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
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I'm on the waiting list to receive one. Besides tube rolling, how does it sound with the original tubes? It's a really nicely designed unit. I actually find it really convenient that it has a Mute switch on the front panel. Anyhow, I'd love to hear what others think about this Phono Amp. |
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 .
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I am seriously considering one of these someday. How does it do in terms of bass extension? I like a punchy and fast sound. |
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
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Hi,
I rolled in some GE 5751 Blackplates (3 micas), a GE 12BH7 in place of the 12AU7/ECC82 and a pair of 6267/EF86 Telefunkens. Pretty much improvement all across the board. They are also very quiet, perhaps even more so than the stock JJ's.
BTW - I noticed that they are offering a tube-regulated power supply for $1800! Scott will give owners of the SS PS a $300 trade-in towards the tube PS that uses a 5AR4 rectifier, a 6550 pass tube, and an EF86 error amplifier. The "fun" never stops! |
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
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I did them all at once, since I really didn't feel like doing one or 2 tubes at a time. I also opted for the upgraded transformers when I ordered the Adagio. Scott said that they improved the bass response among other things. Yeah, I will likely not go for the tube-regulated power supply either. That's a LOT of money! |
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
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Thanks Rob, I do like it a lot! The tubes substitutions are based on Scott's recommendations below:
"In my own personal Adagio I use Sylvania 6267 for the two EF86 in the second stage (6267 was the US designation for the EF86). NOS 6267 are getting hard to find, however.
For the output tube I use a GE 12BH7 in place of the 12AU7/ECC82. It is a larger tube with higher heater current, but the Adagio heater supply has adequate capacity for it."
Glenn |
I am using a Kiseki Purple Heart N.S. which has a .5mv output. The Adagio has plenty of gain for that cart. |
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
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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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Thanks Rob, I may have to give that a try.
Glenn |
