Question....According to Emmanual, (and the owners manual) the break in period for an FS is 2 weeks. But alot of you fellow FS owners advise a month, before Tube and power cord experimentation. Any reason for this?
BTW - Yes the power cord was expensive. If it doesn't make a difference in my system....it will be up for sale. :-)
Thanks guys
paul |
Hmm. Thanks Tvad. I hadn't considered that. I suppose, if Emmanuel entered the info, that would generate a tracking # automatically. 5 more days, can't wait. Hope I'm not letting my expectations be too high.
:-) |
Hello Guys
Please excuse my ignorance, but where can the above mentioned tubes be purchased? What would I ask for? I'm just getting into tubes so this is a whole new world for me. :-)
Thanks
Paul |
Hi Bob
First Sound it is! Don't have it yet. Should be acouple of weeks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :-) It meets all of the technical issues I have regarding DC leakage and all. I've tried 2 other tube pre's as well. I've been climbing the ladder. This is the end for me, no matter what. I hope this is "the one". :-) How is your Supratek? |
Artg
My system is pretty simple. you know - simple is as simple does - :-) I currently have a McCormack UDP1 - very outstanding on redbook /SACD/ DVDA. DVD-V is fun too. Although I'm not THAT much of a videophile. The UDP1 runs into a Lexicon MC8 - great for HT. Not really too bad for 2 chanel either. My amp is the Krell FPB 400cx - what can i say - outstanding, to me anyway.
Speakers are Tyler Accoustic Linbrook Signature system. (single piece speaker) - These, I love more and more all the time! :-)
BUT I've always wanted to try tubes. Since I do mostly 2 channel listening I thought a dedicated 2 channel tubed pre would be a good idea.
So, I started checking into the in's and out's of tube pre's. I ran into the whole DC leakage thing as it relates to Krell amps - not good. Then started to hear of preamps which did not leak DC, by design. So I tried 2 different tube preamps along the way, but they didn't do all i wanted. Then i began to learn about the 'real deal' preamps - I read the soundstage review of the First Sound presence Deluxe II - (advice from Tvad) and here i am.
I hope that the FS does what i want. From the reviews i've read. i'm pretty sure it will. As I type this little synopsis of my 'rig' :-) I realize that there are ALOT of good folks who offer sound advice, and encouraging words here on Agon. I say Thank YOU to to each and every one. (you know who you are) :-)
thanks for everything
BTW just got some Amperex 6922 USN white lable's for after breakin - what do you think?
Paul |
Artg
Thanks for the kind words. I'm really getting excited about putting the FS in my system. I haven't been this excited about a single piece of gear in a long time. :-)
Where did you get your pinched waists?
thanks again
p |
Guidocorona
Before I answer you, I just wanted to thank you for asking Emmanuel about the Hot Rod First Sound units. :-)
I decided to work my way up the price ladder. Keeping in mind the caveat of DC leakage.
The first stop along the way was the Tube Audio Designs "TAD-150" By Paul Gzrybek at Bizzy Bee. Paul is a gem to work with. We shipped the preamp back and forth 3 times for various tweaking. The first TAD-150 was completely stock. After the first go round the unit then became one of Paul's "signature" preamps. The 'stock' pre simply didn't have enough weight or depth for my taste. Especially in the bass dept. When the preamp was tweaked into the 'signature' series, the bass was greatly improved but, still just not enough weight for me. Keep in mind this preamp only costs $700! I would say that for many people this preamp could stop their search, right then and there. Needles to say. I ended up sending it back to Paul for my refund.
Next up was the SAS 10A by Steve Sammet. ($1995) A really outstanding Preamp. Dual mono in its construction etc. But, it was noisy in my system. The bass was just a small bit light from what I am accustomed to. I think if it had been quiet however, I could have stayed with it. But i thought - why compromise at this point? Back it went for the refund.
Both the TAD-150 and the SAS 10A did a beautiful job with vocals and staging.
Both Steve and Paul were easy to work with. They were fast with getting my refund back to me. Their business model is one I wish more Agon dealers would adopt - REFUND if you are not happy with their product.
So here I am, awaiting the arrival of hopefuly my last preamp - EVER! :-) This "trial" is MUCH more risky though, as I am NOT able to return it for a refund. :-( On the positive side - I think I've read only one, mildly negative comment, from someone who auditioned a F.S. and didn't find it to be his cup of tea. I basically purchased this pre based on reviews (professional) and threads I've read.
If this isn't the one - then a very new F.S. Presence Deluxe II will be on the 'GoN for a true tube lover.
Wish me luck. sorry for the long winded answer. :-)
Paul |
Guidocorona
I'll be getting the standard configuration. Hoping it's here this week! When Emmanuel first emailed me he seemed genuinely excited that I would be pairing the FS with my Krell. The first review I read, (Sounstage) was based on the standard, Presence Deluxe MkII, also. If this preamp sounds like the things I've read...that'll be 'Hot' enough for me. :-) Please let us all know what the hotrodded model is like.
