johnss

Responses from johnss

Phono Preamp - LoFi to MidFi. So many options!
for a LOMC cart you and your budget you may want to consider a step up trans with an EAR phonobox clone or a Marantz 7 phono clone. Both plus a step up should be do -able in your budget. And don't limit yourself to new step ups, plenty of used ver... 
Seeking a recommendation for 12Au7 tubes for Conrad Johnson ET6SE preamplifier
There are so many NOS or UOS 12au7s available you may want to try a few.  also the industrial versions and military versions of this tube are quite good such as the 5814 and 6189.  You may want to buy a few and see what you like.   
purchasing tubes
Have done both. Aliepxress is like amazon. Just a middle man. Most of the tubes you'll find on Ali are China sourced tubes. Their QC specs are a mile wide so you are likely to get some duds as well as some OK tubes. If your tube amp is ARC or VTL ... 
Primaluna evo tube preamps with Coda S5.5
You may want to consider looking for a used VTL TL 6.5 series 1, Well within your price range and will easily drive your coda amp using the balanced outputs. Super dynamic sounding pre.   
Rumble - turntable or background noise DG LP
The copies I have are quiet. You may want to try US cleaning one and see if that helps.  These new DGs are all pressed by Optimal in Germany. Pallas would have been a better choice IMO.   
Help me mod my tube amp
Two main areas you can improve.  A. the tubes.  B. the cheap film caps used inside the amp.  pretty simple if you know how to solder.  1. Upgrade the input tubes to get rid of the Chinese tubes. Plenty of NOS or UOS US and Euro tubes available... 
Preamplifier options - seeking help to determine which one
If you are using the Denon 103R you may want to consider a step up trans in place of a LOMC phono input and run the step up output into an MM stage.    
Audible illusions need Balanced output
you may want to consider an ARC or VTL fully differential fully balanced preamp.  The AI is a nice preamp but would need a ton of work to convert it to fully differential.   
Is there an 'Audiophile' Reel-to-Reel Machine for Under $1,000?
before you plop down your cash on a tape deck you may want to consider what format you are most likely going to play. 1/4 track, half track, what speed? 7.5 ips, or 15 or 30 ips? without determining these factors first pretty hard to make a machi... 
SUT for AT-OC9XSL?
Staying under 300 may be a tough call. If you look at the vintage step ups from 1970s through 1980s they seem to start around 450 and up. You may want to consider a ned clayton base and buy either cinemag transformers or the OJAS transformers whic... 
HumminGuru vs.Degritter
@pryso I mix a few drops of photoflo with the US cleaning fluid to break the surface tension and help wet the surface.  After US cleaning I use a dist water rinse and a vac machine as a final clean and dry step.   
SUT suggestions for Audio Note System
@pkvintage You have several options. the output on your cart is around .6mv  1.you can try one of Bob's step up devices,  2. look for a used step up designed to work with that output level. 3. go all out and check out the Ypsilon step ups where... 
Technics SL-1200 vs. Scoutmaster
@mezz955 It really depends on which 1200 you are talking about. There are the older versions, then 5 new versions of the 1200. If you are referring to the new 1200G, then yes would be a big upgrade. The only drawback to the G is the shorter spindl... 
Tubes for Primaluna DiaLogue Premium HP
I used to have a pair of the HPs run in mono config. A few other input tubes you may want to consider are the RCA 5814 black plates, GE 5814s, or if you want a brighter sound try some RCA 12AU7 clear tops. All are fairly easy to find on the NOS or... 
Fidelity Research FRT-4 and Entre ET-100 step-up transformer SUT comparison
@rauliruegas that is your opinion and contradicts many others.