... How to select tubes for line level preamp ...


Hi to all...

Kinda happy with the sound of my present system: older Marantz SA-8001 SACD, into Wolze Line Level preamp with 2- EF86s and 2-12AX7 tubes, and pre-out to a discoed Yamaha HTA-5550, into a pair of KEF Q1s. The sound is really nice )
amazing midrange ( would be happier if the center/vocals were pushed more forward), adequate bass and thumping drums - but the upper sparkle (cymbals and other higher pitched sounds) just don’t sparkle in comparison (or like I think they should).

How do I keep everything I really like and expand what I want to find? Is there a chart or reference guide to tube characteristics? Sounds like strict experimenting is an expensive guessing game...

Help? Suggestions?

insearchofprat

Showing 4 responses by insearchofprat

DeKay

Did you /do you have one of these - it’s been "rumored" there was less than 10 ever available: any opinion /review from your memory?

If you can explain please what is the differrence between a 12au7 and
a 12ax7 (other than having this one Wolze piece - I have no reference to tubes what so ever).

Thanks...
DeKay

These came with the unit when I bought it...

This is the info printed on the tubes: (2 of each)

(In silver lettering): USA, above 12AX7A (in a thin silver oval)
                                  RCA (in gold lettering), else where on the tube
                                  Other info on tube worn so it can't be interpreted

(in gold lettering): EF86 6J32P Made in Russia
                                 SVETLANA

AND You think /suggest?