KR 242, Elrog 300, px4, px25, EML and KR 5u4g, and KR 274b

[Alrainbow]

Sorry for my confusing post.
For me there is no recti that is close to the tak or we274b
It's not on the same level of change nor is it with staging
What the Kron does better then the pack not including the two above is noise level this is evident in two ways that I hear
One is low level details on soft passages the second and one that no one replys too is blackness
While both are a function of everything you mentioned and a server as source as well. So many hear changes that are there but if your source as in a server is very good the music comes from a black back ground maybe it's how I hear things

 

[Audiocrack]

Sorry for my confusing post.
For me there is no recti that is close to the tak or we274b
It's not on the same level of change nor is it with staging
What the Kron does better then the pack not including the two above is noise level this is evident in two ways that I hear
One is low level details on soft passages the second and one that no one replys too is blackness
While both are a function of everything you mentioned and a server as source as well. So many hear changes that are there but if your source as in a server is very good the music comes from a black back ground maybe it's how I hear things

Thanks much, Al, for this clarification.

 

[Audiocrack]

Well, after all the valuable input from various WBF members I just ordered a Tak 274B tube from Woo Audio in New York. They expect to receive a new batch of Tak tubes in about a week or so.

I had hoped that the Kron recti could compete with the Tak because ordering the Kron recti from Lukasz is more convenient and probably safer than ordering a tube that needs to make a long, hazardous journey across the ocean. But all the feedback indicates that the Tak is the 'better' rectifier. Probably it will take a couple of weeks before I will be able to actually listen to it, but I do not have to inform you guys about the performance of this valve as so many of you are already using it in your own systems or have experienced it somewhere else.

 

[bonzo75]

You should try the Lampi 45s that you already have in the output

 

[Audiocrack]

You should try the Lampi 45s that you already have in the output

Will do but I am not in a rush because I am very happy with the Elrog 300b tubes in my Tidal LA set up. Far from sure wether the anniversary mesh 25 valves will 'better' the Elrogs; in the end it is always a mattter of taste and system energy. But of course you might be right and I might be wrong. I will find out in due time which tube is my favourite.

 

[bonzo75]

yes but it will take you no time and cost to find out

 

[dctom]

Sorry but I still don't get the difference. How does such a cable differ from a regular USB cable like say Totaldac or the Sablon you have, why would it give a different sound if you are not using the 5v power (which you are not with the other USBs)

I bought an Albedo usb cable for the GG from Greg - it is a data only cable. I did make up a silver data only usb to compare and it worked very well - the Albedo did sound better though.

 

[Alrainbow]

Jack wu is a good guy reg the el rogs. And mesh 45 they are very different in sound the mods are very lush in those 300b and also in the mesh but the weight of the 300 b adds depth to the sound and certain songs or instruments sound better with fast 300b
While it's your choice I cannot see going in that direction
If any tube to I would go for a px25 it's close to an Elrog and more low end details
This is just some thoughts. And be nice to those elrogs. Do you use them in 45 mode less Heater current than in 300b use sw up for 45

 

[Audiocrack]

Jack wu is a good guy reg the el rogs. And mesh 45 they are very different in sound the mods are very lush in those 300b and also in the mesh but the weight of the 300 b adds depth to the sound and certain songs or instruments sound better with fast 300b
While it's your choice I cannot see going in that direction
If any tube to I would go for a px25 it's close to an Elrog and more low end details
This is just some thoughts. And be nice to those elrogs. Do you use them in 45 mode less Heater current than in 300b use sw up for 45

Thanks Al. And yes, I will be very nice to my Elrogs. Please keep in mind I am using them in my Tidal LA set up: the LA's are incredible silent speakers; Tidal put tremendous effort into the cabinets and RFI precautions. Probably the LA's are one of the most transparent speakers on the market today. I cannot remember hearing a more revealing speaker. So the Elrogs supply me with a lot of details, possibly due to the LA's. But as mentioned in my answer to Ked, I will try the anniversary mesh 45 valves and who knows I prefer those to the Elrogs.

 

[wisnon]

I bought an Albedo usb cable for the GG from Greg - it is a data only cable. I did make up a silver data only usb to compare and it worked very well - the Albedo did sound better though.

Yeah, I think Lampizator also makes such a USB cable as well.

 

[ferrox]

All, I would say the following.

When Rob picked me up at the station, on the way back he mentioned that he had preferred the px4 to the px25. I was skeptical because wasn't px25 supposed to be just like the px4 on steroids?

