Riviera levante

Mullard 12AU7 sound best so far but gain is issue , G73R sound the worst , Mullard 12AT7 also sound very good .
 

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I've been thinking for some time that this integrated amp could be excellent paired with my 94 db Blumenhofer FS2 SE. Now I use 2 Chord Etude in mono, I would like to change the "flavor". I've seen that a fair number of Levante amps can be found second hand at acceptable prices, perhaps the honeymoon has passed or could there be other explanations? This device intrigues me a lot.
 
Levante owners - do you have any hum/buzz (even the faintest) from your speakers when the amp is turned on and no music is playing? how's your noise floor with stock tubes or other tubes? my amp is now buzzing a bit with my Devore O/96 which are super sensitive so I'm wondering if this is common with the Levante design or I need to check my amp.
 
Levante owners - do you have any hum/buzz (even the faintest) from your speakers when the amp is turned on and no music is playing? how's your noise floor with stock tubes or other tubes? my amp is now buzzing a bit with my Devore O/96 which are super sensitive so I'm wondering if this is common with the Levante design or I need to check my amp.
I have the Levante with a pair of O/96s and I have not noticed any hum at all. Could it be a grounding issue or perhaps the tubes needing replacement?
 
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I have the Levante with a pair of O/96s and I have not noticed any hum at all. Could it be a grounding issue or perhaps the tubes needing replacement?
Thank you for sharing, I couldn't be happier with the pairing as far as tonality and performance go.
Unfortunately my amp's volume pot is now completely busted and can endlessly turn, sometimes it'll lock in with zero volume being at 11, moving backwards and max volume at 10.
Will send this to get fixed by the dealer.
 
Thank you for sharing, I couldn't be happier with the pairing as far as tonality and performance go.
Unfortunately my amp's volume pot is now completely busted and can endlessly turn, sometimes it'll lock in with zero volume being at 11, moving backwards and max volume at 10.
Will send this to get fixed by the dealer.
When I had Devores and a Levante, there was definitely a higher noise floor vs. my solid state amp, even with my quietest source. Definitely tried some sources where it was quite noticeable. If you're hearing a 60hz constant drone....that sounds like a grounding issue.
 
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i can’t say that I have experienced any noise despite using about a dozen tube sets. The problem could be grounding related. Has anything been changed before the hum arose?
 
Question: are 12AT7, 12AU7 and 12AX7 interchangeable in Levante? So doesn't cause any harm for tubes or amp to try those? I happen to have quite a lot 12AX7 left from my previous amp. I have currently Mullard M8162 from 1962 attached. In 12AT7 collection I have also Brimar CV4024, Siemens E81CC, Telefunken ECC801S, Tungsram.
 
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Update I found my favorite tube to date in the lavante " Valvo 6201 D-getter Pinched Waist " rare not cheap but excellent
 

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Thanks, and ECC40 with converter as well?
Yes I've tried that in mine although I prefer other options. The difference between those X T and U tube families is gain so you're taking Levante outside of its designed circuit performance. That said, you're not risking the actual amp and you can find some excellent combos. I usually run mine with 12au7.
 
I'm considering to buy Philips ECC186/7316 made in 1959 or Philips Miniwat from 1965 from a reliable seller. Latter are a bit cheaper. Which one I should choose?
 
As a general rule earlier, before cost cutting measures came into place to compete with transistors. Pre 1960 for (western) European novals. Seek production from ancestral factories like Eindhoven rather than Heerlen.
 
Has anyone used the bal inputs on lavante ?
no mater which DAC I use with Bal inputs I get distortion. Even at min volume .
 
Has anyone used the bal inputs on lavante ?
no mater which DAC I use with Bal inputs I get distortion. Even at min volume .

I've used both and don't have any distortion issues with the balanced inputs when connected to an MSB DAC
 
Is it noise that scales with the volume pots and does it scale more with source or levante volume levels?

Do you have any other inputs connected in playing at the same time? I found with the aic at least there was a little bit of bleed between the inputs
 

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