Audible illusions Modulus 3A or Klyne 6L

People who own things will rarely accept that it may not be the best buy because they love it, and defend it because they chose it. It is a normal self esteem and pride behavior well known in all of us. I will not myself accept easily my gear beeing downgraded. But that's the price of objectivity. To accept others will make different choices than my own and be totally right about them. Hiding facts on a thing because I own one is a no no for me, sorry gentlemen !

That beeing said, it is unfeasible to make clear headed choices between audio units,as numerous as they are, if the condition is to own one or live with one for awhile in order to have sufficient experience to have an opinion. Even companies who have a policy of loaning equipment and taking it back if not satisfied will not accept if you keep it more than a week.

I've heard the AI several times, a couple of hours each time, and it was quite sufficient for me to make my own opinion about it. How ? Simply because I have the chance to compare a lot of preamps on the same basic system at the audio association. And it was brought many times to the club. And I said AI was fine sounding because I had the opportunity of comparing with many other preamps. And I could easily hear the differences. A very good unit at its price level. And yes, it has competition in it's group and it is a matter of taste. But if you want me to admit it is comparable to a VAC Standard LE or a Conrad Johnson Premier 16 LS2, well you are simply and respectfully out of your minds.

Again, the AI is well documented to be a hard machine on tubes. Just have a look on the web or even here on Audiogon, there was multiple discussions on the subject and that's a fact. If you can't accept it and won't look at the info, you may deny it but the info will still be there ! Some say it is because it has a lot of gain, some others will say it is because the tubes stay lit in order to preserve the tubes, some others say the preamp generates vibrations harmful to a lot of NOS tubes....All sorts of possibilities, to a unique and same problem ! Do your own search ! In conclusion, at the best, you will be told only very specific tubes (russians) will fit in them. People who like to try some other tubes to better tune a unit to their taste are taking a chance and AI DOES warn them accordingly. At worst,you will burn out precious NOS tubes if unaware ! Hey, what's wrong with that ! Did I say AI was dishonest, NO ! Did I say it was a bad unit ? NO !

I was just answering, informing somebody, who didn't say he had knowledge of this unit to be aware of the problem. If the matter is of no concern to him, I'm sure he will enjoy the unit as much as aybody who cherishes AI. But to hide the facts, to deny others their testemonies and experiences because you never witnessed it or simply because you are defending your choice, is wrong in my book.
Regards !

It's unfortunate you continue to imply there's is a design flaw in our circuit design by reguritating old comments that our preamps are "hard on tubes". Considering the thousands of preamps we have produced over the past 25 years I'm aware of the complaints documented by various "tube rollers" their old tubes just won't last in our no-feedback design. Needless to say it's also a well-documented fact that many AI owners have experienced excellent tube life even some owners who don't use Russian tubes. Apparently these people were lucky to find some well-made tubes.

Bottom Line, If there was a design flaw in our design then "every" preamp we make would cause premature tube failure. Regards, Jerry AI tech.

Where did I say it was a design flaw ? Did you read completely my posts ? You chose a design. On purpose. People buy it as it is. By choice. So what ? In which manner am I shaking all heavens here ?

If you are aware of complaints then you admit info has been written about the subject, isn't it ? I'm not implying anything. I'm repeating "complaints" you already know about. Why not simply say ; Yes, we know...And you did. That is OK. The truth is the truth.

What is a "tube roller" to you ? Someone who turns the tubes in the unit almost every week or simply somebody who desires a change in the signature of the unit until the next set ?

Respectfully !

Yes I've read your 10 posts and from the 1st, in which you make the statement that "unfortunately the AI is known to be a tube eater". It's my belief that you are attempting to convince readers that there is a technical problem with our design.

I also suggest you re-read my posts in which I have attempted to, constructively, address your concerns.

Regarding the popular term "tube roller", I have no problem with a person installing a particular tube in our preamp in an attempt to "voice the sound". Our objection are those who ignore our advice and plug in old-style tubes that soon become noisy then complain that our preamp is hard on tubes.

Try plugging old 6DJ8 type tubes in another modern tube preamp design like Audio Research etc. and you will soon discover they become noisy. I also know that, for the same reason, some tube mfgs. have abandoned this tube in favor of the Russian 6H30 tube or now use another tube type like the 12AX7. AI has continued to use frame grid tubes because we feel our design has proven its reliability providing the user understand that not all NOS tubes will last in a modern-day, open-loop, no cathode follower design like the Modulus. Regards, Jerry/AI's Tech.

Well, sorry for the misinterpretation or the bad choice of words but to convince people to look elsewhere is not and was not my intention. I also repeated many times it should not be a concern for people who do not mind using russian tubes on a continuous basis.

I did acknowledge your responses and they were constructive and said it was courageous of yours. But I retain one of your last sentences because it was the only concern of my intervention on this thread : "AI has continued to use frame grid tubes because we feel our design has proven its reliability providing the user understand that not all NOS tubes will last in a modern-day, open-loop, no cathode follower design like the Modulus." Now if this is not a statement people who want to use NOS tubes should look elsewhere, I don't know what else could be said !

Now I would like you to put yourself in a prospective customer, of used or new gear,not as knowledgeable as a electro technician, who is trying to make a choice between many units he heard, most of the time not enough, sometimes in a hurry because the deal is passing by and he has to decide quickly. The type of scenario a lot of audiophiles have passed through, including me, a realistic and very actual scenario. Is there a lot of info, in audio magazines, reviews, or from a dealer very specifically saying : you must not install NOS tubes in this unit. Of course, it will be written in the instruction manual (when it is). Do you know a lot of people who read the instruction manual BEFORE buying a piece of gear or any other apparel ? I don't !! And the proof, a lot of people ask questions on Audiogon and look for help and info to make the best with their investment. Furthermore, some complain, in private directly to you, or publicly here and everywhere else for everyone to see.

So what happens to an audiophile, less experienced, who wants to have the possibility of rolling tubes because he heard himself the effect at a friend's place, read about it, or just happens to be not satisfied because the gear he just bought doesn't sound as good as he thought in his system. Should he know that AI is NOT the type of gear he should get if rolling could be his intention ? Is the dealer considerate enough to mention it to his customer ? Openly, knowing he could loose the sale ? And you Jerry, as a representative of your employer, would you openly disclose it to potential buyers ? If yes is your answer, well your kinda unique and honest person !! Would you say the same of all your dealers ? Of all your customers selling their gear on the used market ?

Jerry, you were kind enough to intervene in this thread, and respectfully bring some enlightment on the matter. Hopefully, these exchanges will educate people asking for info.
regards !