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Originally Posted by Kris0603
First, thanks to the admins for access, and thanks to this community for this epic thread! Haven't quite read the whole thing from beginning to end yet, but i've spent many hours coming from Google on various things.
Was lucky enough to snag one of the recent Inspire KT88 SEP amps off eBay and what an incredible upgrade. I had a Elekit 8200R before in my system. Speakers are Dali Evidence 470 (90dB), DAC is an Abbas Audio 4.1SE. Sources are FLAC through a Squeezebox, as well as IPTV, an Airport Express. All toslink into an auto-switcher feeding via coax to the Abbas.
Have been rolling tubes like a madman in this amp, but right now it has the stock Genalex KT88 tubes, and a great Raytheon VT-231 that i had in stock. Tried some GEC KT88 i had, but decided to wait until i've settled on everything else. Been experimenting some with the rectifier tube, and today i finally put in a CV378 i had and it made a big difference. Had tried a Philips GZ34, as well as some 5U4 types. But the CV378 absolutely smokes everything i've tried so far. Better definition in the bass, everything sound exquisitely balanced, i feel the limiting factor now are my Dalis.
Is there any risk to the 5V winding from running this tube? After 30 mins the power tranny is barely warm to the touch. Think i'm going to try some KT150 next but i also have some 5933W i'd like to try with an adapter. Edit: Duh, same heater draw as a 5U4G, 3 amps.
Also have some type 83 MV rectifiers on hand and have been in helpful contact with Mr. Had on fitting a switch on the HT center tap but as good as these CV378 are i have a hard time believing it can truly be bettered. Maybe when i've used out the two CV378 i have.
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Congrats on the new amp! I had an Elekit tu-8300 I think. It was quite good but the Firebottle is on another level. And it is much more fun from a tube rolling perspective.
Speaking of tube rolling. I think I'm at the end of my output tube rolling for now. I'm using an old JAN RCA 5u4g and a tall Sylvania 7n7 with all of these tubes. I really like the sound of the Ken Rad 6v6. Will try some other 6v6 and 7c5 tubes in a while. My favorite output tubes are the Firenti 807, Tungsol 6ar6, and now the Mullard El38. The 807 and 6ar6 are pretty similar sounding which shouldn't be a surprise. They are warm and thick sounding. They are my go to "chocolate cake" presentation choice.
The El38 is amazing, clarity galore, and the cleanest sound I've heard. Last night I called the bass anemic but that was only in contrast to the 6ar6. Turns out the El38 was going as deep but it is much more accurate. I was so impressed with the El38 I went ahead and bought 10 of them which should be a lifetime supply. They seem to be getting scarce so I bit the bullet and bought a bunch.
I think all of these old tubes clearly outclassed the new production tubes I tried, the Psvane kt88 treasure, the Tungsol 7581a, and the Tungsol 6v6.
My new Supratek preamp came today but it's stuck upstairs! I'm partially disabled and rely on my housemates to bring heavy thing to me. I waited 4 months for it and now it's just out of my reach! Gah! Anyway, I will leave the el38 tubes in while I try to dial in the Cabernet preamp.