Question about different tubes


I have a BAT VK30 tube preamp and a VK200 SS amp. The preamp has 6-6922 tubes and presently has upgraded tubes from upscale audio that say -Russian mill gray plate. The original tubes from BAT were Sovtek 6922's. I am driving a pair of Martin Logan SL3's, and the midrange is a little lacking.

My previous gear was Parasound, and the SL3's were so bright it could make your ears bleed!! From prior recommendations on Audiogon, I picked up the BAT equipment and the SL3's are so warm, its unbelievable. The midrange now however, is a pushed back or a little lacking, if you can understand what I'm explaining.

My question is: will a tube change to the original Sovteks or another tube improve my situation? or are there any other recommendations.

I am using a Nordost red dawn xlr between the amp & pre. Speaker cables are Innersound, coaxial biwire which consists of 2 separate runs to each speaker.

I was also wondering if the BAT amp rated at 100wpc @ 8 ohms / 200 wpc @ 4 ohms, and capable of driving to 1 ohm, is enough power for the 4 ohm Martin Logans. Before, I had two Parasound amps in a horizontal biwire doing 400 wpc.

sfrounds

Showing 1 response by upscaleaudio

Just for the sake of clarity, Upscale Audio sells the vast majority of its tubes to anybody. That means any Mullard, Amperex, Telefunken, etc. The exception is 6DJ8, 6922, 7308, and 6SN7 or 6SL7 types.

Those are reserved for people that have bought their BAT or whatever brand of preamp from us, and yesterday I had to say no a total of six times, which believe it or not takes a bit of time. It stinks of course as we are here to offer stuff, not to say no.

Everything else is open to anyone. There is still a list of types with a description of sonics in some cases that some folks find helpful.

On the preamp, the VK-30 is very linear sounding, the VK-200 is a smidge relaxed. If your tubes are worn out, which they may be, your system will sound lousy because you have electrostatics which don't have the type of extension at the tip tp the way other speakers do.

Som people would treasure that relaxed sound, but it is not for you. So to fix it, get new tubes that have extension or an up-front midrange, MAYBE get an amp that is vivid in the mids like an older Muse 100 or 150 monos, or change the speakers. The Nordost are the right ticket. I don't know the speaker cable.

It's about balance.