LampizatOr Golden Atlantic + TRP

[GroovySauce]

I'm still loving the Super Tube Rectifier. I did have a Linlai 845 DG start to chatter, I'm now blending a Linlai 845-T and 845-DG and it's working well.

Hey Groovy-
Can you post a pic of the 6CA7 you’re talking about? I have a set of PSVANE 6CA7-TII but never pursued making a quad due to lack of availability. I hear so much crap and bad experiences about PSVANE and Shuguang that I don’t even know what to think anymore.
If you’re experimenting with Chinese tubes which supplier have you found to be the most reliable source?

I was skeptical about the Shuguang tubes too. I ended up buying a quad for my amp too. I bought them from thetubestore.com.




My brother was over and asking if I have tried the KT170s in the TRP and 6CA7-Ts in the amp yet and I have not so I'm going to try that. I did enjoy the KT170s however I found them a little too clean and precise. I like a bit of sexy swagger.

 

[Beckola66]

I seem to vaguely recall @budburma saying something about 6C26a tubes... I just wish he could be more clear if they are worth getting or not. Huh.

Took a swing at a quad. Just waiting for adaptors to be delivered - Canada Post is still sucking the life out of Canadians.

View attachment 143970

Cheers,
Robert

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on these beauties

 

[WildPhydeaux]

It may be a while as the adaptors are still in the grubby claws of Canada Post. But I've also got an embarrassing wealth of different tubes on my "try" list and my recent experiment with low voltage filament tubes has my focus too. But I'm looking forward to the 2C26A, so I'll get there...

Cheers,
Robert

 

[HungarianPal]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to try the 6j5 tubes in my ATLANTIC TRP (old version with the R2R board) so I ordered a pair of nice looking Pinnacle 6j5GT (CV589), which are actually 6S2S Russian tubes. When I put them in, there was this periodic loud clicking of the tubes warming up that concerned me: my other tubes only give out a couple of faint clicks and that's all but these were much louder and persisted. Then I put on my headphones to take a listen and they were buzzing very loudly. I switched it off immediately and now I don't remember if both channels were buzzing or only one, but I think both. Do you think the tubes are faulty? Ordered from Langrex.

 

[Designsfx]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to try the 6j5 tubes in my ATLANTIC TRP (old version with the R2R board) so I ordered a pair of nice looking Pinnacle 6j5GT (CV589), which are actually 6S2S Russian tubes. When I put them in, there was this periodic loud clicking of the tubes warming up that concerned me: my other tubes only give out a couple of faint clicks and that's all but these were much louder and persisted. Then I put on my headphones to take a listen and they were buzzing very loudly. I switched it off immediately and now I don't remember if both channels were buzzing or only one, but I think both. Do you think the tubes are faulty? Ordered from Langrex.

The 6J5 should work as a native tube in your dac (meaning without the use of an adapter). It’s probably the tubes- no knowledge of their age or how they have been stored. I would inspect each pin at the base of the tube to make sure there all pins have a tight connection. Also check the glass the make sure it is not loose from the base. If all is good there try cleaning the pins with a light abrasive pad and inspect remove any debris with a damp cloth. Once they are dried try them again to see if there is any improvement. If they’re still humming/buzzing try leaving them in the dac for an hour or so powered up and give them another listen. You may be able to identify which tube is making the noise by putting light pressure against it while you’re listening. If the hum/buzz changes or goes away you may have an issue with the contacts/base. If these issues don’t clear up after a few hours under power send Langrex a note describing the problems and ask for a replacement. I’ve never used the Pinnacle 6J5 but I’ve been told that it is a very linear tube and a good performer for the money. Good luck!

 

[HungarianPal]

The 6J5 should work as a native tube in your dac (meaning without the use of an adapter). It’s probably the tubes- no knowledge of their age or how they have been stored. I would inspect each pin at the base of the tube to make sure there all pins have a tight connection. Also check the glass the make sure it is not loose from the base. If all is good there try cleaning the pins with a light abrasive pad and inspect remove any debris with a damp cloth. Once they are dried try them again to see if there is any improvement. If they’re still humming/buzzing try leaving them in the dac for an hour or so powered up and give them another listen. You may be able to identify which tube is making the noise by putting light pressure against it while you’re listening. If the hum/buzz changes or goes away you may have an issue with the contacts/base. If these issues don’t clear up after a few hours under power send Langrex a note describing the problems and ask for a replacement. I’ve never used the Pinnacle 6J5 but I’ve been told that it is a very linear tube and a good performer for the money. Good luck!

Thank you very much for the suggestions. They were manufactured in 1971 and look prestine: clean and even the pins are silvery bright. Nevertheless, it occured to me that maybe a light cleaning of the pins might help, so I will try that. And yes, I also remember reading about initial hums disappearing after a few hours of burn in.

 

[budburma]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to try the 6j5 tubes in my ATLANTIC TRP (old version with the R2R board) so I ordered a pair of nice looking Pinnacle 6j5GT (CV589), which are actually 6S2S Russian tubes. When I put them in, there was this periodic loud clicking of the tubes warming up that concerned me: my other tubes only give out a couple of faint clicks and that's all but these were much louder and persisted. Then I put on my headphones to take a listen and they were buzzing very loudly. I switched it off immediately and now I don't remember if both channels were buzzing or only one, but I think both. Do you think the tubes are faulty? Ordered from Langrex.
View attachment 144244

It does seem to likely be the tube. Personally, when I hear a hum, I give it a little time to clear out. Snap, crackles and pops give me the willies any time they're outside my cereal bowl. That said, if it's their first time in place, I'll give them a little time for the electrons to shake out any 50 or 100 year old tight joints or whatever, but more often than not in my experience those issues resurface. Any big or repeated pops or crackles and I sacrifice that tube to the audio gods, thank them for the opportunity, appreciate their age and ask to keep my gear and family safe and sound.
I've not heard Pinnacle either and hve no experience with their quality control or sonics. In that family, I tended to like ye olde standard straight glass metal based Sylvania 6J5G best, then G/GT or GT - all monikers of manufacture date. It's definitely nice to use tubes without adapters and there are plenty of choices! I have some ugly duckling GEC and Brimar that sound nice, too. Mellower and less dynamic, but comforting and easy to appreciate.

