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Post by jandl100 on Apr 22, 2021 3:10:14 GMT
They come with KT88 power valves, which will be interesting as I've not tried those in my Prologue 5. I don't know what make, only that they allegedly have 350 hours on them.
That's another downside of the monoblocks, doubling tube rolling costs!
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Post by ajski2fly on Apr 22, 2021 14:19:37 GMT
They come with KT88 power valves, which will be interesting as I've not tried those in my Prologue 5. I don't know what make, only that they allegedly have 350 hours on them. That's another downside of the monoblocks, doubling tube rolling costs! I did some tube rolling in my Renaissance Mono blocks and the current Allnic, both 300B amps, but what I found consistent was that the PSVANNE seemed to give the best low end and were the most transparent, for me anyway. the Electro-harmonix performed pretty well and are GVFM IMO. The JJ Valve KT88 are reportedly made in Slovakia at the former Tesla factory, however I have read in several places that the quality of manufacture is not up to the standard of the Tesla's. Personally I found the biggest changes in tube rolling were in the pre-amp section(if that is the right descriptionfor it?) so the 12AU7 may be the best place and cheaper to start experimenting on. On my Allnic at one point I did put in some Western Digital equivalents for the 6SL7 and 6SN7 that came with it, after allowing at least 100 hours bedding it of them I did do some listening comparisons, and was surprised to find that whilst the WD's had a slightly warmer presentation they actually were loosing some detail and clarity in the presentation so reverted back. Have fun, it could get expensive if you get carried away. www.hotroxuk.com/psvane-kt88-t-mii-2-pair-or-quad-sets.htmlwww.hotroxuk.com/electro-harmonix-kt88.html
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 22, 2021 14:31:06 GMT
It's even more fun with Primaluna amps as you can mix valve types ; eg 2 KT88 and 2 6550 in the same amp at the same time!
The number of possible combinations must be nigh on infinite!
Happily I already have a good selection on hand after playing with the Prologue 5 for over a year... KT120, 6L6, 5881 and the octet of KT88 that come with my new amps. Input valves (12au7 and 12ax7) including TAD (often my favourite), Brimar,Psvane, Matsushita.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 22, 2021 14:54:02 GMT
Some of the best tubes I ever bought were the Tungsram military grade 12AX7 and 12AU7 from 1960's which transformed my phono stage. Last time I looked there were hardly any available and prices were significantly higher.
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Post by petea on Apr 22, 2021 15:19:27 GMT
How about KT150s, Jerry?
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 22, 2021 16:07:59 GMT
Nope, not compatible unfortunately. Only later PL models can cope.
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Post by ajski2fly on Apr 23, 2021 12:58:50 GMT
It's even more fun with Primaluna amps as you can mix valve types ; eg 2 KT88 and 2 6550 in the same amp at the same time! The number of possible combinations must be nigh on infinite! Happily I already have a good selection on hand after playing with the Prologue 5 for over a year... KT120, 6L6, 5881 and the octet of KT88 that come with my new amps. Input valves (12au7 and 12ax7) including TAD (often my favourite), Brimar,Psvane, Matsushita. I should have guessed you'd have a hidden stash somewhere, much like your amps I suspect!
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 25, 2021 6:32:51 GMT
And the PL 7 Monos have arrived. 1st attempt at plumbing them in. Didn't really work for me aesthetically. And not very convenient for accessing rear connections. Re-arranged and ready for valve rolling, with my back-up solid state amp ready for action in case of a heatwave.... I knew they came with a fairly recent new set of KT88 power valves but didn't know what make. Bit of a disappointment when they turned out to be PL's own rebrand! .... but quite surprised how good they sounded. The Monos with PL rebrands were obviously better in some ways than the old 5 Stereo with my choice of valves. Maybe I just make bad choices. Then again I never got round to trying the 5 with KT88. ... so many variables, that's one of the great things about PL power amps with their autobias circuitry able to accommodate so many type of valves, they are a whole bunch of different amps in one. I love the 5, which is why I chose to go to the 7s for an upgrade. The 7s seem to bring improved definition, clarity, imaging and greater authority. Definitely a step up from an already excellent amp. Pretty much the same but better - which is exactly what I wanted. Anyway, much experimentation and listening ahead. But I think these are keepers*. (* Keeper may not mean the same in my terminology as it does in yours ). And a buyer already lined up for the 5.
