Tube for Rode K2

[Martel80]

Ok, so thats whats happend,.....
I used to have a nt2a...just the week ago.

I sold it to buy me a Rode k2.

i made a couple research and i found that we can change the tube in it !

i search for a forum talkin about the tube replacement and their caracteristics but i just found a few.

i read in this forum that the amperex buggleboy was something to give a try....
i read on another that the Mullard was a smoother one ....

anyways, if someone knows what im talkin about, id like to have your opinions and fact about those different type of tube that can be mount on a Rode k2.

12ax7
12au7...
number of pin

what the *uck it mean ?

i need informations about that particular part of a mic and the option.

thats whats up !

so....


Mr Martel
Montreal

[DivineMusic]

ecc88/6dj8 Bugleboy.. 1966/67 is a gret tube for the k2

[Martel80]

on what brand ?

-JJ tesla
-electro harmonix
-JJ gold
-Mullard
-Phillips
-Amperex
-telefunken

whats the difference ?

someone have tested some of those ?

[DivineMusic]

Amperex bugleboy

[Rukas]

Stick a NOS tube in but be careful because any Tube swap voids your warranty.

[Martel80]

What do you mean be careful ???....is there something im suposed to know before changing my tube....is there any difference going in my preamp or compressor ?


also...

why some people ask about a 200 $ for there vintage ( 1960's ) amperex bugle boy and some others ask for 10 $ for a pack of 2 ???

10$:
2xNOS Amperex ECC88/ 6DJ8 Bugle Boy 1963 Holland - eBay (item 160205251739 end time Feb-10-08 07:32:41 PST)

190$:
Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8/ECC88


why ?

[Rukas]

Originally Posted by Martel80

What do you mean be careful ???....is there something im suposed to know before changing my tube....

Ermmm....

Originally Posted by Rukas

Be careful because any Tube swap voids your warranty.

It voids your warranty on the mic. As in if you **** your mic up or anything ever breaks you are shit out of luck with the 10 year warranty Rode have.

[Martel80]

DivineMusic...

Is that what your talkin about ???

4 matched 1966-67 Holland Amperex 6DJ8 ECC88 tubes - eBay (item 270207234189 end time Feb-26-08 07:39:23 PST)

[DivineMusic]

yea. i think i used tube depot when i got mine...

[Stitch333]

The tube in your mic is a preamp tube. The most common pre amp tubes are the 12AX7, AKA ECC83 or 7025. There are also 12AT7 (ECC81, 6201), 12AU7 (ECC82, 6189), 12AY7 (6072) and the 5751 for old rca tubes. The main difference is the amount of gain offered by each tube. 12AX7 = 100, 12AT7 = 60, 12AY7 = 44, 12AU7 = 20. I don't think you need to modify the circuit to swap 12xx7 variants. The 12au7s will be much smoother and mellow while the 12ax7's will have a characteristically more aggressive sound. While AT's and AY's will have a range of push in between.

Get a few NOS (new out of stock meaning discontinued but unopened package from the factory) and try them.

Some of the tubes I've found to have some of the best characteristics for mics and recording preamps:
red tip telefunken or the EC833 smooth plate
vintage black plate RCA 5751's
Mullard
or any JAN designated tube (military spec, very high quality)

I have an old Mullard 12au7 in a modded Karma K55 tube mic and it sounds very smooth. The actual installation of a different tube really couldn't be easier. Open the mic body and pull the tube straight out from the socket and install new tube in that socket. replace mic body and fire it up. A good rule as well for ANY tube gear is to turn it on and give it at least half an hour to get fully warmed up. Brand new tubes can benefit from burn in as well.

[Martel80]

thanks for the tips and info guys !!!
its realy accurate !!

stitch....you said we can put new tube in pre-amp to ???
does they have to match the mic or its just simply the pre-amp spec that have to be followd ???

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by Martel80

stitch....you said we can put new tube in pre-amp to ???

sure, why not.

Originally Posted by Martel80

does they have to match the mic or its just simply the pre-amp spec that have to be followd ???

Doesn't have to match at all.
Now, if you have a 2 channel tube micpre and you want to retube both channels, that could benefit from a matched pairs of tubes.

[tex viler]

Sorry guys for asking this, but i dont understand everything you wrote here (i'm from coratia)
I have RODE K2 and my tube is dead so i wanna know can i put any other lamp instead of the original type 6922? can i put the 12ax7?

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by tex viler

Sorry guys for asking this, but i dont understand everything you wrote here (i'm from coratia)
I have RODE K2 and my tube is dead so i wanna know can i put any other lamp instead of the original type 6922? can i put the 12ax7?

