2. amps-preamps
  3. 150460-24780

tubes4hifi SP14 preamp and Psvane CV181 Tii tubes

Hello,

Just a word of caution to those who may be considering the recommendation of many owners to upgrade their tubes4hifi SP14 tubes to the Psvane CV181T Mark II.

The tubes get universal high marks from the reviews I have seen. I opted for the top of the line, buying the Grade A quality from Grant Fidelity at $290 for the matched pair.

Sound is extraordinary. Tubes appear to be of the highest quality.

Unfortunately, the tubes are too tall to fit in the standard chassis. They will not clear the top lid.

My research prior to purchase failed to reveal this as a problem and I am now faced with selling the tubes at a substantial loss, using the preamp without the lid, or drilling holes in it so the tubes will clear the lid. None of those are considered satisfactory solutions.

Has anyone else had this experience, and if so how did you deal with it.

See the attached link for photo. I have placed the chassis lid upside down behind the tubes so you can see the lack of clearance.


https://postimg.cc/XZjL4C50
alwaysreading
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,203 posts
 
If enough clearance on the bottom, change the standoffs of the PCB to shorter one.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,203 posts
 
Or replace the tube sockets to shorter one.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
@rodman99999 I like the standoff idea.  Lets the tubes clear and provides some additional ventilation.  

Or, if you're into replacing the tube sockets and feel like getting crazy, you could copy Don Sachs' modifications and put the tube sockets on the reverse of the circuit board and then mount it upside down so that the tubes are exposed on the top of the case.
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