best tube with ASL MG HEaD

[meech]

Wussup people!

I'm currently waiting for delivery of my GRADO RS1/RA-1 combo.

In the meanwhile, I've recently heard about a particular set of cans that emphasize what I CRAVE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, BASS !!!!!!!!
The BEYERDYNAMICS 770 pros.

Unfortunately, I've also heard that the downside to this incredible bass is a reccessed midrange. I'm a big fan of female vocalists. I'll be DAMNED if Norah Jones takes a backseat to her bass player!

I've heard that the ASL MG head can help in the area,,,,,but only with the right tubes. If there's anyone out there that could recomment a set of tubes that would help my situation, I'd appreciate it.

Meech

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

I'm a big fan of female vocalists.

Same here, meech. And I have a feeling you're going to LOVE the RS-1/RA-1 combination.......................stunning vocals. I'm listening to Jane Monheit right now.........couldn't find my Norah Jones CD......my son was here over the holidays

As far as the Beyers go, for rock they are incredible, but the RS-1s are superior (to my ears, of course) in the vocals department. I've tried a number of tubes with the MG Head, and have gone back and forth a lot. My MG Head is an older version (not OTL) which I modded to have no negative feedback. The tubes I prefer (as of this moment......that can change) are:
Stock EL84s with a Mullard CV4004. To my ears, this helps keep the bass in balance with the rest of the music, and also sweetens up ther midrange a bit. But it's nowhere near as sweet as what I'm listening to now with the RS-1s.

 

[meech]

Yeah,,,,,,,,,,,I think I'll like to the grado combo also!


I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU LET YOUR NORAH JONES CD OUT OF YOUR SIGHT!

As far as the beyers go,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I only want them for Hip Hop.
I keep hearing that the 770's are real headbangers.
Is there a difference between DT770's & 770pros.
Just want to make sure to get the right ones.

I live close to B&H photo in NYC which sells them for $144. I figured, for this price, I'd invest in a pair of bass cans. Hip-Hop isn't Hip-Hop without the BASS.

 

[braillediver]

I'm a big fan of Mullard 7189's, El84's or 6BQ5's. They seem to contribute to a full deep punch with rich mids and top end.

I'm partial to the GE 6072 3 mica black plate. This combination does it for me.

I've had very positive comments from people I've sold some Mullard 12AU7's long plates to also.

There are some very affordable tubes out there. It is tough to get the right combination without actually trying several different combinations.

RCA 6BQ5's with the GE 5751 3 Mica Black Plates make a nice USA manufactured combintaion also. Throw in a Tung-Sol 5751 for the Pink Floyd lovers.

I really like the sound of the 5965 but they all seem microphonic so far.

Good luck.

 

[joelongwood]

Found Norah, and I'm listening right now. I hope you find the RS-1/RA-1 combo as stunning as I do with this CD.
The Beyers I have say "professional" on the headband, just above the earcups. I don't know if they make the non-pro DT-770 anymore. Just check it out before you buy.
BTW, where is B&H Photo in Manhattan? I may check it out the next time I'm in there.

 

[gloco]

Quote:

Originally posted by meech In the meanwhile, I've recently heard about a particular set of cans that emphasize what I CRAVE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, BASS !!!!!!!! The BEYERDYNAMICS 770 pros. Unfortunately, I've also heard that the downside to this incredible bass is a reccessed midrange. I'm a big fan of female vocalists. I'll be DAMNED if Norah Jones takes a backseat to her bass player!

Nowhere near as recessed as people are making them out to be. Believe me, vocals sound great, guitars sound ultra smooth...and the bass isn't as overpowering as some people make them out to be...sure they got BASS...but its the good kind...it makes the music incredibly fun to listen to...you'll love Norah Jones with them. It all comes down to taste, if you want BASS, get the Beyer's.

 

[Gallaine]

I haven't tube rolled the MG Head as much as many of the posters here have. But I've tried the Mullard CV4004, GE, and Telefunken ECC83s 12AX7 tubes and found them all superior to the stock signal tube. Of those I preferred the Telefunken, it seemed to provide the best overall sound - I listen to lots of different kinds of music.

