Archive through March 22, 2005
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2276 Registered: Dec-03 | Larry: Here is a link to a page that gives links to cap distributors. http://ldsg.snippets.org/appdx-ec.php3#MUNDCAP Mostly I use jenson and mondorf (yes new) paper in oil caps. But there are a host of other manufacturers still making paper in oil caps as there has been a recent resurgance in there use. I have gotten many different kinds of new production capacitors from ebay auctions. I have not tried the teflon caps yet as like you said very expensive. And there discription seems to be a blend of pio attributes and poly which for some (maybe even you) may be just the ticket. I'm after the sound that pios bring to the table so I don't believe teflon is my ticket. Most of the new pio's I find on ebay are german made. I do use poly caps of varying brands in the not as critical points in the curcuit. And I do have orange drops that seem to work great. But I like pio's in the signal path when I can, they give a sweetness or juicy sound, not to much when your only using a few in your whole system, they just seem to set it off! I like to bypass electrolitics with poly caps. In general I like to paralell caps. As to me that seems to work very well and the smaller the cap the less expensive. |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2277 Registered: Dec-03 | Here is another capacitor link. And a little dialogue that made try the mundorfs! "Sound: The M-CAP SUPREME SILVER/OIL is the capacitor! I can only underline what Mundorf states: ".........wonderfully spacious and detailed sound reproduction .........an even fuller and smoother tonal richness and diversity. This capacitor's ability to bring out the finest nuances and the subtlest distinctions make the music sound more alive and "juicy", yet without unnatural emphasis of any individual effects. .........wonderfully spacious music reproduction......... ". The true high-end capacitor! Music at last! Detail and depth throughout from top to bottom. So smooth and liquid. To exaggerate things: it makes a standard Supreme Cap sound slightly rough! Nothing else for me anymore. Verdict: 10" http://home.zonnet.nl/geenius/Cap.html |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2279 Registered: Dec-03 | Well I may have stumbled across a nice deal! The local camera repair place I bought tubes from in the past sold me his entire stock of what he had left for $60 including a case that tubes go in! Theres some mullards and telefunkens and marconis in there about half of the tubes from what I can tell are ones I use. mainly the input tubes yu know the 12a's and 6sn7's! more fun tonight going though it! I'll let yu know if I got extra's! |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 917 Registered: Dec-03 | Kegger, I just wanted to check in with you, and make sure you're not buried under a pile old tubes and Fig Newtons. How's tricks? |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2293 Registered: Dec-03 | Well no fig newtons hear just a couple mono block el84's up and running! But there is something else in the pic rick!  |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 921 Registered: Dec-03 | You stumped me on this one! How do the EL84's sound? |
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New member Username: Larry_hillPost Number: 4 Registered: Mar-05 | Girl Scout Cookies!!! They must have a crisper sound than the Fig Newtons. Are they made of real Girl Scouts? |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 923 Registered: Dec-03 | Good one Larry! |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2295 Registered: Dec-03 | "Hey peoples! Got a question here! Aren't amps like speakers or something? Somebody answer me!" Uh yah! Speakers connect to amps to make music! And I like girl scouts, uh cookies that is! |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 925 Registered: Dec-03 | We would like to keep this thread on the subject of tube based amps. If you have something to contribute, please be my guest, if you just want to chat, please start another thread elsewhere. Thank you. |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2296 Registered: Dec-03 | I would ask politly the same question as rick! We've started this thread to discuss tube amps and things accosiated with them so more people may understand and get what there looking for in audio. I was asked the question if amps were like speakers and I answered it. I respectfully ask if you may leave this thread alone to it's original intent. I know we can't make you, I ask nicely and hope you can respect that. Thank you very much in advance! |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2297 Registered: Dec-03 | nout, thanks you answred before I posted. Thank you! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 167 Registered: Jan-05 | Yeah, Kegger....looks like Rick's thread has been hijacked. So, in the interest of getting back to the original intent of the thread...I think I just did what might be considered an "impulse purchase": Onix Combo 6 Moons Preview I need to breathe..... |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2300 Registered: Dec-03 | No you didn't? ! Wow! Holy sheeeeett!! