manofmathematics
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2007
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I have found myself with the day off. How should I kill the hours?
Why, let's tube roll!
I'm starting this thread to document my experience with tube rolling the Antique Sound Lab MG Head DT/OTL MKIII. I welcome anyone and everyone to contribute past and current experiences, as well as any thoughts and suggestions.
Just for the sake of clarity, my experiences will be documented with the following:
Source: Jolida JD100A with a pair of Ei 12AX7 on the output
Cans: Sennheiser HD600 with stock cable
Cables: Acoustic Zen WOW interconnects and Acoustic Zen El Nino Power Cables
Tunes: Steely Dan - Gaucho MoFi, Steely Dan - Aja MoFi, Stevie Ray Vaughan - The Sky is Crying, MoFi
I won't be rolling the tubes in my Jolida at the moment. I'm very comfortable with how the player performs with its current tubes. I will be keeping the amp in OTL. The volume difference is too great to A/B OTL and Transformer. Also, I don't have a camera for photos. I'm sorry, I wish that I did. I love photos!
Starting things off....
Stock Tubes: Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH - Pair of Chinese EL84
First off, I must say that the stock tubes are in no way a negative experience. They really weren't that bad at all, but they were just, well, thin. This is from the lack of bottom end. This doesn't surprise me considering the Chinese power tubes. Also, bass wasn't controlled very well. When softer passages allowed the bass to brought more up front it could become muddy and very rolled off in the lower frequencies.
The highs, for the most part, weren't rolled off and very present and detailed. There was just quite a few moments of harshness. The big plus was how beautifully cymbals were represented. Attack and decay was very nice with a sparkle that gave a lot of life.
The midrange had its moments, but really proved nothing "special" with the stock tubes. The impact was just not there. But like I said, there were some moments. Female vocals were very nice. Smooth, warm and really engaging. Michael McDonald's harmonies on "Peg" from Aja were OUTSTANDING! As well as "Life by the Drop". You really seem to get drawn in on this track.
Overall, not bad. Complicated passages = Could be much better. Softer, less involved passages = Warm and fuzzy, but still thin.
Next up...rolling the power tubes for a pair of Electro-Harmonix EL84's.
Why, let's tube roll!
I'm starting this thread to document my experience with tube rolling the Antique Sound Lab MG Head DT/OTL MKIII. I welcome anyone and everyone to contribute past and current experiences, as well as any thoughts and suggestions.
Just for the sake of clarity, my experiences will be documented with the following:
Source: Jolida JD100A with a pair of Ei 12AX7 on the output
Cans: Sennheiser HD600 with stock cable
Cables: Acoustic Zen WOW interconnects and Acoustic Zen El Nino Power Cables
Tunes: Steely Dan - Gaucho MoFi, Steely Dan - Aja MoFi, Stevie Ray Vaughan - The Sky is Crying, MoFi
I won't be rolling the tubes in my Jolida at the moment. I'm very comfortable with how the player performs with its current tubes. I will be keeping the amp in OTL. The volume difference is too great to A/B OTL and Transformer. Also, I don't have a camera for photos. I'm sorry, I wish that I did. I love photos!
Starting things off....
Stock Tubes: Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH - Pair of Chinese EL84
First off, I must say that the stock tubes are in no way a negative experience. They really weren't that bad at all, but they were just, well, thin. This is from the lack of bottom end. This doesn't surprise me considering the Chinese power tubes. Also, bass wasn't controlled very well. When softer passages allowed the bass to brought more up front it could become muddy and very rolled off in the lower frequencies.
The highs, for the most part, weren't rolled off and very present and detailed. There was just quite a few moments of harshness. The big plus was how beautifully cymbals were represented. Attack and decay was very nice with a sparkle that gave a lot of life.
The midrange had its moments, but really proved nothing "special" with the stock tubes. The impact was just not there. But like I said, there were some moments. Female vocals were very nice. Smooth, warm and really engaging. Michael McDonald's harmonies on "Peg" from Aja were OUTSTANDING! As well as "Life by the Drop". You really seem to get drawn in on this track.
Overall, not bad. Complicated passages = Could be much better. Softer, less involved passages = Warm and fuzzy, but still thin.
Next up...rolling the power tubes for a pair of Electro-Harmonix EL84's.