Matsushita / National PCC88 / 7DJ8

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Matsushita / National PCC88 / 7DJ8

Matsushita / National PCC88 / 7DJ8

Price:

$30.00

Rating:

( 16 product reviews )

Product Description

Here's a backstory to this tube-

Back in the 80's I had an Audio Research preamp that used 6922's or 6DJ8's. And I was well on my way into collecting tubes and figuring out how they sounded, why, and who really made them.

I went down to an old parts store called Dow on Holt Blvd, in a crappy area of Montclair, California. But I'll go anywhere to get some cool stuff. While there I found some 6DJ8 in International boxes with tubes inside labeled "Made in Gr. Britain" I figured I scored as they must be from Mullard, Ediswan Electric, or Brimar. But upon furthur inspection I found no etched factory codes. Hmmm. They looked like Philips/Amperex/Mullard, at least internally. After some detective work I found they were made by National, also known as Matsushita in Japan. Eventually National became to be known as Panasonic. These have the early old National logo on the box with the little cardboard tube holder.

Now I had seen many Japan 5AR4 and EL-34 labeled Made in Gr. Britain that were commonly thought of to be Mullard but were not. And anybody who knew them also knew that they were fantastic, well-made tubes.

So I tried them. Heaven. They had a sense of ease and grace I associated with the best new old stock tubes in my collection. I figure how hard can they be to find? I went looking for them. One here, two there. I found a few in RCA boxes, again marked Gr. Britain, but that's about it. So they remained in my private stash and we have never found enough to test and grade into Gold and Platinum and offer for sale. Bummer. So before now we have never had these to offer to our customers.

I recently found a small stash of them, and the heavens parted. My mind reeled back 20 years and I recalled how I felt when I plugged them in. They are PCC88, and as you know (or should know) they are a 7 volt perfect plug in substitute into literally every product using 6DJ8 or 6922's. This particular tube is so well made I can even say use them in crazy-ass Audible Illusions and CAT preamps.

The sound? I used them here in a Cary SLI-80 Signature F1 and it was just like I remembered. The midrange is similar to a real Telefunken 6DJ8, but with better extension on top and bottom. There is a sense of humanity that is exhibited by the best in new old stock (NOS) tubes.

Look. I love the super expensive stuff. Everybody deserves to own some at some point. But here is an opportunity to get something truly vintage, truly rare, and very sexy that sounds incredible for low $$$ considering you get our grading process. Buy these along with another type or two and have a blast. Have your own awakening.

Platinum grade - The best of the best. Lowest noise and microphony with the tightest triode balance we have available. This is typically 10% or tighter, but may be higher depending on available stock.

Gold grade - Low noise and microphonics with a triode balance typically between 15% and 20%, but may be higher depending on available stock.

Driver grade - Lowest noise but not the lowest in microphony. Triode balance will be similar to Gold grade.
This grade is only suitable for use in the driver stage of an amplifier, or the output/buffer stage of a DAC or CD Player.

Click here for a more in depth discussion on how we grade tubes.

Logo and box are exactly as pictured above. Price includes matching in any quantity you need at no extra charge.

Product Reviews

Showing reviews 1-10 of 16 | Next

Matsushita PCC88

Posted by DS in MD

When first used it was definitely on the darker side of the spectrum. Like others here have stated the highs seem rolled off at first. But after about 75 hours in my Pre (CJ) they opened up more and are more balanced than when first fired up.

If 1 is all bass, 5 is balanced, and 10 is all treble, I would rate the Mats around 3 when first fired up, then they improved to a 4.

Compared to the EAT 6922, the EAT would rate 5.5 on my scale with very smooth sounding mids and highs, with the highs more forward than the Mats.

The Telefunken PCC88 would fall around 6 to 6.5 being a more forward sounding tube but with less bass. This would be a better pick for a laid back sounding system.

The Matsushita has great lower mid and upper bass sound to them. For someone with Stats as speakers, this area can be a problem. But the Mats helped out giving me more sound in that area than other tubes tried.

If you have a laid back system the Mat PCC88 might not be a good fit. Try either the Telefunken PCC88 or if you want to drop some $$$ the EAT 6922 or even Telefunken 6DJ8.
Very nice indeed

Posted by Erik B.

I rolled these into my AI after using various Russian tubes. The midrange is immediately more detailed and delicate, the highs are very smooth. The bass has good reach and detail. Nice balanced sound and imaging! Overall the sonic picture is musical, glowing, with very good resolution and focus. Never etched -a pleasure to listen to. Maybe they will hold up as well as the Russians. Two thumbs up!
Delicate

Posted by Boris

Replaced EH 6922 from Upscale (platinum) in my BAT VK 3ix. In comparison, the mids are more delicate and detailed, the highs very smooth and only the bass is slightly less extended. Overall, the music is beautiful.
Update to first review

Posted by Chuck

Received the 7308 amperex and the Nationals are light in the Bass department when compared to the Amperex 7308's. But still a very nice tube .
Very Nice Tube

Posted by Chuck

Use these in a Cary SLI-80F1. I am very pleased with this tube certainly for the money. Very deep and detailed soundstage. Smooth mid range and upper frequencies. A bargain for the money and much better than the EH 6922 they replaced (see my review of that tube). I ordered a pair of the Amperex 7308's and can't wait to try those.
Disappointing for my AI M3

Posted by Steve m

While they were dead quiet, they seemed much too rolled off with marginal dynamics for my taste. The older Sovteks were great sounding, though no longer available, and the current JJs sound excellent but get noisy quickly. Pick your poison.
Darker and less resolving?

