490t tube change time??

Alright, I bought some Jan Phillips 6922 ECC88 green label's for $39.99. Im going to try them out and see if I can hear a difference before trying the much higher Amperex gold pins. Thanks for everybodys help. There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum.

Those are great tubes. They were my favorites before I got into Amperex tubes. Enjoy!

Also got a set of NOS Mullard ECC88 before trying anything. I have read somewhere on the forum to let a young person listen along with you to get their unbiased opinion. So I had my 12yr old son who has taken an interest in my stereo equipment (Dad can I push the power buttons!). We listened to Keith Richards "Wicked as it seems".

We listened to the stock tubes first then the Mullards, then the Jan Phillips. We went back and forth several times making sure of what we heard. I always let him give his opinion first and I pretty much agreed with him on each occasion.

Here was our verdict: The Mullards instantly showed better bass, read fuller bass and we later discovered they were more defined and detailed in a subtle way. Much better than the stock tubes and would probably sound good with loud music with alot of noisy cymbal. Then we put in the Jan Phillips, keep in mind Im running DQ10's which have a slightly flat muffled sound on their own. The Jan Phillips instantly brought out the highs and seemed to bring the 10's to life, still with good tight bass. My 8yr old daughter said that now the music sounds more "projected". The Jans win for now.

I tell ya, You people are a bad influence on me and my wife agrees.....

Just picked up an NOS set of Amperex Gold Pins. Hope they sound good.

Congrats, sounds like you're having fun! From your description I think I'd have to steer away from the Jan tubes as my Klipsch horns need taming down or they can get very painful.

I would have to agree. I can send you my Mullards to try if you want. They are not as crispy on the top end yet still detailed and some nice full bass to boot.

I tell ya, You people are a bad influence on me and my wife agrees.....

Just picked up an NOS set of Amperex Gold Pins. Hope they sound good.

If they are white label "PQ" Amperex gold pins made in New York you should love them. They create a very nice soundstage with everything in it's proper place. The absolute top dog 6922/6DJ8 in my book. I also have Siemens Cca 6922's which is another killer tube in my stash but I prefer the Amperex PQ 6922. Enjoy!!!

They are NOS Amperex Gold Pin USN CEP 6922 EEC88 1965

The labeling looks white on one side and orange on the other, thats about all I know. Still new to the tube rolling game. Are they any good or fools gold...lol

They are NOS Amperex Gold Pin USN CEP 6922 EEC88 1965

The labeling looks white on one side and orange on the other, thats about all I know. Still new to the tube rolling game. Are they any good or fools gold...lol

Those are excellent tubes also. It's tough to go wrong with Amperex tubes. Another really nice Amperex is the orange globe label 6DJ8. Nice big full warm sound and usually inexpensive compared to Amperex PQ's and Bugle Boys.

Yesterday my 12yr old walks in from school and says "did those gold pins come in?" Yes they did I said. Then he says "Lets roll some tubes"...lol

Apparently my setup likes the Jan Philipps alot. The Amperex did sound better by a small margin and I mean small, main difference being the instruments were seperated better and there was dead silence between notes where as the Jans seemed to get very slightly muddy after about two minutes of listening. Maybe this is called ear fatigue(sp). I dont know how to use all the propper audiophile wording yet.

With the Amperex I did hear a couple things in the recording that were not there before. I have heard the expression that the music was coming out of a black velvet/silent background. I think I experienced that with the Amperex.

Next thing to try is the Amperex orange globes. How many tubes do you need to be called a hoarder.

Yesterday my 12yr old walks in from school and says "did those gold pins come in?" Yes they did I said. Then he says "Lets roll some tubes"...lol

Apparently my setup likes the Jan Philipps alot. The Amperex did sound better by a small margin and I mean small, main difference being the instruments were seperated better and there was dead silence between notes where as the Jans seemed to get very slightly muddy after about two minutes of listening. Maybe this is called ear fatigue(sp). I dont know how to use all the propper audiophile wording yet.

With the Amperex I did hear a couple things in the recording that were not there before. I have heard the expression that the music was coming out of a black velvet/silent background. I think I experienced that with the Amperex.

Next thing to try is the Amperex orange globes. How many tubes do you need to be called a hoarder.

Run the Amperex tubes for about a week or two. Just like most things in the audio world they have a break in period too. See if they start to sound even better.

OK Im glad you said that. Was gonna ask that very question.

You can also leave the cd player on so the tubes stay warm. I wouldn't do this with a tube pre or tube amp though.

That's very cool you have your kid involved in the stereo. He's being exposed to some very nice equipment, future OCCD master in the making??

Thanks, we have fun with it and if son likes it...momma likes it

He is definately learning from a professional when it comes to OCCD

Been breaking in the Gold pins and they are sounding better and better!

Snoop, the orange globes just showed up so its about time to have some more fun. Im watching for some PQ's and will probably pick up a set of them also.

Been breaking in the Gold pins and they are sounding better and better!

Snoop, the orange globes just showed up so its about time to have some more fun. Im watching for some PQ's and will probably pick up a set of them also.

Go for the white label PQ's made in the USA.