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#1
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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6146s in High End Audio
6146s in High End Audio
The 6146 family of tubes were designed as RF transmitting tubes. This means their internal structure and construction were optimized for radio-frequency signals, not audio. As they come from the factory, 6146s are not sonically balanced for audio, regardless of tube-tester indications. In Class C RF service, the ideal tube would have very "square" characteristics, with "sharp corners" to the various characteristic curves. The popularity of 6146s in RF applications is testimony to this "squareness". If used in audio amplifiers without the proper pre-conditioning, 6146s will have muddy, poorly defined, "small-mouthed" bass, a confused, indiscriminate midrange and excessively bright, "genius-level" highs. They will also tend to annoy dogs, disrupt the echolocation of bats, confuse any nearby dolphins, disrupt bird migrations and destroy supertweeters if played at high level. Fortunately, 6146s can be made useful to the audiophile be being pre-conditioned for audio. All that is required is for them to spend a considerable number of hours in RF service, which will "round off the corners" of their characteristics and render them most ideal for high-end audio. The correct amount of preconditioning of a 6146 is reached when the RF output drops significantly enough to warrant their replacement in the RF application. At this point, they are ready for the audiophile. Zero RF output is the ideal, however, most preconditioned 6146s will produce at least some RF. Today, the most common RF use of 6146s is in amateur radio transmitters. This fact offers the audiophile with the perfect opportunity for a symbiotic relationship with the radio amateur. Most amateur radio transmitters using 6146s use them in pairs, which will cause them to be optimally balanced both sonically and electronically by the end of the preconditioning time. All the audiophile needs to do is to obtain some new, unconditioned 6146s and offer to trade with local radio amateurs for preconditioned ones. Since radio amateurs are obsessed with RF and "communications quality" sound, it is preferable to use the term "used" rather than "preconditioned" when talking with them. The bonus value of preconditioned tubes will vary with several factors, such as brand, age, amount of preconditioning, type of transmitter, color of box the tube came in, phase of the moon, number of times per minute the radio amateur says "by golly" while on the air, etc., but in no case should it be less than about three times the value of a "new" 6146. In bargaining with the radio amateur, an initial offer of two new major-brand unused boxed 6146s for one "used" 6146 is a recommended, so you can work upwards from there. A cash premium of $5 to $15 per tube, in addition to the 2-for-1 swap, is recommended as part of the initial offer. A successful deal with one radio amateur may lead to others, as they will search their "junk boxes" for "used" 6146s. The promise of "new" tubes and a cash bonus will be irresistible to them. It may take some convincing to get radio amateurs to part with their preconditioned (aka "used") tubes, as they may feel such tubes are almost useless ("worn out" in their parlance) since they do not function well for RF. One method of convincing them is to present a notarized release form relieving the radio amateur of all responsibility for the condition and remaining useful life of said tubes, and transferring the responsibility to the audiophile. Besides convincing the radio amateur, this will help alleviate any guilt the audiophile may feel over getting preconditioned audio tubes at such low prices. |
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#2
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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6146s in High End Audio
"patrick jankowiak" wrote in message m... 6146s in High End Audio The 6146 family of tubes were designed as RF transmitting tubes. This means their internal structure and construction were optimized for radio-frequency signals, not audio. As they come from the factory, 6146s are not sonically balanced for audio, regardless of tube-tester indications. In Class C RF service, the ideal tube would have very "square" characteristics, with "sharp corners" to the various characteristic curves. The popularity of 6146s in RF applications is testimony to this "squareness". If used in audio amplifiers without the proper pre-conditioning, 6146s will have muddy, poorly defined, "small-mouthed" bass, a confused, indiscriminate midrange and excessively bright, "genius-level" highs. They will also tend to annoy dogs, disrupt the echolocation of bats, confuse any nearby dolphins, disrupt bird migrations and destroy supertweeters if played at high level. Fortunately, 6146s can be made useful to the audiophile be being pre-conditioned for audio. All that is required is for them to spend a considerable number of hours in RF service, which will "round off the corners" of their characteristics and render them most ideal for high-end audio. The correct amount of preconditioning