Wife urging me to upgrade

jimbones · April 30, 2015, 08:53:15 AM

Bob, A tube rollin session is planned next week

Anyone who chooses to "volunteer" to let me demo a 6SN7, 12AU7 or 5AR4 you are free to come over next Tuesday/Thursday Evening

/

Brap · April 30, 2015, 08:57:11 AM

Where may I ask?

jimbones · April 30, 2015, 09:15:50 AM

East meadow off Newbridge rd

Brap · April 30, 2015, 09:17:02 AM

Shoot -- sorry in Chi-Town!

toobluvr · April 30, 2015, 01:17:36 PM

Didn't realize you were so close. I'm in Long Beach. Have we met?

rpf · April 30, 2015, 02:04:34 PM

Quote from: jimbones on April 30, 2015, 08:53:15 AM
Bob, A tube rollin session is planned next week

Anyone who chooses to "volunteer" to let me demo a 6SN7, 12AU7 or 5AR4 you are free to come over next Tuesday/Thursday Evening /

Jim, what 12AU7 tubes do you have now? I might have some that may help.

However, with my Modwright 36.5, even though I went from the stock Sovtek 6H30s to warmer EH gold pins, to the warmest NOS Reflectors, I still felt it lacked texture and adequate warmth. And this was with a tube amp that had Rel PSU copper foil caps.

Maybe the 6SN7s will be different but I still think it's the teflon caps, the teflon caps, the teflon caps....

jimbones · April 30, 2015, 03:57:01 PM

Ha ha. Ha ha, Ha ha

I get it. Ok so everything I read said that the 36.5 is more solid state sounding then the LS100 (from Dan) I am using JJ 12AU7's. I have one NOS Telefunken 12AX7 from the 1950 or 60's I could try but will have a bit more gain in the phono section. I am open to suggestion. Most people have been able to tame it with tube rolling so I am not overly concerned. i just have to find the right match.

toobluvr · April 30, 2015, 04:05:08 PM

Quote from: jimbones on April 30, 2015, 03:57:01 PM
Ha ha. Ha ha, Ha ha

I get it. Ok so everything I read said that the 36.5 is more solid state sounding then the LS100 (from Dan) I am using JJ 12AU7's. I have one NOS Telefunken 12AX7 from the 1950 or 60's I could try but will have a bit more gain in the phono section. I am open to suggestion. Most people have been able to tame it with tube rolling so I am not overly concerned. i just have to find the right match.

I'm not a big Tele fan. To my ears they will move you in the direction you don't wanna go.

For 12ax7, try a "Baldwin Organ" pull. They are used old stock, pulled from organs, made by Raytheon (or Sylvania?) I believe, black plates, gold print that says "Baldwin Organ". Smoothest warmest most musical 12ax7 I've encountered. Use 'em in my phono stages. Got mine on EBay several years ago, very reasonable prices by NOS standards. Prices may have caught up to SQ by now.

sleepyguy24 · April 30, 2015, 06:11:04 PM

Quote from: jimbones on April 30, 2015, 03:57:01 PM
Ha ha. Ha ha, Ha ha

I get it. Ok so everything I read said that the 36.5 is more solid state sounding then the LS100 (from Dan) I am using JJ 12AU7's. I have one NOS Telefunken 12AX7 from the 1950 or 60's I could try but will have a bit more gain in the phono section. I am open to suggestion. Most people have been able to tame it with tube rolling so I am not overly concerned. i just have to find the right match.

JJs aren't that bad of a tube. I like their 5751 tubes. I had the 12AU7s but they seemed kind of meh compared to old stock tubes and I'm not even talking about the expensive ones.

toobluvr · April 30, 2015, 06:34:43 PM

IMO, you gotta go NOS (or used old stock) to even have a chance at the kinda warmth and musicality that you seek. Esp since Modwright stuff is voiced accurate / neutral.... At least i hear it that way

toobluvr · April 30, 2015, 07:05:10 PM

For 12a family of tubes I'd try Mullards, RCA and previously mentioned Baldwins. I love Mullards. Typical Mullard signature is nice punchy bass, creamy lucid mids and good emotional pull. Some say they are rolled up top, but I don't hear it.

toobluvr · April 30, 2015, 07:31:30 PM

I don't have huge experience with 6sn7,but when I used them I liked the black glass ones, Tung Sol and Kenrad. Clear and dynamic, yet still warm and musical. Dwindling supply and VERY pricey!

A lotta folks swear by RCA red base 5692 for warmth and musicality, but i found them soft , fuzzy and veiled.

Another darling is Sylvania vt231. I hear them as lean, dry and a bit bright. The opposite of textured and musical.

I used them in Atma Sphere OTL mono amps, they may perform differently in a line stage.

jimbones · May 01, 2015, 04:00:54 AM

SleepyGuy is coming over with a box full of tunes and we will see/hear the effects. I agree that I will Have to go NOS. No problem.

toobluvr · May 01, 2015, 06:35:57 AM

Oh, I also used 6sn7 in my ASL aq1006 845 mono amps. Same preferences.

richidoo · May 01, 2015, 07:41:56 AM

Quote from: jimbones on May 01, 2015, 04:00:54 AM
SleepyGuy is coming over with a box full of tunes and we will see/hear the effects. I agree that I will Have to go NOS. No problem.

Don't write off new production high end tubes from China. Shuguang Black Treasure CV181Z and Psvane are very good. Clean clear sound, with the phat bottom and big sound of vintage western tubes, just without the syrup or blur. Pissvane also has 12A* now too, I've not heard those.

http://en.psvane.com/