I tried a Brimer CV4004 12AX7 tube, but it caused a hum audible over the music so it didn't stay in for more than a couple of hours.

Currently, I am auditioning the Tung Sol 5751. I have to say that I really like it so far. Enough that I will be looking into the other brands of 5751s in the near future.

 

[meech]

I"m so glad to hear that you found Norah!
You don't understand, there's something about her voice. It's so seductive. (and that little southern thing doesn't hurt either!)
My girlfriend knows I'm secretly in love with her.

Give me Norah, Give me Jane, Give me Diana, Give me Jacintha.
GIVE ME A BEER,,,,,,,,,I'M GOOD FOR THE NIGHT!


By the way, B & H is on 34th street & 8th Ave in Manhattan.

1: Gallaine, where can I find the Telefunkens?

2: Gloco, how would you rate the 770's with clasical? Good seperation or not?

3: Braillediver, Thanks for the tube info. I appreciate it.

 

[eric343]

Give that Tung-Sol a GOOD warmup - it sounds warm and lush and great with Pink Floyd with a little warmup, then it sounds really fantastic after a LOT (~4-6 hours) of warmup.

 

[Gallaine]

Quote:

Originally posted by meech 1: Gallaine, where can I find the Telefunkens?

I found the Tele on ebay. Expect to pay about $60 - $75 for NOS in the original box. You can also find them at www.upscaleaudio.com, but Kevin charges $100+ (That isn't a complaint just a fact - he has a great deal more overhead than many of the sellers on ebay).

Many head-fi posters seem to like the 5751 tubes more than 12AX7s. In particular, the Sylvania Gold brand and Raytheon 5751 tubes seem to be well regarded - but the word has gotten out and the Sylvania's now sell for around $50 - $65 on ebay and I've never seen the Raytheon's for sale.

Quote:

Originally posted by eric343 Give that Tung-Sol a GOOD warmup - it sounds warm and lush and great with Pink Floyd with a little warmup, then it sounds really fantastic after a LOT (~4-6 hours) of warmup.

I gave the Tung Sol overnight to warm up before starting the audition. Right now it has been on for 24+ hours. My usual practice is to turn on the amp when I get home and let it warm up for a couple of hours before listening.

 

[gloco]

Quote:

Originally posted by meech 2: Gloco, how would you rate the 770's with clasical? Good seperation or not?

I really don't have any great classical cds, but i do have these three MD's of classical music i dubbed from this 3cd set...i love it. The soundstage is more than adaquate i think.

 

[kentamcolin]

Check out nick dangerous' post on tube rolling MG Head. I followed his recommendations for 5751 tubes and have had awesome results. Tubes can be found for $25-$75 from many sources. PM me if you need additional info.

 

[Andrew LB]

I recently picked up a Mullard Heath 12AU7 and it is fantastic. Glorious midrange and punchy bass. The hi's are very clear and defined as well. The tube will blow you away if you are listening to acoustic guitar.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

With any of these you won't soon go wrong:

Sylvania 5751 black plate, triple mica.
Raytheon 5751 w/ windmill shaped getter.
RCA Command Series 5751 w/ black plates.
Telefunken 12AX7 smooth plate version.

Mullard 6BQ5.
Telefunken 6BQ5.

All of these tubes have received very high praises from those who own them. There are others, but this is a partial list for beginners. Some cost more than others, but then again, if you want the best of the best you'll spend many times more.

Telefunken ECC803S - very, very rare, probably $150 or more per tube by now. These cost about $500 per tube at Tube World.

 

[Snufkin]

Actually, I've been trying to find some tubes locally for my MG Head because the stock tubes make the 770pros sound terrible

The problem is all the tubes that are recommended are nearly impossible to track down here in Oz, and online they're a challenge.

If anyone has some good tubes or knows where to get decent ones (recommended for MGHead) in oz, I'd love to know