okc_smoker Posted March 6 Posted March 6 Anyone know if it's safe to run 5814A's in the 12au7 spots? They're generally talked about as a direct replacement for 12au7, but I just came across some info saying that they have higher heater draw and could cause problems depending on the circuit. I already have a pair I was going to try, but now I'm wondering if that's a good idea...
xlr8or Posted March 6 Posted March 6 5 hours ago, okc_smoker said: Anyone know if it's safe to run 5814A's in the 12au7 spots? They're generally talked about as a direct replacement for 12au7, but I just came across some info saying that they have higher heater draw and could cause problems depending on the circuit. I already have a pair I was going to try, but now I'm wondering if that's a good idea... My understanding is that the manual confirms they can be used as a substitute. 2
okc_smoker Posted March 6 Posted March 6 19 minutes ago, xlr8or said: My understanding is that the manual confirms they can be used as a substitute. Thanks. I must be getting old because I keep forgetting the manual lists acceptable substitutes On another note, I just picked up this cover from RadioDustCovers.com for around $80 (USD). They're made to order and I'm really impressed with how it turned out. I'm not sure if he ships internationally, but it'd be worth inquiring if anyone is interested. (I have no affiliation other than being a happy customer)
okc_smoker Posted March 13 Posted March 13 (edited) It's gotten pretty dead in here lately, but I figured I'd post some tube impressions for posterity. I know it's been helpful to me to hear people's experience with various tubes, so here it goes... 12ax7 GE 5751WA Black Plate Triple Mica - This was the first 12ax7 I tried and I haven't been able to bring myself to change it. It addressed every issue I had identified with the stock tube (thin/nasally male vocals, etc.) and is just so good. I have a few more I will try soon though, probably this weekend. Among them, an Amperex Bugle Boy and a Mullard Blackburn. 12au7 I will note that I've been a little surprised at how little difference these make compared to the 12ax7 tube. Some tubes that I was expecting a big change from barely gave me anything. A couple others have been slightly more noticeable. RCA Long Black Plate - Perhaps a slight widening of the soundstage, but very tough to pick up on any difference from stock. The difference was slight enough that I'm still not sure it's not in my head. Nothing to complain about though. RCA (Conn) 12au7a Clear Top - I had high hopes for these as I was looking for a little more up top and that's what these are known for. Sadly, I couldn't really tell a difference from the Long Black Plates (that is, slightly better soundstage than stock, but really hard to tell). Tungsram National - Now we're getting somewhere! Still not as dramatic a difference as the 12ax7, but a very noticeable improvement. More 3D/depth/holographic and more texture in the bass/mids. Possibly slightly smoother highs as well. My current favorite. Mazda/Miniwatt 12au7a Cooper Grid - These are an interesting animal. These have some kind of special magic in the upper mids that makes them even more 3D sounding than the Tungsrams. Lows/mids are about on par with the Trungrams (which is great!). I did notice that the soundstage was a bit narrower. Everything was happening between the speakers, but whatever the special sauce is makes these things just intoxicating. Unfortunately, there is a catch. There is some kind of "glare" or something on the upper mids, female vocals especially, that can make me wince on certain notes. It's not at all harsh and the highs aren't overemphasized, there's just something about the way it presents certain notes that almost feels painful. I REALLY want to like these, so I'm hoping maybe pairing them with the Mullard might tone down whatever that quality is. RCA 5814A Command Black Plate - Coming from the Tungsrams, these were a bit "meh". Audio memory is tricky, but I'd put these roughly on par with the other RCAs. Not bad, decent soundstage, but just a little flat and missing that magic for me. I'll give these another try at some point, probably with a different 12ax7 just to see if there's better synergy to be had with another pairing. In the scheme of things, they still sound great. I think I'm just starting to zero in on the sound I like and these (and the other RCAs) don't have it as much as the Tungsrams or the Mazdas. Edited March 13 by okc_smoker 1
Nicky Flex Posted March 18 Posted March 18 (edited) Has anyone used KT88 Psvane ART? Now there are discounts on Aliexpress - there is a temptation to buy the PSVANE KT88 ART and PSVANE Treasure KT88-Z series or Shuguang WE KT88 PLUS. I am currently using the re-released Gold Lion KT88. Will PSVANE be better? Edited March 18 by Nicky Flex
jon96789 Posted March 18 Posted March 18 I have the Psvane KT-88-Z Treasures as well as their KT-88-T MK II and the reissued Gold Lion KT-88s. I prefer the Gold Lions over both Psvanes. Actually, they all similar, with the Psvanes being a bit more detailed but the Gold Lions sounds more musical in my setup. The Psvane tubes makes the X7 sound more like a solid state amplifier. One issue i have with Psvane is their reliability. Two of them failed within a couple of months of purchase, one red plated and the other just died. I also noted that people have reported the Psvane Horizons sold on Amazon have reliability and noise issues even though they were supposed to be tested 24 hours before leaving the factory. Make sure you find out what the seller's return policy is before buying. The sellers I bought from had a six month warranty. I did not experience any issues getting a replacement for the defective tubes. Another issue I have with Psvane tubes is their so-called factory tube matching. All the quads I bought were supposedly factory matched with paper certificates indicating their tested measurements. All the certificates had identical measurements which is practically impossible. I have a MaxiMatcher tube tester and when I measured the tubes, there was a big discrepancy in the actual measurements. The EL34PH tubes were all certified at 29 mA but scored between 24 and 35 mA. The ART tubes measured 31-36 mA, the Treasures 34-40 mA. In comparison, the Gold Lions were measured at 51-53 mA and my Groove Tubes an amazing 35.5-35.8. The Mullards tested excellently as well at 44.3-45.3... I also have a Willsenton R8 and have the Psvane EL34-PH Legends as well as the Psvane 6CA7-T3 ART and their Psvane EL34-Z Treasures... I could not discern any differences in sound between the Treasure and ART tubes, the Legend sounded pretty thin with no warmth. I prefer the reissued Mullard EL34s and even better, the Groove Tubes EL34-M tubes over the Psvanes. They are more musical and have better imaging over the Psvanes. While I find the Psvane variants okay, I think they are overpriced and not as good a value as the other brands. The Psvanes were $300-400/quad and the Mullards were $160/quad and the GT were only $150/quad. 1
okc_smoker Posted March 18 Posted March 18 14 minutes ago, jon96789 said: I have the Psvane KT-88-Z Treasures as well as their KT-88-T MK II and the reissued Gold Lion KT-88s. I prefer the Gold Lions over both Psvanes. Actually, they all similar, with the Psvanes being a bit more detailed but the Gold Lions sounds more musical in my setup. The Psvane tubes makes the X7 sound more like a solid state amplifier. Based on your experience with Psvane KT88's sound, would you say the stock tubes are most likely Psvane as well? My assumption was that they are either Psvane or Shuguang...
