Totally Tubular: The Tube Thread

I’m not selling; just sharing!
Good gravy this seems like an incredible deal. I understand it's the I, which went out of production in 2009. But the current model, the II, retails for $8299. That $2400 retail price in the ad has to be from back when this seller bought it, and with inflation...
 
Good gravy this seems like an incredible deal. I understand it's the I, which went out of production in 2009. But the current model, the II, retails for $8299. That $2400 retail price in the ad has to be from back when this seller bought it, and with inflation...
As much as I love the Stingray, $8299 is insane. I wouldn’t pay that in this lifetime, or my next one either.
 
New Tube Day!

Almost 2 years in and 3 of my 4 KT88 are always flashing on turn off so I decided to give something completely different a try! I’m both going NOS and a different tube for the first time! Got rid of those 3 and kept the 4th KT88 as a spare.

These are Svetlana Winged C 6550. I got the ones from the TAD Selected Batch. They say that they have picked the best performing ones out of the NOS they have and stamped their logo over the original factory one. You should see both logos in the picture. It was only a €5 extra a tube so worth the chance.

Really looking forward to hearing something new!

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New Tube Day!

Almost 2 years in and 3 of my 4 KT88 are always flashing on turn off so I decided to give something completely different a try! I’m both going NOS and a different tube for the first time! Got rid of those 3 and kept the 4th KT88 as a spare.

These are Svetlana Winged C 6550. I got the ones from the TAD Selected Batch. They say that they have picked the best performing ones out of the NOS they have and stamped their logo over the original factory one. You should see both logos in the picture. It was only a €5 extra a tube so worth the chance.

Really looking forward to hearing something new!
Plus one for slipping the white Wharfedale gloves in there.
 
New Tube Day!

Almost 2 years in and 3 of my 4 KT88 are always flashing on turn off so I decided to give something completely different a try! I’m both going NOS and a different tube for the first time! Got rid of those 3 and kept the 4th KT88 as a spare.

These are Svetlana Winged C 6550. I got the ones from the TAD Selected Batch. They say that they have picked the best performing ones out of the NOS they have and stamped their logo over the original factory one. You should see both logos in the picture. It was only a €5 extra a tube so worth the chance.

Really looking forward to hearing something new!

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You should like them. As I understand it, 6550s are the American industrial version of the British KT88. I think the KT88 sounds a bit better, but the 6550 certainly lasts longer.
 
Well today I blew a fuse on the adaptive auto bias board and learned how to change it.

The change to having the little screw out fuse next to the on off switch on the evo series is definitely a positive one!

Edit: Ordered 10 replacement fuses from a local parts place and put the GL KT88 back into the amp in place of the faulty 6550 and fired an email to the tube supplier in Germany looking for a replacement!
 
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How are your tubes and Pass Labs holding up versus you prior configurations?
I guess I haven’t posted here in a bit about impressions….

I actually moved the Decware on last week as, in my setup, it was really just adding a bit of noise and I realized that I get 95% of the tube lushness with the Luxman with better bass grip and control. My tube amplification days are kaput.

However, I do have the Luxman listed on USAM at a price that I’d accept. I’m in no hurry. I put aside the Decware dough, and if the Luxman sells, I’m considering a couple different options including a McIntosh MA352 Integrated (SS amplification/Tube pre) or some Pass separates.

The Pass XP-15 is an awesome phono stage. I love it and don’t see myself changing it.

I won’t derail this tube thread with my speaker thoughts. I’ll discuss in the Klipsch thread…
 
This is a little rambling, just wanted to share.

TL:DR version, Raytheon black plates rock.

I recently rolled in some NOS Raytheon black plate 12AU7 and used Herbie’s tube dampers while putting them into my Margules integrated. I was running RCA clear tops previously as the Sylvania’s that came stock didn’t sound right to me.

These Raytheon’s and the tube dampers totally changed the sound. Everything is so much more solid and powerful sounding. The RCA’s had a touch better imaging holographic and air, but the Raytheon’s imaging is nothing to be mad at.

Funny enough, with the new tubes, I’m rethinking future upgrades. I have an order in with Decware for their phono and SUT, and I think I’ll maybe get a new DAC next instead of the pre/power combo I was thinking of.
 
This is a little rambling, just wanted to share.

TL:DR version, Raytheon black plates rock.

I recently rolled in some NOS Raytheon black plate 12AU7 and used Herbie’s tube dampers while putting them into my Margules integrated. I was running RCA clear tops previously as the Sylvania’s that came stock didn’t sound right to me.

These Raytheon’s and the tube dampers totally changed the sound. Everything is so much more solid and powerful sounding. The RCA’s had a touch better imaging holographic and air, but the Raytheon’s imaging is nothing to be mad at.

Funny enough, with the new tubes, I’m rethinking future upgrades. I have an order in with Decware for their phono and SUT, and I think I’ll maybe get a new DAC next instead of the pre/power combo I was thinking of.

Let me know what you think of that phono. It’s definitely on my list for my next one!
 
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