Learning Curve on Tube Amps
- Thread starter MikeT.
- Start date
I have read soooo much on tube differences, i can't imagine the options ahead. I'll plan to live with the EL34's for a while before "rolling". I haven't even gotten around to listening in triode mode yet.
My wife and I were talking about how I loved the new amp and, UNPROMPTED, she said "I noticed a difference right away. Sounds more dimensional, more nuanced." This is what every audiophile/nut case husband waits to hear his entire life😄😄😄
This is so good🎼🎼
My wife and I were talking about how I loved the new amp and, UNPROMPTED, she said "I noticed a difference right away. Sounds more dimensional, more nuanced." This is what every audiophile/nut case husband waits to hear his entire life😄😄😄
This is so good🎼🎼
billfort;n15159 said:"more dimensional, more nuanced" from your wife? Man. you are going into a good place!
And wait till you hear them in 'triode' mode - hope the fall down the slippery slope is a pleasurable one.
billfort, unprompted I swear. I almost fainted. 😄 This downsizing is agreeing with us both. Lower stress, lower utility bills, no maintenance, short commute. Plus this the first weekend in two months we don't have anything much to do except relax.
I'm listening to Christian McBride Trio in triode mode and the bowed double bass is amazing. It seems like the soundstage has extended a good two or more feet on either side. No lack of bass in either mode in my opinion. The low wattage in triode mode seems to drive the Spendors just fine. The transformer and power supply on this Primaluna is massive.
I'm pretty sure the slippery slope is gonna be fun. 😄
Prime Minister certainly set a collegial tone for The Haven from day one.
MikeT. - Thank you for being here. I've really enjoyed our conversations.
MikeT. - Thank you for being here. I've really enjoyed our conversations.
I'm just getting warmed up TubeHiFiNut! I've enjoyed our conversation immensely. It feels like we're all getting reacquainted on friendlier ground and the group is growing.
Man, the sound of Alan Broadbent's piano is rich through tubes. I never, ever, ever, ever used the term "rich" when I owned and was trying to describe the music through solid state. I just now came to that realization. It's never too late!!
Man, the sound of Alan Broadbent's piano is rich through tubes. I never, ever, ever, ever used the term "rich" when I owned and was trying to describe the music through solid state. I just now came to that realization. It's never too late!!
slippers-on
Active Member
Hi Mike! Im a little late to the party, but just want to say congrats on the new amp! Seems like the amp and speakers are a great match as well! Once again, congrats!
I'm really loving what I've heard so far. Sadly, I've only had a couple of listening sessions before I had to go out of town on a business trip. I get back to listening tonight, then next weekend....more music. I've done most of my listening so far in ultra linear mode and have to say the it betters my Naim 5si which it replaced by a significant margin.
I haven't done much serious listening in triode, that's next.
I haven't done much serious listening in triode, that's next.
slippers-on;n15387 said:Hi Mike! Im a little late to the party, but just want to say congrats on the new amp! Seems like the amp and speakers are a great match as well! Once again, congrats!
Thanks Byron! EL34's in ultra linear mode are really fantastic and a great match. I've read where KT120's are a little more aggressive and may be a relatively inexpensive tube roll but I really don't know where to start. I'm not doing anything for a while and give the EL34s a chance to burn in.
slippers-on
Active Member
Yes I agree. Get use to the amp and its voicing before rolling tubes. Some tubes are warmer than others..some are rolled off some have better depth and staging. Take your time and get the sound you want on the first try. It's cheaper that way.
slippers-on
Active Member
You're have a great, fun time over there! Listening to your tunes and the new way of interpretation from the Primaluna! But yeah ...I suspect the sound hasn't stopped changing..not this early.
I like German tubes my self! They aren't as warm as a British tube, and not as SS sounding as some American tubes, but just right. In fact , I've found the best sound for me is from a combination of NOS Valvo tubes (German) NOS Russian mini tubes which where used in Rockets, NOS Tungsram tubes (German) and New production reissue Gold Lion which are modeled after the Very rare Old Genalax Gold Lion that's British...but the reissues are Russian, and made in the same factory as the reissue Mullards. So for some it's not one single brand of tubes but a combination of tubes....so let your ears tell you what you like. Talk to some tube guru who can guide you....you'd be surprised at how many knowledgable tube nuts are on these audio forums. One such nut is our friend Oscar....you can always reach out to him...that guy has a very large tube library and what they sound like. Feel free to reach out to him.
I like German tubes my self! They aren't as warm as a British tube, and not as SS sounding as some American tubes, but just right. In fact , I've found the best sound for me is from a combination of NOS Valvo tubes (German) NOS Russian mini tubes which where used in Rockets, NOS Tungsram tubes (German) and New production reissue Gold Lion which are modeled after the Very rare Old Genalax Gold Lion that's British...but the reissues are Russian, and made in the same factory as the reissue Mullards. So for some it's not one single brand of tubes but a combination of tubes....so let your ears tell you what you like. Talk to some tube guru who can guide you....you'd be surprised at how many knowledgable tube nuts are on these audio forums. One such nut is our friend Oscar....you can always reach out to him...that guy has a very large tube library and what they sound like. Feel free to reach out to him.
MikeT.;n15405 said:
I`m not a big fan of the KT120 anymore, while they offer more ump they do it at the expense of sounding thinner. The Winged C EL34 is a more lively faster EL34 while retaining a sweet, robust full sound, i know that is what the Winged C has offered using them on my LM 518IA.
Kevin who you bought the amp from knows that amp inside out and i`m sure has used every tube combination with it, if and when it comes time for some tube rolling let him know your desires. It`s better to get it right the first time otherwise you could be wasting money chasing tubes. Different does not mean better.
slippers-on
Active Member
Yeah...if you got it from Upscale, He has a large supply of tubes, with the knowledge of what they would do for that amp as well!
