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Anyone retube VTL 5.5 w/phono

I'm been bitten by the tube rolling bug!!
I have a VTL 5.5 with the built-in phone stage and NO manual. What stated it all was a lot of noise from the phone stage without the TT even turned on. I replaced the back pair of 12AX7's w/ NOS Mullards's and it's a lot better but still has a bit of noise. It has a mix of tubes in it now and was going to replace the rest on the phono board, but not sure to stick with the Mullards or try something else. Also was going to start on the line stage board...I was thinking of starting with the front pair, 12AX7,s as well. Any help would be great...Jim
jdevito801

Showing 3 responses by jdevito801

jdevito801 OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for info, this help a bunch. I have gone with the Mullard CV4004's as well in the phono stage for starters in the V1 slots to get the noise down and they made a big difference. So much that I put a second pair in the V2 slots. As for the V3 it uses the 12AT7 and I picked up a pair of the Mullard CV4024's to go there. All in all they have worked very well in the phono stage and the noise is much lower now and it sounds great with my Linn LP12. Based on the good results from the phono stage I was going to pick up a pair of the CV4004's(Cryo'ed to lower the noise even more). When these show up I will first try them in the V1 slot on the phono stage to see if the extra $$ makes a difference on the noise or not. That should take care of all the 12AX7's and will move to the 12AT7's. Good info on the Teles...I was thinking of giving those a try (ECC801S version=12AT7) and see how they sounded against the Mullards CV4024 in the line stage. It uses two pairs of AT7's and one pair of AX7's. Thanks again for the reply's and I'll let you know how it works out with the phono stage...Jim
jdevito801 OP
3 posts
 
Update: Received the pair of Cryo'ed CV4004's(12ax7) and first tried them in the phono stage (V1) and it seemed to me that the non-cryo Mullard pair has less noise...? Now have them in the line stage and they sound great!! Sounds to me that the V1 tubes on the phone stage made to biggest difference in the noise and the Mullard CV4004's worked great in the spot. Still want to try some teles in the 12at7 spots or any other suggestion out there? Thanks Jim
PS - does anyone have a manual that they can copy for me, please let me know and I will send some $$ for your time and trouble...Thanks!
jdevito801 OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for the reply. I have heard that same thing in the past as well regarding not having the stock tubes and VTL service. The 5.5 does have the Multicaps, but I will look for Radiotech tubes as well, had not thought of them before.
On a side note what amps are folks running with there VTL pre-amps. I have a Anthem Amp2 SE which is an hybrid but what to get into the mono block world...I think. Jim
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