Anybody own Audio Experience Symphonies?

I posted a reply a while back. I have recently rolled the tubes from EH to the re-issue Tung Sols on a tip from Mr McShane at Tube Asylum (there is a specific series of re-issue Tung Sols that he recommends over others). Another full step in improvement. More bass slam and dynamics. Complex material comes off much better. Centered images are a bit more forward while the rear images stay rear. Now I understand what was meant by the TNT review saying that the music was a bit disjointed with the EH tubes. Then after about 100 hours of the new tubes, I changed out the rectifier tube to an early 1950's RCA. I never expected a rectifier tube could make more than a tiny difference, but it did. Much improved texture in the treble region. Gobs of detail yet relaxed. This one is a keeper.

hi all,

Well, also looking at the Symphony Plus. It was also suggested to go to the Grounded Grid Preamp from Transcendentsound. I was Told that it might be a better preamp. Now the Plus also appeals to me too. It does have some good stuff built in to the circuit design. Besides, you can tube roll this with maybe some 5814's or 5751. tubes. Don't know for sure on that one. For under 600 bucks, it's supposed to be a killer. So if you have gotten one lately, would be interested in your take. Just email me directly:

raybronk@comcast.net

Would appreciate it. I'm told construction on the plus versus the non version is first rate.

if you have had some experience with the GGp too, would be interested.

Hi again,

Well I see this thread has gone by the wayside. So I would like some newer users who are now using or have used the Symphony plus chime in with there information.

I'm also looking at the Grounded Grid Preamplifier from Transcendent sound. So any comments would be most appreciated.

Pls give some suggestion, if anybody used subject pre.

I bought a Symphonies+R about 2 1/2 years ago & tried it very briefly. The try-out was brief because the unit seems to be extremely susceptible to RFI & my place in Seattle is RFI Hell. Also, I suspect a lack of synergy between my power amp at the time, an Odyssey Stratos. Even if it hadn't been picking up the local FM station, I just wasn't particularly impressed with the sound: it seemed too bright & just not musical, for lack of a better word. A couple of days ago I put it into another system here in Bangkok driving a pair Omega Super 3 v2s via ASL SET monoblocks & the sound is simply splendid.