2. amps-preamps
  3. 1286446271

Prima luna dialogue 2 tube rolling

Hello all,

I would appreciate your input on this. My current set-up is a PL dialogue2 with the stocktubes, Klipsch forte2 w/crites crossover/tweeter/midrange. I enjoy the sound and I’m re discovering my cd’s/lp’s and listen a lot. However, sometimes I would like a bit more warmth in the sound without giving up detail/dynamics.

So after some reading on the internet it didn;t took long till I’d tried a set of Tung Sol 12ax7’s 1st impression was wow, more air, larger better focussed image, more detailed, perhaps a tad warmer. Unfortunately it also added a bright harsh tone to the top end on a lot of records which was very unpleasant to listen to so for now I’ve put the stock 12ax7’s back. Shame, without the harshness it would be a step up.

Sometime ago they was a tread by forum member Dramapsycho concerning the PL dialogue, ending up with Sylvania 6l6’s tubes + some Telefunken and solve a harshness problem. I’m now considering SED 6l6 tubes as they are described as the best alternative to NOS several times and they’re not as expensive. Will this in the right direction? Anybody has experience with the SED tubes, of other pre/power tube suggestions ?

I would like to hear you input, thanks
delta_hf
maxmad
182 posts
 
I am sorry guys, but the only advice I can give you is search on Ebay or else and wait for a good deal. Personally, I am not familiar with modern production, but there are sites where you can ask that, cos they are not selling them only, but have lots of experience to, especially for PrimaLuna amps, here, probably one of the best you can find, just send them an mail and point out your preferences http://www.upscaleaudio.com/index.php/products/tubes.html

In the mean time, safe some dollars and be patient.
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Thanks, Maxmad, I do mean to contact Upscale at some point, but don't want to bother them until I am actually going to buy, which unfortunately I am not in a position to do at the moment.

In the meantime, I would love to hear from anyone who does have some experience with rolling the more inexpensive tubes in a Dialouge 2! I have tried a couple of EL-34's and I think overall I prefer them to the KT-88's, but that's about as far as I have got at this point. I have only tried the stock KT88's and two different EL-34 Mullard copies, which are very similar to each other. One is Russian but otherwise unidentifiable to me at this point, and the other is Electro-Harmonix.
delta_hf OP
4 posts
 
@ Maxmad Thanks for the info, I will send Upscale a mail

@ Learsfool I'm curious about the main differences in sound between the Kt88's and the EL34's Why you did like the EL34's more?
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Hi Delta - well, as I said I think I like them a little more. It really depends more on the specific recording. The EL34's have a slightly warmer, more prominent midband in general, however I believe that the specific EL-34's I am trying are considered to be on the brighter side of the type, so there really isn't a huge difference with the specific ones I have. Both sound good with the amp, it's really a matter of personal preference, mostly.
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