Great discussion guys.
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It really is a shame that all of the R&D, and lots of money, put into making the best quality tubes possible has been put out to pasture over the years. While I understand that there are fewer products that use tubes these days as well as regulations against some of the materials and processes of making tubes, it still makes me sad. The tubes of yesteryear will never be equalled, as far as I'm concerned, and years from now when what we call NOS tubes are but a memory, all of the new production tubes of today will be the NOS tubes of tomorrow. Look at SED. With that company now defunct there is at least one tube vendor calling these tubes NOS. I don't know what the future will bring but perhaps some new world federation will outlaw tubes-based devices altogether due to their high energy sucking ways. Audiophiles will gather in dark rooms in the basements of buildings huddled around the glow of a tube amp and listening to what used to be.
scar, please feel free to add all & any information you have on tubes, for that is the very reason I started this thread. For someone who has very limited experience with rolling tubes, the thought is quite daunting, to say the least, with the determination of finding a tube amp but not knowing where to hit the ground running
" Knowledge is power ".
Man...is that the truth, when it comes to glass. One of the reasons, I shy away from NOS; is I don't know what the hell I'm buying! :blush:
I mean seriously; every once in a while, I wander back to Brent Jessee's...and my head starts to spin.
To look at them...I can't tell the 4-figure NOS, from the cheap crap. Correction; the expensive, NOS stuff...usually looks like sh*t, lol. And then there's the re-branding. I mean, what's to stop a guy from saying "these are 1950s Mullards; made at some famous factory. They're just branded, Acme Tubes"
No; IMO, tubes are definitely, the most mysterious and exotic...of the audio arts. Maybe that's the allure; there's nothing an audiophile loves more...than to be in the know.
Trying to buy NOS on (fleec)eBay...is like walking through an active mine-field.
Yeah...I won't shy away forever. I would say, to this point; I've dabbled in glass.
Almost always had a tube pre-amp; but it's just my experience...I didn't find, that tube-swapping the smaller tubes, had a HUGE effect.
But I've finally come to the conclusion; I have to have at least some glass in my life.
As I start to explore, IAs, power-amps...and different designs (I've owned a little 6V6-based number, and now the EL84-based Carver...and I think a Decware SET, is imminent); I'll open-up, to more "exotic" NOS options.
With a point in the right direction, of course.
KT77; you know...after thinking about your question. I realize...I probably haven't given swapping, a fair shake.
Probably the 3 "best" pre-amps I've owned, are (in no particular order): Belles A21 (w/Auricaps), VTL 2.5, and a C-J ET-3.
The Belles, did take to some RCA Cleaptops I tried; they brought out, some top-end sparkle I was looking for. And conversely...some Mullards, did warm and flesh-out things with the VTL. The C-J, was really "refined"...but a little too laid-back, for my tastes; so I tried to jazz it up with some different glass...and I think that's where I fell somewhat short.
I also had a PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium pre-amp (PPPP). It was probably, the tubiest...of all the units I've tried (a pair of drivers and a rectifier, per channel). It was a little too rich, for my tastes; but I bet it would have really responded to rolling.
So...maybe I misspoke. I guess really what it is...is I haven't been very daring. :blush:
No...I haven't tried, or even heard of; most of those brands you mention. I've stuck pretty mainstream, to this point; (new production) Genelex, Mullard, Tung-Sol, JJ, RCA...some JAN, etc. You mentioned Tungsram; these are kind of, at the top of my try-list...for the Carver VTA-20S Tungsram 6BQ5 / EL84 - Upscale Audio (they offer a re-branded model, for $20 less per bottle too). Thoughts? (and I haven't ignored your recommended link; thanks
The only reason, I haven't pulled the trigger...for some new glass; is the Carver, sweet as it is...might not be a perfect match, for my Omega A8s. If I get a Decware...then I have to focus on EL-34s :bonkers:
Not to mention...I do have a PrimaLuna ProLogue Five; that might share duty, with the ARC 300.2...in my main rig. If it does...well; that unit can take just about ANYTHING! EL-34s, KT77, 6550s, 120s. Talk about going nutz!
CD,
I wasn't trying to imply anything...
Oh come now; I got your drift. You were basically saying "hey CD...were your pre-amps sh*t; or are your ears" :rofl:
J/K; and even if you were...it's all good. Even though I'm your super-modI'm a new guy here. It's OK, to get a sense of my tastes and sensibilities. It's like movies: if a co-worker tells me, I really ought to check out a certain flick; but I know his all-time favorite movie, is Deuce Bigalow:European Gigolo. I might not, rush to the local cinema
Yes...to this point, I am definitely not in the "golden, fuzzy age...of old tube glory" camp. What I like about tubes...is the weight they bring to the party. I'm sure I read it at 6moons; but I like the way it "puts more meat, on the musical bones"...lol.
