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Post by julesd68 on Jul 6, 2020 18:07:07 GMT
This might be a bit controversial, but those that know me appreciate that I rather love using valves in stuff. A little while back I bought a Paradise two box phono stage (I know - what was I thinking) and then set about converting it to a one box solution. Ruffled a couple of feathers in the Paradise appreciation club I think, but to my mind it was too big. Sacrilege, LOL! Is that a little Chinese preamp I can spot in the photo? Just wondering if you've found something to better the RVC ... |
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Post by TheMooN on Jul 7, 2020 11:24:51 GMT
Tung-Sol 6550s are very good. Tesla KT88 are even better. They are seriously top flight NOS killers. Really. Amazing things right up in the top echelon of echelons. Would require hard re biasing the power regular circuit so a no no I'm afraid Justin. |
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Post by tarzan on Jul 7, 2020 12:13:52 GMT
I used to have a valve system and now I don't. I can see it both ways and respect both technologies when done well. For me, there's no going back. Solid state gets closer to the actuality of music, warts and all. There is good and bad in both technologies Martin, indeed one of my systems l can configure is all SS and you would hard pressed to tell what technology it uses, and a valve system that again would be hard pressed to know the technology.
l do chuckle to myself when folk say "once l got a valve amp never going back to SS" or " once l heard direct drive never going back to a belt drive Turntable."
If it sounds good it is good.
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Post by pre65 on Jul 7, 2020 12:18:13 GMT
There was a time when "high fidelity" meant getting as close to the original sound as possible.
Now, it just has to sound "good". 
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Post by MartinT on Jul 7, 2020 13:21:40 GMT
I saw a post on a hi-fi group on Facebook today, asking if you prefer a system that's true to the original or mellifluous. I answered 'both' because I want music to sound real.
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Post by Firebottle on Jul 8, 2020 6:55:52 GMT
This might be a bit controversial, but those that know me appreciate that I rather love using valves in stuff. A little while back I bought a Paradise two box phono stage (I know - what was I thinking) and then set about converting it to a one box solution. Ruffled a couple of feathers in the Paradise appreciation club I think, but to my mind it was too big. Sacrilege, LOL! Is that a little Chinese preamp I can spot in the photo? Just wondering if you've found something to better the RVC ... Ah yes, the Mshow Audio. It batters the RVC, however there is a caveat. It uses the PGA2311 volume control chip (I know-solid state  ) and a good example is available super cheap from China www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hiend-PGA2311-Bluetooth-5-0-Stereo-Pre-Amp-Amplifier-IR-Remote-Volume-Control-UK/383421365209?hash=item5945b1bbd9:g:azwAAOSwlwtdvCAEAs bought it is good but not excellent. The chip itself is incredibly transparent but has to be used in the correct operating environment for best performance. I replaced the analogue regulators with low noise regs and fitted a buffer to drive the PGA chip, the performance is best when driven from a low source impedance. With the Mshow Audio variant the 'designer' hadn't even followed the data sheet to keep the analogue and digital supplies separate, once I had corrected that it became THE most transparent preamp I have used. |
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Post by brian2957 on Jul 8, 2020 8:19:38 GMT
I would look elsewhere for this preamp chaps . I ordered this very one from this seller on 25th March and I'm still waiting for it . I'm now trying to get my money back from Paypal  |
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 8, 2020 11:53:22 GMT
Very interesting, thanks Alan, looks like I need to try one of these.
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Post by Dave on Sept 22, 2020 13:09:30 GMT
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 23, 2020 4:39:18 GMT
What has it replaced, Dave? I remember you had a Hafler, but I am sure you moved that on. For a Quad?
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Post by Dave on Sept 23, 2020 10:12:45 GMT
I've been running a Quad 306 for years, it is a fabulous amplifier so it will probably be staying. That and the A10 are two very different beasts, in overly simple terms the Quad is a hammer to the A10's set of precision screwdrivers. It is open and transparent in a way the Quad could never be, and that's not to denigrate the 306 in any way because it has other strengths, like the ability to punctuate a rythym with metronomic aplomb. I still own the pair of B&W DM2's I was running back when I frequented AoS and I often wonder how they would get on with the A10, but this would necessitate me acquiring a pair of Coles super-tweeters (I destroyed the original items in a fit of stupidity), however my beloved is not keen, saying they are too big for the room and she may have a point. Besides, as always money is tight and I really cannot justify splashing out nearly one hundred pounds on something I may never get to enjoy.