of a 6146 is reached when the RF output drops significantly enough to warrant their replacement in the RF application. At this point, they are ready for the audiophile. Zero RF output is the ideal, however, most preconditioned 6146s will produce at least some RF. Today, the most common RF use of 6146s is in amateur radio transmitters. This fact offers the audiophile with the perfect opportunity for a symbiotic relationship with the radio amateur. Most amateur radio transmitters using 6146s use them in pairs, which will cause them to be optimally balanced both sonically and electronically by the end of the preconditioning time. All the audiophile needs to do is to obtain some new, unconditioned 6146s and offer to trade with local radio amateurs for preconditioned ones. Since radio amateurs are obsessed with RF and "communications quality" sound, it is preferable to use the term "used" rather than "preconditioned" when talking with them. The bonus value of preconditioned tubes will vary with several factors, such as brand, age, amount of preconditioning, type of transmitter, color of box the tube came in, phase of the moon, number of times per minute the radio amateur says "by golly" while on the air, etc., but in no case should it be less than about three times the value of a "new" 6146. In bargaining with the radio amateur, an initial offer of two new major-brand unused boxed 6146s for one "used" 6146 is a recommended, so you can work upwards from there. A cash premium of $5 to $15 per tube, in addition to the 2-for-1 swap, is recommended as part of the initial offer. A successful deal with one radio amateur may lead to others, as they will search their "junk boxes" for "used" 6146s. The promise of "new" tubes and a cash bonus will be irresistible to them. It may take some convincing to get radio amateurs to part with their preconditioned (aka "used") tubes, as they may feel such tubes are almost useless ("worn out" in their parlance) since they do not function well for RF. One method of convincing them is to present a notarized release form relieving the radio amateur of all responsibility for the condition and remaining useful life of said tubes, and transferring the responsibility to the audiophile. Besides convincing the radio amateur, this will help alleviate any guilt the audiophile may feel over getting preconditioned audio tubes at such low prices. Excellent advice... note it not only applies to 6146's, but also to 807's. Another seldom known fact is that a 12.6V lead acid 'accumulator' is a rather poor power supply until it has been throughly cycled. This ensures stable and consistent operation (break-in period for optimim sound quality) The best ones have seen 3-5 years in said use - and can usually be has in trade for a unit which still needs to be broken in. No better way to power your portable cd player. |
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#3
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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6146s in High End Audio
maxhifi wrote: Another seldom known fact is that a 12.6V lead acid 'accumulator' is a rather poor power supply until it has been throughly cycled. This ensures stable and consistent operation (break-in period for optimim sound quality) The best ones have seen 3-5 years in said use - and can usually be has in trade for a unit which still needs to be broken in. No better way to power your portable cd player. Just how barkingly mad are you ? Graham |
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#4
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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6146s in High End Audio
"patrick jankowiak" a écrit dans le message de news: ... 6146s in High End Audio The 6146 family of tubes were designed as RF transmitting tubes. This means their internal structure and construction were optimized for radio-frequency signals, not audio. As they come from the factory, 6146s are not sonically balanced for audio, regardless of tube-tester indications. In Class C RF service, the ideal tube would have very "square" characteristics, with "sharp corners" to the various characteristic curves. The popularity of 6146s in RF applications is testimony to this "squareness". If used in audio amplifiers without the proper pre-conditioning, 6146s will have muddy, poorly defined, "small-mouthed" bass, a confused, indiscriminate midrange and excessively bright, "genius-level" highs. They will also tend to annoy dogs, disrupt the echolocation of bats, confuse any nearby dolphins, disrupt bird migrations and destroy supertweeters if played at high level. Fortunately, 6146s can be made useful to the audiophile be being pre-conditioned for audio. All that is required is for them to spend a considerable number of hours in RF service, which will "round off the corners" of their characteristics and render them most ideal for high-end audio. The correct amount of preconditioning of a 6146 is reached when the RF output drops significantly enough to warrant their replacement in the RF application. At this point, they are ready for the audiophile. Zero RF output is the ideal, however, most preconditioned 6146s will produce at least some RF. Today, the most common RF