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 25, 2021 8:24:18 GMT
The All PL valve setup is very punchy, high impact, high def, rather forward. No prisoners taken. 10 years ago, probably even 5 years ago, I think I'd have loved it. Now I have mellowed a bit and prefer a more laidback presentation.
I swapped out the PL KT88 for 2 GE and 2 TAD 6L6GC valves in each mono amp... Fuller tonally, more 3D. Much more laidback. Too laidback. Swapped out the 2 TAD 6L6GC for 2 of the PL KT88 in each mono. Yup, that's it. Good compromise.
I also ended up replacing all of the 'small valves' with a random selection of ones I know I like from TAD, PSVANE, Matsushita.
I'll stay with this for a while as a good basis for further experimentation.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 25, 2021 16:56:23 GMT
What kind of preamp are you liking with the monos Jerry?
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 25, 2021 18:43:56 GMT
What kind of preamp are you liking with the monos Jerry? I'm using a Khozmo passive with a Jez Arkless active buffer atm. Must admit I like the idea of trying them with a valve pre. I'm keeping eyes skimmed for summat interesting and not too pricey.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 27, 2021 13:45:01 GMT
Is your Arkless buffer tube or ss Jerry?
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 27, 2021 14:47:26 GMT
ss
Hmm, yes, that's an interesting thought. Maybe a valve buffer would work well and enhance the valviness further.
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Post by realysm42 on Apr 29, 2021 22:36:23 GMT
Hey Jerry, have you ever tried a Consonance amp?
I borrowed an integrated Cyber 880 for a night, as one of my monos is out for repair. This is when I got my new speakers delivered.
For the money I think they'd be hard to beat; superb sound - I was astonished!
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 30, 2021 4:03:42 GMT
Yup, way back, maybe 15 years ago I had a Consonance 300B integrated, I recall being very impressed by it. It punched way beyond its financial weight. I'd certainly be happy to try a Consonance preamp if one came along.
I've a Concordant Exhilarant valve pre arriving today from a kind Wammer as a loaner and possible purchase. A Doug Dunlop classic - I'm quite excited!
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 30, 2021 11:51:13 GMT
And now playing its very lovely heart out for me, an oldy but goldy Concordant Exhiliarant valve preamp, kindly loaned to me by a Wammer.
There's a quiet mid frequency hum from the preamp, from the transformer I guess.
It mightn't be an issue at all, I suspect, if the amp was 8 feet away on my hifi shelves. But the way I make do without remote volume control is by having long interconnects and the pre next to my chair. The hum isn't loud but is just vaguely there, if you know what I mean. I'm not sure if it will bother me long term or not. As soon as music plays it's inaudible 99% of the time. But a slight element of OCDness is manifesting itself.
I could try it on my shelves and see if I can make do without remote control of volume!
I tried a DC blocker but no difference.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 30, 2021 12:16:26 GMT
I'd certainly be happy to try a Consonance preamp if one came along. I had the Cyber 222 MK2 for quite a long time and was very fond of it. It was a fab sounding pre with the right tubes and had a remote. This was with my vinyl rig - for some reason it was hopeless in the new digital setup and I sold it.
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Post by realysm42 on Apr 30, 2021 12:56:40 GMT
Interesting.
The Consonance amp I borrowed has a very loud hum on it, which would sometimes interfere with the music. This is through a DC blocker too.
Having said that, all the trannies hum in my system, just nowhere near as loud.
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Post by jandl100 on May 1, 2021 6:54:18 GMT
I popped the case of the Concordant pre this mornin.
The 4 transformer screws were actually not very firmly in so I tightened them up a fair bit, although not "tight". And yes, Hum significantly reduced! I might get back in there and tighten them some more, but it's very much less intrusive now.
Interesting to see the valves - 2x Matsushita pcc88 and 2x Mullard ecc83.
I wonder if the pre specifically designed for pcc88, or is an ecc88 allowed?
The Matsushita pcc88 were the ones extolled by Kevin Deal, so it's interesting to have those!
Not sure the Mullards would be my choice; a bit laid back, which is also how I would describe the Exhilarant pre. Curiously, I have a pair of Matsushita 12ax7, so I may well try those and see if synergy with the Matsushita pcc88 works well!
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Post by realysm42 on May 1, 2021 8:07:03 GMT
Jerry, have you ever tried Herbie's tube dampers rings? Given your... tubeyness, it might be an investment you can recycle from model to model.
I use three in my DAC and have had good results with them; firmed up the sound just a touch without overdoing it. I'm also using mad scientist tube dampers, I've yet to take them out and see if anything is 'missing'.
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