For fun, I just installed a pair of NOS Amprex PQ White label E81CC's (12AT7's) that I had purchased for my CD player. I had to switch to the 12V position for those, compared to the 6V position for the stock 6922's. I will let them burn in overnight and listen tomorrow. |
Rodman99999, thanks for the comments - those CCa's are excellent (and expensive as you say), but I suspect they do more for some equipment than for others. They didn't seem to help the SF Line 3 SE too much, probably since it is already a little linear and forward sounding. I wasn't as good at system matching back then. |
Yeah, I copied Joe's paper a couple of years ago and noted he doesn't even discuss the 12AT7. That is the only tube my CDP uses. He also doesn't like 12AU7, saying - "I would say this is a fairly unexceptional tube family." I found it interesting Andy at Vintage Tube didn't seem to like 6922 tubes, a few years ago when I called him to discuss retubing my SF Line 3SE. Some like 6SN7's in preamps for their "bigger" sound, and I found that true in an A-S MP3. BTW, the Amperex E81CC's sound different, but overall better in the Zoe than the EH 6922, although they do not seem to offer as much gain and they may not be as good as the 6922 at higher volumes. At low/mid volumes they are smoother, richer, more dimensional and maybe quieter, but that may be a function of tube quality and not tube type. Thanks for your thoughts. |
Are you sure about the phase inversion? I did not know that. I will reverse leads and see what it sounds like. Keep me posted on your tube trials. I am in the process of getting a pair of NOS Amperex 6922's to try. |
Cyclonicman, I appreciate your comments but the Zoe is specifically made to operate with the range of tubes listed above. The preamp has a SATC (automatic tube adaptation) circuit and user switchable 6V/12V plate voltage, and the owner's manual specifically lists the tubes I listed above as all being compatable. One just has to remember to switch to the appropriate voltage, although yes the gains are different for the different tubes. Right now it sounds very good with some RCA 12AT7 black plates installed. I am still interested in trying a pair of premium NOS 6922 tubes, and currently looking into different sources. |
Hi Keshiri, I still don't have the "feel" of the Zoe, and honestly have not paid too much attention to where the volume knob is set. It is a very nice preamp, and an absolute steal for the price, and I compared it head to head with the Vibe/Pulse. Interesting about the black plates, I have a special pair of them (blessed by monks or something) from Brian at AAudio in my CD player and they sound great. This pair in the Zoe was originally a little noisy in the CD player, but are absolutely quiet in the preamp. Maybe they were not seated properly in the player. I have only used the AT7's and the original 6922's in the preamp, but it seemed the 6922's had a bit more drive, and the AT7's are a bit richer and sweeter sounding. |
Keshiri, I ended up taking out the 12AT7's and putting back in the stock EH 6922. Based on my limited experience with the Zoe so far, the 6922 tubes seem the way to go. As HP said, it is sort of fun being able to roll different tubes; but in the end I suspect the manufacturer already did this and put the most compatable tube type in the stock units. That said, I received the Amperex PQ USA White labels this week and burned them in a couple of days, then man oh man, what a nice sound. I have owned some pretty expensive gear, but I consistantly find the most expensive or most highly rated stuff is not necessarily what I like best. To me, this Lector set up (CDP 7TL MkIII and Zoe) is just great - very musical, dynamic, clear, quiet and just plain fun to listen to. I am currently running that front end into Cary 500MB monos and my Aerial 9's. I do have a wanted ad for another preamp (Lamm LL2), one I have always wanted to try, but I am not in a huge rush because everything sounds so good right now. Regarding your Zoe, I would stay with a 6922 varient, and personally I like the Amperex. I have used the CCa's Rodman99999 talks about in a SF Line 3 SE I used to own, and they are nice but maybe a touch on the clear/extended/neutral side of things compared to the better Amperex's which are a little more in the rich/organic/full-sounding camp - both have good bass. |
Keshiri, I didn't realize your Zoe came with the 12AU7's. Mine is the newer model with black side panels (a recent demo) and I believe it came with the EH 6922's. Brian at Aaudio said they have upgraded some parts in the newer model, but Lector always seems to be behind in the documentation department, so I don't know which parts. Anyway, with the PQ White label 6922's in my Zoe, the sound is fantastic in a very musical sort of way, with a full rich midrange and excellent bass, but maybe giving up a small amount to the best I have heard in the high frequencies (probably not a fault of the tubes). I do not have 12AU7's in the house, but I do have a small variety of 12AT7's I have used with the CDP 7TL. In general, I like the 6922's better in the Zoe than the 12AT7's, even the stock EH 6922's sounded pretty good - no less clear than the PQ White's but not as rich and without the quality of bass texture.
In the CDP 7TL MkIII, which only accepts 12AT7's, I have to say I like the RCA triple mica black plates I purchased from Brian the best, expensive though. I also liked some NOS Mullard's I tried, but not as much as the black plates, which display superior clarity and extension. The US Jan white label Amperex 7308's you are getting are also supposed to be a pretty good tube, let us know how you like them. |
