2. amps-preamps
  3. 195077-47456

I changed a Tube and…

I liked it!
 Have a Rogue Audio Cronos mag lll bought it years ago as original Cronos Mag  sent it in last year for the upgrade to lll .  Never changed any of the original tubes .

The amp was lightly used due to my changing amps like regularly. Decided to stick with Cronos and and have really enjoyed it . 
Playing vinyl for the majority of time and seem satisfied with Triode mode .  Amp runs perfectly no noise at all but thought about all the threads regarding tube rolling  especially the center 12au7 . 
pulled out the stock JJ and found a Genalex  Gold Lion ECC82/B749 (12au7)  bought them 7-8 years ago .  
Put the GL into center position and was thinking “am I going to really hear a difference “???   Figured I listen to a few LPs and maybe I’d notice something different good or bad Maybe ? after all it’s just one tiny tube !

Well I was blown away !, 30 seconds in listening to “two of a mind “ Desmond /Muliligan  things just got a whole lot more musical 🎶. Hard to describe everything seemed improved , midrange was wow ! Soundstage was better , etc .

Went to another familiar favorite Grant Green “ Idle Moments “   Oh yes the magic is here too 

Is this even possible or am I under a placebo delusion  lol 

Now I’m really wondering what about the other 2  12au7’s  and even the 2 -12ax7’s

what else am I missing ? 

 

 

 

mfm22

Showing 2 responses by triton20trx

triton20trx
36 posts
 

I have a set of NOS preamp tubes I used for 2 months before I sold the Rogue Cronus Magnum II.  I bought them from Brent Jessee of AudioTubes.com.

3 Mazda 12au7, 2 GE 7025 (12ax7)  $450

The change from stock was extremely dramatic in all aspects.  Detail, soundstage, cleaner highs, punchy lows.  My thought was what amp is this and what did you do with the Rogue.

These tubes are just sitting in my drawer.  Feel free to DM me with questions 

triton20trx
36 posts
 

NOS ( new old stock vintage tubes) are expensive relative to new production but in my experience the sound quality is far superior.  Brent happens to be the most reasonable priced NOS tubes.  He has a vast knowledge of what tubes work best in specific amp/preamp applications and you can return them within 30 days if they don’t work for you.  You can call him directly.
My experience has been a few hundred $ in NOS preamp tubes has saved me spending thousands more on a new amp or integrated to get improvements in overall sonics, soundstage, depth, and clarity.  
But that’s my experience which doesn’t mean …. in the big picture.

Mine are available 

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