Tube Rolling for TAD-150

Ecruz: The 5751s are much better than the stock tubes in every way. Comparing the 5751s to the Tele AX7s I would say that the bass is tighter and more defined with the 5751s. They both put out sweet mids and highs. I'd probably give the edge to the Teles in these departments though. Both tubes are excellent.

Onotu2: I used smooth plate Teles. I like the Teles better in my Fisher 400 than the 5751s. So I made the switch back. I am very satisfied with the 5751s in the TAD-150 though. You really never know how a tube will perform in a circuit until you try it.

I'll second those Groove Tube x7s. I picked up some on Ebay (it was cheaper than tracking down quality Sylvania, Raytheon or GE 5751s) and, WOW. Nice seperation and sound stage; very 5751 like. The have a bit more bite (punch), just enough creaminess, and they're not broken in yet! Thanks Mike.

I bought a couple of those GT for the TAD=150. How do you get the pre cover off. Just unscrew the screws on the side? Sorry for the dumb question but, I have not rolled any tubes yet in the pre.....

Getting to the tubes in the TAD-150 is a bit of a chore...you need to unscrew the top screws as well as the four upper screws on either side of the unit. After you remove the cover, you need to unscrew the two screws that secure the reflective chrome "box" that sits behind the tubes, then slowly (and carefully) slide out the box.

Re. tubes, I had very good luck with a matched pair of cryo-treated Ei ECC83 (12AX7), which were also quite reasonably priced. I am currently using a pair of matched NOS Telefunken 12AT7 from Andy at Vintage Tube Services. The sound is amazing but they weren't cheap.

Interestingly, I tried one of the Groove Tube "Mullard reissue" 12AX7s in the 12AX7 slot of the TAD-60 and found it produced a bit of hum in my speakers that I don't get when with other tubes...maybe I got a lousy tube, people seem to like it.

Well, on Mike's review, I picked up 3 of the Groove Tube remakes. Put two in the TAD-150 and one in the TAD-60. Hard to compare as it is like watching a movie for the second time and seeing the parts that you missed the first time but, it appears that I am hearing more meat and bite on the same tracks as I listened to before the change. Sounbdstage remains huge maybe a bit larger but, hard to tell exactly. ext up will be to replace the two AU7s on the TAD-60...