Forums - Reflecting on Sarah

Lon

Seasoned Member

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

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Re: Reflecting on Sarah
Reply #300 - 08/29/25 at 11:52:18

It's very interesting imo to play with voltage regulation tubes on this amp.

I spent most of the past few weeks doing so and have returned to my favorite complement: three English 75C1 for the input and driver tubes. This gives me the best bass and sweetest highs and a warm midrange--just how I like it. An Amperex 90C1 gives a very open midrange in the input tube position, but there's just a bit of sterility, the warmth is gone. Of course another room, another source, other cabling, room treatments etc. will all influence how any tube will cause the amp to sound.

What a fascinating way to listen to music! This amp is the best I've ever owned.

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MM Seasoned Member Posts: 376	Re: Reflecting on Sarah Reply #301 - 08/30/25 at 03:31:50 I know there is a lengthy thread on VR tubes, but does anyone have any tips for shopping for them? I have a set of English Gammatron OB2’s and a set of German factory Telefunken 75C1’s. Both are quite dull compared to the Russian tubes Steve supplied with the amp.
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CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 2960	Re: Reflecting on Sarah Reply #302 - 08/30/25 at 16:43:31 There are a bunch of threads on this site about what other people like, but at the end of the day you’ve got to experiment for yourself. You can stick with the Decware tubes, or you pays your money and you takes your chances. At least that’s my experience.
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Lon

Seasoned Member

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 27058

Re: Reflecting on Sarah
Reply #303 - 08/30/25 at 16:52:25

That's been my experience as well. The "boils down to it" reality for me is that everything matters and influences how the system sounds, from power, to isolation, to cabling, room and treatments or lack of same, and yes to tubes. So a tube that sounds great in one system may not in another. for example just today MM mentions that an English made 75C1 tube sounds "dull" where as they sound fantastic to me in my amp, not dull at all.

Suggestions for tubes can be helpful. . . twenty some years ago how someone described and waxed gleefully about Amperex input tubes helped me to decide to explore those and they have led me to invest in Holland made tubes that almost always prove to be very beneficial to the overall sound of my system. General impressions of how a tube brand or type sounds can lead to fruitful exploration. . . and sometimes dead ends. I also have found the descriptions of Brent Jesse's impressions of tube types and brands to be good interpretations to aid exploration.

https://www.audiotubes.com/

(Although not helpful with voltage regulation tubes).

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Lon

Seasoned Member

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 27058

Re: Reflecting on Sarah
Reply #304 - 08/30/25 at 17:00:11

MM, if you are looking for a "lively" sound from a voltage regulation tube I think that Raytheon 0B2 that are not in the shielded flash on type variety could be a good contender:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/233498027857?_skw=Raytheon+0B2&itmmeta=01K3XV7BXFX9PRVC...

At a lower regulation point the Tesla 0A2 variant has a very interesting influence on the sound--in my amps they have been far from "dull":

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325443469519?_skw=Tesla+11TA31&itmmeta=01K3XVJHX4CXRVH2...

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MM

Seasoned Member

Posts: 376

Re: Reflecting on Sarah
Reply #305 - 08/30/25 at 17:13:31

Thanks, guys. Lon, I’ll give that one a try.

For sure, the details matter, and the individual tubes matter. The 75C1’s that came with my Sarah sound amazing- the Telefunken 75C1 just don’t have the same clarity and presence. So obviously not the tube type, per se, just the individual tube/manufacturer. This has been my experience with NOS tubes in general.

And of course, you get what you pay for. Some of the more reputable tube sellers like Brent are going to be more reliable, but these less expensive VR tubes aren’t always available from them.

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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 27058	Re: Reflecting on Sarah Reply #306 - 08/30/25 at 17:48:04 Gotcha, yes the English made ones that Steve sells are excellent. I've had a few other type 75C1 that were not immediately as wonderful, though with a lot of hours on them they can improve.
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CAJames

Seasoned Member

"I've run every
red light on memory
lane."

