Yardbird Posted February 20, 2019 Posted February 20, 2019 Hi SNA'ers, Would love to get some advice and feedback in replacing the tubes on my mono blocks. I would like to achieve something that is more warmer, and most likely a little lay back as I listen to Jazz namely Bebop. The tubes that I am looking to replace are EL84 which I have learned are smaller pins, with more usage for guitar amps as opposed to audiophile HIFI; although, the amps are great listening regardless. Goals are to replace these blocks with something else in future.For today, I little learnings alone the way. I have been reading up on this, but sadly it comes off as a completely different language for me. I figure that if I'm to swap the EL84 to another one such as Mullard that I'd just need to get matched quads and redo the bias. Is this right? I am looking to achieve a British sound. I am also looking for some recommendations and experiences with this type of changes. In addition if someone has some that I can loan or cheap matched sets (quads x 2) that I can buy to start my journey into tubes. Current set up is Rega P7 | Rega Ania | Emotiva XSP-1 Gen 2 | Manley Mahi Mahi | Dynaudio Contour S 3.4 | Spendor S8 I have taken photos of the current tubes which have never been changed. As a side note: Am I running into issues using the Mahi's to drive the Dynaudio (4ohms)? Taken from the Manley website: Input Tube: 1 x 12AT7EH large plate Eletcro-Harmonix Russian Driver Tube: 1 x 6414 JAN NOS GE or Raytheon branded Output Tubes: 8 x EL84 Ships with Russian NOS EL84M (aka 6Pi14Pi-EB) 1
bzr Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 I would change your input tubes first. Google your model with input tube on the end before you ask that next question,... & yes it will change the sound.
caminperth Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 38 minutes ago, bzr said: I would change your input tubes first. Google your model with input tube on the end before you ask that next question,... & yes it will change the sound. This! Input tubes will make the biggest difference and are the best place to start. Easy to replace and much cheaper if you pick the wrong ones, allowing you to try a range of them. Good luck.
BATMAQN Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 Sell the mono blocks (which you intend on doing anyway) and the Dynaudio's. Buy yourself a big ASSS Sansui to run the Spendor's I think you'll achieve the sound you're after then just sayin. 1
Yardbird Posted February 21, 2019 Author Posted February 21, 2019 @bzr and @caminperth any suggestions for the input tubes? @BATMAQN down the track cause I'm still working on my system and the direction I want to go with it. The Spendors will be the keepers but dedicated for Jazz. What's the big ASSS Sandia in mind? Might scope it out. All in all, I would still like to see what difference is achieved by swapping out tubes. So the inputs seems a good place to start as I don't have to buy as many.
caminperth Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 Unfortunately not from me for 12AT7EH's.. Google can be a good place to start for the most popular ones. 12AU7's - a completely different story! I've got a heap of them!
BATMAQN Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 3 minutes ago, Yardbird said: @bzr and @caminperth any suggestions for the input tubes? @BATMAQN down the track cause I'm still working on my system and the direction I want to go with it. The Spendors will be the keepers but dedicated for Jazz. What's the big ASSS Sandia in mind? Might scope it out. All in all, I would still like to see what difference is achieved by swapping out tubes. So the inputs seems a good place to start as I don't have to buy as many. Fair enough mate. Sansui Alpha's whichever one you can get a hold of 907 707 BA-F1 AU719/717 would do the trick as well but the Alpha's will please more. How good are your recordings/room treatments do you have lots of hard surfaces these can play a pretty big part?