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 168 Registered: Jan-05 | That's what I'm saying. I did this pretty much on the spur of the moment with very little research. <sigh> I think I got taken in by the combo price: tube amp, cd player and speakers $1499 - separately, they are $2800. So, if this works out, my NAD c350/c51i combo and the B&W speakers may have to go. Looks like I may have to read through all the archives of this thread to learn more about this tube stuff. :-) |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 169 Registered: Jan-05 | L U S T at first site it what this is all about. lol |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 170 Registered: Jan-05 | Make that L U S T at first "sight" "is" what this all about! geez, i strt 2 spll lik a yung turk. Ah, yuth! |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2301 Registered: Dec-03 | Sm That amp is georgeous! And quite a nice array of tubes it uses! I've never seen that combo, pretty cool! If sounds as good as it looks your in buisiness! Man What an impulse buy for sure! |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2302 Registered: Dec-03 | Hey your spelling like me! I need to read up on your combo! Pretty soon you'll have as much gear as me! lol! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 171 Registered: Jan-05 | Lol! No, I don't think I'll ever get as much gear as you, Kegman! I admit it, I purchased this purely on looks. Man, I hope it sounds ok. Will probably use either in bedroom or office. Preferably, the office so I can sell the NAD/B&W combo to bring in some funds to offset this purchase. Of course, this means the sub for the living room will have to wait. I've got a little Energy sub, I may try in there but am not sure it will integrate smoothly with the maggies. The speakers in this combo look a lot like Spendors. Like Spendor, they are made in England. breathe, breathe.... |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2303 Registered: Dec-03 | Yes Breath , heavely! Those speakers do look simular to the spendors! The only way you'll know if the sub will work is try it. Hey if it kicks a lttle extra bass just might do the trick, you may not need much. |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2304 Registered: Dec-03 | British Power No, Now that you have posted on this thread anytime someone posts here you will see it in your email unless you turn off that feature in your profile. |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1548 Registered: Aug-04 | As all his on-line friends turn to tube amplification and stereo, My Rantz hangs his head in sorrow and stumbles alone across the audio desert towards the setting sun. Upon arrival at his humble abode, he and Mrs Rantz will arm themselves with a bourbon or two or three, sit together on their comfy sofa sofa and take in the pleasure of wonderful hi-res surround music thanks to a mere transistor surround amp and universal DVD player. And all will be good. Later: "People around the world are going crazy my love," says Rantz. His wife replies, "I know my sweet, it's the hole in the ozone layer. The radiation is affecting many people in very odd ways. Perhaps the worst is the retro effect - people are going back to those old fashioned things of yesteryear in the hope that turning from modern technology will save them." "Ah, but we know better, dont we dear?" "Yes Rantz darling, we know if one has good surround sound then the only other thing in life one needs is love." "And maybe a new pair of B&W floorstanders?" "Rantz?" "Yes, what is it dear?" "I'm getting a headache!" |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1549 Registered: Aug-04 | SM - you are BAD! It looks stunning - I hope it is. Congrats! |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2305 Registered: Dec-03 | Nice post rantz, I'm still in surround just "WITH" tubes! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 172 Registered: Jan-05 | MR, lol! "Crazy" that's exactly what I told Uncle Lar an hour ago just before I typed in the Amex number. As they say, "baby did a bad, bad thing!" Did you happen to notice the "Designed and Engineered in Australia" stamped on the front of the amp? Seems like good motive for you to get one of these combo deals. |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2306 Registered: Dec-03 | By the way the amp sm is getting is australian! http://www.melody.com.au/about.htm |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2307 Registered: Dec-03 | British Power I don't know what your asking now! I have no list to put you on and I'm not on a list with you! When you edit your profile you can turn off email alerts from this sight. Or at least you use to be able to, if you can't anymore then you will get an email alert anytime someone posts on this thread! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 173 Registered: Jan-05 | Actually, it is "designed and engineered" in Australia but built in China. The same way Apple computers are "designed and engineered" in California but built in China. |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2308 Registered: Dec-03 | Sm I read on the melody website it says the amp runs on 220v. Now hopefully that's just the european models and as the ad states this is the us model that it runs on a 110volt system which it probably does but I would check! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 174 Registered: Jan-05 | The photo of the back of the unit on the 6moons site looks like it has US power specs on it, 110v, 60hz. I can't read it clearly. But, I'm pretty sure their products are for spec'd for both American and European markets. |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2309 Registered: Dec-03 | Yes the ad sdays nort american version so it probably is I'd just double check. Aren't you suppose to turn into a pumpkin about now? |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1550 Registered: Aug-04 | SM No, I'll be sticking with what we have for a long while yet. Maybe one day - if we ever have the need for another room with music. Without knowing much about tubes - the amp looks and reads very good as do the speakers and cd player. The package will be an exceptional buy if it all performs as good as it all looks. Very interesting indeed. We will await your assessment - when is the package due? Kegger, Yeah, I know you're still into surround. There's hope yet, mate! LOL! