Tubes and SS
- Thread starter Brad225
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Preamp update
Received my LS-25 and listened for a few days. The sound was cleaner and better placement of instruments, but the vocals were weak and not the forefront of the image.
I talked with a couple tube gurus about the tubes in the preamp ( 4 Electro Harmonix 6922 gold pins) and the other equipment I was using. Got interesting information in different directions as far as what to use.
I purchased a set of JJ E88CC (low cost) and a set of Amperex Holland goldpin (not so low cost).
I installed the JJs last night and listened for about 3 hours. The vocals were much better but the sound overall was less spacious and accurate. Not surprising from a new tube i guess.
After only 3 hours I was surprised how much better they sounded. The imaging had improved and depth of placement for instruments was much better. I was told it would take any where from 10 - 25 hours for them to settle in to the sound they would have.
Once these have reached their sound I will switch back to the SS pre I was using to see how it compares.
So far of the upgrades I have made the Krell Standard SACD/CD player has made the biggest difference followed by the ARC Classic 120 power amps.
I'll be back once they settle in and I have received the other tubes to compare.
Received my LS-25 and listened for a few days. The sound was cleaner and better placement of instruments, but the vocals were weak and not the forefront of the image.
I talked with a couple tube gurus about the tubes in the preamp ( 4 Electro Harmonix 6922 gold pins) and the other equipment I was using. Got interesting information in different directions as far as what to use.
I purchased a set of JJ E88CC (low cost) and a set of Amperex Holland goldpin (not so low cost).
I installed the JJs last night and listened for about 3 hours. The vocals were much better but the sound overall was less spacious and accurate. Not surprising from a new tube i guess.
After only 3 hours I was surprised how much better they sounded. The imaging had improved and depth of placement for instruments was much better. I was told it would take any where from 10 - 25 hours for them to settle in to the sound they would have.
Once these have reached their sound I will switch back to the SS pre I was using to see how it compares.
So far of the upgrades I have made the Krell Standard SACD/CD player has made the biggest difference followed by the ARC Classic 120 power amps.
I'll be back once they settle in and I have received the other tubes to compare.
Tube60
Well-known member
One combination I can suggest which really goes against the grain is to try out a solid-state preamp with tube main amps. A few years ago I did just that, with my previous car's audio system! I used a McIntosh MX-401 CD preamp-tuner, with a homebrew tube amp, fed by an old police car's radio/tranceiver switching supply to provide the necessary high voltage. It sounded incredible! Great soundstage, bass, and transient response. The amp I made was done with 6V6 output tubes for perhaps 12 watts / channel, but it had the presence of a much more powerful system. It might be worth a try in a home audio environment.
Brad, glad to hear things are moving in the right direction with your ARC gear. I'm using Amperex Holland 12AU7's in my Cary 303/300 CD player and couldn't be happier.
jjqiv
Well-known member
Or a tube amp an no traditional preamp. There are some great transformer and resistor based passive pre's that will work in just about any set-up.