No 12ax7 or variant. Sorry I mentioned it.
Use ECC88/6922/6DJ8
I think you can also use a 7308 or 6N11

[Storyville]

BRENT JESSEE RECORDING HOMEPAGE

[Yetti]

Call or email Rode Customer service.
I emailed them a few days ago about a tube replacment for my 4 year old K2, and they couldn't be more helpful.
He offered to send a replacment tube at no charge.
Rode is a great company.... quality products, great customer service.

[Chris Lago]

I've tried tons of tubes and I'd say that the Siemens 6dj8 and the Amperex NY are probably the best for this mic. I also liked the Telefunken 6922. Don't cheap out on tubes, get a good NOS tube that won't crap out on you during a session.

[Graal]

Dude! There are many chinese tube fakes out there... for each brand, especially Telefunken.

What you want to use in your K2 are the following:

E88CC or ECC88 or 6922 or 6DJ8

Stick with these and you'll be fine.

Amperex USA PQ White Label with shield - did it for me - splendid sound.

Thought the stock tube sounded really good before putting NOS tubes in it.

I've got a Telefunken E88CC as well (the real deal)... it sounds good, much better than the stock one, but not as warm or full as the before-mentioned Amperex.

Careful though, not all Amperexes are the same, there are "Bugle boys" that sound bad.
Check out some tube reviews before you buy any and check the sellers out.
You don't need to spend $200 dollars on a vintage original tube. You just got to find the right seller and you can get one for $20.

Cheers!

[Jeezo]

stick with the original , give priority to a good preamp , don't waist your time and do music !!!

[southshadow]

Mullard 12AT7WA / CV4024

How about this one.. this is what I was thinking about as my K2 tube swap, but the all the numbers letters and code talk has me thinking I might be looking at the wrong tube type or size...? Is this tube an appropriate fit?

thanks guys

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by southshadow

Mullard 12AT7WA / CV4024

How about this one.. this is what I was thinking about as my K2 tube swap, but the all the numbers letters and code talk has me thinking I might be looking at the wrong tube type or size...? Is this tube an appropriate fit?

thanks guys

I have this tube and I don't think it works in my K2. The K2 needs a 6922 or 6DJ8 from what I can understand.

[Yetti]

After following a few tube replacement threads, I contacted GS member BOWIE.
He is very helful, and provided me a TON of information details, and options specific to the K2 inquiry.
Shipped right away, and packed to survive a fall from 200ft.

I will do some A-B samples with a the stock tube vs, the Valvo ECC88 and post this weekend.

[osomusicent]

Originally Posted by Storyville

BRENT JESSEE RECORDING HOMEPAGE

winner right here, I bought a telefunken from him for my rodes ntk(discontinued) and the service and quality were right on point. I guess I was partial cuz he was in Chicago and so am I but either way check him out.

[Yetti]

Pics...
I waiting for the new Valvo EC88 tube to warm up, and I will post A-B samples to the stock K2 tube

[Arthur Stone]

Cool - thanks for the pics. I'm sure there will be a lot of interest in audio samples.

[Yetti]

A cappella vocal tests
K2 > Pacifica> Apogee Rosetta 800> Protools
No processing done...just a flat test.

Please share you opinions

[Arthur Stone]

IMO the EC88 is smoother and warmer with more body and less presence...also more restrained with 'musical' compression on the dynamics. Neither tube sounds 'worse' just different flavours...one equally as good as the other depending on the sound source. Maybe the EC88 will sound better on solo sources and the standard tube will maintain more presence in a busy mix?

Thanks for posting - very interesting.

Great vocal !

[Anghello]

Originally Posted by Yetti

A cappella vocal tests
K2 > Pacifica> Apogee Rosetta 800> Protools
No processing done...just a flat test.

Please share you opinions

Didnt spend time to listen with care.. but they sound very close. My opinios is not a big deal to do the switch. As Arthur post above - yes.. the Valvo tube is slower (and musical) and original is Harder. But again its not a day and night difference to run for. Just if your K2 tube is dead then you know what to do.

I am interested if Chris Largo got som to tell us about his experience with better tubes fo k2? Volvo sound almost the same. But does Siemens make a huge difference? Any samples?

[Chris Lago]

This is me with the K2 w. Telefunken tube into AMS Neve DPD into Cl1b. If you sound like me and sing like me, sure it'll sound like that. If Bruno Mars would sing the song, it would sound like him haha. The song at the end is the song I sampled from, it was from Dean Roddey's song.

By the way, very few people would know the difference the c800g and a Rode K2 in a mix.

[Arthur Stone]

Wow - that K2 sounds smooth!