Coincident Frankenstein mk.2 amps

Charles/Joe,

Thank you for the useful discussion about the tubes on the Frankenstein Mk ii. I just want to add my 2 cents because I had chance to try some rectifiers (RCA 5U4GB, Tung-sol 5U4GB, and EML 5U4GM), and output tubes (Psvane 300BT, 300BT-II, EML 300BM, and Takatsuki TA-300B).
To my ear, the Tung-sol/Takatsuki was the best by far out of all the combinations I have tried.
Rectifier: the RCA 5U4GB was the close second. As for the EML 5U4GM...I don't know... it added little more bass to my system, but that was all. It immediately killed three dimensionality, dynamics and transparency which had been easily conveyed by the Tung-sol.
Output tubes: In my system, the sound from Psvane was fast and nimble which I enjoyed. EML 300BM added more liquidity,musicality and authority in the bass, but it was not my cup of tea-little too slow. Takatsuki? As soon as putting them into the slots...I immediately talked to myself; That's it. Beautiful texture in every frequency range, significant musicality, no artificial exaggeration at the bottom (which I felt from EML 300BM), but still fast and tight notes with excellent tonal balance. I think this is the very best.

By the way, have you ever tried HiFi Tuning Supreme fuses for the amp? I would appreciate if you can give me any comments on that. Do you know the specfication of stock fuses?

Thanks!
Wu

Hi Wu,
Thanks for your impressions especially regarding the EML rectifier 5u4g. I
have thought about it but hesitated due to the cost of them .
We all hear differently as has been said many times. I really admire the
Takatsuki ( that's no secret) but in my system the EML XLS just shines and
competes with the Takatsuki closely. I don't hear the short comings you
point out. I'm happy to have both as well as the AVVT 32b. All three make
beautiful music in my Frankenstein. As far as rectifier tubes are concerned
I've used the Sylvania and RCA and didn't notice a significant difference.
Wu what speakers are you using with your Frankenstein? I've only used the
Synergistic Research Quantum fuses and they are an improvement in the
amplifier. 3 amp slow blow.
Charles,

I wonder if any of you had any problems convincing your significant other that the amplifiers you were about to buy did not sound anything like their name implied?

Am breaking in a wartime Tung Sol 5u4g rectifier tube as we speak to be used with Sylvania 6SN7GT Badboys real soon. Speaking of fuses, anyone try the new Audio Magic Super Fuse? There appears to be several fuse manufacturers vying for the top spot...

Hi Wu,

I tried a few different rectifiers and liked the Tung-Sol 5u4gb and Sylvania 5931 the best. The Sylvania is a beautiful built tube.

The Pvsane hi-fi 300b which came with the amps weren't bad, but the EML 300b XLS tubes are much better. They are more extended in the bass and treble have a organic,lively, open, sound which is very engaging. They don't sound slow to me.
I would love to try the Takasuki tubes some day, but are very expensive.

I changed the fuses to AMR gold fuses which sounded a little more natural. Sorry didn't try the Hi-fi Supremes.

Did anybody try different 6em7 tubes?

Wu, where did you purchase the Takasuki tubes, can you buy them straight from Japan? You can answer on my system page if you like.

I'm very happy with my Franks!