In my latest effort to deal with the "glaring" issue associated with my Cortese referred to above, I acquired and tried the RCA gray glass (actually, the earlier "lightening bolt" logo 6SN7GTs that preceded the VT-231 incarnation) and the KenRad 6SN7/VT 231s. In my system, just as in Ooslik's, the RCAs sounded somewhat bright and glarey here and there. The KenRads virtually eliminated the stridency entirely, but a bit of the upper midrange lost a touch of the air and ambient detail I had with my Raytheon 231s and General Electric 6SN7GTBs. I then replaced my Tungsol 5881s with some Sylvania 5881s, and restored just a bit more of that ambient detail. The trick involves getting involving upper end detail and musicality without the glare or stridency. Now, I feel more confident than before about getting there. My next step is securing a good, but not super expensive moving coil. (I've been using the low output--1.5mv.--Grado Sonata.) I also should soon be receiving those Tungsol 6SN7/VT231 Round Plates. Incidentally, in case I failed to relate before, I did not make a single tube roll until I arrived at 200 hours burn in of both the phono and linestages of the Cortese.
Preamp Deal of the Century
If anyone is looking for a true "World Class" preamp at a very fair price..heed my advice. I just recieved a Supratek Syrah preamp that was hand built by Mick Maloney in Western Australia, and it is absolutely beautiful! This preamp is the best deal you will ever find. I would put it up against any preamp out there for both looks and sound. Price? $2500 for the Syrah (includes Killer Phono stage). Not into phono? Try the Chardonney line stage for $2100. Don't get me wrong, I am not associated with this company. I am just a very happy owner! This preamp is VERY dynamic, yet liquid. It conveys the sound of music better than any other preamp that I have ever heard! You can check out the Supratek website at www. cantech.net.au
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- 3888 posts total
- 3888 posts total