2. analog
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Tube stereo sounds -smaller- after being on

Ok here is a weird one. I’ve been into tube audio for the last 20 years or so and I have one system I leave as is and one system I mess around with and change things out. For the most part, these days, I’m happy with both. Except I’ve been noticing something I thought I was imagining. Which is my experimental system starts out sounding great and after being on for a couple of hours sounds worse. Small soundstage, compressed highs and lows. Just over all enh. I have two turntables -

Gates and an EMT 930. The mixer is a great sounding one hand built in Austrailia called a Condesa Lucia. The amp is a Line Magnetics 2a3 amp LM 217. The cartridges are an EMT and a Denon 102. The tt preamps are by sun valley and auditorium 23. The one thing I can think of is the amp is a 220 version and goes through a power converter. Perhaps this is a sonic wrecker when it gets hot. Any other ideas? Thank you. 

yaluaka
yaluaka OP
40 posts
 

Hey Mijostyn, everybody has their mindsets. Some people think the world is flat or the US never landed on the moon. I’ve been making records for the last 40 years, before cd and digital. I was around when cd’s were going to solve everything, and digital recordings were going to be more ‘accurate’ than analog. I’ve worked on all sorts of pieces of equipment. I’m not saying this because I think I’m an expert, far from it. I have so much more to learn. I’m just saying this as a background for the concept, that in a recording studio and mastering lab, analog eq’s are held in very high regard. And a lot of vintage equipment has great monetary value and is even replicated (to some extent) as plug ins because the qualities of that gear is treasured. So you know what you know, but I don’t think you should discount the idea, because you feel you know something, that it’s true. Not to sound like Donald Rumsfeld here. 😂

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,604 posts
 

Have you tried testing and/or replacing the rectifier tube with one tested to new spec?

The 2 hour time period/demise in sound is what should be telling you/us something, but what is that?

 

DeKay

yaluaka OP
40 posts
 

Hi DeKay, I've been in Mississippi last week, so have done nothing. Someone suggested the rectifier tube which is a good suggestion. I don't think I have a spare. My EMT turntable however, needs a power converter so I can take that out of the system and use that converter which is a high quality one and switch out the Chinese made one that came with my amp. I will do that and report back when I have the time. Thanks again everyone.

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