Recent content by JonT

I like a lot of the brands Paul Rigby champions. But I struggle with his ridiculous cable reviews: “Swapping in the X created a boost in the 10-12k Hz region and improved timing on the ride cymbal. A haze was lifted from the oboe and my testicles descended by 15mm”.

It's a dud. Another forum member had a dud but Langrex were great at replacing it.

I don’t know the reason for certain, but the spec change happened early in the pandemic. Assuming it may have been a supply chain issue.

Like you, I also have a Stereo 30SE... no tube rolling with that as yet. Would be great how to hear how you go with that. On my HP8 I actually prefer the Psvane CV181 TII over the Ken Rad VT231s I tried, with an RCA 7025 in the driver position.

Spent the last few listening sessions (analogue source) with an RCA 12AX7A 7025 in the driver position (from Langrex) and Ken-Rad 6SN7GT VT-231 Black Glass versions in the power tube positions. This was swapping out the Brimar 12AT7 CV455 KB/FB triple mica. Notable improvement with Sennheiser...

Anyone had experience with the Mullard 12AT7 (ECC81) 10M Master Series - I know the sales case at the time of manufacture was about their longevity... ... but what about their sonics? Do they sound just 'meh' but last ages? Or do they have Mullard magic? How would one stand-up against a Brimar...

Dropped in the Ken-Rad VT-231s yesterday. Driver is the Brimar CV455 KB/FB Triple Mica Footscray 12AT7. Personally - disappointingly, to be honest - I couldn't detect any sonic differences whatsoever from the new production Psvane CV181-T MkII that were in immediately prior. I've owned the HP8...

Sunday evening (typical Sunday evening!) impulse buy: Ken-Rad 6SN7GT VT-231 Black Glass. UK eBay seller of 20 years standing. Reports same date codes and testing them on a recently calibrated AVO VCM 160: IA GM Valve 1: A1 9.2 2.75...

I sympathise - in 2020 I moved from south west to south east London, right in the shadow of several famous radio masts in Crystal Palace. I am sure you have tried this, but the permanent fix for me was moving to properly shielded interconnects (as in, old fashioned electrical theory inspired...

I'm sorry to hear this... I had forgotten about the 12AT7 Brimar Footscray that I had purchased from Langrex in October 2022 - until you guys revived the topic! When I dropped it into my HP8 about 11 days ago, it sounded fabulous out of the gate. No static or ringing. Impedance setting 'High'...

Listened this evening - finally - to the 12AT7 Brimar (purchased from Langrex) that has been sat on my shelf since October 2022. Wow! I swapped out a Brimar 'Red' 12AX7 purchased at the same time from Langrex, at more than twice the price. In my set up/ears, the 12AT7 brings more than...

I have no idea either - other than a tube needing to reach its operating envelope following switch on at the amp. I figure that if a tube really is the 'N' in NOS (apart from brief testing before sale) then there might be a period where manufacturing detritus settles and/or the properties of...

I bought one of these from Langrex in October 2022 - never got round to trying it! (I bought a Brimar 'Reds' 12AX7 in the same order and have had that in the HP8 ever since) All the excitement has prompted me to drop it into the HP8 - now warming up a few hours before listening tonight!

Thank-you so much @Slim1970 for sharing your experience with the Utopia and the HP8. Utopia now ordered!

Many thanks to both @geoffalter11 and @Jay Smith for your helpful replies - much appreciated! I exchanged a couple of emails with Icon Audio and - I have to say, despite my love for their products - I found it disappointing that they point blank refused to tell me what the output impedance(s)...