Coincident Frankenstein mk.2 amps

Charles/Joe,

Thank you for the useful discussion about the tubes on the Frankenstein Mk ii. I just want to add my 2 cents because I had chance to try some rectifiers (RCA 5U4GB, Tung-sol 5U4GB, and EML 5U4GM), and output tubes (Psvane 300BT, 300BT-II, EML 300BM, and Takatsuki TA-300B).
To my ear, the Tung-sol/Takatsuki was the best by far out of all the combinations I have tried.
Rectifier: the RCA 5U4GB was the close second. As for the EML 5U4GM...I don't know... it added little more bass to my system, but that was all. It immediately killed three dimensionality, dynamics and transparency which had been easily conveyed by the Tung-sol.
Output tubes: In my system, the sound from Psvane was fast and nimble which I enjoyed. EML 300BM added more liquidity,musicality and authority in the bass, but it was not my cup of tea-little too slow. Takatsuki? As soon as putting them into the slots...I immediately talked to myself; That's it. Beautiful texture in every frequency range, significant musicality, no artificial exaggeration at the bottom (which I felt from EML 300BM), but still fast and tight notes with excellent tonal balance. I think this is the very best.

By the way, have you ever tried HiFi Tuning Supreme fuses for the amp? I would appreciate if you can give me any comments on that. Do you know the specfication of stock fuses?

Thanks!
Wu

Hi Charles,
Yes I definitely agree that we all listen to music in our own ways. Probable reasons I have the discrepant opinion on the EML were I) mine is EML 300BM (mesh), not XLS (I am not sure how they are different though), and ii) my ears are somewhat familiar with fast SS amps such as Soulution and Dartzeel. My current system is really simple. The Frankensteins are fed by DCS Vivaldi DAC and they drive Voxativ Amppeggio Signature. These are not most popular ones, but I am extremely fascinated by this 101dB, 11 ohm, single driver speakers. In my system, the 16 ohm tap is much better than the 8 ohm just like you said. While comparing those two taps, I felt the similar thing I noticed when I exchanged Tung-Sol rectifier to EML 5u4g. (if you are still tempted by the EML, you already know who is going to sell them to you Haha!) Thanks for the stock specification of the fuse.

@Isochronism Hahaha

Hi Joe,

Yes I bought the pair directly from Japan where one of my friends lives. I cannot say anything exactly because it seems the -XLS could be quite different than the -M, but the Takasuki is at least worthwhile to try in my opinion. Yes they are expensive...but we may have to spend much more money to achieve the same amount of improvements one can expect from the Takasuki-Just my thought.
My experience about the input tubes are very limited. Just tried GE NOS and Sylvania NOS, but didn't hear the difference.

Happy listening!

Charles,
Yes I think my current system is producing a sound I like. I have owned various speakers just like everybody else here, and solution/dartzeel shine with some speakers, but not with voxativ (according to both many reviewers and the manufacturer). This was my first SET and I am much more than happy with the match. I still miss the ultra fast speed of s oulution and the near perfect combination of musicality and power of dartzeel , but I would not go back to them as long as keeping the voxativ.

You can always ask Dave in Arizona Tube Supply in eBaynregarding the tungsol. I recently bought matched nos pair from him.

Best regards,

Wu

Charlie

As Joe said, I think you should have 5u4gb not 5u4g. One time I asked to Coincident whether I can use 274b tube in the 5u4g slot. His answer was like this: i do not recommend it since its voltage rating is less than a 5U4 Gb and the power supply of the Franks is very large."
Haha yes...probably I will consider the virtual system as you recommended.

Charlie/Joe
Have you ever heard anything good/bad about Audio Horizon's tube?

Best regards,

Wu