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 175 Registered: Jan-05 | Aren't you suppose to turn into a pumpkin about now? lol - no, that happens when the Amex bill arrives. MR, Just placed the order late this evening so I don't have a tracking number yet. If they ship it tomorrow, it would probably arrive early next week. Hopefully, it will sound as good as it looks.  G'nite! |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 926 Registered: Dec-03 | SM, Congratulations. If the amp sounds as good as it looks, you have a winner. Paired with the Maggies, you will melt in your listening chair. LOL! Welcome to the musical magic of tubes. Cheers! PS the speakers do look like S3/5's, had to do a double take. |
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Gold Member Username: John_aPost Number: 2878 Registered: Dec-03 | I have been away. Where next will this thread go? Where can it go? My Rantz, I am with you, still. Never waver. These tube people talk a lot of sense, but surround is still good. My dream system is now a valve/tube amp to drive the main speakers, Quad Electrostatic Loudspeaker-63 (have I mentioned these?), direct from the L and R analogue outputs of the DVD-player. Then you get the best stereo (leaving aside LP, for the moment). I will then add more channels. Transistors and electromagnetic speakers will do for surrounds, for reasons of space and keeping a tenuous grip on reality. Centre speaker and sub in due course. But one step at a time. One always has to make compromises. It amazes me that SM does not receive daily proposals of marriage on this forum. Of course, she might worry that the proposers were only after one thing.... Such as listening to her sound system. SM I think Apples grow in Singapore. At least, that is where they are shipped from. Good luck with that inpulse buy! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 177 Registered: Jan-05 | JohnA My Rantz, I am with you, still. Never waver. These tube people talk a lot of sense, but surround is still good..... Mr. Hyde, please, let the good Dr. Jekyll surface. :-) |
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Gold Member Username: John_aPost Number: 2880 Registered: Dec-03 | Competition: who said which? 1. Surround is crap. Stereo rules. 2. Stereo cannot reproduce the sound of real music, which comes from all directions. For each statement, above, was the author (A) Dr Jekyll or (B) Mr Hyde? (Clue: The correct answer to this question can be found in the short, clear, thread Teaching an old dog new tricks...). |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1551 Registered: Aug-04 | John Thanks for hanging in there with me and Kegger on the surround thing. Yes okay, a tube amp to drive the mains is close, but not quite crossing the line. Hey, I've said it before: "Where was SM when we guys were out wife hunting?" Not a bad catch actually - nice car, nice house, nice tubes, nice . . . cats LOL! Any Takers? Sorry SM - But I bet you'd be a great catch - really! |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 928 Registered: Dec-03 | Rantz, In a different incarnation, I would chase her down til she dropped. LOL! |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1554 Registered: Aug-04 | Rick, Yeah - and then what? Oh right - a couple of whacks with the club then drag her back to cave by her hair. Man, you better be wearing your best loincloth. LOL! |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 929 Registered: Dec-03 | ...Yeah-and then what? Give me a minute, at my age we forget these things..............I did know at one time, if only I could remember................ Oh well, what were we talking about? |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1558 Registered: Aug-04 | I forget - I'm too tired. If sleeping beauty is still making that clicking noise as she snores I'll have to make camp in the spare room again. It drives me crazy. Rick, can you lend me your club? Night all! Tubes . . . What a strange world. |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 178 Registered: Jan-05 | Sorry SM - But I bet you'd be a great catch - really! Right, the catch of the day. lol |
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J. Vigne Unregistered guest | "In a different incarnation, I would chase her down til she dropped" And in this incarnation, you'd chase her down until you dropped. Wheeeze, cough, sputter!!! No matter what the sound of your new amp, you can set it on the coffee table and just look at it. Starting with a 6L6 based amp can't go too far wrong, sounds like a good choice. |
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J. Vigne Unregistered guest | "In a different incarnation, I would chase her down til she dropped" And in this incarnation, you'd chase her down until you dropped. Wheeeze, cough, sputter!!! No matter what the sound of your new amp, you can set it on the coffee table and just look at it. Starting with a 6L6 based amp can't go too far wrong, sounds like a good choice. |
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J. Vigne Unregistered guest | So nice it had to be posted twice. |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 931 Registered: Dec-03 | LOL! In this incarnation it would be difficult to get off the couch, and lace up the sneakers. |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 933 Registered: Dec-03 | Kegger, Check out this site. It's the one I was telling you about. Go to small tubes for the 12AX, 12AU, and 12AT info. Good reading. The test equipment is unbelieveable. www.vintagetubeservices.com |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1566 Registered: Aug-04 | You ankle-biters were asked nicely to stop filling this thread with your childish jibberish. NOW PLEASE - RUN ALONG AND PLAY SOMEWHERE ELSE! |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 935 Registered: Dec-03 | Please take it somewhere else.............. |
