ajcrocker1

Responses from ajcrocker1

Parasound JC 3+ Phono Preamp Hum
Eric,It seem you have serval possible problems that you want to address.  I have separated each problem with a reason and approach below.I believe that I have a ground loop.In a power supply there is +V, -V, Ground or 0V, and earth ground.  A grou... 
The Best , make that the all time best, 6SN7.
To future readers - WS_Trader present the facts not opinionWhen making these statements it would be helpful to include a data sheet showing where they are the same.  Here are a few key difference.Output capacitance on the 6J5 is 3.6pf versus .7pf ... 
Any issues to be aware of if driving SET from a balanced source?
This assumes that the balanced system is referenced to ground and not 2.5v.if it is referenced to 2.5v, any D.C. offset will affect the bias of the amp making it very unhappy. Without knowing how the DAC and the amp is wired it is hard to say what... 
Any issues to be aware of if driving SET from a balanced source?
Balanced means that both sides are amplified. The middle pin could be at ground or something else.  There are chips specifically designed to combine the balanced signal back into a single signal.  In short no it won't work.  Single Ended Triode gr... 
Are there any $1500 tube preamps that that can compare with Tubes4hifi's SP14?
Have you read the book How To Get Better Sound?https://www.amazon.com/Get-Better-Sound-Jim-Smith/dp/0982080700If you have standing waves in your room a tube preamp may have nullified some the affect with less bass.   The way a basic tube preamp wo... 
Are there any $1500 tube preamps that that can compare with Tubes4hifi's SP14?
Of the 9 pin tubes the 12au7 is going to give you the lowest gain which when setup properly will be a gain of 17 to 20.  This is where looking up the tube data sheets come in handy.http://www.mif.pg.gda.pl/homepages/frank/sheets/093/1/12AU7A.pdfA ... 
Are there any $1500 tube preamps that that can compare with Tubes4hifi's SP14?
As someone who builds tube gear and owns many pieces from various manufacturers, a couple pieces of advice when buying tube gear.1 Understand the tube being used.  Look at the tube data sheets.  Look for high transconductance, greater than 6500 oh... 
Are there any $1500 tube preamps that that can compare with Tubes4hifi's SP14?
Your amp requires 1.4vrms to reach maximum power.  Your sources are all digital which means you are already above 1vrms into your amp.Let me pose the the question of why do you need a preamp?  Adding amplification that will be deamplified via the ... 
Phono cable construction
The cable I am talking about is from the arm to the phono preamp. This rca to rca. Although at some point rewriting the arm might be an option. 
Digital question...
The Benchmark is my choice with no modifications. However, I recently found this thread, http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/70412-upgrading-benchmark-dac-1-a-25.html. There seems to be several threads here that boils down to changes... 
Cayin 50t and capacitor suggestions
For coupling caps I have used both Mundorf silver and oil as well as their silver/gold and oil. Very happy with both. For two caps the gold is fine beyond that it costs too much and the silver comes into play. For power supply I like ruby gold 
Theory about Cary amps and their reviewers
I am going to take a different route on this thread. I have a Cary SLP 50B or is it A as it is indicated to be both depending on where you look on the preamp. I got it because I thought the tubes would be a good match for my AR 110. Anyways it doe... 
Cary 306/200 - What next?
Perhaps you might consider using your player as a transport and running the output to a good DAC such as the Benchmark. I do this with a $200 Sony 300 disc carousel and at time it rivals the sound of my $1000 Marantz SACD player. Before anyone goe... 
6CG7 for Cary SLP50A
I use gold lions in my Cary SLP 50A. However, the reason I am replying is that although this is an ok preamp it requires some other changes in order to open up. Some changes that I have made:The coupling capacitors, which reside on either side sho...