Recommendations for MM Phono ~ Tube or Solid State

@lewm

The distinction between gain and drive is crucial, especially in circuits where driving low-impedance loads or handling higher current demands comes into play.

But I was referring to my ‘drive’ as in motivation for tube rolling. I can understand your confusion since you’re not into tube rolling..LOL!

With the right tubes, you can fine-tune the tonal balance, detail, and dynamics to suit your preferences. Since the 12AX7 is so widely used, there’s a treasure trove of options out there, from vintage classics like Telefunken and Mullard to modern production from brands like Gold Lion or JJ.

Cheers!

Softone Model 4 phono continues to improve and today marked a noticeable shift in sound, rendering more relaxed and mesmerizing sound. 

Listening to “When Your Love Is Gone”  from Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson - 45RPM….gave me goose bumps. This is easily one of finest performance of Ben’s career…wish there was repeat mode on my TT :-)

@lalitk   : "" 

But I was referring to my ‘drive’ as in motivation for tube rolling. ........

With the right tubes, you can fine-tune the tonal balance, detail, and dynamics to suit your preference ""

It's better an equalizer than any tube rolling strategy.

R.

Lalitk, upon re-reading your “drive” statement, I now see that it should have been obvious to me what you meant. My bad. As far as tube rolling goes, and I’ve written this many times here, keep in mind that tubes age and can change character, even get noisier, as they age. Especially in the first 50-100 hours. So what you fall in love with on day 1 may not be lasting, and two, having spent big bucks on a rare or selected tube, we all have an expectation bias that inevitably colors one’s judgement. No one is immune to that. What I do agree with is selecting the best possible tube for a given job. This means for example don’t use a 12AX7 as a cathode follower if you expect it to drive even a middling load, and don’t use a 12AU7 for gain. There are several inherently better sounding tube types with near identical electrical parameters, no matter what exotic brand of 12AU7/ECC82 one cares to name. Unfortunately there are many preamps and amplifiers that commit one or both of those sins.

@lewm 

Your point duly noted!

In essence, tube rolling is as much about understanding circuit design as it is about personal taste. The idea of swapping tubes to enhance a particular sound can be fun and rewarding, but it’s important to recognize that tube aging, expectation bias, and circuit compatibility are all major factors that can impact the perceived results.

I agree with you on being selective about the type of tube to choose for a specific role is far more critical than simply choosing the most exotic or expensive tube, and in many cases, this can lead to better results than relying on the often subjective differences between brands of the same type.

For now, I am just letting Model 4 play out with stock tubes and keeping my eyes peeled for NOS tube options.