Holy Crap, what a great device.
fast as a racing car, power like a steamroller, timbres like in a painting, emotions like a praying sister, resolution like a microscope and the overview like someone standing on a lighthouse.
The Brimar and the Valvo sound a touch warmer, more like in a small club where you can smell the sweat of the musicians. With jazz and small instrumentations absolutely believable.
The Tesla is a little more neutral, but the size and position of individual instruments in the orchestra is more believable.
Actually pure matter of taste, which sound you prefer.
I didn't even try the other tubes, because the sound is perfect for my feeling.
My old Gleider HO sounds like someone kicked him in the ass and gave him a makeover.
I discarded the idea of another pickup.
I get along very well with the phono stage. with my 93db speakers I can hear slight noises at a listening distance of 2.5 meters when the volume control is set to 1 o'clock. However, these are not disturbing. and with music the level is so high that my wife starts to scold.
how someone judges the whole thing with 98db speakers... anyway, he does not turn up the volume knob so far and should also have no problems.
The PH 1A SET plays on the same level as LP2030 and my 300b.
These are milestones in audio history.
The current tubes I use in the devices are the following:
CJ5: 4x Fivre 6J5 GT, GE 5U4G
KT88 SEP: KR KT88, CBS Hytron 5692, GE 5U4G
LP2030: Cunningham 301a, Sylvania jan. 01A, EML 5U4
300b-DJH: WE300b, jan. Philips 6SL7, EML 274b
PH 1a SET: CBS Hytron 6SL7, Tesla ECC803S frame grid, 5Y3WGTA Sylvania Gold brand
These are my favorites. and except for the WE 300b I still have some of each tube in reserve. And various other combinations around the 6V6, KT66, which I also find great in the SET.
But all this applies to my space, the devices and my sense of hearing.
In other constellations and with different sound tastes it will look different.
With most of Dennis' devices it is possible to influence the sound according to your personal preferences with tube rolling.
Everyone can find happiness with them and that's what makes them so valuable in our short-lived times.
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