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Post by Clive on Sept 23, 2020 12:59:02 GMT
Interesting amp Dave, which version did you buy? Version B looks easy to mess with (tweak) "welding by hand".
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Post by Dave on Sept 23, 2020 17:35:44 GMT
I plumped for the full monty Clive |
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Post by Dave on Feb 9, 2021 21:28:53 GMT
Newbie question: I have only owned one other tube amp and I didn't have it long enough that I needed to replace a failing valve, therefore I would be grateful for some advice about what I should be listening and watching out for. Thanks...
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Post by speedysteve on Feb 10, 2021 8:54:53 GMT
Newbie question: I have only owned one other tube amp and I didn't have it long enough that I needed to replace a failing valve, therefore I would be grateful for some advice about what I should be listening and watching out for. Thanks... I'd clean the pins/socket with some switch lube every year or so. You'll notice rustling valves etc if the connections are not good. In the right set up valves last ages. My 3 little EL84 valve amps have been going since 2012 or 13. On military Russian valves. Before that I had a 6SN7 / KT88 power amp on ProAC and later Tannoy HPD speakers. That didn't go wrong in years either. I only recently added tube dampers to the 3 I use now. DIY Herbie metal ring and silicone bobbin type. I had them in the KT88 amp. You can replace all the passives in a valve amp for relatively little money. So they are very maintainable for years and years. |
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Post by Dave on Feb 10, 2021 16:23:52 GMT
Thanks Steve that's good to know. Each of the el34's on the Reisong now sport a pair of silicon 'O' rings (dampers?) as I remember reading somewhere that this valve type can be microphonic. The Reisong has a 574PJ rectifier valve, are these fairly long lived too or should I be stocking up? Sorry for the questions but I am rather smitten with the system since I implemented some recent changes and frankly I'd be lost without it...
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Post by speedysteve on Feb 10, 2021 17:08:37 GMT
Thanks Steve that's good to know. Each of the el34's on the Reisong now sport a pair of silicon 'O' rings (dampers?) as I remember reading somewhere that this valve type can be microphonic. The Reisong has a 574PJ rectifier valve, are these fairly long lived too or should I be stocking up? Sorry for the questions but I am rather smitten with the system since I implemented some recent changes and frankly I'd be lost without it... Sorry I don't know that valve type. I'm sure it's well designed and the rectifier tube should not be under more stress than the other tubes. Good practise to service the pins and change it at the same time as the other tubes though. |
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Post by mayebaza on Feb 17, 2021 17:55:53 GMT
I don't have valve amps but my Densens are renowned for their 'valve-like' sound, so I don't know if that counts.
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arnop
Rank: Soloist
"...Obviously You're not a Golfer..."
Posts: 8 
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Post by arnop on Feb 25, 2021 7:14:40 GMT
Who's got a valve amp? Why do you love it? Is there a reason that you prefer valves over transistors? What does your amp do for you that others don't (or can't)? Show some pictures! Over the years I had many valve amps. The moment of change was when I plugged my guitar in a full blown valve amplifier. Never forget that "oompp" and harmonics etc. Then I built my first audio valve amp and compared to a semicon (sony). Point of no return for audio (SET300B now, might be my end-point after 35Y of building and listening). Difference in sound is also personal and depending on the rest of the system. For me it is "musicality"...in technical terms this is the mix of pro's and con's, harmonics, soft-clipping, compression, good impulse. But to really get it, everyone should listen for them selves and compare. There is no other way (My forum introduction topic contains some photos by the way) |
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Post by MartinT on Feb 25, 2021 8:54:36 GMT
I don't run valves any more but, for me, the pinnacle of liquid midrange was the Leak Stereo 20. It was superb on voice even though it was only OK in the bass and treble. The Croft 4S was far more powerful but it didn't have that fluid midrange.
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