Posted by Andre

Thought the sound of these would be very different. Found them to be on the darker side, and not nearly as resolving on the low or high ends at the 6H23 EB. And my system - including the CAT Ulimate preamp - is on the neutral side. Wanted to like them but just didn't.
No Better Value - Incredible Soundstaging and TONE!!!

Posted by C. Cronsell

I put four of these, Platinum Grade, in my Golden Tube Audio SEP-3 preamp and the improvements were incredibly drastic. Instantly the separation between instruments and voices were superbly coherent and focused; the tone of every voice is now much more accurate and detailed, but in a very listenable way...never etched. I haven't even broken these puppies all the way in yet and I'm blown away by what you get for a relatively rock bottom price. BUY THEM, they won't disappoint!!!
Humanity

Posted by BobLaBarca

After first hearing these great tubes, all that I kept thinking of was Kevin Deal's descriptive term, "humanity"-a sense of real people making real music.

I can't recommend these highly enough. If you own an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A and you don't particularly feel like getting jerked around by Art Ferris, waiting SEVEN MONTHS for AI replacements (as I did), you'd do REALLY WELL to get four of these gems!
Excellent - use in Schiit Lyr

Posted by MisterRogers

I found these tubes Platinum grade/cryo'd to be stellar. I rolled them in to replace a pair of Brimars and got slightly more air and better extension top to bottom without losing the qualities that I valued most about Mullards or Brimars. These seem slightly cooler, but still warm. I'm very pleased - money well spent.

Showing reviews 1-10 of 16 | Next

CRYOGENICALLY TREATED VACUUM TUBES. DONE TO UPSCALE AUDIO STANDARDS!

Most of you already know that Upscale Audio is the premier destination for expertise and availability of vacuum tubes for high-end audio equipment. So when we offer servies and options, you can be guaranteed that it represents a significant investment of research and capital, and that the end result will greatly enhance your listening experience.

Upscale has contracted with the foremost company involved in this technology, 300 Below, to treat our most popular tubes. Other tubes will be added as time allows, but it is a time consuming proccess. Our intention is to have most stocks Cryogenically treated before we even test them.

Of course, your first question is – and should be – why? In a nutshell, reducing an object’s temperature to -300ºF re-arranges its molecular structure, creating greater uniformity that results in longer life and better performance than when the product was initially designed.With vacuum tubes, this process has a profound impact on a tube’s ability to endure thermal shock. Therefore, tubes can last longer and their sound can been enhanced in ways that are simply exquisite.

After thoughtful and thorough research, Upscale Audio chose 300 Below because of their extensive experience in working with musical instruments as well as auto racing, metal tooling, and high-end sporting goods from rifle barrels to golf clubs. Expect nothing but the best from Upscale Audio.

Our charge for Cryogenically treating tubes is a fraction of what others charge, though we use the premier company. Count on Upscale to do the best job and not price gouge . Also available is cryogenic treatment for cables, along with our well-known Nordost Vidar cable treatment system. Call for details. Pricing is listed on each tube and cable page.

Warranty Information

Vacuum tubes are warranted for 90 days against defects, except in cases of abuse, and replaced with like-item only.

Tubes being sent in for warranty must have a return authorization number from Upscale Audio. This RA number must be written on the outside of the box. Please also include a note in the box that has your name and telephone number, and please explain the issues with the tube. If this information is missing it will delay the shipment of your replacement tube.
Vacuum tubes being sent to Upscale Audio for warranty replacement must be shipped in a box with appropriate packaging to keep them from being damaged. Vacuum tubes returned to Upscale Audio using inadequate packing will have a voided warranty and will be refused at the customer's expense.

Exceptions to our warranty policy are as follows:

Upscale Audio reserves the right to refuse warranty at our disgretion based on the equipment being re-tubed. You will be notified of any change prior to your order being processed.
Using a tube in an application in which it was not meant to be used. If your amp calls for a 6550, and you decide you want to plug in a 6V6GT, Upscale Audio is not liable if the tube fails, and will not honor any warranty in such a situation.

Upscale Audio is not liable for any damage or injury caused by the improper use of its tubes or the use of an incorrect/incompatible tube type. If you are unsure of what tube or tubes your equipment uses, consult the manufacturer before making a purchase. Using an incompatible tube type may cause severe damage to your equipment and will void your tube's warranty.

vacuum tube returns for refund:

Vacuum tubes are electronic parts and are not refundable under any circumstances.