2. amps-preamps
  3. 150460-24780

tubes4hifi SP14 preamp and Psvane CV181 Tii tubes

Hello,

Just a word of caution to those who may be considering the recommendation of many owners to upgrade their tubes4hifi SP14 tubes to the Psvane CV181T Mark II.

The tubes get universal high marks from the reviews I have seen. I opted for the top of the line, buying the Grade A quality from Grant Fidelity at $290 for the matched pair.

Sound is extraordinary. Tubes appear to be of the highest quality.

Unfortunately, the tubes are too tall to fit in the standard chassis. They will not clear the top lid.

My research prior to purchase failed to reveal this as a problem and I am now faced with selling the tubes at a substantial loss, using the preamp without the lid, or drilling holes in it so the tubes will clear the lid. None of those are considered satisfactory solutions.

Has anyone else had this experience, and if so how did you deal with it.

See the attached link for photo. I have placed the chassis lid upside down behind the tubes so you can see the lack of clearance.


https://postimg.cc/XZjL4C50
alwaysreading
6 responses Add your response
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
@rodman99999 I like the standoff idea.  Lets the tubes clear and provides some additional ventilation.  

Or, if you're into replacing the tube sockets and feel like getting crazy, you could copy Don Sachs' modifications and put the tube sockets on the reverse of the circuit board and then mount it upside down so that the tubes are exposed on the top of the case.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,180 posts
 
Or replace the tube sockets to shorter one.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,180 posts
 
If enough clearance on the bottom, change the standoffs of the PCB to shorter one.
rodman99999
6,128 posts
 
Get plastic standoffs/spacers, to raise your top cover a bit. Any hardware store should have those, for pennies each, and the longer screws you’ll need. ie: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=round+nylon+spacer&rh=n%3A16413321&ref=nb_sb_noss     If vibrations concern you; the top can be rendered about as stable as designed, by using a 1/4 or 3/8" thick by 1/2 to 3/4" wide plastic strip, front and back, with holes drilled, where they're needed.
Post removed 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Two choices if you want to keep the Psvane pair: leave the. cover off (will not affect sound quality). Take the cover to a sheet metal shop and have two holes punched (won't cost much). Don't fret obsessively - choose one or the other! 
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Nagra HD Preamplifier
80x80
Aurorasound VIDA Prima Phono Stage Amplifier
- NEW - big sound for a resonable price
80x80
TriangleART L200 MK2 Dual Mono Tube Preamplifier