They blasted the stock tubes. I also swapped the preamp tubes by one RCA Western Electric 6SL7GT and a matched pair of Psvane 6SN7GT. This is a totally different amp.
They blasted the stock tubes. I also swapped the preamp tubes by one RCA Western Electric 6SL7GT and a matched pair of Psvane 6SN7GT. This is a totally different amp.
Actually, there is an improvement on all counts:
- the noise floor has significantly reduced especially with the new 805 and 6SN7GT
- better sound image with more space and depth as well a more precise staging of the instruments and voices
- improved dynamics
- tighter bass control
- more harmonics
- better integration of the left and right channels. With the stock tubes, there was sense of a separation between both channels with a small gap in between. This has totally vanished.
The whole set of tubes was about 50% of the amp’s MRSP but it is worth every penny.
They are actually better than a matched pair of NOS RCA I have (JAN CRC 6SNTGT from 1955). I would definitely recommend them.
The only NOS tube I’ve used is a RCA Western Electric 6SL7GT from the US Signal Corps which is excellent but this one was not cheap though.
However the most dramatic changes will be obtained with the 300B and the 805A.
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Yes but I decided to bet on the KR Audio RK Anniversary Edition. I already have the rectifier from that series for the phono stage in my main system.
I would implore you to try the Acme 300B in the amp. I have the same amp, and had the Acme 805s for a while but was reluctant to try the 300Bs. Long story short, after preferring the Acme 300B in my DAC, I just had to try a set in the amp, and I've never looked back. I have used the following 300Bs in the amp - EML 300B XLS, KR 300B RK, Elrog 300Bs- and prefer the Acmes.
Here’s a tip for the 6sl7 - Tungsol made a low noise military version called the 6su7. Is a similar build to their much revered round plate 6sn7 and on a similar performance level. Very rare though.
Overall, it's very uncolored for a 300B. It was the most transparent and extended of the lot. It's also similar to the 805 in how it creates images and soundstage.
A couple of years ago I tried a few different 300Bs. I purchased a set of EML 300B XLS tubes, and liked their detail and transparency, but found them a bit too dry. I ended up keeping TJ 300B/c tubes in the amp. They are more liquid and relaxed-sounding, but give up some transparency and top end extension. Can you compare the Acmes to the EMLs?
I never directly compared the Acmes to either the EMLs or the KRRK. I preferred the Elrogs to those two after comparing each of them to the Elrogs directly. Then, recently, I compared the Elrogs directly to the Acmes.
I would say it's safe to extrapolate the attributes the 805s brought to the table to the the 300Bs doing the same.
Compared to the Elrogs, you lose some mid-range magic and a sense of glow around instruments, but you get more resolution, see-throughness and clarity with the Acmes. Soundstage is similar but bass reproduction is better as well. The beauty lost by removing the Elrogs was easily replaced by tuning other areas of my chain.
I would say it's safe to extrapolate the attributes the 805s brought to the table to the the 300Bs doing the same.
Compared to the Elrogs, you lose some mid-range magic and a sense of glow around instruments, but you get more resolution, see-throughness and clarity with the Acmes. Soundstage is similar but bass reproduction is better as well. The beauty lost by removing the Elrogs was easily replaced by tuning other areas of my chain.
Thanks. Very helpful.
Wish there was a tube seller who would allow customers to try out multiple brands of tubes, like the Cable Company does for cables. I’d love to try the Elrogs, Acme and Audio Note 300Bs, but $1500 is a lot of money to pay, only to find out you either don’t like or prefer a different tube.
I don’t have any of the new ps vane acme tubes but I do have a few pairs of there last run of top tier recti new replicas
I also own real nos of each tube as well.
The 2a3 and real nos 2A3 is a good copy in fact in some ways it’s better
The we 300b is close to the real ones too. It is not as airy but there is no doubt it has many facets of the real ones
The we274 is also a good tube and has some of the sound of the real Ike’s too. But the real and tak ones are just better. Or does no wrong but if you have the real or taks it becomes a mind game Aimed at your brain.
I wonder how much closer the new acme series will be. I have heard the we274 b is very close to the tak. The real nos is a bit more airy and less weighted
there are also others who make replicas as well. By looks alone the acme wins big.
I also own real nos of each tube as well.
The 2a3 and real nos 2A3 is a good copy in fact in some ways it’s better
The we 300b is close to the real ones too. It is not as airy but there is no doubt it has many facets of the real ones
The we274 is also a good tube and has some of the sound of the real Ike’s too. But the real and tak ones are just better. Or does no wrong but if you have the real or taks it becomes a mind game Aimed at your brain.
I wonder how much closer the new acme series will be. I have heard the we274 b is very close to the tak. The real nos is a bit more airy and less weighted
there are also others who make replicas as well. By looks alone the acme wins big.
Wow I hate those tubes I’m selling my like new only at best 25 hours on them. Let me know
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