[meomap]

Black SS, silver phono?

Make sure to spend some money to upgrade the tubes in Studio Six.

 

[longbowbbs]

maybe Silver SS and a black phono? So many choices!

 

[Njychen]

Did anyone get JAN Philips 0B2 with theirs? I’m wondering if they should be replaced or it won’t make a huge difference. Thank you.

 

[fixated]

Did anyone get JAN Philips 0B2 with theirs? I’m wondering if they should be replaced or it won’t make a huge difference. Thank you.

Mine came with those, did end up replacing them with a pair of NOS RCAs. Made things a bit more lively from doing some AB testing.

 

[Njychen]

I tried searching but I couldn’t find a definitive answer. Does anyone know if I can use 6SL7GT in the 6SN7 slot? Thanks.

 

[fixated]

I tried searching but I couldn’t find a definitive answer. Does anyone know if I can use 6SL7GT in the 6SN7 slot? Thanks.

I believe there was a brief mention of the 6SL7 on this thread before, not exactly the 6SL7GT but should be within the same range.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/alo...s-and-impressions-thread.674498/post-11827699

 

[Njychen]

I believe there was a brief mention of the 6SL7 on this thread before, not exactly the 6SL7GT but should be within the same range.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/alo...s-and-impressions-thread.674498/post-11827699

Ahhh I missed that. Thanks!

 

[Njychen]

Has anyone with the Alo phono experienced channel imbalance or anyone who might be able to shed some light on this?

My L channel is louder than my R. I’ve tried the following but no luck:

- Tried 2 different phonos and they were fine so I know it’s not the turntable
- Switched the left/right 12AUX tubes
- Tried a different 6SN7 tube
- Tried different cables

On my amp with channel balance knob, I had to turn it to 3 o’clock in order to center the sound.

Thanks in advance.

 

[longbowbbs]

I have not experienced this. Perhaps, Tom will chime in with some ideas.

 

[MelaVerde]

Has anyone with the Alo phono experienced channel imbalance or anyone who might be able to shed some light on this?

My L channel is louder than my R. I’ve tried the following but no luck:

- Tried 2 different phonos and they were fine so I know it’s not the turntable
- Switched the left/right 12AUX tubes
- Tried a different 6SN7 tube
- Tried different cables

On my amp with channel balance knob, I had to turn it to 3 o’clock in order to center the sound.

Thanks in advance.

I just recently had the same issue but it turned out, in my case, to be the 6SN7 tube KENRAD I purchased used on eBay two years ago, replaced with the stock tube and the issue went away; now waiting for the RCA Black plate to be delivered as replacement of the current stock one.

 

[TomSix]

I believe there was a brief mention of the 6SL7 on this thread before, not exactly the 6SL7GT but should be within the same range.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/alo...s-and-impressions-thread.674498/post-11827699

Unfortunately: no, the 6SL7 cannot be used in the Studio-Six.

The 6SL7 has a higher amplification factor, but also a much higher plate-resistance and much higher input (miller) capacitance than the 6SN7. The 6SL7 in the Studio-Six would be operating at an improper operating point (increased distortion), and also with appreciably increased high-frequency roll-off (loss of treble extension).

Fortunately: there are many excellent vintage 6SN7's available to choose from

 

[TomSix]

Has anyone with the Alo phono experienced channel imbalance or anyone who might be able to shed some light on this?

My L channel is louder than my R. I’ve tried the following but no luck:

- Tried 2 different phonos and they were fine so I know it’s not the turntable
- Switched the left/right 12AUX tubes
- Tried a different 6SN7 tube
- Tried different cables

On my amp with channel balance knob, I had to turn it to 3 o’clock in order to center the sound.

Thanks in advance.

Hello Njychen.

I am sorry to hear of your phono stage issues.

Let me first compliment you: you have done all the logical things to verify that the imbalance you experience is not within other gear, nor the result of a tube failure in your Studio-Six phono preamp.

I have a couple quick questions for you:

(1) Have you indeed purchased your phono preamp new from ALO?

(2) did the phono preamp arrive with this problem, or did the unit work properly at first and then begin later to show the imbalance?

Either way, the fault is almost certainly within the phono stage, and not any fault of yours.

I'm going to contact Ken at ALO right now, and appraise him of your problem.

If indeed your phono preamp was purchased new from ALO, then the obvious course is to coordinate with ALO, and return ship the phono unit for inspection and repair at no expense to you.

Let me apologize for your inconvenience. ALO is quite diligent in inspecting and testing all units before shipment, but alas, *very infrequently* a piece of equipment will nonetheless require repair.

Thanks in advance, for your patience and kind understanding

--Thomas

 

[Njychen]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your response.

1) The unit was purchased brand new from a reputable and authorized seller as far as I know. Can PM you the name if needed.

2) The unit has this issue out of the box.

I suppose it’s also possible that both the stock 6SN7 and the other 6SN7 which I bought off eBay may be defective though chances are slim. I will try a 3rd 6SN7 to confirm.

Thank you.

Hello Njychen.

I am sorry to hear of your phono stage issues.

Let me first compliment you: you have done all the logical things to verify that the imbalance you experience is not within other gear, nor the result of a tube failure in your Studio-Six phono preamp.

I have a couple quick questions for you:

(1) Have you indeed purchased your phono preamp new from ALO?

(2) did the phono preamp arrive with this problem, or did the unit work properly at first and then begin later to show the imbalance?

Either way, the fault is almost certainly within the phono stage, and not any fault of yours.

I'm going to contact Ken at ALO right now, and appraise him of your problem.

If indeed your phono preamp was purchased new from ALO, then the obvious course is to coordinate with ALO, and return ship the phono unit for inspection and repair at no expense to you.

Let me apologize for your inconvenience. ALO is quite diligent in inspecting and testing all units before shipment, but alas, *very infrequently* a piece of equipment will nonetheless require repair.

Thanks in advance, for your patience and kind understanding

--Thomas

 

[TomSix]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your response.

1) The unit was purchased brand new from a reputable and authorized seller as far as I know. Can PM you the name if needed.

2) The unit has this issue out of the box.

I suppose it’s also possible that both the stock 6SN7 and the other 6SN7 which I bought off eBay may be defective though chances are slim. I will try a 3rd 6SN7 to confirm.

Thank you.

Sounds good,

If you can conveniently try another 6SN7, then that would be a good experiment. Otherwise, it's most likely that your unit needs factory diagnosis and repair.

Please, do not hesitate to contact ALO directly once you are ready to arrange shipment for repairs. I contacted Ken Ball about your problem, and he's ready to work with you.

Very sincerely,

--Thomas

 

[Njychen]

Update:

Just tried swapping the 6SN7 on the phono with the one on Studio 6. The imbalance is still there albeit seemingly less severe (channel balance knob at 2’o clock instead of 3’o clock)

Studio 6 sounds fine with either tube and a different source and only sounds off when using phono as source.

I have 2 more 6SN7 coming this week. Will try those and report back.