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Phono preamp tube rolling.

As upgrade rush bites again, planning to perform some tube rolling on my Rouge Ares Magnum. Please share some experience with tube rolling on pure tube circuit topology phono preamps. Practical experiences are preferred. Theoretical options are welcome too.
surfmuz

Showing 4 responses by tomwh

tomwh
150 posts
 
Lewm say it isn't so.  You really believe  we are dealing with a pyseabo here.  Of course  without knowing  what OP thinks is a upgrade  is, how could one even begin.  We also do not know what tubes he is using,  brand and type.

Enjoy the ride
Tom


tomwh
150 posts
 
Lewm  I should  proof read more.  Grammar  has never interested me but you got the drift.   I have done lots of  tube  rolling and  changing of tubes in the years.  Your system is revealing  enough  that if you rolled you could hear the difference.   Noticed  I said difference  not upgrade , better a cross the board etc.etc. etc...  

My latest  diy  phono pre I tried 20 to 30 different  tubes in number 1 position.  Wide range of sound difference.   12ax7 is normally at the bottom of list.  So I am not much help to the OP.  In regards to noise 12ax7 is normally one of the best but then comes the sound  well  you can  not  always have everything. 

Was reading the Rouge  manual  and it said if  you want to use  12at7 you can and get less gain.  This would be the first  thing  I would try.  Just  get a cheap pair and see if he likes the sound.  Of course if gain is a issue  it may be better with the 12ax7. 

The one thing I did notice is that mullards tend to be full body and in the right circuit quite musical.  The OP is at least willing to trust his own hears  so  he can roll  and get what he wants out of the equipment  he has.

Enjoy the ride
Tom
tomwh
150 posts
 
Surfmuz

Looking at the manual again it looks like the 12au7  position  is the position  which you  can  sub the tubes.  Which seems odd , but  you  tried it with  12ax7 and  know , 1st hand ,  it not for your system.

Enjoy the ride
Tom
tomwh
150 posts
 
Mulveling 

I figured the last tube was  a cathode follower  or how could you get away with a 12 ax7 output impedance into the next stage.  Well  you and Lewm at least  helped him out with  there is a huge difference  between  12au7 and 12ax7.  The 12at7 in the middle.  Explaining how tubes work and how to read their data sheets,  is really  not  what he is looking for.

Enjoy the ride
Tom
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