Product Summary
The "textbook Heerlen sound" has been referenced in several Soundlumia listings of Philips/Valvo Holland E88CC/6922 tubes, and many tube enthusiasts asked what that all means. So this is the answer: the late 1950s and early 1960s tone, the timeless Philips radio tone that many of us grew up listening to, the beginning of over a decade's excellence in sound, the classic tonal template for all the great (and greater) Amperex Holland/Philips E88CC tubes, including this gorgeous Valvo-labeled pair. Valvo was the Philips Germany division.
Sound Qualities
Made in Heerlen, Holland in 1962, these tubes naturally share all the remarkable characteristics of the "textbook" Philips Holland house sound. The midrange presentation is transparent, natural and expansive, with a slight touch of warmth that illuminates your music. Bass is deep and well controlled and the accuracy feels very similar to the high end German E88CC's. Sound separation and clarity on these are nearly on par with the Amperex PQ (Premium Quality) tubes - you should hear absolutely nothing but the pure soul of your music and all of it when you use these tubes.
Appearance & cosmetic condition
This pair also stands out aesthetically among the vintage tubes. One of the tubes still has nearly 100% of the silkscreen and looks brand new and the other tube also has decent amount of paint & lettering remaining on the glass Heerlen date codes etched on glass are intact and visible on both tubes:
7LG ⊿2G1 (7LG = E88CC, ⊿ = Heerlen, Holland, 2 = 1962, G = July, 1 = Week 1 of production month)
Professional Tube Testing
This set was tested and certified by RoeTest V11 tester with the following result:
Tube 1:
Measured transconductance (GM): 13.16/12.30 mA/V - 105%/98% (100% = 12.50 mA/V)
Measured plate current (IA): 16.431/15.179 mA - 110%/101% (100% = 15 mA)
Tube 2:
Measured transconductance (GM): 11.34/12.29 mA/V - 91%/98% (100% = 12.50 mA/V)
Measured plate current (IA): 12.584/14.676 mA - 84%/98% (100% = 15 mA)
NO shorts, leakage or gas. NO noise or microphonics.
Curve trace is also included in the original RoeTest report.
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.