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Kent Wright Unregistered guest | Please accept my apologies if this is not the correct thread to post this question. But I saw a post by "Rick Barnes" mentioning the Maggies. Here's the question that I posed on the Speakers thread: I have a Denon AVR-2805 but currently looking for a pair of good mains. Currently, I'm using an old pair of JBL N28II loaned out to me by a friend who's moving out of his parents place. I have a few questions: 1. Would a pair of Magnepans be a good fit to the Denon? 2. or should I stick with the traditional box models? https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-audio/126938.html *** Anyone on this thread with a first hand experience with Maggies? thanks, KW |
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Kent Wright Unregistered guest | British Power I know you mean well, but out of courtesy to the rest of us, would you mind posting somewhere else? I'm waiting for replies to some of my posts. Please. This is an A/V forum and if it's not your cup of tea, please leave and join another forum of your own kind. MSN Messenger may be a better choice for you. Thank you, KW |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2310 Registered: Dec-03 | Well have fun with the thread there "British Power" and "~Jak&Daxter'sgirl~ " It's all yours now as you have ruined what was a productive thread about audio with your personal chatting even after we gave you the respect of asking nicely to please leave our thread alone and go "CHAT" somewhere else. As this is an audio forum and not a chat line as you chose to use it for! Have fun with it and thanks for ruining a good thing when you could of just made your own thread and posted as many 1 to 2 word postings as you wish! Since we asked you to leave our thread alone you have posted at least 25 more posts! When if you took us seriously and cared if you ruined a thread for other people you would not have posted any more like nout! Great job there little kids, thanks! We tried to give you respect and ask nicely but you just ignored it and went about caring only for your amusement! So either never post here again or have the thread and we have to go elsewhere. As none of the regulars here have the time or patience to deal with you! Everyone else on this thread is at least 40 years old "yes geisers to you" and we don't have the time to deal with this crap! So continue gabbing if you want and take the thread or have some shread of decency and leave for good! I have no problem with you guys gabbibg on your own thread but your ruining other threads for other people, if you care that is! LATER! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 190 Registered: Jan-05 | Everyone else on this thread is at least 40 years old " Hey! I'm not that old, yet! But, yeah, Kegger, you are right no one else on this thread has any interest in JDG or BP's insipid ramblings. Don't count on them showing any sense of decency because they don't know what that means. I, mean, with it being a 3 syllable word and all. At least "loser" is only 2 syllables so maybe they might be able to comprehend the meaning of it if they stand in front of a mirror and repeat it over and over and over.... |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2311 Registered: Dec-03 | British Power : We do kid a bit from time to time with each other, were not complete duds! But for the most part this is serious thread about audio and tubes in general. And I accept your apologie and hope you can find other threads with people more to your liking and leave us geezers to ours! Thank you! |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 191 Registered: Jan-05 | Kegger, That was magnanimous of you. Hopefully, BP is being sincere. |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 192 Registered: Jan-05 | KW, Does your Denon handle 4ohm loads? I checked the specs for it and saw ratings for 6&8 ohms but not for 4. The maggies are 4ohm speakers and need good amplification. I have the MMG model paired with a Mcintosh integrated amp rated at 75w@8ohm and 100w@4ohm and it sounds terrific. You may want to check with Denon and ask them about the 4ohm capabilities. Getting the thread back on the tube topic - will the 35wpc from the Onix amp be enough to drive the maggies? I'm thinking, "yes" because the Onix Ref1 speakers packaged with the amp are also 4ohm. But, don't want to make assumptions. |
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Kent Wright Unregistered guest | SimplyMcIntosh Thanks for the reply. Will check with Denon as suggested. Meanwhile, have to attend to guests tonight. Good evening to all. KW |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2312 Registered: Dec-03 | SM: "Getting the thread back on the tube topic - will the 35wpc from the Onix amp be enough to drive the maggies? I'm thinking, "yes" because the Onix Ref1 speakers packaged with the amp are also 4ohm. But, don't want to make assumptions." Yes I believe the new tube amp will drive your maggies fairly desent. Hey! Nice clean thread! I like! WWWWHHHoooo HHHHHHOOOOO!!!! |
