Hi Keshiri, I still don't have the "feel" of the Zoe, and honestly have not paid too much attention to where the volume knob is set. It is a very nice preamp, and an absolute steal for the price, and I compared it head to head with the Vibe/Pulse. Interesting about the black plates, I have a special pair of them (blessed by monks or something) from Brian at AAudio in my CD player and they sound great. This pair in the Zoe was originally a little noisy in the CD player, but are absolutely quiet in the preamp. Maybe they were not seated properly in the player. I have only used the AT7's and the original 6922's in the preamp, but it seemed the 6922's had a bit more drive, and the AT7's are a bit richer and sweeter sounding.
Best small signal tube for a preamp?
Is there inherently a "best" small signal tube for use in a preamp? Assuming all other things are equal-which of course they never are.
Choices are 6922/12AT7/12AU7/6BK7/6BZ7/12BH7/6H30II (and varients to the listed tubes - e.g. E88CC for 6922, etc.).
The reason for my question is that I am auditioning the Lector Zoe, which can use all of the above tubes by way of its SATC ( autiomatic tube adaptation) circuit and user switchable 6V/12V plate voltage.
I am interested in your reason, which might have to do with inherent sonic characteristics, predisposition for problems such as noise or microphonics, or availability and economy of NOS tubes being better for one tube type over the others. All responses are welcome, and in return I will let you know the results of my listening with the different tubes that I try.
Choices are 6922/12AT7/12AU7/6BK7/6BZ7/12BH7/6H30II (and varients to the listed tubes - e.g. E88CC for 6922, etc.).
The reason for my question is that I am auditioning the Lector Zoe, which can use all of the above tubes by way of its SATC ( autiomatic tube adaptation) circuit and user switchable 6V/12V plate voltage.
I am interested in your reason, which might have to do with inherent sonic characteristics, predisposition for problems such as noise or microphonics, or availability and economy of NOS tubes being better for one tube type over the others. All responses are welcome, and in return I will let you know the results of my listening with the different tubes that I try.
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- 28 posts total
- 28 posts total