2. amps-preamps
  3. 192205-171531

I hate to say it, but now I think maybe I like my amp in ultralinear mode versus triode

It's a Cary V-12; it features a dozen EL34s and each pair has a switch in between them that configures that pair to either triode or ultralinear. In full triode Cary listed in the specs that it makes 50 wpc and in full ultralinear 100 wpc.   For most of the twenty three years that I have owned this amp I have always felt that I preferred triode except for the occasions that I wanted to full out blast (it has literally been many years since I've felt the need to full out blast).

However, today I experimented with a couple of things in my system, and after listening to the same "Jazz Essentials" (compilation) red book CD a couple of times all the way through, the next thing I experimented with was switching to full ultralinear.

Maybe there was more "PRaT"?  (Which is a term I am still not sure that I completely grasp.)  Maybe . . . but what I do feel I noted for sure was that the imaging (particularly the imaging in the center) had more weight (meatier?) and was presented more forward, which I actually like.

I put a few more hours in (one more time with Jazz Essentials, Holly Cole/It Happened One Night, Dave's True Story/Sex Without Bodies, selected tracks from Rebecca Pigeon/The Raven and Once Blue/self titled and Norah Jones/Feels Like Home) after switching to ultralinear.  (No booze during this session, just coffee.) The jury is still out on this, but I do have some CDs in mind that I want to listen to over the next few days as I continue to evaluate.  

immatthewj
immatthewj OP
2,023 posts
 

@emergingsoul

I think the term ultra linear is marketing in nature and I dare say most people have no clue what they’re buying when they do.

But ultra linear does drift more toward solid state and isn’t that what we’re really saying overall after all

I am not sure whether you are just troll posting, but assuming that you are not, do you also feel that, for instance, single ended triode is also "marketing in nature"?

the differences between modes of operation which on this amplifier tend to be switchable so easily which always raises skepticism

Are you also skeptical about the sonic differences between different vacuum tubes because it is quite easy to swap them out? Adjustable feedback? For that matter, do you believe that possibly the whole concept of vacuum tube gear is also a marketing ploy, and underneath it all lies solid state circuitry?

Just curious.

 

 

decooney
2,015 posts
 

@immatthewj here are the 80510 units I put in the Cary V12R and Quicksilver Mono 120s.  From the Partsconnexion site.  

Mundorf Capacitor 0.22uF 1000Vdc MCap® Supreme EVO SilverGold Black SESG Series Metalized Silver Gold Polypropylene Axial

SKU: MUNDORF-80510

MSRP: USD $59.88

Unit of Measure: Each


 

emergingsoul
1,159 posts
 

@immatthewj

A technical reference to triode in marketing literature makes sense, it’s not sexy. Ultra linear Whatever it is that it does is a sexy marketing term. If it’s switchable that’s probably discouraging a lot of people from taking it seriously especially in an amplifier.

The manufacturers don’t really provide much info on what’s being done. A nice schematic would be nice because it does get involved.

Audio manufacturers do an abysmal job explaining what their products do. It’s a mystery box and you really have to dig in to figure it out.

There are clearly harmonic changes with tube amplifiers that are especially appealing unless you enjoy clinical accurate Music which is less than enjoyable a lot of times.  It's all about the quality the recording after all and there's only so much you can do to improve it and that really really sucks that they didn't get it right to begin with we have to spend a lot of money to enhance and bring out the best of what it has to offer

immatthewj OP
2,023 posts
 

@decooney , I found the receipt for the Mundorf capsI bought from PCX:  they were the 71552s (0.22 uF 1000 Dc Supreme SilverGoldOil) @ 52.68 each.

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