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Silver Member Username: Larry_rNaples, FL Post Number: 793 Registered: Oct-04 | Kegger, yes, several of us have had nice, quiet talks with Admin - and has been quite aware of our problem. The next step is to figure a way to block the irritants from posting again. there must be some way to do this? More anon. . . |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1573 Registered: Aug-04 | They won't be back. Last I heard they were sterilised, sent of to an old, very isolated Siberian Gulag and offered a career opportunity in slave labour. |
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Computer geek Unregistered guest | Huh? |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 936 Registered: Dec-03 | Hey All, It looks like we got our thread back. I have been listening to music all weekend, and am very pleasantly surprised to see Administration step in, but also delete the litter on the thread. As the founder of the thread, I do thank them. Thanks to the 'Dogs" who contacted Admin. . Larry, thank you. SM, I am really anxious to get your reaction to tube amplification. I think your Maggies, driven by tubes, will put you in a musical place, you haven't been before. I look forward to your review. Kegger, Again, I really enjoyed the chat, and look forward to the package arriving. Thanks to you too, for getting our thread back. Rantz, Thanks, as always! Hope all is well. Cheers to all. |
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J. Vigne Unregistered guest | Yes, now those rascals are gone! Back to amps! |
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Silver Member Username: Larry_rNaples, FL Post Number: 799 Registered: Oct-04 | Just want y'all to know that I've started researching those tube-amps - and going back to my very young youth. (how about dat? grin) Then, I put together Williamson-style amps, and had a good time in MONO, for Goodness' sake! Now, with all of my wunnerful NAD stuff, I still have a small itch to scratch, and that may - just MAY - lead me back into the tube-camp. We'll see - anyway, interesting to read all of your postings regarding aural or-gaz-ums and such. (double grin) Hey - I understand sound effects. Yep. When I got the B&Ws I knew that my Polk-days were over,and that I had something very good to look forward to. And now that they're pretty well broken in, I understand what so many people were yelling about. Tubes? Heck - they're OLD-FASHIONED, right? (pssssttttt - so am I!) Keep talkin' at me - I might cave in. . . More anon. . . |
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J. Vigne Unregistered guest | Right, Larry you're getting off topic little bit, but keep talking. |
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J. Vigne Unregistered guest | The last two posts are not my doing. My name is being hijacked and I do not appreciate it. |
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Silver Member Username: Larry_rNaples, FL Post Number: 802 Registered: Oct-04 | I know it gets tiresome, but I always go back to my basic premise: God made one Big mistake in creation: He made 4-million horses, and 40-million horses' a-sses! Sigh. |
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New member Username: Larry_hillPost Number: 5 Registered: Mar-05 | JV, you are a regular poster here, you should register to protect your name. |
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Bronze Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, Tx Post Number: 14 Registered: May-04 | As you can see, I have registered to try to protect my name and whatever good will I have established on the forum. (Aside to those who have asked why I have not registered before now; the witness protection folks are unhappy with this decision.) If the person that posted the above messages under my name is still reading the forum, I have a message for them. Your behaviour when merely posting rude, inane messages was obnoxious and displayed a mentality that was substantially beneath juvenile grade humor. When you escalated to posting under someone else's identity you showed a level of contemptibility that is on par with a disturbed, vengeful, spiteful brat. I have no concept of what pleasure you obtained from either game you thought you were playing. It would appear to be much like pulling the wings off flies or hurting small animals. Such behaviour can have no justification. I would suggest you look at the actions of the past few days and consider how prepared you are to join in a community that fosters interaction on a level of trust and honesty which you are obviously not prepared to provide. You must be quite a joy to work with on a daily basis. My question to you is; why don't you just grow up? |
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Silver Member Username: Two_centsPost Number: 492 Registered: Feb-04 | I'm so far behind at work right now, I thought I'd spend some time asking questions about tubes. I have the Primaluna Prologue 2 with Chinese-made Genalex-copy KT88 tubes and would like to try a more tubey sounding tube, i.e., more midrange warmth. Not that I'm unhappy with the KT88s. They sound great to my ears, but I'm up for some experimenting. Got any suggestions? Will EL34s give what I'm looking for? If so, what brand would you recommend that are reasonably priced (not ready to drop big $$$ on NOS tubes yet)? Oh yeah, one more thing, tubes + vinyl rules! |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 944 Registered: Dec-03 | 2C, Glad to hear you have found the magic that only tubes can bring. I would suggest you try the Electro-Harmonix EL34's. Nice warm sound. Same with the pre-amp tubes. Go with the EH. The small tubes make a bigger overall difference than the power tubes. Have fun! |
