R0DE K2 Reviews

[audiocurry]

Thanks again! Any particular brands you recommend? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with this. Also, I'm out in India, so I'd need to probably find a way to get these. How much you say this tube swap ups the quality?

[audiocurry]

Hi! Thanks. That's a help, for sure. I was wondering if anyone might have a list of recommended tube brands.

[garageband]

Simply not necessary, unless you have some sort of hole in your wallet. On eBay right now "6DJ8 NOS" brings up all kind of great stuff, a lot of it not more than $20. I feel bad for anyone paying over $60 a tube unless it's that crazy U47 tube or some sort of vintage Western Electric triode.
(4) Sylvania JAN 6DJ8/ECC88 Tube Amp Preamp Tubes - NOS - eBay (item 330289963333 end time Dec-03-08 17:46:41 PST)
is what I'm using right now. There's a lot of really cool stuff right now that doesn't have the Telefunken/Mullard cache and attendant price tag. Phillips, Amperex, RCA, GE, Tung-Sol, Sylvania are good. Even some Soviet-era OTK stuff has amazing character to it. GOOD tubes that can be had for $5-10 each.

[audiocurry]

Thanks! That's a big help! Will certainly keep my eyes open for anyone coming my way who could bring some along. Really appreciate all your advice.

[garageband]

One last word on actual pricing. Just got two fab '60s NOS Mullards here from the UK for less than $50 delivered. Also a NOS Seimens branded as RCA for $40 delivered.

Yes, the difference is huge compared to the Chinese tube. How big? HUUUUGE!

[graal]

I have the Rode K2, I've been sort of pleased with it, even with the chinese tube in it.
When I talked to a rode customer service person, he told me that he wouldn't advise using other tubes in it, because their tubes are tested individually and run at optimum performance.

Could I hurt anything if I try a different tube?

Thank you very much!

[garageband]

No manufacturer wants to admit that their product has inferior componentry. Those OEM tubes are unequivocal garbage. Why would we be discussing changing the tube if there was even a small chance it'd harm a $700 mic?
Please ref. the rest of this thread.

[graal]

Thanks. Are all tubes at a standard size or should I look out for that?

[garageband]

All 6922/6DJ8s are the same size.

[dcisive]

All you're essentially doing by changing out tubes is playing with plate voltages. Sure it can make subtle changes in the overall character. But quite frankly stock it is darn sweet and your mic pre will MUCH more effect the final result. The stock K2 I use coupled with a Focusrite ISA220 is like a hot fudge banana split with pure whipped cream and french vanilla bean ice cream I think that gets the point across. Pure sweetness with NO noise or artifacts to mess up the source. Rich goodness. Easily equals some Neumann's I've had at 4 times the price.