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Aesthetix Calypso, Tuberolling questions?

What results have owners of this preamp had with different tubes used. I'm running stock tubes into a pr. of Parasound JC-1 mono blocks now and the sound is very good. Would like to open up the treble a little if possible without messing up other areas. Any info on what people have tried and to what results would be of great help. Thank you
tom_hankins
tgun5's avatar
tgun5
138 posts
 
I ended up with Tungsrams in all positions. E88CC (6922) and 12ax7's. I have been more than pleased with the overall sound and the preamp is dead quiet. The E88CC's do need a long burn-in of about 300 hours. The 12ax7's require far less. Many of the NOS Tungsrams require pin cleaning, as they come pretty oxidized. In my system, this combination produces tight, accurate bass, smooth top end, and superb inner detail. During the E88's first 100 hours, the sound changed pretty dramatically and I almost gave up on them. Glad I didn't.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
What pray tell is a GT never heard of it. Is it a type of 12AX7 as in a 12AX7WA or is it a brand?? If so where do they come from etc.
clio09
3,372 posts
 
GT = Groove Tube, 12AX7 tube. Sold in many guitar shops, but used in audio as well. Supposed to sound like a Mullard if I'm correct. I have a couple lying around here that I wasn't too impressed with. Price is right though and you could do a lot worse for new production tubes. Golden Dragon sounded better to me. Of course IMO nothing beats NOS of which I have Mullard, Telefunken and RCAs that I rotate in my phono stage.
taoh2
6 posts
 
GT tube suck. I order a platinum grade GT 12AX7 from upscaleaudio, one of the two make noise the second day and Kevein won't even allow me to exchange it. I try many other 12AX7 from GE, telefunken, sovetk. all sound better than stock one and no noise.
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