larryi

Responses from larryi

Replace tubes yearly?
If you want really warm, and have deep pockets, I would say look for 5692 tubes.  They are drop in substitutions for 6SN7s.  My Audio Note Kageki amps came with these tubes, but I fooled around and ended up with Tungsol Roundplates which are not a... 
Replace tubes yearly?
That they have input tubes that require yearly replacement should be a good reason NOT to buy that gear.  Clearly, they don’t know how to implement tubes in their design.  
Replace tubes yearly?
So, a maker of solid state gear, and only solid state gear, states that if you buy tube gear, you have to make yearly tube replacement.  Does anyone think it is a scare tactic?  What if I say something completely unsupported like, “you shouldn’t w... 
Replace tubes yearly?
The life of a tube is greatly dependent on the type of tube, the operating conditions of the tube, and even the specific manufacturer of the tube. Power output tubes tend to have shorter lives than linestage tubes or the input and driver tubes of... 
I'm new to Step Up Transformers
It is moving iron, but it has a .4 Mv output.   The approach of using a hybrid transistor and tube to supply the needed gain for low output cartridges is to reduce the level of noise from using tubes exclusively.    The use of a SUT also reduces... 
I'm new to Step Up Transformers
The Zesto employs a step up transformer for its MC input.  If you go with a separate step up transformer into the MM input, you will be substituting step up transformers.  Whether you will like an alternative step up transformer is dependent on th... 
I'm new to Step Up Transformers
The Zesto employs a step up transformer for its MC input.  If you go with a separate step up transformer into the MM input, you will be substituting step up transformers.  Whether you will like an alternative step up transformer is dependent on th... 
I'm new to Step Up Transformers
The Zesto employs a step up transformer for its MC input.  If you go with a separate step up transformer into the MM input, you will be substituting step up transformers.  Whether you will like an alternative step up transformer is dependent on th... 
I'm new to Step Up Transformers
Aesthetix offers all-tube high gain phono stages which I like, but, they have more noise than most tube stages employing only tubes for active amplification.  Among my favorite tube phonostages are those made by Audio Note which require an additio... 
I'm new to Step Up Transformers
Most tube-based phonostages either have built in step up transformers or expect the buyer to use his own step up transformer to supply enough gain.  The typical tube-based phono stage would need to add more tubes and would run the risk of excessiv... 
Best audio prank ideas
Repair techs have certain initiations for the new guy, such as handing them a fully charged capacitor.  At a local shop, a new worker was a high schooler working part time.  When he was about to switch on a newly repaired amp, a bunch of us quickl... 
If you HAD to purchase a used (over 4 years old) DAC, what would it be?
There are a few terrific sounding DACs that are pretty much unchanged over MUCH longer than four years.  I would take a twenty year old Audio Note DAC 5 over almost anything out there right now.  
Your journey with lower-watt tube amps -- Can a kit be good enough?
PCB is easy to solder, except when it comes to repairs.  Usually that involves an extra step of having to unmount the board to get to the correct side, and it sometimes means having to bridge a trace or make other such repairs where you pulled a t... 
Stereo Times 2024 MOST WANTED COMPONENTS List
Wow! Is tat an invitation?  
Stereo Times 2024 MOST WANTED COMPONENTS List
It make more sense to do as you propose--bypass the fuse holder entirely.  For protection, one could then buy a digital fuse box that monitors conditions and acts as a fuse when protection is needed.    i don't see anything in the listings of Ste...