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Cary CAD-211AE tube rolling

I have done a search but have been unable to find a similar thread. I am after opinions from people who have tried tube rolling their CAD-211's.

I have replaced the standard Chinese output tubes with a quad matched set of Shuguang Psvane 845's from Grant Electronics. They took a long time to burn in, but once they did they are a definite improvement over the stock tubes. Wider soundstage, more detail, and better dynamics.

I have also replaced the no-name 6SC7 input tube that came with my amp to an Electro-Harmonix 6SC7, and then a vintage RCA 6SC7. The EHX was a downgrade from the standard Chinese tube, sounding muddy despite burn-in. The RCA is a definite improvement, with much better micro-dynamics, resolution, and a more lush presentation.

I am now after a new 300B. I would like to try the KR, but these are now very expensive. Emission Labs make a few (including a drop in replacement for the Western Electric 300B) - these are available in plate and mesh forms.

Cary 211 owners - what 300B's have you tried in your amp? Or for that matter, what tubes have you tried?
amfibius
amfibius OP
282 posts
 
Thanks Onemug. I had an 805 before "upgrading" to the 211 (more of a sideways move, really). What do you like about the Sophia and EML? In what way are they better than the KR and WE?
onemug
784 posts
 
The harmonics seem to float a little more with the Sophia meshes. The EML solids just seem to sound right overall. I am on the hunt for EML meshes, very curious how they would sound.
lewhite
156 posts
 
I have heard that you can't use EmL mesh in this location with this amp.
onemug
784 posts
 
Lewhite, I wondered about that too. The EML meshes take the least amount of dissapation I have heard of. On the Cary 805 AE's, you can adjust the bias of the 300b so I am thinking I can "dial" it in, maybe run it in the low 50 mA's but I have 300b amp that specs out fine for them so I hope to try them in the near future.
amfibius OP
282 posts
 
I thought I would bump my old thread with a report on rolling the 845's. I have compared the standard Cary supplied 845 with the Shuguang Psvane 845T, and the KR Audio 845's.

Cary no-name 845's: rather thin sounding with the most lacklustre tone of the three. Good dynamics, especially good microdynamics.

Shuguang 845B: AVOID! DO NOT USE THIS TUBE IN YOUR CARY! I have tried this tube on two occasions and each time, the amp blew up. The first time, it actually burnt out a resistor and the bias pot. The second time, the fuse exploded and took out the fuse holder. That's right, the fuse did not just blow - it exploded. I had to remove shards of glass from the fuse holder. It was not a faulty tube - these were 845B's supplied by different people. The base is physically thicker than any of the other 845's, and it is a bit of a tight squeeze to get it into the socket. The internals look to be better built than its more expensive cousin, the Psvane 845T.

Shuguang Psvane 845T: sounds horrible out of the box. Needs 100 hours of burn-in, then this tube REALLY opens up. This is an exciting sounding tube, with excellent dynamics and a wide, deep soundstage. Tonally it is richer than the Cary 845's in the midrange, but the top end can be a little glaring. This is an impressive looking tube - it is physically larger than most 845's, is heavy, and glows very brightly.

KR 845: also sounds horrible out of the box, and needs 100 hours of burn-in. Tonally the best of the lot - the bass, midrange, and top end are incredibly lush and rich, with no hint of the brightness of the Shuguang Psvane. The sound is simply beautiful - going back to the Psvane after listening to this tube is a bit of a jarring experience. Dynamics are not as good as the Psvane. These valves glow very dimly - the Psvanes shine like a 20W lightbulb. The KR 845's emit a dull orange glow.

Best tube of the lot: KR 845 if you like tone, Psvane 845T if you like dynamics.
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