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Cary CAD-211AE tube rolling

I have done a search but have been unable to find a similar thread. I am after opinions from people who have tried tube rolling their CAD-211's.

I have replaced the standard Chinese output tubes with a quad matched set of Shuguang Psvane 845's from Grant Electronics. They took a long time to burn in, but once they did they are a definite improvement over the stock tubes. Wider soundstage, more detail, and better dynamics.

I have also replaced the no-name 6SC7 input tube that came with my amp to an Electro-Harmonix 6SC7, and then a vintage RCA 6SC7. The EHX was a downgrade from the standard Chinese tube, sounding muddy despite burn-in. The RCA is a definite improvement, with much better micro-dynamics, resolution, and a more lush presentation.

I am now after a new 300B. I would like to try the KR, but these are now very expensive. Emission Labs make a few (including a drop in replacement for the Western Electric 300B) - these are available in plate and mesh forms.

Cary 211 owners - what 300B's have you tried in your amp? Or for that matter, what tubes have you tried?
amfibius

Showing 1 response by melkior

melkior
20 posts
 
Hello :-)

I have a pair of Cary CAD 211 AE, which have been fully modified inside, believe me the result is simply incredible, beyong what I imagined !
There were obviously some limitations coming from the caps and power supply. Fortunately the transfos are quite very good so it allows some tweaks without reaching the red line.
I also removed the cat's eyes which draw 1,5A from the power supply, for nothing than just a green light, and put a nice big blue led instead (1500 mcd - 16mm diameter).

The tubes I selected are :

Shuguand 845B
EML 300B (XLS for me but normal version is perfect)
NOS RCA Red base (6SL7)
NOS Siemens EL34 (6CA7)

Biggest improvement on voices comes from both 6CA7 and 6SL7, I have been totally astonished when I change the original EH EL34 with Siemens.
I've made a mistake when ordering the 300B's, I took the XLS instead of the normal ones, XLS can support up to 500-550V when the available tension in the Carys is around 370V, so the XLS are not working at their best, but anyway they work fine.

I did not imagine that a simple current source tube (EL34) could provide a so big analogic effect.
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