use of 6146s is in amateur radio transmitters. This fact offers the audiophile with the perfect opportunity for a symbiotic relationship with the radio amateur. Most amateur radio transmitters using 6146s use them in pairs, which will cause them to be optimally balanced both sonically and electronically by the end of the preconditioning time. All the audiophile needs to do is to obtain some new, unconditioned 6146s and offer to trade with local radio amateurs for preconditioned ones. Since radio amateurs are obsessed with RF and "communications quality" sound, it is preferable to use the term "used" rather than "preconditioned" when talking with them. The bonus value of preconditioned tubes will vary with several factors, such as brand, age, amount of preconditioning, type of transmitter, color of box the tube came in, phase of the moon, number of times per minute the radio amateur says "by golly" while on the air, etc., but in no case should it be less than about three times the value of a "new" 6146. In bargaining with the radio amateur, an initial offer of two new major-brand unused boxed 6146s for one "used" 6146 is a recommended, so you can work upwards from there. A cash premium of $5 to $15 per tube, in addition to the 2-for-1 swap, is recommended as part of the initial offer. A successful deal with one radio amateur may lead to others, as they will search their "junk boxes" for "used" 6146s. The promise of "new" tubes and a cash bonus will be irresistible to them. It may take some convincing to get radio amateurs to part with their preconditioned (aka "used") tubes, as they may feel such tubes are almost useless ("worn out" in their parlance) since they do not function well for RF. One method of convincing them is to present a notarized release form relieving the radio amateur of all responsibility for the condition and remaining useful life of said tubes, and transferring the responsibility to the audiophile. Besides convincing the radio amateur, this will help alleviate any guilt the audiophile may feel over getting preconditioned audio tubes at such low prices. ROFL ! Yves. |
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#5
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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6146s in High End Audio
patrick jankowiak wrote:
6146s in High End Audio Fortunately, 6146s can be made useful to the audiophile be being pre-conditioned for audio. All that is required is for them to spend a considerable number of hours in RF service, which will "round off the corners" of their characteristics and render them most ideal for high-end audio. The correct amount of preconditioning of a 6146 is reached when the RF output drops significantly enough to warrant their replacement in the RF application. At this point, they are ready for the audiophile. Zero RF output is the ideal, however, most preconditioned 6146s will produce at least some RF. Well, if you can make use of worn out tubes, enjoy... :-) Today, the most common RF use of 6146s is in amateur radio transmitters. This fact offers the audiophile with the perfect opportunity for a symbiotic relationship with the radio amateur. Most amateur radio transmitters using 6146s use them in pairs, which will cause them to be optimally balanced both sonically and electronically by the end of the preconditioning time. That is, worn out enough to function in a audio circuit designed to use worn out 6146's. If you can design a circuit that does that (and if the worn out tubes will last and stay stable a decent length of service time) then great. But worn out tubes that still produce some activity would quickly fade to nothing, yes? All the audiophile needs to do is to obtain some new, unconditioned 6146s and offer to trade with local radio amateurs for preconditioned ones. Since radio amateurs are obsessed with RF and "communications quality" sound, it is preferable to use the term "used" rather than "preconditioned" when talking with them. The bonus value of preconditioned tubes will vary with several factors, such as brand, age, amount of preconditioning, type of transmitter, color of box the tube came in, phase of the moon, number of times per minute the radio amateur says "by golly" while on the air, etc., but in no case should it be less than about three times the value of a "new" 6146. In bargaining with the radio amateur, an initial offer of two new major-brand unused boxed 6146s for one "used" 6146 is a recommended, so you can work upwards from there. A cash premium of $5 to $15 per tube, in addition to the 2-for-1 swap, is recommended as part of the initial offer. LOL. Hams will gladly take you up on this offer.... :-) |
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#6
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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6146s in High End Audio
"Eeyore" wrote in message ... maxhifi wrote: Another seldom known fact is that a 12.6V lead acid 'accumulator' is a rather poor power supply until it has been throughly cycled. This ensures stable and consistent operation (break-in period for optimim sound quality) The best ones have seen 3-5 years in said use - and can usually be has in trade for a unit which still needs to be broken in. No better way to power your portable cd player. Just how barkingly mad are you ? Did you read the original post? I thought it was April 1st for a moment there... if someone is dumb enough to believe that used tubes are worth more than new ones, maybe I can get rid of a used car battery too... |
