Feliks-Audio ELISE...New thread.

[nykobing]

   
I'm surprised that any Ken-Rad 6SN7 would be described that way.  What are yours, exactly?

He posted a picture, I can't see it anymore though. They were the ones that came out after GE had acquired Ken Rad. 

 

[Jim Hodgson]

  He posted a picture, I can't see it anymore though. They were the ones that came out after GE had acquired Ken Rad. 

 
Actually, most Ken-Rad 6SN7s came out after GE acquired Ken-Rad.  So far as I know, the relevant "before and after" in connection with Ken-Rad 6SN7s has to do with plate positioning.  It's said that the earlier staggered plate tubes are superior to the later parallel plate tubes.  No one seems to know why(?)

 

[DecentLevi]

@richdytch would you be able to find another photo of the type of Ken Rad 6SN7's you got? I can't see your photo. Maybe you can copy the photo from your order or something.
I used to have dual Ken Rad 7193's (which are like 1/2 of a 6SN7 electronically) and liked it, but found it overtly lush in the mids. Would you say yours sounds this way or more natural?

 

[JazzVinyl]

Another for LR to distract him while fasting



[VIDEO] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G-hFXOQXn6E [/VIDEO]

 

[JazzVinyl]

Grandmas' drinkin' hundred proof




[VIDEO] https://youtube.com/watch?v=11fAOj3EudU [/VIDEO]

 

[JazzVinyl]

Another from the 70's.....


[VIDEO] https://youtube.com/watch?v=vb3tMfDISGQ [/VIDEO]

 

[Lord Raven]

Awesome JV thank you 16 hours left of fasting.. 8 hours are spent sleeping, so it's not that hard Hehe

 

[richdytch]

@UntilThen @oshipao @Jim Hodgson @nykobing @DecentLevi
 
Thanks for all your responses on my humble Ken Rads.  A better photo is below, and I don't expect that these are anything rare or unusual. 
 
Yes, I would describe these as being quite lush in the mids, but there's also a beautiful and refined treble presence, which I think is adding to the overall sense of soundstage and transparency. The transparency I'm getting is far superior to what I got with EL3N/Chatham 6AS7G.
 
These were unboxed and not labelled as NOS, so definitely used. I'm a firm believer that the largest part of the battle is finding something which matches the response of the rest of one's system. I do nearly all of my listening through loudspeakers, and my PMC 23s are fairly unusual by domestic hifi standards - they're really quite flat and can sound uninspiring when paired with the wrong amplification. I think that the combo of Ken Rad 6SN7 and the Chathams just happens to provide emphasis in all the right areas to complement the PMCs. It's worth noting that while these tubes sound great with my HE400 headphones, there's nothing as remarkable going on as when I listen over the speakers. 
 
So, I think these just happen to be right for me. I'm still looking forward to trying the EL3N six pack, although for me, E3LN/Chatham 6AS7G was nowhere near as musical, coherent or transparent as this. 
 
Hope that's answered some questions, and emphasised that I don't think I've discovered anything special, except for in my own system
 
Rich. 
 
 

 

[richdytch]

 
Congrats Rich. Those Kentucky Radios and Chathams will sing the blues, rock, jazz and Beethoven any time any day.
 
I like to point out that 6SN7 sound is quite distinct from ECC31, 6N7G, FDD20 and EL3N. It's a more precise, focussed sound. At the same time, it's less front row. You're further back in row 7 to 10. Which is not a bad thing. Who wants to watch Elvis Presley sing right up front? Now remember 6SN7 is a much loved tubes all these years. Just look at the the 6SN7 thread started way back in 2005. All those guys love it and gave their fond impressions. These are the drivers Elise was tuned for.
 
The other tubes I refer to (ECC31, 6N7G, FDD20 and EL3N) have a more forward sound and you're more front row seat with Norah Jones. These would have a BIGGER sound. It will fill the soundstage in your head and a bit beyond. VinylSaviour does speaks highly of 6N7 family of tubes. Enjoythemusic score the EL3N closest to 2A3 sound and we know 2A3 is used in the revered DNA Stratus and higher end Eddie Current tube amps. ECC31 is the close cousin of ECC32 and who doesn't know ECC32... apparently no one here is insane enough to buy one. If you think GEC 6AS7G is expensive, the ECC32 will cost you your kidneys.
 
Alright so which is better of those 2 category, broadly speaking. No definitive answer. It depends on which Joe Blow you ask. I just think they all present a very unique and lovely sound in Elise and this is where I love this remarkable tube amp that doesn't cost my kidneys. The tube rolling options are quite incredible.
 
Enjoy !

 
Hi UT. 
 
The Ken Rads do indeed rock with Beethoven and Jazz - I can vouch for that because I listened to hearty amounts of both yesterday
 
Interesting what you say about the forwardness of ECC31, et al. I'll probably try some of those at some point in the future. My speakers, not featuring as much (if any) of a midrange dip as most domestic hifi, have no trouble in sounding forward on their own. I've heard it termed as 'the British sound' ... and it stems from the BBC's approach to their monitors, from which I gather the 23s have evolved. Peter Walker, the main man at PMC used to develop monitors for the Beeb. Not sure I'd be getting such remarkable synergy with these Ken Rads and a speaker which had a more naturally euphonic sound signature. 
 