 

[Designsfx]

Thank you very much for the suggestions. They were manufactured in 1971 and look prestine: clean and even the pins are silvery bright. Nevertheless, it occured to me that maybe a light cleaning of the pins might help, so I will try that. And yes, I also remember reading about initial hums disappearing after a few hours of burn in.

So how did it go? Any signs of things clearing up?

 

[HungarianPal]

So how did it go? Any signs of things clearing up?

I didn't put them back in. I was afraid that even the DAC would be harmed - there was this loud periodic clicking sound coming from the tubes similar to when the tubes get warmed when the DAC is switched on, but so much louder than my other tubes. I don't even want to blow the fuse. And the buzzing sound through the headphones was so loud that I doubt it would go away.

 

[Designsfx]

My Golden Atlantic TRP3 with RCA Globe 80 and a quad of Tungsram EL6. Still running the EL’s in as they are NOS with maybe 4 hrs on them now but they are a very nice tube!

 

[scottieophile]

Does anybody have any links available to sellers with the 7193 to el34 adapters. I’ve read through parts of this thread and the closest I’ve come to finding any sort of branding was Xuling, yet there are no references to some when I search the interweb.

Particularly, I was interested in the guy who sells the wooden adapters from Budapest. These look very attractive but, again, no references to links that I could find.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[WildPhydeaux]

Xuling was on eBay for quite a while but has apparently closed up shop.

Rather high end ones, wooden I believe, are made by a member here called takacs75 - I think his name is Lazslo?

Over at Head-Fi forum there is an user called Deyan who also makes nice ones out of aluminum. I've gotten several from him and been very pleased.

Cheers,
Robert

 

[findog]

Xuling was on eBay for quite a while but has apparently closed up shop.

Rather high end ones, wooden I believe, are made by a member here called takacs75 - I think his name is Lazslo?

Over at Head-Fi forum there is an user called Deyan who also makes nice ones out of aluminum. I've gotten several from him and been very pleased.

Cheers,
Robert

Yes, @takacs75 makes the wooden adapters and is a pleasure to work with.

 

[budburma]

Does anybody have any links available to sellers with the 7193 to el34 adapters. I’ve read through parts of this thread and the closest I’ve come to finding any sort of branding was Xuling, yet there are no references to some when I search the interweb.

Particularly, I was interested in the guy who sells the wooden adapters from Budapest. These look very attractive but, again, no references to links that I could find.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hi there - there's also Misha at 1101 Audio in Canada. A little slow and more expensive than Deyan, but also carefully and well made. I've not had him make any requiring leads, but I imagine he'd be up to the task...and may offer a choice of wire? Deyan's are very tidy appearing and uses shielded microphone wire for the leads on the 7193. The leads seem to have some sonic influence and Takacs' uses high purity silver which are clean and clear. The Chinese ones sound surpringly good, but as you've discovered, they aren't readily available any longer.

 

[scottieophile]

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone!!

 

[Mr Pipas]

Has anyone here tried any type of USB reclocking/regenerating device (like the Ideon Audio 3R USB Renaissance) upstream of their LampizatOr Atlantic TRP? I'm using a Mac Mini as my source and am guessing that it would be good to clean the USB signal up a bit before it gets to the Lampi. Thanks in advance!
Chris

 

[Mr Pipas]

Does anyone know if the Atlantic TRP2 requires the 5v power on the USB to initiate, or does it just need the data line?
Thanks!
Chris

 

[Blake]

Has anyone here tried any type of USB reclocking/regenerating device (like the Ideon Audio 3R USB Renaissance) upstream of their LampizatOr Atlantic TRP? I'm using a Mac Mini as my source and am guessing that it would be good to clean the USB signal up a bit before it gets to the Lampi. Thanks in advance!
Chris

I no longer have my Golden Atlantic, but, I've used and experimented with lots of DDC's, when I had my Atlantic, and now with my GG and Pac. With a Mac as your source, I personally think you should definitely do something like the Ideon you mentioned. I have Denafrips Gaia DDC and a Holo Red at the moment. I've also owned a bunch of other DDC''s (Berkely Alpha USB, etc.). I also have MacBook Pros, and just for giggles tried MacBook direct input to my Lampis via USB, then compared that sound with a DDC inserted.

DDC was very clearly superior, but, of course, not all DDC's are equivalent quality.

Also something to consider.... In my experiments, I found the different Lampi digital inputs have different sonic signatures, and if you have a DDC with multiple digital outputs, then you can then experiment for yourself, and see if you have a preference on which Lampi input you prefer.

Some of my Lampi friends prefer USB input, while others prefer spdif. The only way to know is to try for yourself. All Lampi inputs sound good, and sound similar, but, there are differences IMHO.

 

[Mr Pipas]

Hi Blake,
Thanks so much; this is very helpful!
Chris

 

[Designsfx]

Does anyone know if the Atlantic TRP2 requires the 5v power on the USB to initiate, or does it just need the data line?
Thanks!
Chris

I’m not sure how to help with this as I was under the impression that the 5V was always present over USB. As for initiation- if I’m understanding you correctly I ALWAYS have to give the input selector a spin in order for the dac to find the input after startup- even when using the same input from the previous listen. It drives me crazy but it seems that’s just the way it works.