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6922 recommendations for ARC PH7

Hi folks,

Looking to roll the tubes in my Audio Research PH7 phono pre. Looking for a recommendation for a 6299 that will extend the top end, midrange and give me a little more airiness without sacrificing the bottom end (Sorta what we are all looking for right lol) 

the  tubes I’m currently using are 4 Electro-Harmonix which sound good but they are a little laid back on the top. Very neutral sound which is a good thing, but want to try something new. My main room is not a very lively room as it is. However after testing the ARC in my living room system which is much more lively room I still am not getting the result I’m after. Dont get me wrong. Not complaining about the sound of the pre at all. I have been wanting to roll the tubes in this piece for some time now if not more than to just experiment with. Just got the itch to try something new. 
Thanks 

-Keith
barnettk
petg60
1,486 posts
 
@barnettk, yes they used the same tooling in manufacturing, but they have sonic differences as all Philips tubes made around the world. When having the chance make the comparison yourself, you may find that you prefer more one from another, but as i said they are both good tubes, so you cannot go wrong with either of them. Upscale is doing a very good job and you do not have to change vendor since you are pleased with them, i would not do it either.
Happy tube hunting.



lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
Upscale sells tubes of the highest quality. My go to sellers are Brent Jessee and Andy at Vintage Tube Services. They sell high grade tubes and offer a return policy, which is great for a tube roller such as myself.


barnettk OP
410 posts
 
Good stuff!
vusi_khumalo
72 posts
 
Well done, the Philips are very close to top of the hill!
Good that you will first do the PSU/rectifier before you do more rolling, especially because rolling rectifiers is another adventure! 
I wouldn't worry about Siemens, I don't believe they can beat what you have in an ARC phonostage. Maybe if we were talking DACs or a Preamp that handles a digital source. 
Yes the Teles are better than Philips in an ARC phono but also sound slightly cooler which you might not like. 

barnettk OP
410 posts
 
@vusi_khumalo

Thanks. Yes you nailed it. Before I do anything else I will be doing the power tube upgrade. Obviously you know what that entails. For those who don’t ARC used 3 power tubes in the PH7 (prob other models as well). What they found out is that the 3 tubes wear unevenly which causes/could cause degradation in SQ. To resolve this they came up with an upgrade to replace the 3 tubes with a single rectifier tube that is supposed to A. Resolve that problem B improves SQ overall. So I’m really looking forward to that mod. I’m on a waiting list about 7 deep because ARC was only doing warranty work during covid but they are now taking in some upgrades and service work. It must be quite involved because they would not give me permission to have my local tube gear guy get the plans/schematics and the upgrade kit for this mod. So I’m waiting. It’s all good tho. Sometimes patience pays off.
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