mulveling
Responses from mulveling
| Tube microphonics Maybe. I’ve only rarely heard any tubes acting microphonics in power amps, and only for very old NOS tubes in the V1 / input slots. Amps are very far downstream in the gain structure, so microphonics are rarely an issue. Tube preamps and phono sta... | |
| Matching the cartridge to the phono stage @ajones82 those last numbers are the signal to noise ratio relative to a reference input level (the “typical” MM and MC cartridge output levels), as calculated by the IHF A weighting standard. The A weighting heavily de-emphasizes bass (power supp... | |
| Matching the cartridge to the phono stage You mentioned Benz and Soundsmith. Many Benz LOMC cartridges have high-ish internal resistance, like the Hana SL (33 ohms). So those are just as difficult to match with your phono stage as is the SL. Specifically, these Benz models are: Gullw... | |
| "Can You Lift Yours?" Well, yuh....but ones' personal form factor remains the bottom line, esp. when the hands hit the chassis... Unless your posted pic is a file photo from youth gone by, you've got a built-in 'cheat'. *mock grumble* And it's vaguely reassuring tha... | |
| Recommendation Request for Tube Power Amplifier At your budget, looking for a classic tube sound, and needing at least midrange power -- I think restored vintage or vintage inspired amps are the way to go. I started out in tube amps with restored Heathkit and Eico amps. They sound wonderful. ... | |
| "Can You Lift Yours?" The amp's form factor is absolutely a big deal. My VAC 200iQs weigh 100 lbs each and it's just a box with absolutely no handles or grips. The distribution is very front loaded, where the transformers are. For proper front-to-back balance you have ... | |
| Any (new) Tube Testers that can be recommended? Yes I have MaxiPreamp II, a MaxiMatcher II and a large collection of tubes. Note you’ll need an optional adapter for 6SN7 and another for 6DJ8 / 6922. It’s very effective for matching (its namesake) but also you’ll learn how to sort out weak versu... | |
| Matching the cartridge to the phono stage @ajones82 Some will say to get the cartridge you want and buy the right phono stage for that, even if it means bypassing the phono stage in your new amp. Others will say mod your new amp with the right resistor to load your cartridge optimally. ... | |
| Matching the cartridge to the phono stage That is not a very user-friendly spec sheet. This appears to be a full function integrated amplifier and so I’m assuming these mV numbers are sensitivity -- i.e. the required signal level to elicit full amplifier output with the volume control at ... | |
| "Can You Lift Yours?" Any correlation of sound quality to weight has to be predicated by amplifier topology. Traditional tube amplifiers probably have the strongest correlation here, because the size of its transformers (power plus 2 outputs) generally dictates how muc... | |
| "Can You Lift Yours?" The Citation II doesn’t look like it weights nearly 120 lbs. Where’d you get that number? I would have guessed 80 max. My VAC Master 300 monos are ~ 135 lbs each. I had them moved here by the dealer. Not worth the risk. I’ve got 2 other tube mono ... | |
| Your experiences with system synergy Not too surprising. Yes, that nebulous / nefarious concept of "synergy" is crucial. Everything matters for a good amp match, not just speakers: preamps, source, volume level, music selection, and YOU. Psychology is a factor too. If you’re expecti... | |
| Reliable source for 6550WE tube - Audio Research Ref 6 I’ve bought a few sets of power tubes from Viva Tubes, and they’ve all been good. They’ve been low on Russian power tube stocks for months, but still have some of those Sovteks, plus EH and Mullard KT88. You can also use KT88 or KT90 in the Ref 6 ... | |
| Four Hour Tube Amp Warm-Up Never experienced anything like that with pure tube amps. In fact I always find them quick to warm up. I once had a hybrid electrostatic headphone amp (grounded grid EL34 with solid state CCS outputs) that took like an hour to sound its best -- bu... | |
| Buying Used Equipment on the Internet I bought and sold a several components on usaudiomart. It's about communication, you pretty much have to figure out if the person on the other end is trustworthy. Ask some questions that aren't realistic but the responses will be telling: "I wil... |