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Tube rolling Audio Note DACs

I have an Audio Note 2.1x balanced DAC. One of the output tubes recently went bad (they were stock Philips) so i replaced them all with NOS in a bit of tube rolling fun. However, I could swear the new output tubes -- 7308/E188CC Siemens 1969 branded Westinghouse -- have a recessed midrange, but I can't be sure about this as these tubes also have better bass and high-end output than the stock tubes. They may just be better balanced.

Any other output tubes to try on the AN DAC?

Thanks.
budrew
gliderguider's avatar
gliderguider
294 posts
 
I recently put a pair of NOS Siemens into the 3.1x Bal when one of the JJ's went down. The Siemens sound more musical than the JJ without losing any clarity. Interestingly, in my preamp the Siemens sounded thick in the bass and rolled off on top, and I much preferred a pair of Amperex. The Siemens sound much better in the DAC.
jc51373
528 posts
 

Resurrecting this thread...Anyone rolling tubes more recently in their AN DACs? Interested if anyone swapped the Rectifier tube out for 6x5gt, KenRad. 

tvad
11,620 posts
 

It’s hard to beat TungSol 6x5GT in Audio Note components, but I understand the quest.

There’s an excellent Audio Note thread on Steve Hoffman Forums with a solid cadre of AN owners. Tube rolling is often discussed. You might search that thread for folks’ experiences with 6x5GT alternatives.

I have not tried a KenRad rectifier.

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