But no, they are indeed quite different. We started with the px25 and the EML mesh 5u4g recti. I did not think that was dynamic enough, so changed the recti to KR 5u4g. Yet the system did not take off. We then added the Elrog 300b. Immediately, their was a big jump in tone. There was a sparkle around the Oboe, the chorals were projecting out more and decaying better, and the sound was embracing us. As later on we switched rectis, we found that the Solid plate of the 5u4g made it more dynamic, but the mesh plate of the EML 5u4g gave it more air. The air supplemented the air of Elrogs and made them sound better on the vocals. The Elrogs lost nothing on dynamics.

From Elrogs, we moved to the px4. Surprisingly the px4 sounded nothing like the px25. The tone on px4 for excellent. In fact, on the Bach Cello recording from Mike Valentine's Chasing the Dragon CD, the px4 just shot over all the others. It was incredible how much details and variations on the cello were being heard, and how realistic it sounded. It was also the best tube on rock. The later Robert Plant's husky voice from the NO Quarter album (a collaboration between Page and Plant in the 90s), showed that Px4 were doing the huskiness, full bodiness, and the details of the hurdy gurdy and the drums better than all other valves.

Px4 to me sounded best with KR 5u4g, but others preferred it with the EML mesh 5u4g. This is quite a preference thing. I think Elrog should be part of every arsenal if one can afford it, to add the sparkle on some classical pieces, it makes some instruments like oboe, violin, and flute, stand out, but I don't see Elrog as a stock valve. I think, and this seemed unanimous, that px4 was the best valve, apart from being an all rounder.

The 242s did not stand out on the GG like they had done on the Big 7 and at Bill's so I think it is more of a gain play. We will repeat this at Bill's. Funnily enough, at Bill's the KR 5u4g was a better match for 242s than the 274b, here it was the opposite.

The KR 45s, which I did not like at Bill's sounded great in this system.

On Facebook, Tubesusa mentioned that current production of Elrog 300B is safe for Lampizator Golden Gate Balanced. They heard it from the manufacturer. I am not sure if I should go ahead and purchase a quad pair because I already have Tak 274B and KR PX-4 right now.

 

[bonzo75]

On Facebook, Tubesusa mentioned that current production of Elrog 300B is safe for Lampizator Golden Gate Balanced. They heard it from the manufacturer. I am not sure if I should go ahead and purchase a quad pair because I already have Tak 274B and KR PX-4 right now.

PX4 is as good as anything, and there are the special 45s.

If you get Elrog the sound will be very different, and a very pleasant change, especially on vocals, violins and woodwinds. So it depends on your budget really, quads are expensive, but if you don't mind, go ahead and spend it, and if you find yourself listening to one over the other, sell the other either as a quad or as 2 pairs.

 

[Alrainbow]

May I ask what setting does tube USA Recomend on the lampi ?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

May I ask what setting does tube USA Recomend on the lampi ?

presuming you are referring to the setting for Elrog 300b's, George from TubeUSA recommended the 45/101d Lampi GG setting in January based on feedback from the Elrog factory.

as now there are different owners of Elrog and it's 9 months later that could have changed.

but I would say that I have listened to my Elrog 300b's daily for 3-5 hours for 9 months without even the slightest issue using the 45/101d setting.

 

[Alrainbow]

Thanks

 

[khonfused]

I have been using the px4 for a week or so now.

I just like it a lot. Together with the Kr 5u4G Lampi recti just perfect for my ears. I did not even feel the need yet to put back the Taka recti, it just sounds so good.
Will try my favorite recti nonetheless soon.

But again, I think the px4 is just doing EVERYTHING right.

 

[marslo]

I have been using the px4 for a week or so now.

I just like it a lot. Together with the Kr 5u4G Lampi recti just perfect for my ears. I did not even feel the need yet to put back the Taka recti, it just sounds so good.
Will try my favorite recti nonetheless soon.

But again, I think the px4 is just doing EVERYTHING right.

I couldn't agree with you more, khonfused.
Enjoy.

 

[bonzo75]

Would like to know your impressions after adding in the Tak. I myself have ordered the px4.

 

[Audiocrack]

presuming you are referring to the setting for Elrog 300b's, George from TubeUSA recommended the 45/101d Lampi GG setting in January based on feedback from the Elrog factory.

as now there are different owners of Elrog and it's 9 months later that could have changed.

but I would say that I have listened to my Elrog 300b's daily for 3-5 hours for 9 months without even the slightest issue using the 45/101d setting.

Do I renember you have the EML anniversary mesh tubes available as well? If that is indeed the case, how do these valves compare to the px4 in your view?

Sorry, this reply was intended for Khonfused rather than for Mike.

 

[bonzo75]

Do I renember you have the EML anniversary mesh tubes available as well? If that is indeed the case, how do these valves compare to the px4 in your view?

Sorry, this reply was intended for Khonfused rather than for Mike.

Sujay has both px4 and the special 45s as well