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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Any weaknesses in my system?
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Message started by EdGuY on 11/19/12 at 07:25:26

Title: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/19/12 at 07:25:26

Hi
Is there any weaknesses in my system I should fix? Arguments and suggestions please. Any better rectifiers on market I should know or OC2 tubes?

AMPs:
Amplifier: TORII MK3 (Black figured wood base, 21 position Stepped Attenuator, VCAP upgrade)
Pre amplifier: CSP2+ (Black figured wood base, Stepped attenuator, 2 pair of stereo outputs)

Tubes:
Power tubes: Fuller EL34G (gold plated) NEW / Psvane KT88-T (gold plated) NEW
Voltage regulation tubes: Russian CG16P (OC2) NOS
Voltage regulation tubes: Sylvania OB3 (Bottle shaped, black plated) NOS / Sylvania OD3 (Bottle shaped, black plated) NOS
Input tubes: MULLARD E188CC (6DJ8s/6922s, gold pins)NOS / Valvo ECC85 NOS
Rectifier tubes: Svetlana 5U3C (black plated) NOS / Svetlana 5U4G NOS
**all tubes with HAL-O III dampers

Cables:
INAKUSTIK Referenz NF-803 audio cables
YARBO SP-9020PW power cables

Speakers:
Advent A4 Loudspeakers (fully restored, crossover: VCAP's, silver wires, foil coils & etc.)

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by Lon on 11/19/12 at 11:50:04

Welcome Ed!

Are there any shortcomngs you sense, or areas of improvement you are targetting?

What source player (s) are you using?

These might help with suggestions. Thanks!

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by Lon on 11/19/12 at 13:28:03

Great! I'm sure we'd enjoy a photo of your front end component if possible.

It's hard for me to say where to go to get extra warmth if that is what you're looking for. In the Torii I might recommend trying older RCA 5U4G straight shouldered rectifiers for the Torii, as these are the warmest that I've found (and I like it warm). I also find RCA OA3 straight shouldered regulator tubes to add warmth. I haven't much experience with OC2 brands but a Raytheon pair that I have offers more "bloom" than an RCA pair, which is tighter and darker. In the CSP2+ I have found several 5Y3GT tubes to image more realistically than 5U4G types, and RCA and Tungsol (a new find thanks to Mike here on the board) to be warm and clear.

I'm using 6N1P input tubes though on Torii and CSP2+ so I'm not entirely sure that these tubes would offer the same characteristics with your input tubes, but I suspect they will act similarly.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by deucekazoo on 11/19/12 at 15:32:03

Very cool! Nice setup.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by Doorman on 11/19/12 at 15:52:54

Synergy is such a factor. Only you will know if the music is lacking something or not.
Don

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by Lon on 11/19/12 at 15:53:02

Nice setup indeed. I like what you did with the source component.

You might want to consider some Herbie's Audio Lab "Tenderfeet" under that. . . .

www.herbiesaudiolab.net

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/19/12 at 18:01:43

Thank you guys so far!
Synergy is what I have now, but I wonder can it go better and warmer :)
There is so much tubes I have no experience with. If anyone have more good suggestions I should try, please let me know.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by busterfree on 11/19/12 at 19:39:56

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/20/12 at 06:56:41

Hi again
What you say if I replace 5U4 to 274B tubes? Any warm 274B suggestions?

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by Lon on 11/20/12 at 12:52:20

I only have experience with one 274B, the Valve Art/Shuguang, and if you're looking for warmth, I don't suggest that one, my RCA 5U4G rectifiers offer more warmth.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by marky on 11/20/12 at 13:52:30

Thats a nice looking system.
I`ve used 5AR4`s and 5R4GY`s (old mullard and b.plate RCA) for a GE 5u4 and prefer both and I suppose are warmer, or more full bodied. But then you have to balance out makes and models. There are some pretty expensive 5u4`s out there. And we have had good reviews here of the shuguang 274B ($15), which I have seen listed as a proper replacement.
Is the rectifier the best place to start and then signal/power tubes.
I guess it is.
edit..Sorry the 5AR4 goes in my minimax, dont think it`ll work in CSP2+
I`m actually looking for 2 matched rectifiers for when my new Decware gear arrives. There was a nice pair went for £200 recently. ouch ! :)

