".....would switching to a 12AU7 instead of the 12AX7 make a diff?" Yes; in most cases, the 12AX7, 12AT7 and 12AU7 are interchangeable (gain factors of 100, 60 and 17 to 20, respectively). That could actually be your best bet, but- check with your pre’s designer, first.
... Should I be concerned?
Hello to all...
So here I am, back again, still trying to "tune" my budget rig to the max "best to me sound":
CD only setup with over 10 yr old Marantz SA8001, into a Tube Line-level preamp, into a Parasound HCA-750 power amp, with homemade speaker cables (12g solid core copper wire, twisted; bare wire on both ends), at back of speaker same wire bent into C-shapes as jumpers... Speakers are KEF Q1s (luv'um).
On the back of the Parasound, there are volume knobs (so you could use the amp direct without a preamp) which I have up full ( as recommended to me thru another topic line). When I play music, I have so little volume adjustment available: I can't really get past 8 o'clock (from starting at 7) without it being too loud...
One question I have is: will I be degrading the sound if I " adjust" the volume pots on the rear of the power amp, so that I can have more control over the volume knob on the pre? I guess I' be shooting for a 10-11 o'clock on the pre, and I'll assume it means a great decrease in the setting on the power amp.
Could another tact be: to replace the volume knob/pot with an articulated one, one that would click increases as I turn it?
This may be a foolish question - but any info or suggestions (other than criticism or sarcasm) would be greatly appreciated... Best Wishes to all - Be Well.
So here I am, back again, still trying to "tune" my budget rig to the max "best to me sound":
CD only setup with over 10 yr old Marantz SA8001, into a Tube Line-level preamp, into a Parasound HCA-750 power amp, with homemade speaker cables (12g solid core copper wire, twisted; bare wire on both ends), at back of speaker same wire bent into C-shapes as jumpers... Speakers are KEF Q1s (luv'um).
On the back of the Parasound, there are volume knobs (so you could use the amp direct without a preamp) which I have up full ( as recommended to me thru another topic line). When I play music, I have so little volume adjustment available: I can't really get past 8 o'clock (from starting at 7) without it being too loud...
One question I have is: will I be degrading the sound if I " adjust" the volume pots on the rear of the power amp, so that I can have more control over the volume knob on the pre? I guess I' be shooting for a 10-11 o'clock on the pre, and I'll assume it means a great decrease in the setting on the power amp.
Could another tact be: to replace the volume knob/pot with an articulated one, one that would click increases as I turn it?
This may be a foolish question - but any info or suggestions (other than criticism or sarcasm) would be greatly appreciated... Best Wishes to all - Be Well.
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- 39 posts total
Put this Schiit SYS between your CDP and your preamp to lower the gain! https://www.schiit.com/products/sys |
Also, here is the link to the Brent Jessee website's 12ax7 page , you might find his take on the different 12ax7 variants and brands helpful http://www.audiotubes.com/12ax7.htm |
@insearchofprat.....I am going to answer this from a different angle, and it is my experience, I say this. With the input level controls on the Parasound, set low, initially..............bypass ( do not use ) the tube line stage, and go direct from the Marantz SA 8001, into the Parasound. The SA 8001 puts out greater than 2 volts, and has one of the cleanest, least distorted output stages, and has a hefty, beefy, analog output stage / power supply, in an all in one cd player. Enough clean, hefty voltage, to drive your amplifier to full power. This will be " passive ", without the additional gain, to drive the power amp. Some posters here ( possibly all ), will disagree with me, on the passive mode, which is fine. I am suggesting doing this, for a week or so ( although it will be a pain to operate the rear controls on the amp ), because I have found, all line stages, especially tube products, to add colorations ( some say, additional warmth, smoothing over, just as a few examples ), and, robs you, of the finite details and information, embedded in your cds. This a a big controversy, between using a gain stage, and going " direct ", or " passive ", and I guess, you figured out, what camp I belong to. Lots of reading, here and elsewhere, on the subject. If you only listen to this one source, and you like what you hear, going direct, you can contact georgehifi, here, and get from him, possibly, the best " passive preamp ", in existence. Anyway, enjoy, stay safe, and be well. Always, MrD. |
- 39 posts total