Midrange texture?

Hi Sarcher30, I use Herbies Iso-cups with lampblack balls under my integrated, CDP and Powercell. I agree with your comments.

Jylee, this may be a cheaper option you can try before you do any cable upgrades.

Jylee, have you tried different tubes in your CJ? I have a premier 14 and use a combination of Hitachi's and Mullards and love the sound. The GE made in Britain 6GK5's that CJ stocks are the worst tubes I have ever heard!

You should pick up a used PV10 for fun if you don't mind sacrificing some detail - midrange texture all over the place! I think that's one reason CJ is intro'ing the new classic innovation - alot of their more current offerings don't have that famous CJ texture and bloom.

IMO, there are two ways to address midrange texture: you can introduce tubes into the signal pathway, and/or you can introduce gold into the signal pathway. Tube rolling is also good advice.

Footers/isolation, contact enhancers, and audio-grade outlets will increase detail and lower noise floor.

Powercords will increase speed and lower-end heft.

There are generalities, of course. Also, as a generality, silver will decrease midrange texture in favor of speed, detail, and upper frequency extension.

Tube rolling, new interconnects, and the isolation are all something that I would like to try out. Pops, my preamp came with six Amperex 6922 tubes from the previous owner. The markings and silkscreens on the tubes are not identical, and I'm not sure what affect if any they have on the sound. Should I be using six identical tubes? This is my first tube gear, so please send me any recommendation of the type and make of the tubes to use. Sean, Joey, please share your impression on how the isolation device improved the sound. As much as I would love to try out those tweaks my left brain is telling me otherwise. For example I tried lifting my speaker cables off the carpet today using CD jewel cases. I can't be sure if it made any significant difference and I just feel goofy about doing this. :)

Jylee don't feel goofy about the CD technique - I have tried as well and my hearing is not up to noticing an improvement - but I did manage to make my system look silly!

I haven't used 6922 tubes and am not familiar with the configuration of the premier 16 but others will surely have recommendations who have experience with both.