mordy
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2010
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Hi Gibosi,
Thanks for the analysis of the 6AV6 tubes and "thinking out of the box." As you may recall I did not like the 6AV6 tubes initially because of the strange sound stage where background instruments were brought to the front, something that apparently is exacerbated when listening through speakers.
After your observation that the 6AV6 tubes with a box on top of the mica sounded better I went back to my pile of discarded tubes and fished out the five single 6AV6 tubes that I have. (At one point I thought I could determine which one was the best sounding by listening to a good mono recording and alternating between channels and thus evaluating two tubes at once. This did not work, perhaps because there is some kind of synergistic effect between the two channels, even though the channels are totally separate.)
Of the five tubes (three Sylvania, one RCA and one Tung Sol), two had the metal box on top of the mica. One is a Sylvania side getter and one a Tung Sol top getter. Changed the jumpers to EF92 ( don't cherish this operation) and popped the tubes in. First impression too much treble, but was able to tame it by turning down the treble all the way.
Anyhow, the sound stage is normally sounding with the instruments where they are supposed to be. The treble is extremely detailed and clear. The bass is quite strong. Wide sound stage with very good 3D imaging and very good detail overall. The mid range has too much treble and voices sound nasal. However, the presentation is very analytical and less musical. It is interesting to listen to and I could see how somebody would like this type of sound. It is like studio monitor speakers that are used for evaluating recordings - all the detail is there, like holding a magnifying glass to the music.
Personally, the toe tapping index is a meager 1 by me, and I need a different more musical sound with real good slam in the bass to be happy. Anyhow, for now I'll leave them in and see if I can get more used to them.
Edit: Starts to sound better. Don't know if the LD needs time to adjust or if it is me, but the treble got less sharp, and I am enjoying the holistic 3D sound stage with the great details. All right, so you could argue that I don't have a real pair of tubes, which is true. However, several posts mentioned that the 6AV6 tubes sound very similar. In this case the Sylvania plays louder (as is often the case with Sylvania tubes in my experience). I moved my balance control a little to get the center instruments in the middle and everything is swell...Voices are more natural. TT index moved up to 3.
Thanks for the analysis of the 6AV6 tubes and "thinking out of the box." As you may recall I did not like the 6AV6 tubes initially because of the strange sound stage where background instruments were brought to the front, something that apparently is exacerbated when listening through speakers.
After your observation that the 6AV6 tubes with a box on top of the mica sounded better I went back to my pile of discarded tubes and fished out the five single 6AV6 tubes that I have. (At one point I thought I could determine which one was the best sounding by listening to a good mono recording and alternating between channels and thus evaluating two tubes at once. This did not work, perhaps because there is some kind of synergistic effect between the two channels, even though the channels are totally separate.)
Of the five tubes (three Sylvania, one RCA and one Tung Sol), two had the metal box on top of the mica. One is a Sylvania side getter and one a Tung Sol top getter. Changed the jumpers to EF92 ( don't cherish this operation) and popped the tubes in. First impression too much treble, but was able to tame it by turning down the treble all the way.
Anyhow, the sound stage is normally sounding with the instruments where they are supposed to be. The treble is extremely detailed and clear. The bass is quite strong. Wide sound stage with very good 3D imaging and very good detail overall. The mid range has too much treble and voices sound nasal. However, the presentation is very analytical and less musical. It is interesting to listen to and I could see how somebody would like this type of sound. It is like studio monitor speakers that are used for evaluating recordings - all the detail is there, like holding a magnifying glass to the music.
Personally, the toe tapping index is a meager 1 by me, and I need a different more musical sound with real good slam in the bass to be happy. Anyhow, for now I'll leave them in and see if I can get more used to them.
Edit: Starts to sound better. Don't know if the LD needs time to adjust or if it is me, but the treble got less sharp, and I am enjoying the holistic 3D sound stage with the great details. All right, so you could argue that I don't have a real pair of tubes, which is true. However, several posts mentioned that the 6AV6 tubes sound very similar. In this case the Sylvania plays louder (as is often the case with Sylvania tubes in my experience). I moved my balance control a little to get the center instruments in the middle and everything is swell...Voices are more natural. TT index moved up to 3.