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Silver Member Username: Two_centsPost Number: 493 Registered: Feb-04 | Rick, Thanks for the tip. So do you think swapping the 12ax7 or 12au7 tubes will make a bigger difference than going from KT88 to EL34? What kind of difference will it make? Kind of new at this so have many newbie questions. Yes, I hear the magic. It's seductive as h e l l and keeps me up at nights. |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2316 Registered: Dec-03 | 2C generally EL34/6CA7's are more tubey sounding then kt88/6550's are. And I would recomend nos or at least older slightly used ones. Mullard and sylvania fat bodies are great! I took a quick peek at ebay and heres the fat body's! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=67807%26item%3D5762124016 %26 I believe these are the mullards (as many companys printed there logos on them) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73379%26item%3D5762273725 %26 Then these might be worth the price and theres a bunch of auctions for them! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39997%26item%3D5761999993 %26 Other wise as rick said I believe the best new tubes might be EH. And yes the signal tubes can make a huge impact! You might want to try rolling the smaller tubes IE 12ax7/12au7/12at7 until you get a good price on the older el34/6ca7's. And again on the smaller tubes nos/older stock is the way to go. But dealer prices are rediculous so ebay like crazy and see what comes in at the right price for you, that's what I do. Put a bunch of cheap bids in and see what comes to you. The more you ebay and see the prices they go for the more you'll feel comfortable getting the right price down and come up with some great tubes for little money! (compaired to dealer prices) As far as the signal tubes go rca's are great and are usually cheaper! Obviously telefunken and mullards are great but expensive. Sylvanias are nice. But I believe rca is underated! And underpriced! "for there small signal tubes" |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 945 Registered: Dec-03 | 2C, I am not really familiar with the sound of the KT88's, but from what i have read, the EL34's have more of the "tube" warmth and sweetness. Yes, so far I have found changing preamp and driver tubes to make a hugh difference in the overall sound. They are really inexpensive if not looking for NOS stuff. |
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Silver Member Username: Two_centsPost Number: 494 Registered: Feb-04 | Thanks Kegger and Rick for the tubular advise. Great info. I can see this is going to take some time and moolah. What would happen if I replaced the KT88s with four tubes of Crest? |
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Gold Member Username: John_aPost Number: 2896 Registered: Dec-03 | One by one, the good guys are falling under influence. First Kegger, then Rick, now Two Cents. Thanks, 2c! If you prefer EL34s then you could have saved some money by getting a Prologue One. The words used to describe the sound of the One and and Two in the HiFiNews review suggest the One has the sound you are looking for, 2c. But the writer there sort of gets carried away with his own words, and I am never entirely sure what he means. Also, his musical tastes are not mine. Courtesy of this thread (thanks, Rick!), I am re-examining my long-held assumption that the job of an amp is to apply gain, and otherwise be invisible. If amps have different "sounds", then they are visible. Probably Jan has slaughtered this argument before, with talk of types of distortion. But then again, all distortion is bad. Why is this too simple? I am tempted to follow Ghia's example and start a thread called "Plunging into tubes". Any comments, anyone? (Apart from the obvious). My Rantz, Ghia, Larry et al.: aren't you a little persuaded, as I am, by these sensible guys' lyrical posts on the subject of tube aka valve amplification? And who's next? |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2317 Registered: Dec-03 | JOHN: I THINK 2c SAID IT! "Yes, I hear the magic. It's seductive as h e l l and keeps me up at nights. Weather it's true to the original intent or not, a great sounding tube amp just pulls you into the music and makes you want to listen really quietly! As I said before I have a tough time describing it except that to me instruements are given this unique harmonic presence that makes them sound real, more life like, almost as if there talking not just being played. And to me that sound is so good I could care less if it's the original sound or not, it's that good! I think one just needs to experience it for ones self to understand and appreciate it! I have a feeling, now that you've got the speakers you love a tube amp would be heaven! SimplyMcIntosh will have to chime in on that one for us when she gets hers! |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1590 Registered: Aug-04 | John A Not me [grin]! There is always something better no matter what you have - the trick is not to keep looking for it. If possible. Kegger, Yes 2C said it - but I have something else that does the same thing - she's warm, she glows, and she's a heck of a lot prettier than a hunk of metal. |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2318 Registered: Dec-03 | "There is always something better no matter what you have" AGREED! "Yes 2C said it - but I have something else that does the same thing - she's warm, she glows, and she's a heck of a lot prettier than a hunk of metal." ARE YOU SURE THIS LOOKS PRETTY NICE!  JUST KIDDING! LOL! |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1591 Registered: Aug-04 | Kegger, Not even close - but not bad! LOL! Maybe when I'm about eighty or more and I'll need something that won't matter if I forget to turn it off; something with few switches, knobs and buttons to play havoc on my memory; something on which I can hang my damp, old socks over to dry; and maybe something I can use as a nite-lite so I won't bang into things when I get the urge to do a tap dance around the lounge room or something. |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2319 Registered: Dec-03 | I KNOW! But it is a nice piece of "ART" in my oppinion! SOME TUBE AMPS ARE JUST GEORGEOUS! PIECES OF ART, SOME OF THEM ARE! |
