Hi Charles,
Does the EML render vocals with lifelike presence?
I went ahead and just ordered the Frank's without hearing them, but from all the feedback and fellow audiophile opinions I'm sure I'll love them.
Thanks, looking forward to receiving them!
Joe |
Yeah, those EML rectifiers sure look pretty. Maybe somebody on the forum will let us know how they sound.
Joe |
Thanks Charles and Iramirez.
Yes, I use a Undertone sub and the pairing is excellent. IMHO, the sub is almost mandatory. The deep bass of course is better, more importantly the tonal balance is fuller and more fleshed out. The soundstage also opens up nicely and the sound is effortless.
I'm using a First Watt J2 amp which sounds wonderful. I love female vocals and I am hoping the 300b amps will give me that spooky real palability.
Thanks for reassuring me they will drive my speakers with aplomb.
Charles, if I decide to purchase them be prepared for me picking your brain and which 300b to use. ;)
Joe |
Thanks everyone! Waiting on the gentleman from Audio Loft in Manhattan
to call for an audition. He said in couple of weeks after he relocates.
I'll let you know what I think.
Joe |
Has anybody heard the new psvane 300b-t mk.II tube in their amps? How
do they compare to the EML 300b XLS?
I spoke to Israel the other day. He said the amps now ship with the clear
glass Psvane's and sound very good.
Joe |
Thanks Charles for all your input! My first tube purchase will probably be the EML's. Where did you get that price? The price I've seen is $720.
Once I have some time on the amps and extra money put on the side, I'll spring for the takatsuki's.
Thanks for all your help!
Best,
Joe |
I received my Franks to other day. I have around 15 hours on them the sound is pretty good. How many hours before it fully opens up?
Hopefully, the soundstage will expand both in width and layered depth and the sound will really flesh out, as of now my First Watt J2 sounds much better.
I am using the EML 300b XLS tubes. On my amps the 300b sockets ( big pins face the back) make the front of the tubes face the back of the amp.
Is anybody else's that way? I would like it turned around, so you can see the light and nice label.
Joe |
I'll be patient, Charles. No knee jerk reactions, just giving my first thoughts.
The amp is very quiet and the sound is grain free,which is a good think.
After all these years I know it will get better, just wanted to know how much better. |
Ok, with more hours logged in the amp is starting to open up nicely! First off they drive the speakers with plenty of power. They are dynamic, fast, transparent, and extended at both ends. No warm fuzzy rolled of sound here. Tonal balance is very good.
The EML XLS are very extended and linear, hopefully they will get a little warmer with more hours on them.
The amps still need some more time, but are improving steadily. The midrange hasn't yet fully developed that palpable presence I'm looking for. I'm sure once the amps are fully broken in and some tube rolling in my preamp,I'll get there.
Did anybody try different 6em7 and 5u4g tubes? My amps came with Raytheon 6em7's and RCA 5u4gb tubes. The RCA's were structured a little different from each other. One was taller and had a side getter the other was shorter and had a top getter. I put in my taller black plate straight glass 5u4gb tubes and got a little better focus and the highs became airier. |
Yes, it is a gorgeous tube when lit. Thanks for the heads up!If I'm ever ready to purchase, I'll make sure it's compatible in my amps. |
Update: I have around 150 hours on the amps and they are sounding much better! They opened up nicely with a refined natural tonal balance, good separation and layered depth. Bass is tuneful and goes pretty deep, very good for a SET amp. The midrange is starting to really sound organic with nice flow. Highs are extended,airy, with a natural decay.
Notice I keep using the word natural, because it is the opposite of cold, dry, thin, grainy, sterile, hyper detailed sound. Don't misunderstand and think the amps are slow, syrupy, and lacking detail. Further from the truth, it just portrays acoustic music in a natural believeable way.
They are keepers and supposedly will get even better with more time!
Joe |
My speakers are 16 ohms. I'm using the 16 ohm taps.
I first ordered the Decware, but cancelled the order for the Franks.
People who have them love them, personally I haven't heard them. FYI
Decware is coming out with a Torii IV. |
Hi Charles,
If you mean main differences in sound, the two amps don't sound vastly different. The First Watt is Class A single- ended using Jfet output transistors, which is a pretty rare bird.
The amp circuit acts somewhat like a tube amp. The amp loses half it's output at 4ohms & 16ohms. With my Druids V I only have 13 watts of power, which was plenty.
