So many nights away from LPs but tonight, ahhh,... Island Records, 1st pressing of Richard and Linda Thompson, "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" 2x - I liberated it from a sleepy record shop just outside of Boston today. Breaking in a a new Van den Hul, cart too. Just wonderful!
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@tomic601 - Been streaming "Black Acid Soul" a lot. It's a favorite at the shop. So tried to do some tax work but nope, back to the deck for one more twirl... Jeff Buckley, "Grace". Perfect night cap! |
satoshi & makoto - cz-5000 sounds and sequences vol 1 incredibly beautiful record. from the bandcamp release page: We write to you with the conclusions of our investigation into the synthesized audio transmissions picked up by the deep space telescope at regular intervals since 1986. The source was traced to two brothers in Kawasaki, Japan, who identified themselves as Satoshi and Makoto. When we raided the building, they were huddled around a synthesizer manufactured by the Casio Corporation, model number CZ-5000. |
Found it on Amazon for $23. Thanks Jim. @tomic601 |
OK, for you tube guys, and to a tube ‘newby’. For the last few days, it has seemed to me that when spinning viny there was a lean towards my left channel. The soundstage seemed unbalanced. This has been driving me a bit crazy. It wasn’t extreme, but enough that I could hear it, especially with classical recordings and instrument placement within the stage. So last night tried some digital test tracks for R&L Channel, measured, and everything seemed fine, as did any digital music I played. So, figured it isn’t the amp, isn’t the preamp, so perhaps the vinyl front end. Last night took stylast cleaner to my stylus (which I rarely ever use), thinking there may be some ‘gunk’ on it. No real change. So tonight I focused on the Hagerman. Flipped the center two (of the four) 12ax7’s, mmmm…maybe a small difference? Then, just flipped the two 12au7’s, and presto!, everything filled in and a full balanced soundstage returned. And it isn’t like the right channel is now more prominent, it just sounds as it should.
Why in the heck would this happen? Very curious and confused. Maybe I’m just crazy 😜 |
Brian, all I can think of (also, a newbie in the world of tubes) is there is a mismatch. Maybe they were well matched to begin with, but over time one of them lost its potential and the other was just fine. Tubes are best when purchased in pairs or quads (depending on one's need) and after being tested and matched by the seller. I know that Upscale Audio does that and most likely so do other quality tube sellers. Anyway, that is my best guess. Got back from Mammoth Mountain last night. A fabulous week of skiing. Atlanta Rhythm Section - A Rock And Roll Alternative Annie Lennox - Diva Man, this is a wonderful album, both musically and sonically. Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan - 2 disc set, 45rpm Analogue Productions. This is a piece of musical history. And WOW, is it great! |
Yep Joel, what I was thinking too, but, the two NOS Brimar 12au7’s were matched from Upscale. So I have a good feeling they were sold as a good matched pair. As I understand, a preamp typically isn’t as sensitive to matching or bias as an amp would be. Thus, unless there is a catastrophic failure, or an extreme mismatch, as far as I know, there should not be a significant difference. Curious. |
Tim, I have no equipment to measure tubes. Thought about azimuth, but again, after swapping the two 12au7’s, everything seems to back to ‘normal’. Haven’t checked in a while though, so could not hurt regardless. I wonder if the Hagerman has some type of self-biasing circuitry and just flipping them allowed to be ‘readjusted’. I dunno. |
‘Music Memorials’ : Glazunov - Solemn Contata In Commemoration Of The Centemary Of A. S. Pushkin For Soloists, Choir, And Orchestra Op. 65 & Two Preludes For The Large Orchestra Op. 85 / Taneyev - Cantata On The Inauguration Of The Memorial To A. S. Pushkin / Balakirev - Cantata On The Inauguration Of The Memorial To M.I. Glinka. Moscow Radio & Television Symphonic Orchestra and Choir (I believe). Мелодия 1974 USSR release.
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I wouldn’t do anything more Brian just yet, keep an ear on it, maybe one of the sockets loose, pin bent, dirt, reinserted fixed it….hopefully for good. in future, i switch cables L to R to isolate to a component, you may have done that to arrive at phono preamp…. You have find decent B and K Tube testers for $75 - $100 ish also. w Tubes spares are your friend… |
@noromance ya man, that’s where i got my copy from as well Brian. Enjoy… i am toooooooo tired to spin vinyl tonight, work and early getups all week are a nasty combination…. |
Ya know, I’m starting to wonder if it’s my ultrasonic humidifier. That damn thing puts a hazy film over everything when in use during the winter. The ‘residue’ is easy to clean/wipe off, but am starting to think it could do either damage or at the very least can create problems with electronics. I have a hard time believing if could actually find a way into used tube sockets, but am thinking it could indeed be an issue. And just removing and resetting the tubes took care of it. Think I’ll get a non-ultrasonic unit for next winter. |
Yep, was going to replace it this year, but it was there in the basement as winter came on, and used it again anyway. And yea, I know what you mean, I’m trying to take care of my body a little better as I get older, but yea, probably worry more about my equipment 😁 Think I’ll reset my other two 12ax7’s. I’m really thinking the humidifier may have been the culprit. If that thing had any effect on my Belles 400A failing….well….that is even more disturbing in hindsight. |
