draw significantly more current than 6L6GC and EL34. I'd NOT use KT66/7581/7027 (and definitely not other Kinkless Tetrodes like KT88)! Also, due to the Ultralinear operation, I'd also not use lower rating tubes, like 6L6G/GA. It's a restricted window. This amp is also for those who, like me, have a stash of EL34 and 6L6GC type tubes. Modern Tubes vs Old Stock There is an increasing number of articles that extoll the virtues of modern replica tubes (be it "Tung Sol" or "Mullard", many sponsored by tube vendors, LOL; I ask, are they more authentic than my $1 rmb "Solen" cap?). Forget about them. While the modern day variants can be reasonably good, they are NOT commensurate with the classic tubes they were modelled after! Forget and Resist! Take your time to get into the old-stock world, which one must. The Inexactitude of Tube rolling After this report was first published a few days ago, I rolled in again the Executone (Sylvania) 6L6GC, which did not impress me at first (in Part II); holy, it overtook the 5881 in performance! Perhaps my better driver tubes on adaptors help, or perhaps tubes unused for the longest time need a bit of re-running in too. So I'm adding this bit (also to Part II) to tell you how tube rolling results may change as things change.
As of this moment of conclusion to the article, my last tube combination, RCA 12AX7 (on adaptor) and Russian 6N3C sound musically just fine with my ETA 6N3 Preamp, quite satisfying!
Tung-Sol 6SN7 with RFT EL34s
Caps (black, foreground) Changed in FU50 Amp
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