Everyone's points about not judging the merits of the BHK using the stock tubes are right on. I should have mentioned that I optimized mine, for my system and tastes, with Amperex 7308's from the early '60's. These were importantly better for me than the NOS Tungram 7DJ8's that BHK himself reportedly liked. And every tube of the 10 different pairs I tried in the BHK were significantly better than the stock tubes. You've got to try others, for sure.
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Did you know you can switch the current and voltage settings internally? With a proper adapter, you can use 6SN7s. My favorite is a pair of Sylvania VT-231 - really opened up the preamp in every dimension while adding dynamics and authority. Kinda crazy they don't advertise this more prominently (and just put the switch on the back). |
@smodtactical the Don Sachs is not better nor more revealing than the 6SE just different in presentation. The 6SE is fantastic and very flexible but I am on a path to minimalization thus the DS. I think this cycle repeats every 8 to 10 years. |
The AUDIO RESEARCH 6SE also benefits from tube rolling......try some 6N6P in both the power supply and in the other areas where the 6N30 (“Super tube”) are used. Also replacing the 6550 in the power supply can yield positive results .... The overall effect is for a “Less Lit” sound, but one that sounds smoother, a little more “liquid”, and “dense”, but still maintaining that ARC sense of transparency that they are famous for, and with no loss of apparent detail and timing (PRAT)..... Cheers |
You guys need to be careful with the adaptor and 6SN7's as multiple owners on the PSA forum have had to send the unit back to the factory with board issues caused by this. Just because BHK's "personal" unit works fine with them doesn't mean the production units have the same exact parts or tolerances as his. So do it at your own risk. If you want a 6SN7 preamp their are plenty out there like the Sachs and the Supratek's. |
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