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#7
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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6146s in High End Audio
OK, here's one ham who will GLADLY take you up on your offer. I probably have a couple dozen "preconditioned" 6146s lying around, which I will trade for NIB ones. And just to sweeten the deal, I'll go one for one, with only a $5 "premium" per tube. 73, Bob Weiss N2IXK patrick jankowiak wrote: 6146s in High End Audio The 6146 family of tubes were designed as RF transmitting tubes. This means their internal structure and construction were optimized for radio-frequency signals, not audio. As they come from the factory, 6146s are not sonically balanced for audio, regardless of tube-tester indications. In Class C RF service, the ideal tube would have very "square" characteristics, with "sharp corners" to the various characteristic curves. The popularity of 6146s in RF applications is testimony to this "squareness". If used in audio amplifiers without the proper pre-conditioning, 6146s will have muddy, poorly defined, "small-mouthed" bass, a confused, indiscriminate midrange and excessively bright, "genius-level" highs. They will also tend to annoy dogs, disrupt the echolocation of bats, confuse any nearby dolphins, disrupt bird migrations and destroy supertweeters if played at high level. Fortunately, 6146s can be made useful to the audiophile be being pre-conditioned for audio. All that is required is for them to spend a considerable number of hours in RF service, which will "round off the corners" of their characteristics and render them most ideal for high-end audio. The correct amount of preconditioning of a 6146 is reached when the RF output drops significantly enough to warrant their replacement in the RF application. At this point, they are ready for the audiophile. Zero RF output is the ideal, however, most preconditioned 6146s will produce at least some RF. Today, the most common RF use of 6146s is in amateur radio transmitters. This fact offers the audiophile with the perfect opportunity for a symbiotic relationship with the radio amateur. Most amateur radio transmitters using 6146s use them in pairs, which will cause them to be optimally balanced both sonically and electronically by the end of the preconditioning time. All the audiophile needs to do is to obtain some new, unconditioned 6146s and offer to trade with local radio amateurs for preconditioned ones. Since radio amateurs are obsessed with RF and "communications quality" sound, it is preferable to use the term "used" rather than "preconditioned" when talking with them. The bonus value of preconditioned tubes will vary with several factors, such as brand, age, amount of preconditioning, type of transmitter, color of box the tube came in, phase of the moon, number of times per minute the radio amateur says "by golly" while on the air, etc., but in no case should it be less than about three times the value of a "new" 6146. In bargaining with the radio amateur, an initial offer of two new major-brand unused boxed 6146s for one "used" 6146 is a recommended, so you can work upwards from there. A cash premium of $5 to $15 per tube, in addition to the 2-for-1 swap, is recommended as part of the initial offer. A successful deal with one radio amateur may lead to others, as they will search their "junk boxes" for "used" 6146s. The promise of "new" tubes and a cash bonus will be irresistible to them. It may take some convincing to get radio amateurs to part with their preconditioned (aka "used") tubes, as they may feel such tubes are almost useless ("worn out" in their parlance) since they do not function well for RF. One method of convincing them is to present a notarized release form relieving the radio amateur of all responsibility for the condition and remaining useful life of said tubes, and transferring the responsibility to the audiophile. Besides convincing the radio amateur, this will help alleviate any guilt the audiophile may feel over getting preconditioned audio tubes at such low prices. |
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#8
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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6146s in High End Audio
Bret Ludwig wrote:
patrick jankowiak wrote: 6146s in High End Audio While this is a baldfaced and transparent ploy to get audiophiles to buy free 6146s for characteristically niggardly (look it up before getting ****mouthy!) hams, it has some basis in history. Many transmitters were built with four of a particular tube, two in parallel class C RF finals and two in Class B push pull audio for the modulator. In practice, stations would put a new set of tubes in the RF final and rotate the pulls to the modulator, usually annually. The old ones were kept as spares. Oh it's just a joke, I thought it was pretty funny! |
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