Fleshes out the presentation; more 3D...and accentuating of the mids. But...I still want some tight, if not overwhelming bass; and some sparkle on top. You know...perfect balance
That's why, I think a unit...like the PPPP; was a little too ripe, for my tastes...but probably a die-hard tube-lovers dream. In my list of "best" pre-amps...I failed to mention my latest one; the ARC SP-16L. I found the C-J ET-3...to have oodles of "refinement"; but it was too laid-back for my taste. The Belles A21; good balance, and great top-end (I especially recommend RCA clear-tops, for that unit...and I know another Belles user, though he has a VT-01; who likes Siemens and RadioTechnique, for the same reason).
My 2 favorite pre-amps, because they offered the balance I was looking for; tube weight and 3D presentation...good bass, some sparkle, etc. Were the VTL 2.5...and this SP-16L. While I sort out kit, speakers, etc; I've forgone a pre-amp, for the time being. I'm just using my Oppo HA-1, as DAC and volume attenuation (and it actually does a decent job, in that regard). But past experiments, have always had me preferring a good, dedicated tube pre-amp.
I really like ARC kit. Another, very balanced...very good performer to me; was the ARC VSi-55 I tried (with winged 6550Cs). So...I'm thinking, of settling-down with ARC
KT77...do you have any experiences/thoughts, on ARC tube kit? I have my eye, on an LS-27 next.
You've had 3 very nice preamps from what I've heard in the past, so once again, no knocks there whatsoever - I just believe with separates it's more of a task to find the prefect preamp that matches up to ones ideal power amp because of so many variables like impedance mixed/matching and so on, which is why I'm an Integrated sort of guy, by choice I might add, more of a synergistically approached concept on my part - but just as valid if one was to taking into account the arrival of a lot of super Integrated's since around 2000
I know what type of sound you like, and know that you'd love said LS - 27, I mean what's not to like?, it limits you to one choice of tubes, which are the Russian super 6H30P, which are very linear to my sensibilities and aren't rose tinted in the least, but when it comes to ARC kit........., it's about the cable selection just as much as anything else, and over the years Harry has stayed true to one cabling line..........., Kimber
That's why those that know me, know I see my selection of components as
" Mi-Fi "
Good morning CD,
Im sorry for the late response, had an early night kicking it with the wifey.
Nice post! Let me comment, on a few points...
First of all...as you get to know me, and my posting style; you'll see, I'm not above busting some nutz. It's always in good fun...and if you see a smiley, wink, tongue-out, etc; you'll know, I'm just fcuking around (IOW...I know you weren't really giving me crap, about my choices)
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CD,
As is my way, I tend to go back through any bodies various post to get a feel for them, as I'm old school enough to stick to my guns, some people I like/respect, and some I try to avoid all together, but as I'm doing this from an iPad until I can get another MacBook, I'm unable to insert the icons for humor myself - but I can say this right off the bat - Super Mod, and all......, you've a great vibe about yourself, and that's why I see you as someone whom I'd share bread with.
Second...I am complete agreement with you; in regards to two things you've said here. A...I also, am a big believer; in impedance mismatch...getting in the way, of the best SQ. It confounds me, how sometimes...even pieces of kit, from the same manufacture; are mismatched together. B...your argument, for IAs makes total sense; and I go back and forth...seps and IAs, all the time. Also...I agree; there are some terrific IAs these days!
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In the end it should always be about SQ, as well as simplicity, and in said sense IAs, just float my boat in knowing they're optimized to function collectively - you'll never see/hear me say otherwise, though some may differ?, it's about freedom of choice, is it not?.
Great! Time to start saving pennies, lol. Yes, I agree; being limited...just to the 6H30P, is something to take into consideration. But word is...it is a super-tube, so...
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Super - Tube, indeed, and Russian tubes have always had several qualities in their favor, they're rugged, and are more often then not very linear and quiet to boot, so saving those pennies buy you a certain trait which allows you to enough something as it was intended to be heard, for its purity.
If I got myself into a situation...where I couldn't tube-roll much, with like an LS-27 in the Main rig; I'd just make sure...to keep a tube-roller's delight of an IA, somewhere in the house. Got to get that glass fix somehow
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If glass isn't somewhere in ones system!, then nor is musicality, but I'd be wrong?..........., but I tend to believe otherwise - it has to have tubes/glass, otherwise why invest more then $1.000 on ones system?. And I don't want the solid state guys taking this tte wrong way, but have you seriously taken the time to know the differences between natural or artificially reproduced music?, hard rockers, need not apply.
And I've had good results with Kimber as well. I like Kimber...Analysis Plus, Zen Acoustics, and The Chord Co.
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I've owned/loved Kimber since 1998/2001 - Chord Company since my Ex-LinnNaim days 1982/2012 - Acoustic Zen from 2002/13, never had the chance to even audition AP, and am riding out Cable Research Labs until the Creator calls me home, so in essence it's about what once again ties one sound/system together that counts, as the system is made or broken here, cables do count, as does everything else placed into/around ones system, but I'm adventurous enough to hear what each/every sort of little tweak brings, and can hear what each does or doesn't?, it's about trusting in ones ears and emotions to guide then onto the correct path for " them ", others be darned.
I love it!
Uhh; TMI...and don't make me have to warn you again. :notreally:
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I meant like in actually having time to sit down and enjoy some deep conversation.
For the record...no man, should ever apologize to another man; for gettin' some![]()