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Gold Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 1593 Registered: Aug-04 | OKAY, I AGREE, I AGREE - SOME LOOK SENSATIONAL AND YOURS IS NO EXCEPTION. A thing of beauty - as you say: ART! Make sure you use a strong hook when you hang it on the wall LOL! Later - go to bed! |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 947 Registered: Dec-03 | John, When I began my research on tube amps, I started with this in mind. Simple things tend to work, or in this case, sound better than complex things. The simplist circuit I know of is a Single Ended Triode. It produces a sound or tone that to the ear that is pure. The rap against tubes is the old, you are being bathed in excessive second order harmonic distortion. You have to remember, if you go by the numbers, tubes don't measure well on the charts and graphs. They DO measure well with the human ear. Is there anything wrong with listening just for the fun or love of it? I think that is the beauty of tubes. The sound they reproduce. Pure, rich, flowing harmonics, timbral texture, lifelike attacks and decays. And air surrounding each note...................Yes, very beautiful and addicting. I didn't know where this tube thing would end when I started. I have only just begun, but I know somewhere it will probably end with a 3-5 watt SET, and a 100dB speaker. All I know is that I'm getting more musical enjoyment in the past few weeks, than I have in the past 30 years. Start a new thread if you must John. I think this one is just getting interesting. I hope to hear more from you on your thoughts here. I always value your input. Cheers! |
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Silver Member Username: Rick_bNew York USA Post Number: 948 Registered: Dec-03 | Kegger, The package arrived. I'll play tonight after work. Thank you! |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2320 Registered: Dec-03 | Rick I'll be interested in your thoughts! Hope they do some good! |
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Silver Member Username: Two_centsPost Number: 497 Registered: Feb-04 | John A. - The main reason I went with the Prologue 2 was the flexibility to roll different tubes. I like the KT88s. The EL34 may sound too warm and lush (like some Mercury LP recordings I don't care for), but it's worth trying. I believe all audio equipment distorts to a certain degree. Then the issue is to limit or control the distortion in a way that is most pleasing to the ear. You can "tune" the sound with tube amps by rolling tubes. With a solid state amp, you're pretty much stuck with its sonic characteristics. All - I didn't get the full measure of the greatness of tubes until I started playing records on a good turntable. A couple of weeks ago I was complaining about the poor sound quality of the "Born to Run" cd. Well, I put on my vinyl copy from ca.1980 and boy did it sound alive. The best way I can describe it is the music has real presence - like finally listening to music instead of a representation of music, if that makes any sense. There's magic in them there tubes and grooves. |
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Silver Member Username: Two_centsPost Number: 498 Registered: Feb-04 | Rantz wrote, "There is always something better no matter what you have - the trick is not to keep looking for it. If possible." Excellent point. I can see this hobby being a vicious cycle of contant upgrades and never being happy with your system. Just go to the Audiogon site for examples of people turning over equipment every few months and selling gear to pay off bills. That's madness. However, upgrading your audio gear no more frequently than you buy a new car and as your budget allows seems reasonable. For those folks who find a system they love and keep it for decades, I have true admiration. |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 200 Registered: Jan-05 | Came across this quote: Hearing tubed gear for the first time will change your outlook forever. It's like spending your whole life on the planet of ape men and turning a corner one day to see Raquel Welch in a loincloth. You can see full comments plus Raquel Welch in a loincloth here. My gear arrives tomorrow..... |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 201 Registered: Jan-05 | BTW, thought the Tube Heads would appreciate that RW analogy. Doesn't mean much to me. :-) |
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Silver Member Username: Two_centsPost Number: 502 Registered: Feb-04 | SM - It makes perfect sense. The other day I was thinking that solid state gear is like Kate Moss, some tube gear is like Anna Nicole Smith, and I guess the best tube gear is like Racquel Welch, full-figured but not bloated, not to mention very alluring....... ... Hey, you brought it up! |