Paul |
I could just scream! I was expecting delivery of the Frist Sound, yesterday 3/18. I looked up on the UPS tracking site, and lo and behold.....the "RESCHEDULED" delivery date is now 3/24! How does that happen? The unit was obviously shipped - then UPS decides to delay delivery by 6 days? Any ideas?
Sorry for sidetracking this otherwise very enjoyable thread :-)
Paul |
Guido -
:-D Got it yesterday! It arrived in good shape. Whew! As I type this it has been burning in for 31 hours. Not sure where to begin talking about it. The build quality? Unbelievable! Yes it's heavy. When you open the top, you can't help but be impressed at the absence of cricuit boards. Point to point soldering all the way! Meticulously done I might add.
The sound? The first moment I heard it (forget about waiting for a listen) The power of the unit struck me. There was a visceral quality to the music. Keep in mind, up till now I've been strictly SS. It definitely likes the Krell. :-) The sounds created were clean and clear. The Sound stage was a bit narrow in the first hour of its life, but what is to be expected at that point.
Since then, stage has definitely grown. Immages are clearly taking their places in space. Highs? Beautiful already. Bass? About as good as my SS set up. With the promise of deeper and more defined bass on the way. That says alot for a 1 day old TUBE pre! I could go on. No syrupy sweet sound! Thats a good thing to me. I suppose if one wanted 'sweet', various tubes would do that trick. Only AFTER the break in though - as requested by Emmanuel :-) Natural is the word that comes to mind. Well balanced, nothing over emphasized.
But the thing that actually blows me away about this whole process - almost more than the preamp itself - is the fact that today 3/25, I recieved 3 emails from Emmanuel himself.
WOW! He is truly interested in me and my unit, and how it works within my system. AMAZING! He has given me tips and advice as to, what to do during break in, and what to expect during the process.
I'm sure I made the right choice in this endless sea of audio gear. Quality/Performance/Support - what else can you ask for? I'm impressed by the unit and by the MAN - Emmanuel Go. Believe me - It takes ALOT to impress me. I'm happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability that you or anyone else has.
I just noticed someone is selling a FS here on Agon. Why would they want to? I would jump on it knowing what i know now.
:-)
Paul |
Artg & Audiofankj -
Thanks for the support. Making the decision was the hardest part of all. I just didn't want to make a mistake. I sure I didn't. :-) Still waiting for the bass to break loose. I't only been 4+ days though. :-)
So the breakin continues for a month? Is that 24/7 playing all the way? Thanks guys.
paul |
I've been running my new FS for 8+ days now. It's only been shut down to discharge the caps, as Emmanuel recommends. I've noticed that this unit NEVER, becomes even slightly warm. Does this translate to being very kind to the tubes in the pre? Just curious.
Thanks guys
pt |
By the way.....What is with the price of tubes!!!? YIKES!!!!! I hope the FS is kind to tubes. :-) |
Thanks men. This really does feel like being a member of a club.
:-) It's funny how something like audio gear can bring people from all around the country together.
I'll be patient and I'll keep you posted. BTW - I already picked up a Mini Khan power cord for after break in! :-)
Be well guys.
Paul |
Ok Fellas....What are the signs of a tube going bad? I am getting a distortion in the upper frequencies in the right channel of my new FS Pres. Deluxe MkII. It has happened within th past two days. Certain High pitches (piano music, flute/piccolo) Cause a slight fuzziness in the sound. It also sometimes sounds as though, a single note is seperating into 2 pitches.
I've ruled out the speakers - swapped them and it still does it. Ruled out the source - 2 different scources do the same thing. When I play my HT preamp (Lexicon MC8) on the same music, the distortion goes away. :-(
Besides a tube, going bad, I don't know what else it could be.
Do any of you fellow FS owners have any Ideas?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
thanks
Paul |
Thanks Drubin
I guess I'll switch the stock tubes, with other tubes I've been collecting, to see if the distortion stops.
Good point, about the OA2 not being in the signal path. Please post again with what happens in your FS.
Thanks
Paul |
Sound problem solved! The stock 6H23n's went bad. Its amazing how quickly a tube can go. I now have some Amperex 7308 PQ's in there. nice.......:-) |
Drubin
How did your EH 6922 GPs work out? I sent back the first set I got because they distorted the upper frequencies badly. Well - I got the replacement tubes today - THEY'RE WORSE! Back they go! This time for a refund. I suppose I have to cross the EH tubes off my shopping list, for good. :-(
Anyone else having EH 6922 GP problems? Just curious.
pt |
Hello men, :-)
I have collected a few NOS tubes already: 7308 PQ /white/US, and a Holland pair. 6922 USN-CEP. 6922 PQ/white/US. Pinched waists? Don't think so. I'm not gonna spend $500 for a pair of tubes, just on sheer principle. :-) So I'm set with NOS tubes.
I just wanted to try some current production tubes. As the price of NOS climbs, I thought, current production is at least worth a shot. The EH tubes didn't work at all in the FS. Nothing lost, except for a couple of dollars to send them back.
Ei Elites, is another story though. They work. And for $9.00 per tube, you might be surprised. ;-)
Thanks for the words of wisdom men. It is appreciated. :-)
p |
