Golden Gate 2 Reactions

[wisnon]

When the 242 is better, nothing comes close. People who have not compared 242 to others and seem it work don't know what one is talking about. I don't think the RK is that gain or match dependent.

You should hear the Elrog then!!!! Horrible in his old Dac and a gem now. Toe to toe with 242, which was good like it was in the Pac.

Recall Goran has an AR preamp and 270mv output of his 242.

 

[bonzo75]

You should hear the Elrog then!!!! Horrible in his old Dac and a gem now. Toe to toe with 242, which was good like it was in the Pac.

Recall Goran has an AR preamp and 270mv output of his 242.

Must be also coz of new production of Thomas Mayer

 

[wisnon]

I can assure you that at least the demo Pacific I have here does NOT have such a gain levelling feature. The 242 is still some 6 to 10 clicks louder than the 45

Not a "feature", its how the output is set from the factory. In Goran's case, with his electronics, it works a treat! Sounds great too, but you should hear the Elrogs! BTW, how were the Elrogs in the Pac?

 

[wisnon]

Must be also coz of new production of Thomas Mayer

Nope, they were bought used from a noted compadre on these here Internets. Lol
Until now, Goran had not thought them special. What I heard yesterday WAS special.

BTW, the FT Audio cables also bring palpability to the party, so the 1-2-3 combo is a knockout!

 

[bonzo75]

Nope, they were bought used from a noted compadre on these here Internets. Lol
Until now, Goran had not thought them special. What I heard yesterday WAS special.

BTW, the FT Audio cables also bring palpability to the party, so the 1-2-3 combo is a knockout!

Wow cool.

 

[marslo]

I think on my PAC there is a heater adjustment for different power tubes ( 242 among others) but didnt try it yet, play only with RK 300B until now

 

[wisnon]

on every Pac and GG2 Marslo. Maybe even on new B7 too. however, it is not a gain switch!

 

[christoph]

Must be also coz of new production of Thomas Mayer

Those are ancient production Elrogs

 

[Zero000]

Does anyone know what the 242 spec actually is or have a link?

Does anyone even know the heater voltage?

In my Franken 9 Lampihater DAC, it was pretty good. Just not better than the RK, or EML GM 45. And I am sure the AD1.

Anyway, really curious to know the heater voltage. That might explain...

 

[bonzo75]

I didn't like it in your dac when I heard it. That is not how I expect it to sound. In your dac the RK and 300b were better, but the 242 was not doing what it does

 

[Golum]

Just checked at the spec sheet - each tube setting has it’s own output voltage and as Norm said 242 is at 270mV, 101d/PX4 at 300mV, 300b 290mV and 45 260mV so maybe this explains a bit. I specifically asked the guys to take care about this, as i had tooooo much gain with balanced version and with my Ref6 it was not really a bingo combo. Now this one seriously kicks a.s.
As Norm said adding the FTA USB cable instead of WW platinum starlight also massively influenced the end result.
Yes lets call it now Pacific Light.

 

[Zero000]

I didn't like it in your dac when I heard it. That is not how I expect it to sound. In your dac the RK and 300b were better, but the 242 was not doing what it does

We know that. I just want to see the spec sheet for it. A few years ago I am sure I found it. Can't find it now.

EDIT: let's change that to fairly sure. I just remember thinking 'wow, that's never going to work well in Big 7 circuit' and just look at the curfuffle it has caused. And it has

 

[abeidrov]

Just checked at the spec sheet - each tube setting has it’s own output voltage and as Norm said 242 is at 270mV, 101d/PX4 at 300mV, 300b 290mV and 45 260mV so maybe this explains a bit. I specifically asked the guys to take care about this, as i had tooooo much gain with balanced version and with my Ref6 it was not really a bingo combo. Now this one seriously kicks a.s.
As Norm said adding the FTA USB cable instead of WW platinum starlight also massively influenced the end result.
Yes lets call it now Pacific Light.

This explains, why the volume level is more or less the same regardless of a tube type being used. What I don’t understand, why it has not been done with other people’s GG2s and Pacifics? This feature is very convenient and completely eliminates 242 high gain problem.

 

[wisnon]

We know that. I just want to see the spec sheet for it. A few years ago I am sure I found it. Can't find it now.

EDIT: let's change that to fairly sure. I just remember thinking 'wow, that's never going to work well in Big 7 circuit' and just look at the curfuffle it has caused. And it has

Google is your friend. Its something like 3.8v x 0.6 amp. Importantly, you need to check the amplification factor for an idea of the gain possible!

 

[wisnon]

We know that. I just want to see the spec sheet for it. A few years ago I am sure I found it. Can't find it now.

EDIT: let's change that to fairly sure. I just remember thinking 'wow, that's never going to work well in Big 7 circuit' and just look at the curfuffle it has caused. And it has

Actually, it worked great in my old B7, horrible in the GG originally and only passable after the GG1 was upgraded and gain cut drastically from 2500mv to 670v. I feel its needs to be below 400mv and ideally below 300mv to get the best out of it. With the rotary switch, this can be done without imparing any other of the 4 tube types.

 

[wisnon]

This explains, why the volume level is more or less the same regardless of a tube type being used. What I don’t understand, why it has not been done with other people’s GG2s and Pacifics? This feature is very convenient and completely eliminates 242 high gain problem.

Not sure, but likely a new discovery/breakthru...but just my speculation. It could also be that it works great with Goran's electronics and not so well with others.

 

[Zero000]

Actually, it worked great in my old B7, horrible in the GG originally and only passable after the GG1 was upgraded and gain cut drastically from 2500mv to 670v. I feel its needs to be below 400mv and ideally below 300mv to get the best out of it. With the rotary switch, this can be done without imparing any other of the 4 tube types.

All I really meant by not working was that the output would be too high for many preamps.

Anyway, all the 242 banter is fun so in a way it is cool to have a 'bad boy' valve.

Not so funny if you feel less than happy about your GG2, though

 

[wisnon]

Just to add that if its Supermodel tubes Goran is after, then the champ will be the EML 300b and regular 45 (mesh both). Things of beauty, but not the best 300b and the Anniversary Globe 45 is better than the regular mesh in SQ. AG 45 mesh is still a nice looker, just a tad less fabulous in the looks dept.

 

[Golum]

Just to add that if its Supermodel tubes Goran is after, then the champ will be the EML 300b and regular 45 (mesh both). Things of beauty, but not the best 300b and the Anniversary Globe 45 is better than the regular mesh in SQ. AG 45 mesh is still a nice looker, just a tad less fabulous in the looks dept.

Have to say that all RKs are uber cool looking - but agree with your above evaluation.

 

[wisnon]

Have to say that all RKs are uber cool looking - but agree with your above evaluation.

Lets just say that RK is top model and EML is supermodel. LoL
Elrog is in between and KR 242 is the plain Jane with the heart of gold. Ha.