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/20/12 at 14:49:15

:)
My recent purchase, just want to find good tube combination to Torii and CSP2+, now I will have RCA tubes:
PCC88/7DJ8 PHILIPS NOS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-PCC88-7DJ8-PHILIPS-NOS-Tube-Valvula-Valvola-Rohre-Lampe-TSF-/260943811337?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

RCA Electron 0A3 NOS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Vintage-RCA-Electron-Tubes-NOS-OC3-4-OA3-2-449-/330805224989?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160

Shuguang Psvane 274B Rectifier white plated New
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shuguang-Psvane-274B-Rectifier-Vacuum-Tubes-Pair-Brand-New-/221112984449?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160

RCA 5U4G NOS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-tall-RCA-JAN-5U4G-black-plate-military-issue-match-date-pair-5U4-eq-/221153413503?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160

Now there is plenty of tubes I have to test. Soon will see the result

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by Lon on 11/20/12 at 18:01:19

As you say plenty of tubes to play with, and you spent some coin!

I know you'll have fun checking out all the combinations.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/20/12 at 18:18:09

I let you know when I'm done (if ever). This hobby really is expensive, but I'm ready to do anything for perfect sound.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by C.E. on 11/20/12 at 19:58:11

Those 1960's RCA 5U4G's are sweet. VERY nice rectifier...
The 1960's RCA 5U4G's (for whatever reason) have this full, juicy bass tone that (in my opinion) is the best.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by marky on 11/21/12 at 10:53:19

Interesting choices Ed...
Thanks for the links...the RCA tubes eb seller doesn`t appear
when I type in RCA 5u4, so I guess their are many such sellers.
I nearly went for a pair of the slightly used ones but have a couple
months to make a purchase. I`ve saved his page anyway.
Must be fun when you have multiple decware amps to switch the
recs around.
Ps. I did a check and the 5AR4 will sub the 5u4
so......thats - 5u4..5Y3GT...5R4GY...274B...5AR4...
This is all relatively new to me...it`s like learning a new language. 8-)

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/21/12 at 13:18:50

Marky: new language for me also ;) ..but oly in positive way.
I allways try to find best components to my amp combinations, and after that if few of tubes(or any parts) are near to eachother I pick the best loking. For me I think also the appearance affects how you "hear" the sound.
Now I change Psvane KT88 tubes to Fuller EL34G and try to burn them in. So I can give feedback later...

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/22/12 at 06:18:07

Look what I found! http://www.ebay.com/itm/190758129359
Universal remote volume control unit, just perfect with torii. Now I can control one sorce volume via DAC and other with remote!

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/22/12 at 09:59:16

Tube comparison picture:
http://www.telefuusio.fi/amp/tubes.jpg

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by marky on 11/22/12 at 11:24:35

Kind of agree on the asthetic visuals = enhancing.
The ps vane you ordered is a looker.
I`d love to have similar base decor
on a quad of el34`s....and they`re out
there as well as the more staid ones.

Looking round the back of a tube to see
the decals....oh the pain... :)

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by Donnie on 11/22/12 at 12:48:45

EdGuy, I watched your video and noticed a huge problem with your system. The aluminum chair from Restoration Hardware will compleatly ruin the sound of your stereo. Trust me, the best thing you can do is pack the chair up and send it to me for distruction. I will make sure that it won't cause you any more harm.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/22/12 at 13:52:10

Don't worry, stereo sound is perfect ;) and I moved my speakers on my table, for better 3D sound. I think I'm gettin warmest sound anyone ever heard, thanks to torii, advent and Fuller EL34G.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by marky on 11/23/12 at 11:04:00

Kind of a paradox.
The begining of the record track reminded me of
Joy Division..and the last thing they wanted was to
make you feel warm. Beauty in suffering.
Long time ago now, but I still spin the old `Atmosphere`
and `closer` as well as the double live album...
Even now, to appreciate the music you feel a little cold.
We lost a good`n there.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by orangecrush on 11/23/12 at 17:38:20

I love the sound Joy Divison on a good system. Sounds so unearthly and cold. Beautiful.

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by EdGuY on 11/23/12 at 21:12:58

I love Dean Martin, so warm and soft :)

Title: Re: Any weaknesses in my system?
Post by Robbls on 12/05/12 at 08:47:24

Talk about with friends