They are both lively engaging amps. The J2 goes deeper and has more slam. The Franks have better texture.The leading edge is more pronounced but does not have the sustain of the Franks on the trailing edge. Midrange is pretty close. The Franks are more liquid sounding with more air. Both amps have excellent treble. I think the Franks with the EML 300b XLS tubes gives a little more extension and refinement. The J2 has a touch more grain.
They both throw a wide deep layered soundstage and have excellent see thru qualities, which extracts very fine details and you can see deep into the soundstage.
I really enjoy both amps and will keep them both. Hopefully with more time the Franks midrange will flesh out even more. Would love to hear the old WE 300b & your Takatsuki's.
Can you tell me what is the fuse size? I would like to upgrade the fuses.
Best,
Joe |
Charles, I'll give Israel a call mine look like 1.6 amp, but it's hard to make out. |
Hi Charles,
Yeah, I put AMR gold fuses in. It was a worthwhile improvement. I'm loving
the amps, after 35 years in this hobby I finally am really content with my
system.
It sounds so natural, organic, and so full of life. I stopped analyzing and
just enjoy the music. I'm in a good place right now,thanks to you and others
on this forum!
I played around with different rectifiers and like the tung-sol 5u4gb and
sylvania 5931 the best. After the holidays I'll try and spring for the
Takatsuki's, but the EML 300b XLS are very nice.
Best,
Joe |
Hi Wu,
I tried a few different rectifiers and liked the Tung-Sol 5u4gb and Sylvania 5931 the best. The Sylvania is a beautiful built tube.
The Pvsane hi-fi 300b which came with the amps weren't bad, but the EML 300b XLS tubes are much better. They are more extended in the bass and treble have a organic,lively, open, sound which is very engaging. They don't sound slow to me.
I would love to try the Takasuki tubes some day, but are very expensive.
I changed the fuses to AMR gold fuses which sounded a little more natural. Sorry didn't try the Hi-fi Supremes.
Did anybody try different 6em7 tubes?
Wu, where did you purchase the Takasuki tubes, can you buy them straight from Japan? You can answer on my system page if you like.
I'm very happy with my Franks! |
It has Charles, just compared to the Pvsane it has the qualities I described and I mentioned organic: wink.
Best,
Joe |
Charles,
I bought my Tung-Sol 5u4gb's from Andy at Vintage Tube Services. He is very good and stands behind his tubes.
I don't think the Franks can use 5u4g's
Joe |
I just received my Takatsuki TA-300b tubes. They sound very nice right out of the box. How many hours before they really shine?
I also bought the star sound tech. apprentice stands. They added clarity and good separation especially in the treble, but I lost some tonal density. They did improve after a week, but I'll give Robert a call. I think you can adjust the sound loosening or tightening the cones. |
Thanks for the reply, guys! Looking forward to break-in.
Best,
Joe |
Tbg, I do have the 2 back audio points where the transformers sit. |
Hi ajant,
I sent you a PM did you receive it. |
Charles,
Hopefully, that's what these sites are all about my friend. To help each other with honest and valued insight.
I know I get that from you and others, but we should always try to listen for ourselves, if at all possible. |
Charles, I traded in the J2 for the XA-30.8
Best,
Joe |
Hi 1markr,
Congratulations on being a Frank owner. They are wonderful amps. Like you said they really sound big and powerful for an 8 watt amp, don't they.
IMS, The Mullard GZ37 weren't edgy at all.
They have the nicest midrange and if anything they are a little rolled off in the treble compared to my Tungsol 5u4gb and Sylvania 5931.
I also changed the coupling caps to Jupiter copper foil, so maybe the difference of opinion.
I really like the Takatsuki TA-300b tubes the best in the Franks, but they are very expensive.
Enjoy the amps they are excellent!
Joe |
Hi Charles,
Actually I just put the Pass XA-30.8 in about a month ago and I'm really enjoying it too!
I like the Franks for their organic naturalness, texture and openness.
The Pass comes pretty close and is impressive for a SS amp, but isn't quite there. It has other qualities where it shines like a wider and maybe deeper soundstage. Goes deeper in the bass, it really takes control of those 16 woofers. It's really smooth and dynamic with a fuller upper bass to lower midrange. I like it better then the First Watt J2 that I use to have.
It also has very good separation and nice layering.
Which do I like better, that's a hard one to answer.
For Jazz and Vocals the SET for harder hitting music the 30.8
No hard decision. I'll keep them both!😉
Joe
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