earthtones
Responses from earthtones
| Audioquest Firebird Zero I compared WT Copper Zero vs Silver Zero biwired in my Vandersteen setup over the course of a few weeks. I kept returning to the Coppers because they seemed a little smoother and the Silvers I thought had a slight edge to them. However, I’m absolu... | |
| Audio Research Ref 6 SE I picked up my new Ref 6 SE on Friday and after 50 hours it is starting to break in nicely, and I look forward to full break in after the advised 500 or so hours. I had a Ref 6 to demo about three months ago, so notwithstanding aural memory which ... | |
| Herron vs PS Audio BHK vs Rogue Preamps I’ve had the Rogue Rp7 and the BHK. The BHK is cleaner sounding and measures better. It doesn’t round off the leading edges of transients like the Rogue does. I can’t speak for the Herron. But if you can swing it, I strongly recommend you try out ... | |
| ARC REF 150SE vs REF 160S I can’t say but I will have the same preamp (I demoed a Ref 6 and was sold) driving my Vandersteen M5-HPAs which are hooked up to my 5A Carbons. If I were you I’d audition the M5-HPAs. | |
| PS Audio BHK owners The gain is on the low side. 40 - 60 is what I run and it’s a bit louder with 6 volt tubes at the 5ma bias setting. Of course there are many other factors such as speaker efficiency, room setup and XLR vs single ended connections, with the former ... | |
| Audio Research Ref 6 SE After demoing a Ref 6 the past couple of weeks, I decided I have to have one, so I just put in my order for a new Ref 6 SE. I can’t wait! I’ll post my findings in a few weeks. | |
| PS Audio BHK lacking.. In my experience, the stock tubes are better than any of the 6volt tubes I tried including the Tungsrams, and better than Radiotechniques 12au7. The Psvanes have a cleaner midrange that is more balanced with with the highs. | |
| Audio Research Ref 6 SE Yes I would love to hear about comparisons of the two, as well as the SE vs the Ref 10. | |
| Vandersteen Question Every time I try it on my 5ACs, I end up turning them off soon after. My smallish room just doesn’t need the added brightness. It is 12 * 22 * 7, with a nook behind the basement stairs so that part is 16 feet wide. It has two small windows and a d... | |
| Preamplifier, in need of input @milpai I’ve tried Radiotechnique 12AU7, Amperex 7308 and Tungsram 7DJ8. I’m in no rush to spend more to try to find something better than the Psvanes. | |
| Preamplifier, in need of input I recommend adding the PS Audio BHK Signature preamp to your list, for much less than your target price. As good as the XP-22 is, which I had for a year, the BHK sounds more fleshed out and gives up only a minuscule amount of leading edge transien... | |
| To all PS Audio BHK preamp owners *** must read *** I tried it and it’s no better and possibly somewhat worse. I may have detected a slight thinning of the lower mids and flattening of the soundstage. I’m not sure really but I’m keeping at the designed 4mv spec. I don’t understand Bascom’s rational... | |
| To all PS Audio BHK preamp owners *** must read *** Well now I’m really curious so I guess I’ll try it. | |
| PSVANE 12Au7 12At7 12Ax7 "-T MKII" 2020 production run of small signal/driver tubes I have about 100 hours on them. I think they sounded great right away and I haven’t noticed any difference since. I’m have my doubts about tube break in. What is there to break in? It’s not like there’s a dielectric to form. Or maybe the surroundi... | |
| To all PS Audio BHK preamp owners *** must read *** Try switching it back. Does it sound worse? Per BHK himself: “The intent of the bias or tube operating switch was to allow for the use of the 12AU7 and the 6922 family of tubes. For the 6922 types, the current was set for 5 mA and for the 12AU7, 4... |