Yardbird Posted February 21, 2019 Author Posted February 21, 2019 @BATMAQN no treatment at this stage. I have a small room 3.4mtr (W) x 4.5 mtr (L) with an open back. I have treated anything for deflections etc and it's got hard surfaces cause of the records. I'd imagine that treatment might be a little difficult ATM. Still learning and trying to understand some values around acoustics. It has carpet and I was thinking to drop some think blankets over the records to try to absorb some of the lower frequencies? I've chucked up a quick photo for consideration. @caminperth Do you have a few 12AU7's that are matched and you don't use anymore? Would be happy to grab some of you if you're interested? Looking for something that's not too bright? A bit sweeter more than anything. 3
BATMAQN Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 3 minutes ago, Yardbird said: @BATMAQN no treatment at this stage. I have a small room 3.4mtr (W) x 4.5 mtr (L) with an open back. I have treated anything for deflections etc and it's got hard surfaces cause of the records. I'd imagine that treatment might be a little difficult ATM. Still learning and trying to understand some values around acoustics. It has carpet and I was thinking to drop some think blankets over the records to try to absorb some of the lower frequencies? I've chucked up a quick photo for consideration. @caminperth Do you have a few 12AU7's that are matched and you don't use anymore? Would be happy to grab some of you if you're interested? Looking for something that's not too bright? A bit sweeter more than anything. An awesome record collection, tough room and setup to work with @Yardbird 1
Yardbird Posted February 21, 2019 Author Posted February 21, 2019 Thinking so for a hard room to treat, so this won't be my priority ATM.
Steve M Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 With that room try listening nearfield, recreate an equilateral triangle with the tweeters crossing 1-3 feet behind your head. It should work well with an enveloping headphone like sound. I once heard a pair of Apogee Stage ribbon loudspeakers in a room like that, nearfield. It shouldn’t have worked in the confined space, but they sounded amazing with sounds emanating from the sides and rear like surround sound! Steve.
caminperth Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 2 hours ago, Yardbird said: @caminperth Do you have a few 12AU7's that are matched and you don't use anymore? Would be happy to grab some of you if you're interested? Looking for something that's not too bright? A bit sweeter more than anything. Not currently - also not sure if these would compatible with your amp? For 12AU7's I can highly recommend Amperex normal and Bugle Boy versions, long plate Brimar and Gold Lions - I've had great results with all of these.
caminperth Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Yardbird said: Edited February 21, 2019 by caminperth Double post
tubularbells Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 3 hours ago, Yardbird said: @BATMAQN no treatment at this stage. I have a small room 3.4mtr (W) x 4.5 mtr (L) with an open back. I have treated anything for deflections etc and it's got hard surfaces cause of the records. I'd imagine that treatment might be a little difficult ATM. Still learning and trying to understand some values around acoustics. It has carpet and I was thinking to drop some think blankets over the records to try to absorb some of the lower frequencies? I've chucked up a quick photo for consideration. @caminperth Do you have a few 12AU7's that are matched and you don't use anymore? Would be happy to grab some of you if you're interested? Looking for something that's not too bright? A bit sweeter more than anything. Nothing constructive to say other than dude your hardcore if that drum stool is your listening chair! 1
Yardbird Posted February 21, 2019 Author Posted February 21, 2019 11 minutes ago, Tubularbells said: Nothing constructive to say other than dude your hardcore if that drum stool is your listening chair! It's a little hommage to my now passed on Dad. Stuff that it's way too uncomfortable. Still switching things around.
Yardbird Posted February 21, 2019 Author Posted February 21, 2019 2 hours ago, Steve M said: With that room try listening nearfield, recreate an equilateral triangle with the tweeters crossing 1-3 feet behind your head. It should work well with an enveloping headphone like sound. I once heard a pair of Apogee Stage ribbon loudspeakers in a room like that, nearfield. It shouldn’t have worked in the confined space, but they sounded amazing with sounds emanating from the sides and rear like surround sound! Steve. I'm trying out out like that and it seems to be better. Do you think it'll affect the overall sound stage?
Yardbird Posted February 21, 2019 Author Posted February 21, 2019 @caminperth thanks for the info. I thought no I've just sourced a pair of Brimar from another member. I'll scope out for the other recommendations. There's a guy in Melbourne that sells a few new, but they're need to be burnt in? which would be a problem.
FR DRew Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 Check with Manley how hard they are running the supplied EL84M. A standard EL84 has slightly lower ratings so they could fry if Manley run the 84M at their limits... Expensive to fry a matched quad of Mullard's..