Posts: 2960

Re: Reflecting on Sarah
Reply #307 - 08/30/25 at 17:50:18

Quote:

Posted by: MM Posted on: Today at 09:13:31

...of course, you get what you pay for. Some of the more reputable tube sellers like Brent are going to be more reliable...

If you are talking about buying tubes that are electrically reliable than yes, you are correct. You're much less likely to get a bad tube from someone like Brent, although it certainly happens.

But electrical reliability and audio quality are not well correlated in my experience. I'm fortunate to have a tube tester, so I don't have to worry about putting a "dangerous" tube into my amps, although in 30+ years of testing a lot of random tubes bought off the internet there were only a very few. Some are just dead, but you'd learn that quick enough in your amp. And some of the best testing tubes I've bought have sounded with the worst.

My Scottish Heritage typically objects to paying top dollar for "heritage" vacuum tubes, so I buy a lot of inexpensive tubes, often used, and am able to experiment with a lot of different types and makers. I've found many bargains, in addition to a lot of tubes to which I'll never listen again. But everyone has a different level of comfort and budget for buying tubes, so you need to figure out what works for you. It is possible to do better than the Decware stock tubes, but you can also spend a lot of money and not necessarily get better sound.

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Kamran

Seasoned Member

Sarah

Posts: 1229

Re: Reflecting on Sarah
Reply #308 - Yesterday at 23:33:36

I know it’s been a while and there have been significant changes to the rig. As I was thinking about when/how to share my progress, a personal tragedy occurred. Exactly a month ago, my father passed away. Took a hiatus from HiFi for almost two weeks and even when I started, my heart wasn’t in it. That said, it has become comparatively easier to cope as of late and yet another change has pulled me back in, helping with the healing process.

One of the things we have been doing as a family is digging up old family videos and pictures. Perusing through those, I spotted a vintage HiFi setup that I didn’t recognize. My mom explained that this was our first system in the early 1980’s and we had it for a year or two before selling it.

Therefore, I dedicate this post to my dad and to show off his rig. My updates can wait.

Behold the Weltron Model 2005 (on the right), a complete system with both vinyl and 8-track deck and speakers. Not sure about the specifics of the amplifier. Ours was in Yellow though.

Love the space-age/Jetson’s vibe. Picture cropped from a Facebook ad where the OP had both models (2005 and 2007) for sale. The 2007, introduced later, had a cassette deck instead of the 8-track.

Here is what the Yellow one looked like (although, this is the 2007 model):

I envy the lucky family who bought this—-would’ve been a cool vintage piece to own now.

I guess the bug was planted early!

Rest in peace Dad…

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Lon

Seasoned Member

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 27058

Re: Reflecting on Sarah
Reply #309 - Yesterday at 23:39:13

Kam, so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I know how difficult that is. . . It seems you still have your Mom which is a great blessing. I lost my Mom first, and when my Dad passed eight years later it was even more devastating. I know you have a loving family to bolster you. that's a blessing. All the best to all of you. That was a neat system your family had. I will be happy to hear improvements to your system when you are ready. Have a great holiday season.

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mrchipster

Seasoned Member

Posts: 115

Re: Reflecting on Sarah
Reply #310 - Today at 00:28:49

My condolences Kamran.

I'm glad you have fond memories of your father to look back on and cherish. They say time heals all wounds, but I imagine that's easier said than done and I doubt can ever fully heal, especially for someone as close as a parent. I wish you the best in your journey onward from this point. You will smile again when you eventually reminisce.

My parents are 89 and 87 and it's hard not to think of the inevitable outcome of life. I've been spending as much time with them as I can and I'm looking forward to the Christmas/Holiday season. Thanks for bringing this up and reminding me that it's all about family.

Looking forward to your updates whenever they may come.

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Bottlehead Seasoned Member Posts: 605	Re: Reflecting on Sarah Reply #311 - Today at 01:45:59 Sorry for your loss, Kamran. All the best, Randy
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MM Seasoned Member Posts: 376	Re: Reflecting on Sarah Reply #312 - Today at 02:07:19 My condolences to you and your family, Kamran. Mike
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