274B choices?
- Thread starter Willgolf
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One of the best kept secrets in audio…. I have his M250 and I’m floored just how good and musical they are….not to mention the fit ,finish ,and construction are superb.
Correction: Apparently I had already sold the EL 34-ST, although strangely I have no recollection or record of having done so. The KT 88-ST long-life globe pair is definitely available. I preferred them over the 34's in the TRP. They had about 9 months use in a dac that runs tubes at 25% of full nominal power. PM if interested.
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Holy moly did this amp take a small step up for man and a huge step for mankind. Wow where do I start more extended highs but not bright. Fuller sound. Musical. Beauty in spades. Detail. Se se of realism. I cannot think of anywhere that did not get better. Had them playing for three hours. The demo ones are likely broke in the other pair will need a bunch more time. I am in awe of this performance. Thank you everyone for your positive feedback on sohpia electric tubes. The 274b tubes were really wonderful and decided on these two pairs. Lol looks Likely I will order a matched quad of kt88s for this amp and save a bit for 16 el 34s for the canary ca160 monoblocks. I think I will try the quad of kt 88s first and get one more positive reinforcement first before I get the big number. Wow thanks again.
I retubed my Manley amps a few months ago with 20 Sophia Aqua EL34st. I had been running NOS Winged C’s from the middle 90’s. It’s almost impossible to audition 20 tubes! Had to go on reviews, recommendations and listening to other amps (problematic). I feel lucky that they are working so well. A lot more air, bass definition and separation of instruments.
I find it hard to believe how much I like this amp with these tubes in it. Getting better today as well. Really beautiful and fun to listen to. I think I will make some tube changes in my systems. Will go at it slowly but give it a week and if they stay the same or get better I think I will be ordering more sohpias . Changed the power cord into the amp and it got way better again. Having fun so far
I have the Lampi Pacific DAC. Waiting for my Horizon, which should be arriving soon.
In my Pacific, I have tried both the Takatsuki 274B and the Sophia Electric Aqua 274B. I prefer the sound of the later. A bit more balanced in detail and richness of the mids. A bit more real in the upper reaches and transients, such as the splash of symbols. The veracity of vocals comes through a bit better as well.
In short, another great suggestion from Willgolf. Thanks Friend!
In my Pacific, I have tried both the Takatsuki 274B and the Sophia Electric Aqua 274B. I prefer the sound of the later. A bit more balanced in detail and richness of the mids. A bit more real in the upper reaches and transients, such as the splash of symbols. The veracity of vocals comes through a bit better as well.
In short, another great suggestion from Willgolf. Thanks Friend!
There was a quick old comment I read the other day comparing the Tak 300B to the Elrog. The writer said he preferred the latter for its greater harmonic richness in the midrange. I just received a pair of the Taks, supposedly with about 400 hours, to use in a recently converted GG2/3, along with the Sophia Aqua rspyder mentions. That makes any conclusions premature. With another 60+ hours here they have great clarity, speed, wide sounstage and smoothness, the best I've heard. What I'm waiting for, though, is for some midrange soulfulness to emerge before considering the 274B.
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If anyone is interested I was on sohpia electric site today and under there specials section they have a small price reduction for some of there tubes for holiday prices. Not every tube but some. The 274b blue bottles are on the short list. About 25 dollars a tube depending on which ones you are looking at. So a little bit.
Regards
Regards
Ordered a quad of kt88s the price reduction basically paid for the shipping. So waiting to see what the melody sounds like with sophia through out.
Regards Tom
Regards Tom
We quite a bit more time on the blue sohpia kt88s and I am very pleased the the beauty and richness of the tone. It was a good purchase so far. They advertised long life likely will never need another quad where they are at which would be nice very happy with that system at the present.
Hi, Did I miss your report on this comparison? Would be interested in hearing your thoughts
I would add the vintage Mullard CV593 GZ32 5V4 to any list of rectifiers to try. At half the cost of the blue Sophia 274B and 1/5 the average cost of a good Brimar/GEC/Marconi/MWT U52 5U4G it gives me 90%of what I get from those two in my Modwright PS 9.0 power supply.
FYI - just saw that there's a new, improved 2nd generation version of Sophia's blue 274B:
Sophia Electric Aqua II 274B Rectifier Tube with Live-Like Sonic Performance
WE 274B, Aqua 274B, Western Electric 274B, RCA 45, RCA 2A3, 5U4, 5U4G, 5AR4, Sophia Electric 300B
sophiaelectric.com
I was just typing that. I'd also note that the "Aqua 1" Sophia 274B is often on sale under the Special tab as a demo or with a loose piece of glass.
I can get the Brimar for around $50 in the UK, whereas the Sophia costs more than that for tax and shipping alone for me!
Did you ever get to try Marks Brimar cv1863? Interested how it compares to the Sophia Electric 274b (Aqua or mesh)hha ok deal markand if you do that when i get to london next year i will bring you my 274b to try
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It was actually the WE274B which @plasmod3 was going to bring whilst on holiday however that didn't happen, though I believe Ian has tried a brimar cv1863. In a Lampi dac (not sure what you use) it is very good however there are better-sounding options from WW2 era 4 volt rectifiers for not much money. For me, the earliest globe-shaped mesh plates are best but Tungsram pv200/600 / valvo g2004 / soviet vo-188 are all excellent solid plate options.
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