Important Note - Please READ
This item is eligible for Soundlumia-sponsored guaranteed 3-day worldwide
delivery at special flat rates.
US shipping: $15 for ALL states via FedEx Express/UPS 3-Day
International shipping: $35 for ALL countries via DHL
Express Worldwide
We are committed to safe, expedited and guaranteed delivery
of high-value items to serious and committed customers, wherever they are in
the world. NO other shipping options are offered for this item. Please refer
to Shipping Policy or contact us for
details.
Tube Summary
The "textbook Heerlen sound" has been referenced in several Soundlumia listings of Amperex Holland/Philips E88CC/6922 tubes, and many tube enthusiasts asked what that all means. So this is the answer: the late 1950s and very early 1960s tone, the beginning of over a decade's excellence in sound, the classic tonal template for all the great (and greater) Amperex/Philips/Valvo/Miniwatt tubes to be made in the years to come, the timeless Philips radio tone that many of us grew up listening to. And this super rare E188CC pair is the "further amplification" of all that.
Sound Characteristics
Be assured - you will not miss one single bit of the legendary Heerlen sound just because the tubes are labeled Valvo. The proud delta symbol in the date code tells you this is 100% "textbook" natural sound from Heerlen: warm and lively tone with infinitely expansive midrange and nice extension on both top and low ends. The technical advantages of the E188CC/7308 design on these tubes have taken sound to the next level: you get more forward vocals and a wonderful airy top end, super large imaging and incredibly spacious sound stage. Like any other E188CC/7308 tubes, they have low noise to the vanishing point, and that makes these tubes the top choice if you look for the finest sound details and ultra clarity.
Professional Sound Evaluation
The pair worked wonderfully and sounded terrific in our professional studio setup for monitoring.
- Input: Cambridge Audio CXC V2 dedicated CD transport + Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 Multibit DAC
- Amplification: Liquid Platinum Tube Amplifier by Alex Cavalli
- Output: Focal Clear MG Pro open-back headphones
Our full tube sound review was written 100% based on the actual listening experience while this pair of tubes were running in the system described above.
Professional Tube Testing
This set was tested and certified by RoeTest V11 tester with the following result:
Tube 1:
Measured transconductance (GM): 13/12.56 mA/V - 104%/100% (100% = 12.50 mA/V)
Measured plate current (IA): 19.304/17.354 mA - 114%/102% (100% = 17 mA)
Tube 2:
Measured transconductance (GM): 14.55/12.69 mA/V - 116%/102% (100% = 12.50 mA/V)
Measured plate current (IA): 21.344/19.394 mA - 126%/114% (100% = 17 mA)
NO shorts, leakage or gas. NO noise or microphonics.
Curve trace is also included in the original RoeTest report.
Appearance & cosmetic condition
We treasure this pair also because of the pristine condition of both tubes (clear inscription and clear date codes), which is amazing given the tubes' age. What makes this pair even more rare is the identical date code on both tubes:
⊿0C (⊿ = Heerlen, Holland, 0 = 1960, C = March)
Packaging
One tube will be packed in the Original Valvo tube box.
One tube will be packed in a NEW reproduction Valvo tube box.
Shipping Policy
- Ship worldwide! Flat-rate expedited shipping (USPS Priority) within the US.
- One business day handling. Orders placed by 2:00PM US Pacific Time on weekdays are posted on the same day, otherwise the next business day.
- Combined shipping available - request invoice for total before making payment or receive shipping credit after order ships.
- Customers outside the US please pay extra attention: International shipping is through USPS Ground Advantage International by default. It's the least expensive option and customs declaration is automated but it may take longer than other carriers. If you prefer to use a different carrier please contact us first so we can get you the correct shipping rates before you make payment.
Return Policy - Please READ carefully
Returns
are acceptable if we made a mistake by delivering you wrong or defective
products. Tubes we sell are guaranteed to work because we run professional
tests and sound evaluation TWICE: before they are approved for listing AND
before we ship them to customers. So the "defective item" case
doesn't exist and please do not bother trying - this type of returns will NOT
be accepted without proof that tubes are faulty and we will open disputes with
eBay. Sound experience is very subjective and we do NOT accept returns because
you do not like the tube's sound signature or because you changed your mind
about your purchase. Please contact us to work things out before submitting
return requests claiming "item is defective" or "item not as
described" or "just didn't like it" or "changed my
mind."
Tube
rollers abusing the return system will be reported to eBay immediately and
negative feedback will be left to your account - that's guaranteed. We have
already opened several dispute cases to report abusive buyers and eBay has
always ruled in our favor. International buyers who request return or refund
claiming your country's import duties or sales tax/GST/VAT are too high will be
reported to eBay immediately for dishonesty and will be permanently blacklisted
from purchasing from Soundlumia. We are committed to working closely with eBay
to help rid the marketplace of dishonest, unjust, unreasonable, abusive buyers
that are detrimental to the vintage tubes market and the audiophile
community.