Sunfire Classic Tube Control Center

[Kappa man 23]

Hey guys, this message is for the guys whom have owned and figured out the dos and don'ts with the Sunfire tube control center.  I have never had nor know ANYTHING about tube gear ! Over the weekend I made a long drive to pick up a supposedly original owner unit that was recently overhauled by Roland at -Hi-Fi.  The owner said Roland did not like the tubes the owner had put in there.  The control center does have the phono section.  Ive read that these units (although  magnificent), are very finicky to which tubes used. Please help guide me to which ones to use, and where to purchase.  Thanks in advance guys ! 

[jjptkd 1,073]

1 hour ago, Kappa man said:

Hey guys, this message is for the guys whom have owned and figured out the dos and don'ts with the Sunfire tube control center.  I have never had nor know ANYTHING about tube gear ! Over the weekend I made a long drive to pick up a supposedly original owner unit that was recently overhauled by Roland at -Hi-Fi.  The owner said Roland did not like the tubes the owner had put in there.  The control center does have the phono section.  Ive read that these units (although  magnificent), are very finicky to which tubes used. Please help guide me to which ones to use, and where to purchase.  Thanks in advance guys ! 

Pulled from the owner's manual hope this helps:

 

https://usermanual.wiki/Sunfire/SunfireClassicVacuumTubePreamplifierUsersManual490041.1949288206/view

 

Tube type and location

Phono Board

V1 6DJ8 or 6922

MC amp

V2 6DJ8 or 6922

MC amp

V3 6DJ8 or 6922

MC amp

V4 12AX7

MM amp

V5 12AX7

MM amp

V6 6DJ8 or 6922

Infrasonic amp

Line Board

V1 6DJ8 or 6922

Contour amp

V2 6DJ8 or 6922

Line amp/Bal amp

V3 6DJ8 or 6922

Line amp/Bal amp

Note: 6922 Tubes are preferred as they

have less noise and microphonics than 6DJ8s

[straylight 332]

Tubes substitution is a matter of taste and if you are interested in tube rolling you have more options than just the 12AX7 and 6DJ8/6922. I like using vintage tubes and would like to recommend a few that you may wish to consider.

 

For the 12AX7 the following have identical pinout and will work, but may give you a little less gain :

 

For the 12AX7 dual triode you can substitute 5751, 7025 or 12AX7A. 

 

GE, Raytheon and RCA made 5751 tubes years ago and these should still be available on eBay or other sites. 

 

GE also made the 7025 tube which was a high quality tube with low microphonics, perfect for keeping  phono sections very quiet.

 

British tubes labeled ECC83 or B339 from Amperex, Mullard or Telefunken can also be used as they are the same tube as the 12AX7.

 

Regarding the 6DJ8, the Amperex company made a substitute called the 7308 with gold pins that was amazing. Any British tube designated E88CC can be substituted as it is the same as 6DJ8/6922.

 

Good luck tube rolling and when you get the best sound you will know when you have chosen the right tubes! 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2022 by straylight

[iamjohngalt 1,633]

On 8/8/2022 at 8:25 AM, Kappa man said:

Hey guys, this message is for the guys whom have owned and figured out the dos and don'ts with the Sunfire tube control center.  I have never had nor know ANYTHING about tube gear ! Over the weekend I made a long drive to pick up a supposedly original owner unit that was recently overhauled by Roland at -Hi-Fi.  The owner said Roland did not like the tubes the owner had put in there.  The control center does have the phono section.  Ive read that these units (although  magnificent), are very finicky to which tubes used. Please help guide me to which ones to use, and where to purchase.  Thanks in advance guys ! 

This thread is interesting regarding pre-amp tubes that could be used in place of the 6DJ8/6922's.

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/6n1-6n2-6n11-6dj8-in-pre.380485/