Nicky Flex Posted March 18 Posted March 18 1 hour ago, jon96789 said: The Psvanes were $300-400/quad I think I'll take a chance and try LE88 ART (%340 ) or Shuguang WE KT88 PLUS. (%380). I'm still studying the information. There are also long-lasting and very expensive (about $1,000 with delivery) Sophia Electric Coke-bottle KT88-ST
okc_smoker Posted March 18 Posted March 18 1 hour ago, Nicky Flex said: I think I'll take a chance and try LE88 ART (%340 ) or Shuguang WE KT88 PLUS. (%380). I'm still studying the information. There are also long-lasting and very expensive (about $1,000 with delivery) Sophia Electric Coke-bottle KT88-ST These are the Shuguang tubes I've seen recommended the most and this place has them for $225. https://youdaelectronics.com/products/4pcs-1-matched-quad-shuguang-kt88-z 1
jon96789 Posted March 18 Posted March 18 4 hours ago, okc_smoker said: Based on your experience with Psvane KT88's sound, would you say the stock tubes are most likely Psvane as well? My assumption was that they are either Psvane or Shuguang... The stock tubes I got appeared to be supplied by Psvane, I believe it was their base KT-88-C which sells for about $150/quad in China (which was also OEMed to Willsenton)... I noticed that their OEM tubes varied with time. I bought two Willsenton R8s and the KT88s supplied were completely different variants. I figure they bought the cheapest tubes that were available at the time. 1 hour ago, okc_smoker said: These are the Shuguang tubes I've seen recommended the most and this place has them for $225. https://youdaelectronics.com/products/4pcs-1-matched-quad-shuguang-kt88-z Shuguang's KT-88-T Natural Sound tubes are supposed to sound better, Stephe of Skunkie liked them a lot... I think she is liking the Psvane Horizon 6550Cs better now... https://youdaelectronics.com/products/quad-shuguang-kt88-t They are USD$280/quad... Just make sure that they have a warranty period before buying any tubes from China... 1
sippy2 Posted March 19 Posted March 19 3 hours ago, jon96789 said: Just make sure that they have a warranty period before buying any tubes from China... Youda does stand behind their warranty...had a tube go bad a lil over 90 days and they replaced it. Asked for me to send a video of it being destroyed...sent a matched replacement....had it in about a week. Still using them...they are my fall back tube in this slot. My favs are the Russian SED winged c 6550...but they fail at a high rate....so not worth it at all.
sippy2 Posted March 19 Posted March 19 BTW I am using the KT-88Z okc smoker referenced...and thought that was what Skunkie liked in one of her videos.
jon96789 Posted March 19 Posted March 19 You're right! She did mention the KT-88-Z, not the KT-88-T... Shuguang did mention that the KT-88-T Natural Sound tubes are an upgrade from the others.
Nicky Flex Posted March 30 Posted March 30 The latest update is the Brimar lamps (1950+ & 1960+), the sound has become a little warmer with a greater presence effect. I also installed the Mullard GZ34 (1960+). Before that, I purchased a set of RCA (1950+) and Baldwin (1960+) lamps. This made the sound more tube-like than with Gold Lion (12AU7/12AX7) The strongest sound improvement is due to the replacement of capacitors with Mundorf
Nicky Flex Posted March 30 Posted March 30 Today I conducted an experiment - I compared the sound of the built-in preamp and the external one (Holo audio Serene KTE with fuse SR Purple). An external preamp gives a more transistor-like sound. The X7 as an integrated amplifier sounds more interesting and more tube-like The operating experience is marred only by the non-precise volume control of the remote control X7
okc_smoker Posted April 1 Posted April 1 For the time being I've settled on a Mullard Blackburn 12ax7 with Mazda/Miniwatt 12au7's. My other favorite combo is an Amperex Bugle Boy 12ax7 with Tungsram 12au7's. Both combos strike a nice balance between full, rich mids with clear, holographic highs. I've still got some other combos I'd like to try, but the urgency to roll has subsided a bit and I'm just enjoying how it sounds. 2
jon96789 Posted April 11 Posted April 11 FYI, Psvane just notified me that due to Donald Trump's tariffs, all of their tube prices will go up by 25%... This was before the tariffs were raised to 125%. It remains to be seen how much more the tube prices will go up by...
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