Tube Rolling Woes


I recently took delivery of my first tube preamp. Schiit Freya+. It came with new production Tung Sol 6SN7GTBs. I'm running fully balanced from my source components right through to the power amp. My first impression was wow! What an improved soundstage with width and a 3D quality that I've read about. What surprised me is how quiet the system is. I had expected tubes to be noisy. But the Freya+ running with the new Tung Sols is dead quiet. The openness and air in the presentation is tremendous. However, from a voicing perspective, the top end is bright, and the mids and bass are very thin. I have about 75 hours on the system. Ive read and listened to almost every review on this model and no one has complained about the tonal balance. I left an email with Schiit just to make sure that I haven't done something wrong, but haven't heard back yet. 

I thought I'd experiment with some NOS and used vintage tubes. I've purchased from established, well respected vendors as well as folks with excellent feedback ratings on eBay. Of the 8 tubes I've purchased - claimed as tested matched quads (1) or pairs (2) - all but 2 have been either prohibitively noisy, or just didn't pass a clean signal. From my (admittedly small) sample, there has been no quality differences between the well-respected companies selling NOS tubes vs. people selling used stuff on eBay. The good tubes I've received were used tubes (RCA) sold by an eBay vendor. 

So I'm running out of patience. If I go with new production tubes that a vendor will have tested, matched and stand behind the quality, how do I know what to buy? Note that this is a $900 preamp. So, there are limits to what is practical in terms of price point. I can't justify spending more than $200 on replacement tubes. My concern is that even if I spend this kind of money, how do I know what the results will be? 

Any advice is appreciated.

Glen 

spacecadet65

Showing 2 responses by oldhvymec

The voicing that was going right through you is most likely room treatment.. Un kind or bloated upper MIDS, mercy they can wear you out..
Not to mention blistering LOWER highs.  MC has a point too. 70 hours is pretty low hours for anything to get RIGHT.. Little room treatment, maybe change the placement a bit.. Settling, you getting use to it a bit..

Spend no more and collect some good data.. Seems like a good plan to me.. You'll get it.. Man oh man kids in collage. I just had one go BACK for the second time. God bless his learning mind.. Hope he fattens' his wallet at the same time along with a brain blessing.. LOL a Twofer..

Regards
That is the trade off, sometimes. Tone control through valves is tough and it takes someone that knows what they are doing. Tone control circuits were eliminated because of cost AND the noise they can add to the signal.

It is best if you plan to keep the unit, speak, listen and spend. Don't spend, speak and NOT listen.. I do the latter all the time.. Not so much anymore.. I find my pockets stay a little fuller and personally I stay a little calmer.. :-)

Talk the Brent Jesse and tell him that you have and what you want to do. SEE what it cost... That is what an OLD Mechanic would do...

Yes the little Freya + is a neat little unit. It is pretty transparent too. You are getting more than what you pay for MOST of the time. They are a good deal. NOT GREAT, NOT Perfect. But good and better than any at that price range... IMHO I like the look and weight too.. Heavy...