Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

@jtcf Hey! I would recommend you experiment with the Linlais on either side of the center 6SN7, as they are long-tailed pair phase splitters and indeed to impart quite a bit of their own character to the sound. The center tube is the voltage amplifier and as such amplifies the input signal, so even though it will have the MOST effect, it does not mean that trying in the phase splitter positions will not still provide a dramatic difference. How is the new amp working out for you by the way?

Best regards, Aric

@aricaudio it's not exactly new,lol.I've had it for a few years now. It's the star of my system.I'll take both yours and danmar's advice and get another tube.I've already ordered a couple of larger size dampers to fool around with.Thanks for your help, and I'll let you all know how it goes.

@jtcf Oops! My bad, for some reason I was thinking we had built an amp for you earlier this year. Sometimes I get the Agon monikers confused with the actual names of the customers. However I'm very glad that the amplifier is the star of the show in your system and thank you!

Aric

How's everyone doing with the tubes?

@aricaudio no big deal. I don't have a very memorable moniker:-)

I do have a small update regarding using the Herbies dampers on the input tube. They usually don't have a positive effect IME.One exception was with a CJ preamp that I owned long ago,but it never hurts to try a cheap tweak just to see.I ordered some larger "C wires" for a couple of $ and slipped on three of the silicone thingys on two of them. What I ended up with was the small damper on the bottom on the glass where it meets the base,the next larger damper slid up from the bottom until it made firm contact, the next right above that maybe 1/4" + .Darned if it didn't work! The unpleasant edge to the vocals disappeared.Piano is still a little sharp on the higher notes but I can live with that.So now I'm getting all of the good things this tube brings - detail, refinement, nuance,really great bass.

I really can't swear the dampers are the ultimate fix.It absolutely could be that better isolation would do the same. I actually have a much sturdier hardwood rack on order now. At present the shelves are mdf with a metal frame. Nonetheless I really like this tube and will order another to break in and see how two used as the stage following the input works.