2. amps-preamps
  3. 192205-171531

I hate to say it, but now I think maybe I like my amp in ultralinear mode versus triode

It's a Cary V-12; it features a dozen EL34s and each pair has a switch in between them that configures that pair to either triode or ultralinear. In full triode Cary listed in the specs that it makes 50 wpc and in full ultralinear 100 wpc.   For most of the twenty three years that I have owned this amp I have always felt that I preferred triode except for the occasions that I wanted to full out blast (it has literally been many years since I've felt the need to full out blast).

However, today I experimented with a couple of things in my system, and after listening to the same "Jazz Essentials" (compilation) red book CD a couple of times all the way through, the next thing I experimented with was switching to full ultralinear.

Maybe there was more "PRaT"?  (Which is a term I am still not sure that I completely grasp.)  Maybe . . . but what I do feel I noted for sure was that the imaging (particularly the imaging in the center) had more weight (meatier?) and was presented more forward, which I actually like.

I put a few more hours in (one more time with Jazz Essentials, Holly Cole/It Happened One Night, Dave's True Story/Sex Without Bodies, selected tracks from Rebecca Pigeon/The Raven and Once Blue/self titled and Norah Jones/Feels Like Home) after switching to ultralinear.  (No booze during this session, just coffee.) The jury is still out on this, but I do have some CDs in mind that I want to listen to over the next few days as I continue to evaluate.  

immatthewj
Post removed 
immatthewj OP
2,023 posts
 

The more refined my system has become the more I default to ultralinear especially 

@bolong , and I will say that when I brought this V12 into my system primarily in triode mode my system was less refined that it is today, twenty three years later after the preamp and digital front end upgrades, and possibly the speakers as well.

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,585 posts
 

Slightly/Way OT, but found this pic interesting as far as perception goes...

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/468911527_992740516228534_9133954768681984968_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s1080x2048_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=6QLE1wm-_BAQ7kNvgEGZsmt&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ASYFoaP-Bd1gVOBh_gs80VH&oh=00_AYDjOKG6Zua5q2lb9j83_MZ35Tj84zu9knOdUVJlHl_46Q&oe=67568AAF

 

DeKay

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,831 posts
 

but in the manual for the V12, Dennis Had is saying that tubes that can be roled in this amp include;  6L6, KT88, 6550, KT90, KT66, "even 6V6."

Again, with not intent of being argumentative, does this sound incorrect? 

@immatthewj Not exactly. But its likely that one tube type in that list will perform better than others. That's a bit different from saying that it will 'work'; sure it will play but the output transformer should be optimized for a particular tube.

harpo75
104 posts
 

The V12 is a very nice amp especially when upgraded with really good coupling caps and some large value polypropylene caps bypassing the electrolytic caps.  Like 10uf to 20uf propylene’s.  This will really open it up. 
As far as UL or Triode it depends on taste, speakers, etc. especially with EL34’s.  Those are a typically warm sounding tube anyway and can sound very nice in triode.  Usually in UL you hear deeper bass, more extended highs and better detail.  Some amps may be different depending on the plate voltage they’re running the tubes at.  With KT88’s, KT-etc I usually prefer UL. 
Now if you’re talking real Triode tubes like 300b’s, 845’s, etc this is where triode gets really good.  300b’s are great with horns and such as for me anyway, they lack the deep bass and extreme highs and so with many dynamic speakers I don’t enjoy them fully as I feel there’s always a bit missing. 
Now you hook up a pair of 845 single ended amps like the Cary’s or something and wow!  Now you’re talking triode sound!

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