Golden Gate DAC arrives.

[bonzo75]

For those interested at a lower price than Tak, try the KR 274b

 

[wisnon]

Thanks dmiches. So this is a reliable source if I understand you correctly? How robust are the Tak valves: did you ever had any reliability problems with them?

Build quaility is among the best in the business! Built to last.

 

[wisnon]

For those interested at a lower price than Tak, try the KR 274b

I am hearing VERY good things about the SQ of the new KR 45 tubes. However, given that the vintage NUs are so cheap $50 each on Ebay, I would have to hear a head to head...as Dacs dont need high testing tubes like power amps, so the Krons may find better success in the power amp market

 

[dminches]

Thanks dmiches. So this is a reliable source if I understand you correctly? How robust are the Tak valves: did you ever had any reliability problems with them?

Pricejapan is very reliable. They communicate any delays and their shipping is very fast. I have had excellent success with Taks but tubes are tubes (and fail unexpectedly at times)!

 

[wisnon]

Takat vs Elrog 300B tubes discussed here:

http://www.audioshark.org/amplifiers-8/favorite-tube-amp-tube-make-model-combo-5595.html

and
http://www.audioshark.org/vacuum-tubes-valves-22/elrog-tubes-7300.html

and
http://www.audioshark.org/lampizator-186/whats-your-favorite-lampizator-output-tubes-7717.html

 

[bonzo75]

Hi,

I have Shun Mook Ultras under my preamp and phono. I will be putting them under GG soon - I have a plinth for the rack of silence so that I can add them. That is my job this weekend

I have Shun Mook discs on the chassis and power tube resonators in place.

42 of them. + shun mook valve resonators for the tubes. Don't feel shy Bill, let it all out

 

[Audiophile Bill]

42 of them. + shun mook valve resonators for the tubes. Don't feel shy Bill, let it all out

I already said power tube resonators, Ked.

I think you should become a Shun Mook salesman.

 

[bonzo75]

I already said power tube resonators, Ked.

I think you should become a Shun Mook salesman.

I think I already am their biggest sales guy, except I don't get paid for it

 

[Argonaut]

I already said power tube resonators, Ked.

I think you should become a Shun Mook salesman.

I would be interested in your considerations regarding the efficacy of the tube Resonators Bill.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

I would be interested in your considerations regarding the efficacy of the tube Resonators Bill.

Hi Roger,

Well I installed these about a week ago now and have been impressed so far. I have not taken sufficient time with and without A/B but based on my initial observations, I heard:

> Lower noise floor
> More 3D soundstaging
> slightly more natural sounding with vocals and instruments

For the small investment, I can't see one going wrong.

That being said, the gains were not in the order of magnitude that I just experienced when setting my Golden Gate on the Solid Tech Rack of Silence. Some might hate the design of the latter - I like the industrial look of it. No denying the across the board gains in the performance though and it is very well priced. Less than the price of 1 ultra 5 footer for a single shelf (which is what I have).

 

[bonzo75]

The power valve resonators and the mini valve resonators are very minor cheap tweaks. Not like mpingos or diamond resonators

 

[Argonaut]

Thank you for your thoughts on these Bill, whilst perhaps not as effect producing as the main line of Resonator's it sounds as tho they still contribute to the Mook thing as a whole. I too rather like the design of the Rack of Silence especially considering the efficacy/£££ ratio

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Thank you for your thoughts on these Bill, whilst perhaps not as effect producing as the main line of Resonator's it sounds as tho they still contribute to the Mook thing as a whole. I too rather like the design of the Rack of Silence especially considering the efficacy/£££ ratio

My wife thinks it looks like an oil rig

 

[Argonaut]

My wife thinks it looks like an oil rig

One of those would be rather nice considering my audio outlay this year ! Yes they do have that Bond Villain look about them

 

[Audiophile Bill]

One of those would be rather nice considering my audio outlay this year ! Yes they do have that Bond Villain look about them

Very sorely tempted to acquire 2 more for my Krells but will get my ass kicked

 

[spiritofmusic]

Bill, are you going to check out that Symposium Acoustics Quantum shelf/Spiers & Robertson air table combo for yr Kuzma tt? That's next on my isolation budget, after my move, alongside a whole slew of Shun Mook Diamond Resonators.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Bill, are you going to check out that Symposium Acoustics Quantum shelf/Spiers & Robertson air table combo for yr Kuzma tt? That's next on my isolation budget, after my move, alongside a whole slew of Shun Mook Diamond Resonators.

Hi Marc,

I did check out the Symposium Quantum and it looks lovely. I think I should acquire an air table at some point down the line. There are other competing purchases before that so will need to wait a bit until funds allow

 

[Audiophile Bill]

style wise a trio might look better lol i like it. you got away with one might as well brave it and go for that style statement

I concur Mr Spazmatron

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Please keep us posted Bill.

Hi Rudolph and fellow GG fans,

I received the Kr 300b balloons. Obviously they are new tubes so the character might change a little. Overall, I am not too excited about these tbh - yes they have a shed load a bloom on vocals, and yes they project a very 3D soundstage, but the punch and drive of the 101d has gone. I started with the eml 274b recti with them, which does not work as the eml is laid back and smooth anyway so paired with the 300b balloons is too much. Replaced the eml with the Kr 274b, which is a rocket powered recti - like a super charger. Things are better this way round for sure. I ought to try the Philips military spec 5u4rg as that is the cleanest recti I own.
Early days and I see promise with tone, bloom and soundstaging but not trading that for the lack of punch, speed and focus. So - maybe I need a 300b with more bite and punch - any recommendations? I should receive my Px-4 on Monday with any luck. Maybe the Px-4 will strike that balance?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Hi Rudolph and fellow GG fans,

I received the Kr 300b balloons. Obviously they are new tubes so the character might change a little. Overall, I am not too excited about these tbh - yes they have a shed load a bloom on vocals, and yes they project a very 3D soundstage, but the punch and drive of the 101d has gone. I started with the eml 274b recti with them, which does not work as the eml is laid back and smooth anyway so paired with the 300b balloons is too much. Replaced the eml with the Kr 274b, which is a rocket powered recti - like a super charger. Things are better this way round for sure. I ought to try the Philips military spec 5u4rg as that is the cleanest recti I own.
Early days and I see promise with tone, bloom and soundstaging but not trading that for the lack of punch, speed and focus. So - maybe I need a 300b with more bite and punch - any recommendations? I should receive my Px-4 on Monday with any luck. Maybe the Px-4 will strike that balance?

Elrog 300b + Takatsuki 274b.

2 weeks into it now.

this combo is superb on the GG on all types of music. it does scale, it does bloom, it gets drum kit textures and impact. never rounded, yet rich and fiery. very nuanced. most of that came with the Elrogs but the Tak added a degree of transparency, authority and push. it grounded things.

solo piano, vocals, and horns are wonderful. tone and timbre to die for.

I've not heard all the choices. but I'm in no hurry to hear anything else.

I have the Psvane 101d replica's and 300b replica's. and the EML 274b.