Spent the last 3 days with the ET5 and it has exceeded expectations. It has finesse, refinement, dynamics, sweetness with unsurpassed clarity, coherency from top to bottom. I see what the fuss over teflon caps is all about. It is a fine machine indeed.

And the best part it is already broken in so a good 12 hour run in seemed to do the trick. Maybe it needs more but wow, it can't get any better!

Update on my ET5 - loving it! I have been through some EH 6922 tubes though, several from CJ were noisy from the get-go. It’s a shame because I like the sound of the EH.

Finally settled in with Philips ECC88’s. I also have a siemans as a backup. That is my only complaint is how hard it is on tubes. Otherwise it is the best preamp I have owned.

Have you considered using a 7DJ8/PCC88 instead? You might find they last longer.

Thanks Joe, I have one as my backup now, a Siemens. I will put it in when my Philips craps out. Supposed to be a tough tube.

Among the many varieties of.the 7DJ8/PCC88 I used in the past were Telefunken and a Telefunken-branded Siemens manufactured. In my opinion, both were excellent.

The Siemens is on the left and the actual Telefunken on the right.

http://xc8.xanga.com/9bae21204143428...w226296796.jpg

Nice Joe, looking forward to hearing the Siemens 7DJ8/PC88. I will let you know how it sounds in my system once installed.

Jerry

Long-lasting tubes in ET5 & ET3SE
 

Yea, these CJ preamps are very hard on tubes. And if a tube is even slightly noisy or microphonic, you'll hear it.

I've got both an ET3SE and ET5 and I have spent a lot of time (and money) trying out different tubes.

I did find some tubes that are both durable and quiet and sound quite good. Not as rich and holographic as some NOS tubes, but I'll trade that out for durability and quiet. The tubes are 6H23 / 6922 Type 3. About $85 each if you can find them.

I had one in my ET5 for over 8 months of pretty steady usage and still quiet. And at least as long in my ET3. I bought a bunch of them.

Another tube that I really like is: Philips Miniwatt SQ E88CC / 6922 Gold Pin, Holland from Tubedepot.com. It's pricey (>$200), but very holographic with great midrange and treble. Mostly quiet too. Don't know if I'll buy more, but about a month in...so far so good.

I truly want to be educated on this. Why would a one tube design not be desired? I was more in the camp of simplicity of a line stage.

I'd like to hear some compromise in theory or fact on this....either way.

Thanks
jc

Thanks medwardo, I am still using the Philips ECC88, have about 300 hours on it and it is slightly noisy. I am going to use it until it impedes on my enjoyment and then switch to the Siemens.

Unfortunately the 7DJ8/PCC88 tubes do not sound as good as the 6922/e88cc tubes.

I had similar reliability issues until I bought a pair of Telefunken e88cc's. They sound amazing and last forever.
I just replaced my Tele tubes that lasted 4 years / approx 16,000 hours of perfect performance.

They are expensive now unfortunately.