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Is there such a thing??-- Tube Preamp Question

Hello All,

I have recently acquired my first tube preamp. Its a Blue Circle 21.1 with the stepped attenuator. From the start its been a journey. When I received it there was a distinct buzz/hum. I sent it out for repair and they found it was the power transformer. They made me a spiffy new external power supply which solved the problem. I truly love what it does for tonality, richness of voices and my sound stage appears deeper to me with good placement of instruments within it. However, and maybe my expectations are just to high, the hiss and tube replacements (needed to replace tubes after 6 months) along with a generally fussy nature in terms of the need to pop the top and clean to get the fuzzy sounds out occasionally just seems a bit much. Are all tube pres susceptible to this level of need an "fussy" temperament? Another issue, is when I am watching TV and/or using TV as a source, between songs there are strange sounds(bleeps and squeaks) and moments of scratchy sounds noted in quiet passages and seem triggered by moving from one song to the next. It seems very sensitive to picking up TV noise which I have never noted using solid state gear.  While it isn't evident at medium to high volume it just bothers me and I know that its there. 

Can I have all that this does for me in terms of tonality and sound stage along with a less fussy nature? Does such a thing exist for a reasonable price($1000-$2000). I would like a more silent background with less need for constant attention. 

Does such a thing exist?
birdfan

Showing 1 response by porscheracer

porscheracer
132 posts
 
The 7308’s are the  Cadillac of the 6DJ8‘s  tubes  and therefore are priced  accordingly.  They don’t last as long as the 6922’s but will sound the best of all the  6DJ8 line.

Where this incorrect information coming from? Brent Jesse??? If you actually listen to the tubes and to people that have, there are very few 7308 tubes that rank highly in the 6DJ8/6922 application. Especially compared to the CCa tubes from Siemens and Telefunken. 

But, I like using the Western Electric 396A/JW 2C51with a 5670 to 6922 adapter. That tube beats every 6922 variety I tried.
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