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NOS Tube Recommendation for Quicksilver Phono Pre Amp

I recently upgraded from the onboard phono stage in my Technics 1500SL to an all tube Quicksilver Phono Pre Amp. I’m about half way through the 30 hour recommended break-in period and so far, there is a lot to like about this piece of gear: Much thicker/more pronounced bottom end (I’ve had to readjust the gain on my subs quite a bit) and much wider/more defined sound stage. However, because I’m also running an all tube integrated amp (Raven Audio Osprey), there is now a very noticeable "warm" coloration to the music that wasn’t there before. I don’t want to give up on my new phono stage, but it’s like I’m listening to music with a wool blanket over my speakers. I’m thinking rolling the tubes to something a little cleaner/brighter could give me the best of all worlds. There are 3 tubes in the circuit topology: 2 12AX7s (one input, one gain) and 1 12AT7 (cathode follower). I’m currently considering a matched pair of Raytheon JRP black plate 12AX7s and either an RCA or Telefunken for the cathode follower (all NOS). Any and all suggestions/inputs are very much appreciated! P.S. my speakers are Raven Audio Corvus Reference Monitors and my current cart is the always amazing Nagaoka MP-500.

crawfishdaddi
Post removed 
cey's avatar
cey
278 posts
 

ask dave thomson at raven audio he also has a lot of NOS tubes for sale. 

your phono amp may not be a good match for the integrated you have. 

pass on mullard,  brinar, amperex/philips and tungsram seem the wrong direction

for your qicksilver.

the raytehon iblack plate s worth a try. 

if you want to spend a lot money, get mazda nickel plate; if you want to spend not as much, get telefunken smooth plate. RCA blackplate have good upper frequency extension as well 

go ahead and start with the top dealer in the US, brnt jessee. hes not the cheapest but not the most expensive, neither. or check with dave thomson at raven audio hes welll-educated on the matter.  

skiznfliz
32 posts
 

In my Phono Pre I run GE 5751 Black Plates - Triple Mica’s instead of 12AX7’s and LOVE THEM… The 5751’s make for a great phono pre tube, might want to consider over a 12AX7.

I also run a set of RCA 5751 Triple Mica Black Plates in my DAC and they do a great job of giving it a more of an analog sound than other tubes I’ve tried.(Mullard Reissues, Sovtek LPS’s, JJ’s, Pisvane’s)

Something to consider…Could also be a mismatch of synergy with your system based upon your cartridge not liking your phono pre or vise versa… Although the Nagaoka MP-500 is an awesome cart !!!  The 200 is my next cart ! 

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,523 posts
 

Quick follow-up: were those Gold Lyons you put into your Rogue NOS or new run?

Brand new production but they are doing really good things at Gold Lyon. I buy my tubes from Upscale or the original equipment manufacturer. My Gold Lyons came from Upscale. Not really cheap nowadays but I been very satisfied by the 4 different Gold Lyon tubes I have bought.

crawfishdaddi OP
35 posts
 

@yogiboy - yep, sure did. 

@cey - great thought... text has been sent!

@russ69 - good to know there are high quality new production tubes out there as an option; the NOS tubes are getting rarer and WAYY too expensive!

@skiznfliz - you're the second person to suggest subbing in 5751s for the 12AX7s and I'm intrigued. I will definitely experiment with this!! Also, I started with the MP-200 and it is an AMAZING cart. It is definitely the sweet spot on the graph of performance vs cost. Upgrading to the MP-500 (before I started running the QS phono stage) was the best sound I've ever gotten out of my system. I was MC cart curious, but now I'm most likely MP-500 for life!!

Finally, if you want to save SERIOUS $$$, order your Nag direct from Japan (https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEONAG-MP-200). I bought my mp-500 this way and had zero issues. 

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