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Audio Research CD7's 6H30 tube rolling

The CD7 uses 6H30 tubes - 3 for power supply and 4 for the output stage.

Presently there are only new 6H30 tubes from Sovtek and Electro-Harmonix and NOS 6H30-DR tubes from the Russian military from around 20 years ago.

Some people have commented that the NOS tubes are sweeter sounding and have more "air" extension with their CJ or ARCref3 preamp equipment and others have commented that the latest new tubes (around 2005+?) sound so good that there isn't any difference anymore in sound.

Has anyone done tube rolling for this CD machine with the NOS tubes? And with what results? Would it be better to change the 3 power tubes or the 4 output tubes? Or all 7 tubes perhaps?

Thanks in advance for any comments!
flkin

Showing 1 response by oregonpapa

oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
I've been using my ARC CD-7 since it was new. I sent it back to the factory several years ago to have it upgraded to the "SE" version that upgraded the power supply. 

Here's how to make an already great sounding CD-7 sound much better: 

1.  Get the "SE" version or send your CD-7 back to the factory for the "SE" upgrade.

2.  Swap out the stock fuses for Synergistic Research Black fuses.

3.  Swap out the stock tube dampeners on all of the 6H30's for Herbie's tube dampeners. 

I am NEVER going to sell my CD-7 SE.  Its not quite what we love about analog, but its darned close. 

That's it.
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