@boxsoft If it's any help to you, I have yet to find a new-manufacture 6SN7 that sounds any good to me. Some of them actually generate measurably more distortion than NOS versions. And with the price of good new 6SN7s today nearing $50 a piece, and given the poor quality control and possible microphonics, you're really better off buying NOS. Some NOS tubes are unconscionably expensive, of course, but even then they will last longer and give you more listening pleasure than most of the new ones. The problem, of course, is that searching for your *favorite* NOS 6SN7 can really get expensive. ;-) By all means, try some different varieties in the Cary, but at some point you may find that tracking down that *one* 6SN7 that makes it listenable to you isn't worth the trouble. A preamp more to your liking will sound good *regardless* of what "flavor" of 6SN7 you choose. I'll be interested to see what you discover.
Looking for 5AR4 rectifier tube most like solid state
I have the Cary SLP-05 preamp (with the Ultimate Upgrade), which sounds exceedingly good in most respects. Unfortunately, it's sorely lacking in rhythmic excitement (what various British companies call Pace, Rhythm and Timing, or PRaT).
I suspect that the 5AR4 tube rectifier is at least partially to blame. In general, tube rectifiers exhibit "sag". This helps some aspects of the performance, but is likely dulling transients that are needed to create faster dynamics (e.g. percussive envelopes).
Cary has told me that I cannot insert an equivalent solid-state rectifier, as it would require a power supply redesign. Instead, I'm hoping to find a 5AR4 tube that mostly closely behaves like a solid state rectifier. I don't want it to be warm, or smooth, or anything like that. This preamp already has an overabundance of those qualities. Instead, I want it to be fast, dynamic, rhythmic, and exciting, with a real sense of "boogie".
Any suggestions?
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I think that Cary may have give you some bad information. I agree with @rhtowson; there is no reason why you can't run solid state rectifiers in your preamp. While I prefer the sound of tube rectification, there have been situations when I have used plug compatible solid state alternatives. To be honest, while rectifier types and quality (tubes) will make a difference, it's generally not a huge difference. And SS "tubes" last longer and don't change much with use. Lots of good advise here. Try swapping tubes and/or SS devices and see what sounds and works best for you.
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Yes, I was a bit surprised when they claimed that changing the rectifier would require a complete power supply redesign. I've designed power supplies for many solid state amps myself. SS rectifiers have a lower voltage drop, so the rectified voltage would be higher. Consequently, the smoothing caps would have to accommodate the higher voltage. I guess that higher smoothed DC voltage would be passed along to any regulation circuits, and potentially require more heat dissipation. (I have no idea what's in place in the SLP-05.) If there is no regulation, then the higher voltage would be passed along directly to the rest of the circuitry. Therefore, I wouldn't feel comfortable trying a SS rectifier without the blessing of Cary. |
Therefore, I wouldn't feel comfortable trying a SS rectifier without the blessing of Cary. Understand. But the tube plug-compatible SS rectifiers are designed to be direct replacements. I have tried them in many amps and never had a problem. They run much cooler than any tube and I haven't noticed any voltage differential, compared to the compatible tube. But maybe the Cary circuit is more sensitive??? |
Thanks, @br3098 . I haven't had a chance to try the Mullard yet. If I'm still dissatisfied with that, then I'll ponder whether to try a plug compatible one, or to start looking for another preamp. |
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