Yes, for me, they were arguably an equal if not greater 'upgrade' (in the power supply of the DAC)...than upgrading from a JAN Philips 6922 to an Amperex 7308 with EAT Tube damper in the main DAC unit itself.
New tubes for ARC REF2SE
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
Yes, for me, they were arguably an equal if not greater 'upgrade' (in the power supply of the DAC)...than upgrading from a JAN Philips 6922 to an Amperex 7308 with EAT Tube damper in the main DAC unit itself.
ohbythebay
New member
YES YES YES...
Said it time and time again..Tubes from the era when TUBES were made as a matter of norm...they had the equipment, knowledge, quality control...they had to be competitive a lot of what they made was military or medical grade...The 50's and early 60's...Like the best wine !!!
tubemaze
New member
ARC really likes to use 6H30P tubes in their amp, which is fantastic, but somewhat limiting. Finding NOS 6H30P tubes is becoming very hard. The best one in the family is 6H30P-DR, which is just diabolical, but comes with diabolical price 
So not the choices are very limited to EH Gold and Sovtek. They are not bad - compared to a lot of other new production tubes, but they are not DR. New Sensor doesn't use Gold and Platinum in the grid like DR tubes did and that impacts transparency and soundstage of the new tubes. There are similar tubes like 6N6P which was a predecessor of 6N30P, but ARC doesn't recommend using them.
So not the choices are very limited to EH Gold and Sovtek. They are not bad - compared to a lot of other new production tubes, but they are not DR. New Sensor doesn't use Gold and Platinum in the grid like DR tubes did and that impacts transparency and soundstage of the new tubes. There are similar tubes like 6N6P which was a predecessor of 6N30P, but ARC doesn't recommend using them.tubemaze
New member
Having all 5 DR would be the best, but expensive. Since power supply affects sound the least, to save the money, that 5th tube could be Electro Harmonix or Sovtek. I would recommend to go at least with Electro Harmonix Gold. There is a huge difference in longevity of the tubes. New production tubes last usually 5,000 hours, DR guaranteed to last for 10,000 hours. Although Sovtek is marked as EV, which is military markings - you can imagine, since these tubes are no longer used by military, the markings are more for marketing than anything else. DR were only produced for military use - back in USSR, it was impossible to buy them. They went through hell of testing to guarantee that they will work.
Dpod4
New member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2013
- Messages
- 1,321
Thanks for the counsel. I just ordered 5 DRs. Will report back once they are installed. Funny how warped my boundaries have become. 3-4 years ago I would have blacked out at the thought of spending $850 for five small tubes. I guess admitting I have an addiction is the first step toward healing ....or toward guilt free tube purchases.
- Thread Author
- #48
Darrin - after installing the DR tubes and Winged C power tube, I went from considering selling my REF2SE to declaring it the best phonostage I've ever heard.
Dpod4
New member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2013
- Messages
- 1,321
Very cool. Looking forward to hearing the tubes. Did you try the DRs in your Ref 10?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
- Thread Author
- #50
No, but I wish I had of before I sold it.
Right now I'm playing with tubes in my VAC phi200's. Loving the stock KT88's with Shuguang Treasure CV181-Z's (6SN7). The Goldlion KT88's were good, but too soft with the Sylvania's. Major loss in dynamics. I've not been a fan of the stock 6SN7's, but the KT88's are Shuguang KT88-SC's. Nice! A real nice synergy with the Treasure CV181-Z's. I can't get over the size of the CV181-Z's. BIG! They seem to run cooler too.
Next up is to try the Goldlions with the CV181-Z's. I still have some 1940 RCA red bottom 6SN7's to try too.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Dpod4
New member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2013
- Messages
- 1,321
Hi Mike. I bet this VACs sound great. With my (previous) 300.1a and 450S VAC amps I discovered that Kevin's stock tubes sounded pretty darn good. I did a lot of tube rolling but kept coming back to his as ideal. However the one swap I did that brought some tubey goodness was KenRad 6sn7 black tops in the 1 and 2 input slots. Better bottom end, more lush midrange.
- Thread Author
- #52
My tube guru (Nikolay - Tube Maze) told me the KT88's are quite good, but the 6SN7's aren't the best (I'm being nice here). So, I'm focusing on three sets of KT 88's (stock, gold lion, treasures) and rotating with a variety of 6SN7's. Right now, listening, the stock KT88's and Treasure 6SN7's are superb.
Up later - Gold Lion KT88's and Treasure 6SN7's.
The stock combo is good, quick, punchy, but a little peaky for me.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Dpod4
New member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2013
- Messages
- 1,321
I agree VAC gear with stock tubes is tilted a bit in upper registers - but oh so very resolving.
- Thread Author
- #54
I agree Darrin! I just popped in the GoldLion KT88's with the Treasure 6SN7's.....
Time for some listening!
Time for some listening!
- Thread Author
- #55
Darrin - I wasn't a fan of the GL KT88/Treasure combo. Back to the stock KT88-SC tube and Treasure 6SN7 and it is incredible sounding. Detailed, yet warm and not peaky at all sounding, with a predominate midrange and punchy bass.
Once I get my Treasure KT88's, I will roll those in for a go.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Once I get my Treasure KT88's, I will roll those in for a go.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD