boead
Ex Member
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[quote author=Steve Deckert link=1150659727/15#20 date=1149721775]I'd be willing to bet everyone who's just stated their Select's are not warm and lush but rather just the opposite are not using the 6N1P from the factory tube compliment. Rather you got suckered into more detail and better focus of NOS 6922's and or 6DJ8's. So basically your amps sound the way you made them sound. ;) [/quote]
You know I hate it when Steve D. is always right!
I’ve had my Select for a couple of years as it is now, somewhat modified.
I lived with the combination of a GZ32 rectifier, a pair of Mullard EL84’s and Amprex PQ white label 6922.
I decided to live with all the stock tubes, which I did for a couple of weeks. I first tried replacing the Ruby, it has too much mechanical noise and besides all the other NOS rectifiers I tried sounded better, even just a little. For whatever reason the GZ32 (I have two) sounds a little more transparent and has a little more weight and bass that I like.
I then rolled through input tubes, slowly.
I tried a classic Bugle Boy 6DJ8, Amprex PQ 6922, Mullard (Blackburn) 6DJ8, Sovtek 6N1P.
The 6N1P is the overall best at compromise. Its sound is well balanced. It has nice weight and bass, not as tight as the Amprex tubes but fuller but not as full as the Mullard, although the Mullard can be a bit soft and mushy (like an Elephant), its rich and tubey. The 6N1P’s high end is clear and detailed but maybe a little dry (no grit or sharp edge when its sometimes needed) but still never too bright or raspy. The Amprex’s top end is a little too edgy and doesn’t quite extend as high as the 6N1P although its very transparent and has clearly has MORE detail then the 6N1P. The Mullard has the least amount of high end detail and at times is almost veiled, at times its pleasant and very musical but other times it obviously lacking detail.
The midrange/vocal range of the 6N1P is somewhat back, a little dark and quiet. Nicely transparent, good weight but is lacks tight focus in the sound stage, overall more forgiving. The Amprex’s were both more upfront and more detailed, somewhat congested at times and overly revealing. Focus is very tight on the PQ and although the sound stage is tighter and more defined spatially the overall width and depth appears smaller then the 6N1P. Male vocalist have SO much detail and nuance it’s very alluring. The Mullard has an almost creamy midrange, although lacking detail its so darn musical. Soundstage is big, wide and deep, and very transparent and a row or two back from the 6N1P.
The Mullard is by far the most musical and make nearly everything you play sound good! If you’re listening critically to well recorded music, it’s not as detailed or as focused and could be considered bass heavy, classic tube sound.
The 6N1P is the best balanced and compromising. Not the best at anything but it might be the best tube for the amp. I keep going back to it, its musical, detailed and enjoyable to listen, especially when rolling through all different types of music.
The Amprex PQ is great but can be most critical of material. Lots and lots of detail, less full and abundant bass a pronounced midrange and high end that’s not bright. Very tight top to bottom but can be a little edgy, raspy and overly revealing.
The Amprex BBoy is much like the Amprex PQ but more relaxed with a brighter top end. Sometimes it comes across as the best compromise but I like the darkness in my system. I recently introduced a PS Audio Juice Bar which is no more then a good quality 6 outlet power strip with no protection or filtering at all. You can roll power cords to the bar that has a profound effect on the entire system. I gained a lot more detail and a more upfront presentation by eliminating the power conditioner for the preamp and all sources. The amp is always plugged directly into the all. I’m trying different power cords on the CD Player, one that has a cap inline and does some very basic and mild filtering (K-Works brand) that I like a lot so far.
Changing Rectifiers has its own effects but as I’ve said the GZ32 is really the only one I seem to like for any extended time.
Next I’ll roll through power tubes. I’m down to just the SV83’s, EiElite EL84’s and a pair of Blackburn Mullard EL84’s. I’m expecting to like the SV83’s best.
I have plenty of time on my hands, off of work till Wednesday and I’ve been working home since Tuesday.
Anyone hear about the floods in New York? My family (wife, kids, dogs) are in Delaware County on a vacation in a house we own in town. The town was completely flooded with over 3 feet of rain water that breached many of the local reservoirs. Our old house is built high so no water made it into the first floor but the town is devastated. National Guard are fixing sewer and water (fixed as of this morning), handing out water and food. Until today you couldn’t get in or out of the area, most roads were too highly damaged.
My Van filled with water halfway up the seats and the soonest I can get a rental van is Monday!
So I’m home listening to music.
It’s amazing what a couple of Tanqueray and tonics will do to the sound stage.
Happy 4th
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