Audible illusions Modulus 3A or Klyne 6L

Yes I've read your 10 posts and from the 1st, in which you make the statement that "unfortunately the AI is known to be a tube eater". It's my belief that you are attempting to convince readers that there is a technical problem with our design.

I also suggest you re-read my posts in which I have attempted to, constructively, address your concerns.

Regarding the popular term "tube roller", I have no problem with a person installing a particular tube in our preamp in an attempt to "voice the sound". Our objection are those who ignore our advice and plug in old-style tubes that soon become noisy then complain that our preamp is hard on tubes.

Try plugging old 6DJ8 type tubes in another modern tube preamp design like Audio Research etc. and you will soon discover they become noisy. I also know that, for the same reason, some tube mfgs. have abandoned this tube in favor of the Russian 6H30 tube or now use another tube type like the 12AX7. AI has continued to use frame grid tubes because we feel our design has proven its reliability providing the user understand that not all NOS tubes will last in a modern-day, open-loop, no cathode follower design like the Modulus. Regards, Jerry/AI's Tech.

Well, sorry for the misinterpretation or the bad choice of words but to convince people to look elsewhere is not and was not my intention. I also repeated many times it should not be a concern for people who do not mind using russian tubes on a continuous basis.

I did acknowledge your responses and they were constructive and said it was courageous of yours. But I retain one of your last sentences because it was the only concern of my intervention on this thread : "AI has continued to use frame grid tubes because we feel our design has proven its reliability providing the user understand that not all NOS tubes will last in a modern-day, open-loop, no cathode follower design like the Modulus." Now if this is not a statement people who want to use NOS tubes should look elsewhere, I don't know what else could be said !

Now I would like you to put yourself in a prospective customer, of used or new gear,not as knowledgeable as a electro technician, who is trying to make a choice between many units he heard, most of the time not enough, sometimes in a hurry because the deal is passing by and he has to decide quickly. The type of scenario a lot of audiophiles have passed through, including me, a realistic and very actual scenario. Is there a lot of info, in audio magazines, reviews, or from a dealer very specifically saying : you must not install NOS tubes in this unit. Of course, it will be written in the instruction manual (when it is). Do you know a lot of people who read the instruction manual BEFORE buying a piece of gear or any other apparel ? I don't !! And the proof, a lot of people ask questions on Audiogon and look for help and info to make the best with their investment. Furthermore, some complain, in private directly to you, or publicly here and everywhere else for everyone to see.

So what happens to an audiophile, less experienced, who wants to have the possibility of rolling tubes because he heard himself the effect at a friend's place, read about it, or just happens to be not satisfied because the gear he just bought doesn't sound as good as he thought in his system. Should he know that AI is NOT the type of gear he should get if rolling could be his intention ? Is the dealer considerate enough to mention it to his customer ? Openly, knowing he could loose the sale ? And you Jerry, as a representative of your employer, would you openly disclose it to potential buyers ? If yes is your answer, well your kinda unique and honest person !! Would you say the same of all your dealers ? Of all your customers selling their gear on the used market ?

Jerry, you were kind enough to intervene in this thread, and respectfully bring some enlightment on the matter. Hopefully, these exchanges will educate people asking for info.
regards !

My technician asked that I review this Audiogon thread and make a comment. I advised him to try avoiding a "pissing contest" and reply to the principal's question; Which preamp is best synergy for my system?

Both preamps represent excellent examples of preamplifier design. One is solid-state the other tube. Take your pick, Vanilla or Chocolate...

However considering his associated equipment, I'm inclined to suggest he consider the Klyne rather than our M3A. It's a wonderful preamp, well-designed with a proven track record of reliability. With the Klyne preamp this system should provide many years of musical enjoyment.

Many thanks to the Modulus owners who commented on tube reliability. However my advice is to "stay on target" and answer the question trying to avoid as much here-say as possible. Good Listening, A.Ferris/Audible Illusions

Thank you !

The Klyne is an extremely musical preamp, and not just a matter of what one likes if ones reference is live music. If you have ever heard a live triangle, and you then play a recording of one on a Klyne, the Klyne will sound the most true to life. It surpassed my ARC SP-11 by far in that one respect, although I owned it back around 85-88, along with the '11 and the CAT. It's quite low in noise and extremely pure-sounding, meaning distortion. I've heard very few preamps since then that mimic live instruments as well as the Klyne, including my CAT, AI, Jadis, and a few others. I wonder if Klyne managed to cure it of its non-dimensionality, a problem back then, but, perhaps, not now. The Modulus is also quite low in noise. Lower noise will generally render a purer sound due to the lack of "fog" surrounding the air around an instrument.