Mat-with-one-t Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 5 hours ago, Yardbird said: @BATMAQN no treatment at this stage. I have a small room 3.4mtr (W) x 4.5 mtr (L) with an open back. I have treated anything for deflections etc and it's got hard surfaces cause of the records. I'd imagine that treatment might be a little difficult ATM. Still learning and trying to understand some values around acoustics. It has carpet and I was thinking to drop some think blankets over the records to try to absorb some of the lower frequencies? I've chucked up a quick photo for consideration. @caminperth Do you have a few 12AU7's that are matched and you don't use anymore? Would be happy to grab some of you if you're interested? Looking for something that's not too bright? A bit sweeter more than anything. Is it just me or did someone steal your turntable? 1
Yardbird Posted February 21, 2019 Author Posted February 21, 2019 @Mat-with-one-t no it's getting the cartfitted to it ATM. But while we be on the topic, I'd say you pinched those Trevor Lees speakers from under me. I was next in line. Let me know when you want to pass them on. I'd be keen to run them for a while.
Mat-with-one-t Posted February 21, 2019 Posted February 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Yardbird said: @Mat-with-one-t no it's getting the cartfitted to it ATM. But while we be on the topic, I'd say you pinched those Trevor Lees speakers from under me. I was next in line. Let me know when you want to pass them on. I'd be keen to run them for a while. Ha, sorry about that mate. You’re welcome to borrow at some stage to get a feel for them! I have seen others pop up. Have you tried Trevor Lees direct? He still seems to have quite a cashe off stuff to offload....
Yardbird Posted February 21, 2019 Author Posted February 21, 2019 Yeah I spoke with his brother last week but it wasn't what I was looking for. Thanks for the offer. Might take you up on that sometime.
bzr Posted February 22, 2019 Posted February 22, 2019 On 21/02/2019 at 12:30 PM, Yardbird said: @bzr and @caminperth any suggestions for the input tubes? @BATMAQN down the track cause I'm still working on my system and the direction I want to go with it. The Spendors will be the keepers but dedicated for Jazz. What's the big ASSS Sandia in mind? Might scope it out. All in all, I would still like to see what difference is achieved by swapping out tubes. So the inputs seems a good place to start as I don't have to buy as many. I wouldn't be too quick to pass the Manley amps on, tubes are relatively cheap to change the sound & make you think you have a totally different sounding/amp/s all together. Check out htis link & just because it's related to a guitar amp means nothing at all. The same rules & laws of physics still apply... Oh, the sound, yes it's there too... https://reverb.com/au/news/how-to-improve-your-amps-tone-with-preamp-tube-swaps
Doctor Faustus Posted February 22, 2019 Posted February 22, 2019 Hi SNA'ers, Would love to get some advice and feedback in replacing the tubes on my mono blocks. I would like to achieve something that is more warmer, and most likely a little lay back as I listen to Jazz namely Bebop. The tubes that I am looking to replace are EL84 which I have learned are smaller pins, with more usage for guitar amps as opposed to audiophile HIFI; although, the amps are great listening regardless. Goals are to replace these blocks with something else in future.For today, I little learnings alone the way. I have been reading up on this, but sadly it comes off as a completely different language for me. I figure that if I'm to swap the EL84 to another one such as Mullard that I'd just need to get matched quads and redo the bias. Is this right? I am looking to achieve a British sound. I am also looking for some recommendations and experiences with this type of changes. In addition if someone has some that I can loan or cheap matched sets (quads x 2) that I can buy to start my journey into tubes. Current set up is Rega P7 | Rega Ania | Emotiva XSP-1 Gen 2 | Manley Mahi Mahi | Dynaudio Contour S 3.4 | Spendor S8 I have taken photos of the current tubes which have never been changed. As a side note: Am I running into issues using the Mahi's to drive the Dynaudio (4ohms)? Taken from the Manley website: Input Tube: 1 x 12AT7EH large plate Eletcro-Harmonix Russian Driver Tube: 1 x 6414 JAN NOS GE or Raytheon branded Output Tubes: 8 x EL84 Ships with Russian NOS EL84M (aka 6Pi14Pi-EB) Love your room.... reminds me of Michael Fremmer's room ....just need more stuff in there!!!You obviously love music....great to see!!!
Yardbird Posted February 22, 2019 Author Posted February 22, 2019 @bzr Thanks. I have tracked a few places down that have a few different NOS. So the Manley's will be play for a while whilst I get my head around a few things. Seems to be a great chance to swap out for a little cost and get a different sound for the amps. So good to know. @ToyoBoyo cheers mate. Unfortunately I'll purge heaps of the records in due course. Supply not my style of music. Need space now.
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