Thanks for the link! Just ordered one for spare

Can you put that rubber sleeve on any tube? I am thinking it stops the base from getting loose?

My spare KR tube is glued and taped similarly to prevent the base from becoming loose. The tube doesn't sound any different compared to my other KR tube with no tape. Some people even use masking tape instead. It doesn't looking as appealing as having no tape though.

magiccabbage said:

  let me know what the shuguang 2a3's sound like. what other power tube you got? Is that the EML 5u4g?

Click to expand...

I don't really have any other tubes to compare it to but my set up of EML 5U4G, shuguang nature sounds 2a3, and cyro pearl 6N1P voshkod sounds really good with my modded HD800's.  Nice punchy base.  Soundstage doesn't seem "closed in" at all to me.  This setup works great for electronica, dance, house, etc that I mostly listen to. 

froger said:

Just received the Ken Rad Jan-CRC-5U4G VT-244. Really got to thank Frihed89 and drheadphone! Excellent recommendation, I prefer it over my U52, EML5U4G and RCA5U4G in my system despite it being the cheapest. Very detailed, transparent and great soundstage depth. Music from my system has never sounded this realistic. The Ken rad pairs wonderfully well with EML 2A3 for my LCD-3 and with Shuguang natural sound 2A3 for my HD800. It is always tough to tune HD800 to get the right tone, but this combo of tubes really made the HD800 sound very realistic. I got my Ken rad from eBay, I wonder if anyone has other sources to get it? I am already thinking of getting another one for spare

Click to expand...

Do mind telling what differences you hear from the KR VT-244 vs EML 5U4G?  I've brought the shuguang nature sounds + EML 5U4G based on your earlier impressions and am wondering why you think the KR VT-244 is better?  I listen to mostly dance, electronica, house, EDM, etc so the punchy EML works well for me. 

gsr108 said:

Do mind telling what differences you hear from the KR VT-244 vs EML 5U4G?  I've brought the shuguang nature sounds + EML 5U4G based on your earlier impressions and am wondering why you think the KR VT-244 is better?  I listen to mostly dance, electronica, house, EDM, etc so the punchy EML works well for me. 

Click to expand...

First, the Shuguang Natural sound 2A3 is very good with HD800, smooth, excellent soundstage and body. I prefer the Shuguang NS over my EML mesh and Sophia princess for HD800. EML 5U4G is an excellent match with the Shuguang as it has good bass, clarity and sounds very engaging. I prefer the EML 5U4G over my U52 and RCA 5U4G in my system. The EML 5U4G also works very well with the EML mesh for LCD-3. To be frank, I am very satisfied with the EML rectifier and it could well be my last rectifier. I only started experimenting with other rectifiers as my EML combo started to develop some low level noise. I have no idea why, but somehow it only produced noise when I put both the EML 2A3 and 5U4G together. Thus I started trying new rectifiers to see if I can find anything to replace the EML 5u4G to match the EML mesh for my LCD-3.

However, I am really glad to have found the Ken Rad CKR. It retains similar amount of bass as the EML 5U4G, and adds more details and is very transparent. It also has very nice depth in soundstage compared to the EML which has a more forward sound. I thought the increase in soundstage depth works very well with the HD800 as it deepens the soundstage on HD800, making its entire soundstage more natural to my ears. The combination of these improvements of Ken rad over the EML is probably why I felt that music sounds more realistic now.

To add, I don't listen to much electronica or EDM, so I am not sure if you will find the Ken rad a better match over the EML. I guess you probably have to try one to find out. The good thing is I feel the Ken rad is still quite reasonably priced compared to EML, U52 and other more exotic tubes.

froger said:

First, the Shuguang Natural sound 2A3 is very good with HD800, smooth, excellent soundstage and body. I prefer the Shuguang NS over my EML mesh and Sophia princess for HD800. EML 5U4G is an excellent match with the Shuguang as it has good bass, clarity and sounds very engaging. I prefer the EML 5U4G over my U52 and RCA 5U4G in my system. The EML 5U4G also works very well with the EML mesh for LCD-3. To be frank, I am very satisfied with the EML rectifier and it could well be my last rectifier. I only started experimenting with other rectifiers as my EML combo started to develop some low level noise. I have no idea why, but somehow it only produced noise when I put both the EML 2A3 and 5U4G together. Thus I started trying new rectifiers to see if I can find anything to replace the EML 5u4G to match the EML mesh for my LCD-3.

However, I am really glad to have found the Ken Rad CKR. It retains similar amount of bass as the EML 5U4G, and adds more details and is very transparent. It also has very nice depth in soundstage compared to the EML which has a more forward sound. I thought the increase in soundstage depth works very with the HD800 as it deepens the soundstage on HD800, making its entire soundstage more natural to my ears. The combination of these improvements of Ken rad over the EML is probably why I felt that music sounds more realistic now.

Click to expand...

 
K thanks, I just brought the KR from ebay.  Increasing the soundstage is exactly what I would like from my setup now.  Can't wait to try it. 

My tubes set-up currently 
 

froger said:

  My tubes set-up currently 

 

Click to expand...

are those the 2a3x ot t?

Shuguang Natural sound 2A3-T, Ken Rad CKR VT-244 and Pearl 6N1P-EV gold grade

froger said:

Shuguang Natural sound 2A3-T, Ken Rad CKR VT-244 and Pearl 6N1P-EV gold grade

Click to expand...

those 2a3t's are hard to get a price on - are they sold individually? the price is 308 dollars but i presume that's not for a pair
 
 
Its interesting how you prefer the EML 5u4g over the U52 and the 2a3t's over the sophia 2a3 and EML mesh
 
 
Can you post a picture of the EML 5u4g and 2a3t in the stratus. What is this combo like for jazz and acoustic?

The price should be for a pair. I got mine at a lower price through Donald as I upgraded to those tubes from stock tubes right at the start. Sometimes, the preferences for tubes could be due to your system and personal preference. Somehow, I just never warm up to the sound of Sophia Princess 2A3 despite the numerous rave reviews. As for pictures of 2A3-T and EML 5U4G, I already posted a few when I first got the Stratus in January this year.

I have my "budget" tubes in for some movie watching ...

Rectifier: 1950s Sylvania 5U4G with black ribbed plates, rectangular top mica, no supports. About $10-20 on ebay. Sounds about as good as a 50s RCA equivalent.

2A3: 1950s GE black biplates with "fishing pole" tops. Probably Sylvania made, as they sound very similar to Sylvania equivalents with same structure (pole or spring tops). Occasionally one-off's of this tube appear on Ebay for about $50-60 a pop. Much cheaper than shelling out $200+ for a matched pair of Sylvania's.

Input: Raytheon 6BQ7A. 3 for $10 on Ebay.

Approx total cost of glass: $130

I'd love to hear other suggestions/recommendations.

If the glass isn't loose, don't do anything.  Always remove the tube from the base, not the glass.  If the glass is moving, seal it with super glue.

The Stratus circuit dominates the tubes.  You can get subtle changes with different rectifiers; changing drivers has an even smaller effect; changing the power tube has the largest effect.  The unobtainable (or $1200/pair) AVVT meshplate is at the top of those i have heard.  But it still sounds like s Stratus.  Headphones make the biggest difference for better or worse.
 
To each his-her own!