tubes and analog

The Graham slee unit had much more detail across the board...mostly in the lower end. Basically the Graham slee gave me "punchy" base where as the AES tube unit was very "muddy" in comparison. Further, the Graham slee SS unit did not sound dry or lean in any way.

Csmithbarc,

Mab33's discovery re: the Prima Luna's input sensitivity mirrors what I found (but didn't post, since I wanted someone else to verify it - thanks, Mab33!). There's a case to be made that it's so low that many phono preamps will overdrive it. This can lead to all sorts of audio nasties, and their character will undoubtedly depend on the source doing the overdriving. How to tell? If the sound is especially distorted or unpleasing on dynamic peaks or strong, sustained vocals, your Prima Luna's input sensitivity is probably overloaded.

On "punchy" vs. "muddy" bass...

Have you tried different tubes in the AES? You've got a 12au7 regulating the power supply (I think) and 6SJ7's as signal tubes. Rolling different tubes into either of these locations will provide substantially different sounds. "Muddy" bass is characteristic of some tubes more than others. I don't have any specific recommendations for the tube types your AES uses, but as a rough guideline, look for tubes whose internal structures appear especially robust and "stable", in an architectural sort of way. Tubes built like this tend to have tighter bass than tubes with less solid internal structures.

Best,
Doug

Pualy...thosearenotmywords...I'mnotthatsmart. Just let this guy play audiohile. He's doing good and has $$$. Dealers will love him. It's when people like him hear a system like mine when they have a bad reality check.

I always look good, most always am right yet not always in control. I did figure out big spender's audio problem--unlike the *professionals*...

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I found myself reacting much as the first poster when I read this thread,in that cartridge change or upgrade might be your preferred path.With a Planar 9 it's well known that the Rega Exact cart rather than the Elys is the best match.Rega also have a new MC cart in their line called the Apheta now.I have always found it edifying to switch between cartridges and note how my system handled each one differently.Less expensive than switching between gear anyway.

Reading this thread over the past several days has been entertaining, to say the least. I've learned a few things from all of the technical discussion...mostly that I know very little.

Like a previous poster stated, I'd look to the tubes in the AES unit first. Some tube rolling/upgrading/replacing might be a less expensive way to attack the issue. Some Herbie's Audio Labs tube dampers would be a great tweak to try...they will help with your "muddy" bass, as well as "clean up" the sound a bit allowing the low level detail to come through.

Maybe, as some have stated, the AES and the PrimaLuna will never play nice together.