I don't know. I really haven't spent time analyzing. When I hot-swap recti's I think I hear differences but then is it my imagination. By the time I turn off the TRP and swap output tubes I forget what it sounded like. They all sound good. One day I will really sit down and compare using some notes. How about you?
I don't know. I really haven't spent time analyzing. When I hot-swap recti's I think I hear differences but then is it my imagination. By the time I turn off the TRP and swap output tubes I forget what it sounded like. They all sound good. One day I will really sit down and compare using some notes. How about you?
An honest answer! I too find the same quite often unless the differences are very obvious. I have to really concentrate and be in a dark room when listening. Two things don't help:
1) The human ear/brain will forget how things sound very quickly, which is often why you will hear people when they receive new gear say "It's bringing out sounds that I didn't hear before".
2) Some of these tubes have different output power - and louder typically = "better".
It would be nice to have two TRP's connected to the preamp at the same time so you could compare tubes better without having to remove tubes quickly I had my GA connected to my preamp at the same time as my TRP for a day, and I could definitely tell the differences between the two DACs.
I'm as guilty as the next person (probably more so...) of rolling a few different tubes in quick succession, but I also like to listen with one set of tubes for a few days and then another set of tubes for a few more days. Combining the two methods (quick swaps and listening for a few days), I gradually start to hear small differences. More so with different amp designs than others. It's all good fun.
I also like to listen with one set of tubes for a few days and then another set of tubes for a few more days. Combining the two methods (quick swaps and listening for a few days),
I don't know. I really haven't spent time analyzing. When I hot-swap recti's I think I hear differences but then is it my imagination. By the time I turn off the TRP and swap output tubes I forget what it sounded like. They all sound good. One day I will really sit down and compare using some notes. How about you?
After my EL51s and my TRP seemingly don't like each other too much, I can't comment on the EL51s but people I know love the EL51s over all other tubes we came along. So they really must be special. I hope I will find out one day for myself
From the tubes in my stash that do work I like the Psvane 6CA7-TII in combination with the RK 5u4g recti the best. (The EH 6CA7 I didn't like at all)
The NOS RFT EL34 is very special and I like them second best.
The NOS GEC KT66 in combination with the ACME 274B recti is also very nice, less transparent and more charming.
The NOS Siemens EL34 after a BIG LOT of hours are also finally opening up nicely.
The current production Genalex Gold Line KT77 are easily available and dirt cheap. They are VERY transparent and take profit from a more charming rectifier like maybe the chatham potatoe masher but I also like them with the RK 5u4g
After my EL51s and my TRP seemingly don't like each other too much, I can't comment on the EL51s but people I know love the EL51s over all other tubes we came along. So they really must be special. I hope I will find out one day for myself
christoph, I remain interested in what was it about the EL51's that didn't work for you with the TRP. One of the things I've gotten with them that wasn't there with the early 1970's GEC KT-66, is shoutiness on some louder passages, such as with female vocals and jazz pianos. It's a close-mic effect, but I don't know that the mic was actually too close, as I've been able to more or less control it with different rectifiers (e.g., more with Brimar than the 596).
christoph, I remain interested in what was it about the EL51's that didn't work for you with the TRP. One of the things I've gotten with them that wasn't there with the early 1970's GEC KT-66, is shoutiness on some louder passages, such as with female vocals and jazz pianos. It's a close-mic effect, but I don't know that the mic was actually too close, as I've been able to more or less control it with different rectifiers (e.g., more with Brimar than the 596).
It is not that I would not like the sound of the EL51 because my friends are all over the moon with the EL51 but my exact TRP does not work with the EL51 and I have absolutely no clue why.
My EL51 work perfectly in my friends TRPs and their EL51 also don't work in my TRP
Thanks to Corona I have NOT heard the EL51 working so far.
I hope I will soon be able to hear the EL51 in a friend's TRP to come to my own conclusion about the EL51.
If I love them as much as my friends do, I might have send my TRP back home to Poland for a revision
All the other tubes I have work wonderfully, it is only with those bloody EL51
Any identification codes on the RFT or Siemens? RFT made a lot of different variations. For example, all Telefunken EL34 tubes manufactured after 1971 were actually made by RFT.
Siemens never made an EL34. They rebranded other manufacturers EL34. Mainly from Philips, and later from.... RFT. I might be able to identify the Siemens if there are codes on the tubes, and you post up some pictures including getters, plates and base.
Any identification codes on the RFT or Siemens? RFT made a lot of different variations. For example, all Telefunken EL34 tubes manufactured after 1971 were actually made by RFT.
Siemens never made an EL34. They rebranded other manufacturers EL34. Mainly from Philips, and later from.... RFT.
I just got an allegedly NOS 5R4GY Brimar NOS w/ dual O getter from India (maybe you've seen the ubiquitous posts on eBay, with lines of boxes, often from totempole_999). Strangely, it doesn't have any markings on it. Out of the box, it sounds good, with a slightly dark tone vs. the relatively brighter -- and I don't think bright -- 596. On the TRP, the shoutiness I mentioned was still there, but it pretty much disappeared when switched to the Supratek preamp, with the 596/EL51 combo in the TRP.
What would be helpful for me is for the NOS tubes, such as the RFT EL34, if someone who is in the know about the tube post a link to ebay or similar site so we can see and possibly purchase the tube. Without a link, I'm left guessing if it's the right one.
I found a 5U3C tube in a drawer. The tube label is in a circle with three bars like wings on either side. Does anyone know what tube this is and their impressions of it? So far, sounds very nice, pretty deep, forward, high end a little muddy perhaps. Paired with EH 6CA7 (new).
I found a 5U3C tube in a drawer. The tube label is in a circle with three bars like wings on either side. Does anyone know what tube this is and their impressions of it? So far, sounds very nice, pretty deep, forward, high end a little muddy perhaps. Paired with EH 6CA7 (new).
I found a 5U3C tube in a drawer. The tube label is in a circle with three bars like wings on either side. Does anyone know what tube this is and their impressions of it? So far, sounds very nice, pretty deep, forward, high end a little muddy perhaps. Paired with EH 6CA7 (new).
It is actually 5C3S (if transcoding the cyrillic lettering correctly). The label with the 3 bars is the logo of the Svetlana factory in St. Petersburg. (BTW they manufactured EL34 tubes as well).
Back to the recti - the black anode variant is supposed to be better than the greyplate. My TRP was supplied with this recti from Lampi (alas, with greyplates)
It is actually 5C3S (if transcoding the cyrillic lettering correctly). The label with the 3 bars is the logo of the Svetlana factory in St. Petersburg. (BTW they manufactured EL34 tubes as well).
Back to the recti - the black anode variant is supposed to be better than the greyplate. My TRP was supplied with this recti from Lampi (alas, with greyplates)
Mine is the black and it sounds pretty good. I’ve been swapping rectifiers all day. Very hard to really tell much of difference frankly. I like to think the DAC is that good that the tubes make subtle changes.
Right now really enjoying the Tung-Sol 5881 paired with Psvane ACME 274B. Bass is heavier, visceral muscle in presentation that some other combos lack but little harsh on top. If you u want to rock or roll, good combo.
I had my GA connected to my preamp at the same time as my TRP for a day, and I could definitely tell the differences between the two DACs.
