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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> ZSTAGE >> ZSTAGE Tube rolling
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Message started by mantha3 on 12/11/11 at 03:14:03

Title: ZSTAGE Tube rolling
Post by mantha3 on 12/11/11 at 03:14:03

This is a quiet area in the forum.

The ZSAGE kicks ass big time for those like me who like a more minimal type of set up with a passive pre.

I run this ZSTAGE into a passive pre to my McIntosh amps. Unreal good.

If I were to speak to a person thinking of buying... I would highly advise this thing. But, Spend some $$ on a good 12AU7. I got a CJ (Conrad Johnson) grade Mullard CV4003 from www.upscaleaudio.com. A strong solid Mullard with balanced triodes is key. If you pay for this ZSTAGE the $$ to get a solid and balanced NOS is a must. This is the first stage and is pretty key in the whole system IMHO. I have this ZSTAGE and then the McIntosh MC75s.. I think for the sound impact this ZSTAGE tube has the most noticeable impact.

I have
++12AU7 - Mullard A little forward. Audiophile clean and punchy. I like it big time... Bass is big! dynamic.. Not as relaxed as a RCA Clear top)
++RCA 5star clear top 12AU7 - (Best sounding... But tomorrow I may pick the mullard
++GE Clear top-Brent Jesse got me these. Nice
++Raytheon black plate - (Big Dynamic sound. Excellent!)
++Motorolla - I'd guess early 80s? good stuff

5965 tubes rule in this thing
++5965 GE Five Star NOS balanced triode is a tube you can get pretty cheap. Get one or two.
++5965 Hewlet Packard clear top. I got one
++Some JAN 5965 from Brent Jesse-Dynamite value I'd do

7062
-- Amperex 7062. 7062 are not too well known. They are built like tanks and sound amazing

12AT7.. They sound great.. A little too forward. But at times sticking a good old NOS 12AT7 and turning the thing up is ridiculous good! Get a 12AT7 / E81CC Siemens - triple mica, dual post getter. Do this and play some AC/DC really loud... It will never sound better. No particular album by AC/DC... Any will work excellent.

The 12AU7 that came with the ZSTAGE sounds good.

Get a ZSTAGE and shop around for a NOS tube or 3 to roll. This thing is a blast to tube roll!

Happy holidays and go Decware! ;D

Title: Re: ZSTAGE Tube rolling
Post by mantha3 on 12/11/11 at 03:21:29

PS - the top pic had the right side cut off... with the Decware ZSTAGE! The driver of it all. I run this ZSTAGE with a good short RCA interconnect into the Mapletree passive.

Title: Re: ZSTAGE Tube rolling
Post by Lon on 12/11/11 at 14:09:38

Nice stuff, thanks for sharing. A passive and an active line stage! Cool.

Title: Re: ZSTAGE Tube rolling
Post by NormD on 12/23/17 at 19:19:51

I just put a BRIMAR CV4003 / 12AU7 in my ZSTAGE and it is a keeper. I think it has better overall sonics vs. the Mullard and RCA cleartop. I’m using the ZSTAGE to boost the gain between my Chinook preamp and my ZTPre to the gain maatches the XLR levels from my DAC.

Very nice.

Title: Re: ZSTAGE Tube rolling
Post by SonicSeeker on 12/24/17 at 15:19:50

Nice, I was thinking about trying that tube in my ZROCK eventually.

Title: Re: ZSTAGE Tube rolling
Post by NormD on 01/01/18 at 22:59:06

I just replaced the awesome Brimar with a Amperex 12AU7 Gf7 Vintage 1962 Tube Bugle Boy Short Pl. Round Getter and this tube has taken the LP’s to another level. The piano is clear as a bell, the highs and air are crisp and clear without being bright and the bass is awesome.

I have my Turntable feeding a Manley Chinook with Mullard ECC189’s feeding my ZStage with the Amperex into my ZTPre with Amperex 7308’s into my ZMA. AWESOME. Some time later I’ll try Amperex 7308’s in the Chinook and make everything up to the ZMA Amperex.