wolf_garcia,
Can 6SN7GTB‘s be used in place of 12AX7 and 12AU7? |
1grabber2,
Thank you for your input (also wolf_garcia.)
what do do you suggest, knowing what I have now?
Gold Lions?
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Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
My speakers are modified Dalquist DQ 20’s.
Overall, the system is fairly well balanced. What could be improved is occasional brightness in the treble, especially in the line stage.
Ideally, I’d like to replace all six tubes, depending on the cost.
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I will soon have a credit of about $130 from Tube Depot, having already bought but not opened, a complete set of tubes for my preamp.
With this, I’m thinking of getting two Gold Lion 12AU 7’s for my line section.
This won’t cost me anything extra. If this doesn’t make much difference I’ll go to more expensive NOS tubes (of which Tube Depot has a limited supply.) |
lowrider57,
Based on the recommendation at Joes Tube Lore, I’m getting a pair of RCA 12 AU7 in place of the Gold Lions. According to Joe, they should cost around $5.00. Tube Depot has them for 12x that price, but it will cost me about the same as the credit I’m getting.
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lowrider57,
Never mind, There’s only one 12AU7 Blackplate there!
My mistake.
Sorry for the post
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I ended up ordering a matched pair of 12AU7 RCA Cleartop (side getter) tubes from Brent Jessee, raved about by both Brent Jessee and Joe’s Tube Lore, for $69/pair.
Tube Depot is way overpriced. I’ll have to use my credit on something else.
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lowrider57,
There are many RCA Blackplates at various prices on Tube Depot.
Do you have a preference? |
Schubert,
Are you saying that 5814 can be used as a substitute for 12AU7? |
Thanks for the info. If the RCA’s don’t work out, I’ll return them and try 5814’s |
atmosphere,
What make 5814 would you suggest? or What to avoid? |
I contacted Conrad-Johnson. They sell a complete set of recommended tubes for the PV 11 for $310.
I wonder if I should go in this direction. |
The Conrad-Johnson description of the tubes is as follows:
“V1 & V2: 12AX7 MULLARD| V3: 5751ELECTRO HARMONIX | V4, V5 & V6: 12AU7 YUGOSLAVIA.”
No further description than that.
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I asked CJ what the tubes were, and surprisingly the reply was the 12AX7 Mullards are NOS, the others are new production.
The question then becomes, which Mullards are included? |
Very interesting posts!
Also a myriad of suggestions.
I agree the phono stage of the PV11 is awesome. Records sound way better than CDs.
Thank you lowtubes for your expertise.
I will look for the Amperex 7316.
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I did get CJ’s recommendation. See above. |
I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I can tell you the preamp is terrific,
even after all these years!
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Concerning the CJ PV11 amplifier, does anyone know if the two 12 AU7 tubes that drive the line stage have any effect on the phono stage at all, or do they just affect the line stage alone? |
lowtubes,
It certainly is true that the phono stage of the PV11 is wonderful.
I’ve placed a bid for a pair of Amperex 7316 tubes on eBay.
Meanwhile, I’m sampling NOS Telefunken AU7 tubes.
Amazingly, these tubes have brought the sound of the line stage very close to the phono stage. If I win the bid for the Amperex, I’ll compare them to the Telefunken.
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CJ’s answer to the question of the effect of the line stage tubes on the phono section of the PV11:
“If you are connecting the PV-11 MAIN OUTPUT to your power amp, then the
12AU7 in the line stage would affect the sound quality. If you are only
using the record output then the 12AU7 are not in the audio circuit.”
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One never knows..........
|
Well, I got the Amperex 7316 tubes today. Excellent tubes.
In preliminary testing, comparing them to the Telefunken 12AU7’s, I found the Amperex to have stronger bass and a bigger and more forward presentation than the Telefunken, but the Telefunken has a more refined and perhaps, clearer sonic picture.
Both are excellent tubes at almost the same exact price. My dilemma is, I can return the Telefunken, the Amperex, I cannot.
I don’t know if it’s practical to keep both. |
lowerider57,
You’re absolutely right, As I mentioned, the tests were only preliminary.
I haven’t given the Amperex enough time yet to burn in yet.
Im going to leave them in for a while to give a more thorough evaluation. |
Thanks to all of you that gave advice about NOS tubes.
They make a HUGE difference in the sound of my set.
|
I sold the Belles. They were definitely not compatible and were not powerful enough to drive my system.
The NuForce are much stronger, and they sound fabulous. |
Grammar Correction: The Belles amp WAS not........
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Modified Dalquist DQ 20’s.
The Belles just didn’t push them hard enough for impact. |
Could be.
The bass response is far better than the original was.
Really quite impressive!
The main thing, though, is that it just sounds better with the NuForce. |
Objective evaluation of improvements in a stereo system is hard to arrive at. There are so many subjective factors involved. So I pulled out the Chesky “Ultimate Demonstration” disc that I had listened to prior to tube and amplifier changes. This is a very demanding disc which revealed severe limitations in my old system in just about every area.
Listening to it again now, I found the system to pass most of the tests very well. Of course, you could say there’s at least some degree of subjectivity involved here, too. But, at least it’s somewhat objective.
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Right now, I’m very happy with my NuForce Reference 9 V3’s.
And they’re a few thousand less than the Bel Canto.
I know there is extreme predjudice against class D.
But you have to hear the NuForce to render an informed opinion
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Well, I’ve done a lot of listening lately, and on my system, the Telefunken tubes work better than the Amperex. They are just cleaner and more elegant.
I’m sure the Amperex are great tubes, but they don’t work as well with my setup.
It’s possible if I gave them more break-in time they would sound better. But I don’t want to suffer through that period when I can enjoy my system right now |
I am actually delighted with my system right now. My search is over.
The Telefunkens are my tubes of choice. |
