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Supratek Tubes and Tube Swappin' for Everybody

I will have a Supratek Chenin in my set up in a day or so. Since so many folks are rolling tubes around here I was hoping to garner a comprehensive list of everybodies favorite tube compliments. Be it NOS or NIB or WLATB (Whatever's layin around the basement)
Being that the "Deal of the Century" thread is a little more like a novel I figured this would be a good place to post questions and answers related to one subject of Supratek amps and pres.
On to the subject of me. I don't have immediate plans to swap tubes as I've figured that Mr. Maloney would supply us with something listenable for the break in period. But, since so many have reported such dramatic improvments I want to ask this question:
What is your favorite compliment for quietest gain and dynamics in the phono stage?
I will be using the Chenin exclusively for vinyl ( I don't have a CD player) and listen to loads of early rock and roll and Jazz bands, smaller jazz bands mostly, quartets and quintets. Some classical, the usual Beethoven and Mozart, but usually just a lot of loud garage rock.
Ok, now lets see what happens.
mc5baby
raytheprinter's avatar
raytheprinter
1,232 posts
 
Ecclectique,Thank you! Im still trying to decide how i feel about the 5V4G,,will report back in a few days!Did i already mention how much i like the Kenrads!!!
raytheprinter's avatar
raytheprinter
1,232 posts
 
Iwas wondering if any of the NOS 6SN7s sound close to the KR VT231s,,RCA maybe?
kpinneo
10 posts
 
Ecclectique, I'm intrigued by your explanation of your switch to the 7193, but am a little more than confused yet on the actual process-electronics not being one of my strong suites. I'm wondering if you or someone else who has done the switch would consider posting a step-by-step expose of the operation and being very specific? (I have a Sauvignon , but system is not up and running yet.)
ecclectique
509 posts
 
Hi Gang. Raytheprinter.... The kenrad black vt-231 really has a flavour all of it's own with perhaps the most dynamic bass energy of all of the 6sn7 types, albeit a little on the tubby side when compared to most of the others.Above the bottom 2 octaves it is very clean with great ambience and air, it throws a big soundstage thats both deep and wide. By comparison, the greyglass rca vt-231 possesses a very similiar character tonally. It's bass range is also somewhat overly ripe however it is a well balanced tube from top to bottom with a beautiful timbre, harmonically rich with a realistic soundstage and liquid mids. Not quite as vivid and organic as the kenrad but a beautiful voice none the less. Kpinneo.... Congrats on your new Sauvignon. Regarding the wiring for the 7193, I am assuming your sauvignon is set up with the 6sn7 for line gain duty. The 6sn7 [a dual triode] is basically 2 6j5's[a single triode] in one bottle. Both the 6sn7 and the 6j5 are octal based tubes and utilize the same tube bass. My cortese is set up for 2 6j5's for each channel or 4 6j5's in total for line gain. The 7193 is the electrically equivalent to the 6j5 except it's connection to the grid [pin 5 on the base] is now rerouted to the top of the tube and connected with a top cap. The anode [pin 3] is also rerouted to the other top cap on the tube.
sorlowski
231 posts
 
What are the best new replacements for 5881 which comes with Chenin, because NOS replacements like WE350B or Tung Sol 5881 are awfully expensive...
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