Matsushita / National PCC88 / 7DJ8 Gold Grade / No Cryo Reviews

4.6 Rating 83 Reviews

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“Used in Audible Illusons #A Phono section. All I can say is smoooooth!”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

“I have been a regular Upscale Audio customer and as an owner of an Audible Illusions L1 preamplifier I have purchased the Russian NOS 6922 Type 3 tubes numerous times over the past years. I was interested when I read about these alternatives to the Type 3s and decided to give them a try. When first installed the Matsushita/National PCC88/7DJ8s were exactly as described. These tubes initially showed off a midrange "tubey" sound. It could be best described as a midrange silkyness where the midrange is transferred through some sort of virtual ultra slippery lubricant. It is a joy to listen to. When first installed this midrange silkyness is very pronounced, the bass is accentuated and the top end is a bit rolled off. After about 10 hours of use these tubes opened up and the top end became more extended. With an additional 10 hours of use the tubes took on the character they have stayed with. The top end is more extended, the bass is not as accented as when they were first installed and the midrange silkyness has retreated a bit. These tubes are now a much more balanced tube with a nice touch of that midrange magic that they showed off when first installed. The top end has extended and the bass is nicely balanced. Compared to the Russian NOS 6922 Type 3s, the National 7DJ8s have a nice touch of that midrange magic, are not quite as extended on the top end as the Type 3s, have a bit more bass energy than the Type 3s and may be just a touch quieter than the Type 3s. To be fair I cannot say that these are better than the Russian NOS 6922 Types 3 tubes. Those are wonderfully neutral tubes with a beautifully extended top end. The National 7DJ8s are just different tubes with some qualities of their own. They are very nice tubes and worth a try if you value the qualities described.”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

Mike Spille-NYC

Unverified Reviewer

“Just got delivery,and using them on my Lyr,with Hd650's. I was really surprised ...SQ is excellent..& will order a second pair ,for backup. If your thinking about getting these..dont think..just do it ,oh,& upgrade to Platinum level..these are are absolutely noiseless. Another great tube from Upscale...nice price too!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

“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.”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

“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!”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

“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.”

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Posted 12 years ago

“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 .”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

“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.”

Helpful Report

Posted 13 years ago