Preamp Deal of the Century

Hi Jeff, the Tung-Sol 5881's have a more musical sound to my ears than the stock 5881's. The stock 5881's sound a little harsh and edgy compared to the Tung-Sols. I felt the stock 5881's were fine until I put in the Tung-Sols.The Tung-sols are smoother and get me closer to the music. When I first put the Tung-Sols in, I prefered the stock tubes because they sounded more dynamic, but after taking the time to compare the two, I was mistaking dynamics for the slight edge that the stock tubes create. As for my ARC 100.2, it is a solid state amp. You are mistaking it for the ARC VT-100mk2. I compared the two amps when I bought mine and prefered the SS 100.2. It has that nice liquid sound of tubes, but without the excessive heat and cost of replacing power tubes.

If you can find them, try the Sylvania 5932s. I would say, however, that the Tung Sol 5881 are a close second. What is the rectifier tube now?

Aloha Slowhand,

I am using Svetlana 6L6GC's instead of the 5881's. Several guys on the Tube Asylum have said that the Svet's are really good. I have to agree so far. I had ordered RCA Black Plates, but the consensus on the Tube Asylum is that they are over-rated especially for the price, so I cancelled them.

I am also using a Mullard 5AR4 rectifier.

So far I have rolled the Syl 6SN7GT's and the Ken Rad VT231's (also in military boxes). Actually, I just sent an email to see if he has anymore.

The Ken Rads are awesome, but the difference I heard between the Syls and Ken Rads could also be attributed to break-in of the preamp. I put the Syls in from day one and just switched to VT231s yesterday. I also tried a couple of tweaks to my system last night that really elevated the sound, so if I were to stick the Syls back in they may sound just as good now. Will try them again in a month or so.

But I gotta tell ya, this thing is really singing. I never listened to it with stock tubes, but with the tubes I just described, this pre is simply amazing.

Aloha,

Warren

And BTW, this thing is drop-dead gorgeous. I ordered mine in Chrome/Piano Black/Gold knobs.

I know the gold knobs sounds strange, but they really set things off. I felt like chrome knobs would have been too much of a good thing. I like the way this looks a lot.

In a couple of the posts above there were concerns about the build quality, but it far exceeds what I expected. The Piano Black finish is as good as the grand piano in my business. And you can't even begin to see a joint line in the corners of the boxes.

Well done, Mick. You have allayed any and all of my fears.

Aloha,

Warren

I replaced my stock 5881 with a Sovtek 5V4G, its a bit taller. It sounds really good. I didn't get a chance to listen ot the stock 5881 due to other problems I was having. But the sovtek works just fine and it cost only $7.99.