I was checking out ECC32 tubes last night, and the line between reason and obsession definitely seems to have been crossed there, in terms of the amounts being paid! I'll stick to budget tubes myself for now, and content myself with the happy accidents, and the delight of finding a pair of tubes for £18 which make the world a slightly better place! 
 
Cheers, 
 
Rich 

 

[HOWIE13]

  @UntilThen @oshipao @Jim Hodgson @nykobing @DecentLevi
 
Thanks for all your responses on my humble Ken Rads.  A better photo is below, and I don't expect that these are anything rare or unusual. 
 
Yes, I would describe these as being quite lush in the mids, but there's also a beautiful and refined treble presence, which I think is adding to the overall sense of soundstage and transparency. The transparency I'm getting is far superior to what I got with EL3N/Chatham 6AS7G.
 
These were unboxed and not labelled as NOS, so definitely used. I'm a firm believer that the largest part of the battle is finding something which matches the response of the rest of one's system. I do nearly all of my listening through loudspeakers, and my PMC 23s are fairly unusual by domestic hifi standards - they're really quite flat and can sound uninspiring when paired with the wrong amplification. I think that the combo of Ken Rad 6SN7 and the Chathams just happens to provide emphasis in all the right areas to complement the PMCs. It's worth noting that while these tubes sound great with my HE400 headphones, there's nothing as remarkable going on as when I listen over the speakers. 
 
So, I think these just happen to be right for me. I'm still looking forward to trying the EL3N six pack, although for me, E3LN/Chatham 6AS7G was nowhere near as musical, coherent or transparent as this. 
 
Hope that's answered some questions, and emphasised that I don't think I've discovered anything special, except for in my own system
 
Rich. 
 
 

Unfortunately still no picture. Just what looks like a grey 'no entry' traffic sign.

 

[UntilThen]

   
Hi UT. 
 
The Ken Rads do indeed rock with Beethoven and Jazz - I can vouch for that because I listened to hearty amounts of both yesterday
 
Interesting what you say about the forwardness of ECC31, et al. I'll probably try some of those at some point in the future. My speakers, not featuring as much (if any) of a midrange dip as most domestic hifi, have no trouble in sounding forward on their own. I've heard it termed as 'the British sound' ... and it stems from the BBC's approach to their monitors, from which I gather the 23s have evolved. Peter Walker, the main man at PMC used to develop monitors for the Beeb. Not sure I'd be getting such remarkable synergy with these Ken Rads and a speaker which had a more naturally euphonic sound signature. 
 
I was checking out ECC32 tubes last night, and the line between reason and obsession definitely seems to have been crossed there, in terms of the amounts being paid! I'll stick to budget tubes myself for now, and content myself with the happy accidents, and the delight of finding a pair of tubes for £18 which make the world a slightly better place! 
 
Cheers, 
 
Rich 

Hi Rich, 
 
I certainly hope you don't even think of buying those ECC32.  ECC31 are expensive too. If I were to start again, I wouldn't buy them.
 
If you're happy with 6SN7 and 6AS7 sound, you should stick with them. No adapters required and your Elise will look very neat and smart. The Chatham 6AS7G you have are amongst the better 6AS7G and one of my favorites. Ken Rad 6SN7 are well regarded, especially their 6SN7GT VT231 Smoke or black glass. Very expensive on eBay.
 
Even amongst 6SN7 and 6AS7 / 6080, you can get quite distinct sound from the various brand and types. You should visit this thread for a better appreciation of the various 6SN7.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/117677/the-reference-6sn7-thread
 
Ken Rad is short for Kentucky Radio, that's what they are.
 
Keep spinning the Mozarts and Beethovens and Lee Ritenour. Don't forget the sweet voice of Randy Crawford and throw in the occasional blues. 
 
Cheers
UT

 

[richdytch]

  Unfortunately still no picture. Just what looks like a grey 'no entry' traffic sign.

 
Odd, I can see the pic in your reply saying that you can't see the pic
 
Here's a link to the image on google: https://goo.gl/photos/b5JqnJFg9wxe7RvP8
 
Hope that works for you!
 
Rich 

 

[UntilThen]

   
Odd, I can see the pic in your reply saying that you can't see the pic
 
Here's a link to the image on google: https://goo.gl/photos/b5JqnJFg9wxe7RvP8
 
Hope that works for you!
 
Rich 

I can't see the picture too but now that you include the photo link I can. 
 
What you have to do is save that photo in your drive as a jpg and then use the 'insert image' function on the editor to include your picture.
 
That is certainly a Ken Rad

 

[richdytch]

 
I can't see the picture too but now that you include the photo link I can. 
 
What you have to do is save that photo in your drive as a jpg and then use the 'insert image' function on the editor to include your picture.

Yeah, unfortunately, the upload function on headfi doesn't work in my browser - I tried it... 

 

[UntilThen]

These are cheap. I call them Dubstep tubes because they have a pretty solid bass. It's quite fun. I have a pair.
 
You can use it a a 6SN7 substitute. 
 

 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-6H8C-6SN7-6SN7GT-Soviet-military-1965-pre-amp-tubes-2-pcs-NOS-/152114093957?hash=item236ab4df85:g:B6MAAOSwYHxWMgoz