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Supratek Tubes and Tube Swappin' for Everybody

I will have a Supratek Chenin in my set up in a day or so. Since so many folks are rolling tubes around here I was hoping to garner a comprehensive list of everybodies favorite tube compliments. Be it NOS or NIB or WLATB (Whatever's layin around the basement)
Being that the "Deal of the Century" thread is a little more like a novel I figured this would be a good place to post questions and answers related to one subject of Supratek amps and pres.
On to the subject of me. I don't have immediate plans to swap tubes as I've figured that Mr. Maloney would supply us with something listenable for the break in period. But, since so many have reported such dramatic improvments I want to ask this question:
What is your favorite compliment for quietest gain and dynamics in the phono stage?
I will be using the Chenin exclusively for vinyl ( I don't have a CD player) and listen to loads of early rock and roll and Jazz bands, smaller jazz bands mostly, quartets and quintets. Some classical, the usual Beethoven and Mozart, but usually just a lot of loud garage rock.
Ok, now lets see what happens.
mc5baby
cello
645 posts
 
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David,
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I received my Grange last February and love it. I had swapped out all of the tubes except for the Regulator position (just did not get around to it until now).
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I am waiting to see what luck other people have with their upgrades before attempting any changes of caps or adding a stepped attenuator.
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I will probably pick up a pair of 6h30's and have them cryoed to see how they fare vs. the stock Sovtek's that came with the Grange.
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Thanks again & Best Regards,
Larry
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cello
645 posts
 
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Wc65mustang,
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Have you had a chance to compare the 300B's to your PX4's yet ? I am curious to hear if getting a pair of 300b's is worth the effort.
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Rgds,
Larry
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wc65mustang
524 posts
 
Larry,
Actually not yet as I'm playing with a pair of Emission Labs 45 mesh plates for a few weeks. They are much sweeter and far less microphonic than the PX/4. I'm saving the WE for the holidays. :-)))))
cello
645 posts
 

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Wc65Mustang,
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I am getting an incredible amount of microphonics. If I tap the volume and channel control knobs in the front of pre-box (as well as any tube in the pre-box or top plate of the box), I get huge ringing through the speakers. If the system is up but nothing playing on the TT or CD player and I clap my hands or speak loudly, I get ringing and microphonics through the speakers.
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The Grange came from Mick with the TJ PX4's and a pair of TJ 300B/n's. I just dropped the 300b’s for the first time and seem to have the same high level of microphonics.
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Did you get the same level of Microphonics from the TJ 300B’s as you did with the PX4’s.
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I have a few Herbie’s tube dampeners on the 6SN7’s, 6922’s and E180F’s, but not the PX4’s or the 300b’s nor any of the power supply tubes. Have you had any luck with tube dampeners.
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David, please feel free to jump in here.
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Thanks / Rgds,
Larry
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ecclectique
509 posts
 
Hey Larry, Congrats on the grange,I'm very jealous. I am still contemplating ordering one myself, as I have been a big fan of DHT amplification for years. My experience with the 45,2a3,300b,845 triodes etc is that they all seem to possess a certain soul,a righteousness if you will,a purity of sound that is hard to describe.Having the abilty to tune ones preamp with the soul of these various DHT triodes has got to be the ultimate front end. Kudos to the brilliance of Mick for pushing the envelope here.I am sure either choice of the various DTH triodes will sound fabulous but I have a sneaky suspician the natural beauty of WE 300b or a nos 45 will end up as the tube of choice here. Mustang..... sounds like your going to have an exciting Christmas holiday and I am eager to hear your thoughts on the voice of the different tubes in the mighty Grange.I am not at all surprised that some of you guy's are finding the mesh plate tube types to be microphonic.Most mesh plate type tubes are prone to microphonic by design.
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