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Bronze Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, Tx Post Number: 22 Registered: May-04 | If I might offer an opinion here. (Like you guys have ever been able to stop me from offering an opinion.) Ms. Welch was never hired specifically for her acting talents. Against the competition of her day, Ms. Welch's talents were, uh, "measured" by a different standard. And in that respect, she had few peers on screen. If anyone has seen Ms. Welch lately, she can still stir the same emotions that brought her to stardom thirty years ago. Her measured performance as an actress have changed little; she can still be bettered by a more technically adept performer. However, the feeling of turning the corner to see her standing in a loin cloth is still her prowess. Though her measure in one area may not be as great as the many that have come since her bright shining moment, she can stir the emotions as effectively as ever. In her most important role, she has been a consistent performer for over three decades. She is a classic. Now apply that same idea to vacuum tubes (valves). They may not be the most proficient when it comes to measured performance against the latest technology (no Oscars for Ms. Welch). They may not be in every store (not many roles for the older actress). They may not be everyone's cup of tea (personally, I always preferred Sophia Loren). But, just as in their hey day, they can still turn up the heat and satisfy the soul. Raquel Welch and KT-88's; what a pair! |
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Bronze Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, Tx Post Number: 23 Registered: May-04 | To what shall we compare Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Cary Grant? |
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Gold Member Username: John_aPost Number: 2897 Registered: Dec-03 | Thanks, all. Not so much time right now. I think we have been through this before; thanks for bearing with me. I promise to stay here, and post back when I have taken the plunge. It could be a while. Other priorities. I also meant to say it does not bode well that all three of you moving to tubes started messing around with replacements after a week or so. While Jan has evidently been doing it for years. I agree about simplicity, Rick! Also about "upgraditis", MR. Still, I suppose if one has to fiddle with something, new tubes are one way to go. But isn't is like meeting R. Welch on the planet, and then urging her to get plastic surgery or something? Nice link, SM; nice photos! I quite like the lady with the fishnet stockings and the cigarette. My, that is retro. Several alluring shots of Magneplanar speakers, there, too. All the descriptions I read here suggest tubes are for me. I will investigate, and take much less than 25 years to take the plunge, this time. There is the cost to consider. There are cheaper, quality tube amps than the Prologues. I like the look of Icon Audio and its refund policy. Also the Affordable Valve Company, but the guy seems to rant a lot, and does not seem to care for Quad ESLs. Serious mark against, that! |
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New member Username: Larry_hillPost Number: 6 Registered: Mar-05 | Indeed, for you Yiddish speakers, tube gear is Zaftig |
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Gold Member Username: John_aPost Number: 2898 Registered: Dec-03 | Crossed post, Jan. I was thinking Sophia Loren, too. Also, she could act. I just Googled Images with her name. All gorgeous. She is definitely analogue. Now you're talking! I pass on blokes. Though big MacIntosh amps remind me of Alfred Hitchcock, for some strange reason. Arnie is probably THX certified: he can't act at all. |
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New member Username: Larry_hillPost Number: 7 Registered: Mar-05 | Well, my hame brew Dyna based preamp has broken in, and it really is a winner. It has the dynamics of an active preamp, but gets out of the way of the music like a passive. It does not have an overly lush 'tubey' sound, but that's not what I wanted. It is very neutral at all frequencies, and does not draw attention to itself by standing out in any one area. There is the slight thermal rush noise floor of tubes, but way down there, and it does not matter once the music starts, because the music stands out on it's own, away from the noise. To recap, I took the fiberglass dyna PAS replacement PCB sold on eBay, stuffed them with Dale metal film resistors and Solen polyprop caps, tone controls and loudness were ommited, circutit tweaks included adding miller caps to the input triode of both stages, increaseing the capacitance for DC blocking caps, some slight tweaks to the feedback loop, fine tuned the RIAA, and built a mongo PS with around 1000uf of filtering, and an RFI filter on the mains in. Filament supply has a LM317 regulator on it to extend tube life, and it gets left on at all times, since it idles quite cool, and this prevents thermal shock to the heaters. Further tweaks will include HEXFREDs for the PS to cut RFI, and cathode follower on the output so I can run longer cables. My power amp is solid state (a nicely modded Hafler DH-200) but I now know that it too must someday go tube. Let's see...if I move the ps transformer and caps to an external chassis, I should have enough room for a tube driver stage...) |
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Gold Member Username: KeggerMICHIGAN Post Number: 2322 Registered: Dec-03 | Larry Hill, Any pics? Also: My power amp is solid state (a nicely modded Hafler DH-200) but I now know that it too must someday go tube. Let's see...if I move the ps transformer and caps to an external chassis, I should have enough room for a tube driver stage...)" That could be cool! Nice explanation on the preamp, I bet shes a beauty! Good hearing from yu. " |
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Silver Member Username: SimplymcintoshPost Number: 203 Registered: Jan-05 | JohnA, You could start your tube experience here: iTube for iPod This makes me laugh. Tubes aren't just for geezers anymore. ;-) |
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