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
mfm22 OP
39 posts
 

Just a thought - The Gold Lions I have are 10 yrs old - I wonder if there is a quality difference to current production ?

Seems like everything made today suffers from less quality control / cheaper materials  etc.  [ everything = TV's, Refrigerators , Washer / Dryers , AC'S / Cars , EVERYTHING!! ]

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,582 posts
 

Being in my 70s and having gone to rock concerts and having front row or very close seat...like Black Sabbath 1972 the old Academy music on 14 st NYC....I never noticed the changes...

fburkeen's avatar
fburkeen
16 posts
 

Not sure how to link to the thread about AI’s use for HiFi, but therein you’ll find my input/driver/rectifier tube story.  In summary I have rolled tubes (mostly 300B), talked to folks, bought better amp and rolled more tubes, etc.  I landed on a fine sounding SET with WE300B power tubes, but as a friend’s insistence used my setup and asked ChatGPT which input/driver/rectifier tubes to try.  I had to describe my system a little further (speakers, inputs, cables, etc), but in the end I got a very specific suggestion (mfg, year, identifying markings, reputable sellers like Brent) for 12AU7, 12BH7, and 5U4G tubes that sound amazing to me in the real world.  

I share this to agree with your observation that the little tubes matter and that you’d probably be surprised how much difference the plate driver and rectifier tubes can make.  The AI reference isn’t any kind of endorsement or recommendation...

Enjoy the experimentation!

 

unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
1,142 posts
 

I bought a pair of NOS 1957 ECC83 long plate Bugle Boy for my Pro-ject DS2 Tube Box. They cost more than the DS2. 
 

They were worth it. A dramatic difference. 

mfm22 OP
39 posts
 

Changed the GL out for a Telefiunken 

yes it’s even better , midrange sweet , overall is smoother than GL. Seems like imaging is excellent 

 

these tube sockets are pretty tight , little patience and wiggles needed

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