Did you know you can switch the current and voltage settings internally? With a proper adapter, you can use 6SN7s. My favorite is a pair of Sylvania VT-231 - really opened up the preamp in every dimension while adding dynamics and authority. Kinda crazy they don't advertise this more prominently (and just put the switch on the back). |
@smodtactical the Don Sachs is not better nor more revealing than the 6SE just different in presentation. The 6SE is fantastic and very flexible but I am on a path to minimalization thus the DS. I think this cycle repeats every 8 to 10 years. |
The AUDIO RESEARCH 6SE also benefits from tube rolling......try some 6N6P in both the power supply and in the other areas where the 6N30 (“Super tube”) are used. Also replacing the 6550 in the power supply can yield positive results .... The overall effect is for a “Less Lit” sound, but one that sounds smoother, a little more “liquid”, and “dense”, but still maintaining that ARC sense of transparency that they are famous for, and with no loss of apparent detail and timing (PRAT)..... Cheers |
You guys need to be careful with the adaptor and 6SN7's as multiple owners on the PSA forum have had to send the unit back to the factory with board issues caused by this. Just because BHK's "personal" unit works fine with them doesn't mean the production units have the same exact parts or tolerances as his. So do it at your own risk. If you want a 6SN7 preamp their are plenty out there like the Sachs and the Supratek's. |
Ditto to Jackd's comment above on the BHK / SN7 tube rolling,. depending upon the adapter used (and who made it), the heater arraignment will not necessarily be complimentary to the circuit,.. for example I had purchased an noval>sn7 adapter but they had just grounded one heater leg but not the 9th pin on the Noval side,.. which is fine if the circuit in play uses DC for the heater V,.. not good if it's AC or if you have a switchable heater circuit like in the BHK that needs to ground the 9. Just be careful and fully understand what you have and how the circuit will be completed with the adapter,.. I personally found that switching to a sn7 on the BHK did not make for a positive enough difference to leave in and take a risk of some type of failure. I owned a BHK for ~2 years. Sold the BHK and purchased a LCR Cortese (Supratek). Really happy with the Supra. A different sound for sure. Alot more lively sounding than the BHK, which sounded much less engaging or overly smooth by comparison. Yes, I rolled a number of different tubes in the BHK as well. All in all a great pre but like anything in this hobby, synergy will exist between certain components and room setups and there really is no 'one shoe fits all sizes' type of purchase at this level of gear. Been my finding at least... |
