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Tavish Design Adagio Owners

Hello 

I know that there must be a few of you out there , since there was a 12 to 14 week waiting period when I had ordered mine and they been made since 2016 .

What tubes are you using ?  Which ones have you tried ?

If you haven't changed your tubes since purchase and you want to try something new
start with the 12AU7 , like I did since it is only one tube , which I have found to have some of the greatest 
influence on the sound .  So far I've tried 3 NOS tubes from the late 50's and the 1 new one , that I am using . 

For the 5751 trio I am currently using 2 new Tung-Sol gold pin cryo treated 5751s in positions 1 and 2 ,
in position 3 I am using a 1959 GE gray long plate 12ax7 .  
For the 12AU7a position I am using a new Genalex Gold Lion gold pin cryo treated tube and 
for the EF86 positions I am using 1972 Tesla EF806s tubes .



This phono pre-amp not only sounds great but is also a whole lot of fun tube rolling !

Rob


vair68robert

Showing 7 responses by vair68robert

vair68robert OP
102 posts
 
Update 

Since there were 81 views a few must be Adagio owners .
I can't say how much fun tube rolling with this preamp is .
A week ago I received a NOS 1959 RCA 5751 triple mica black plate tube and started 
rolling between it , a 1959 GE 12ax7 long plate
and a new Genalex Gold Lion 12ax7 in the third position of the 5751 / 12ax7 tubes.
It took over 4 days for the NOS RCA to break in but it still did not sound as good
as the GE or the Gold Lion
UNTIL I placed it in position 1 with the 2 new Tung-Sol tubes in 2 and 3 , Wow this is fun !!
A 1950's GE 5 star 5751 is on it's way for more fun ,
but for now that will be it , at least until after the holidays . 

Rob

 
vair68robert OP
102 posts
 
With the original tubes after the break in period they sounded good ,
If you want to improve your sound try replacing them with NEW Tung-Sol gold pin cryo'd or not .

I replaced the 12AU7A Gold Lion with a NOS Raytheon from the 60's ,
wow ( now that it is broken in ) what clarity .
The Gold Lion has more warmth if that is what you are looking for .

I don't use the mute , wish it was a stereo/mono switch .

Congratulations and Have Fun Rolling .
vair68robert OP
102 posts
 
gcg 

After a few weeks of breaking in with the original tubes I was very pleased with the bass extension .
It was the clarity and linearity that impressed me the most .

I use a MM cartridge going through a passive preamp .

Rob



vair68robert OP
102 posts
 
Wow 

That's great , did you roll them in one by one or all at once ?

The EF806s Tesla's I am using are" Telefunkens " ,
Tesla was making ( at least ) the EF86s and EF806s
for Telefunken in 1972  and themselves . 

Tube Power Supply = to many $$$$ for me
I was thinking about the upgraded transformers ,
but since I wouldn't be using them for the forceable  future I didn't think it was a good time to spend the extra $510 .

Rob



vair68robert OP
102 posts
 
grk

That is a great set up , how did you decide to try the 12BH7
in place of the 12AU7A ?  
I am curious about the sound after reading other opinions on substituting. I had to look up the data sheets on both and would be a little hesitant because of the plate dissipation and the heater current 
differences .
What cartridge are you using ? since you went with the upgraded transformer I'll assume that you are using a MC
or lower output MI or MM .

Rob



vair68robert OP
102 posts
 
Glenn

That is a highly regarded and praised cartridge , You Lucky Guy .

While I can't afford a cartridge like that I can to try a 12BH7 , thanks .

Something I experienced that I'd like to pass on ,
I had 3 12ax7 GE gray long plate tubes dated within 6 months 1959/60.
I was testing them in the 3rd  position , 1 sounded ok , the 2d one sounded real good but the 3rd one sounded magical !

You might want to try each of your 5751s in the 1st position ,
or go a little further and put  JJs in #2and #3 using a GE in the 1st position rotating the other 2 in and placing the best sounding one in position 1 .
You might find a little more magic .

Rob

vair68robert OP
102 posts
 
Glenn

That is one highly regarded and praised cartridge , you lucky guy ,
While I can't afford a cartridge like that , I can try a 12BH7 tube , thanks.

I'd like to pass on something I experienced with 3 of the same tubes 
dated within 6 months of each other 1959/60 , GE long gray plates ,
2 sounded good and one stood out like magic .
You might want to try rotating your tubes to the 1st position or
go a little further and place JJ tubes in 2 & 3 to help isolate the sound of your GE tube while listening for the magic one .

Rob                                                                     
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