AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Inspire by Dennis Had

Inspire by Dennis Had Enjoying Vacuum Tube Audio

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #6471  
Old 06-27-2021, 10:33 PM
Zimmer Zimmer is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Maine
Posts: 17
Default

I've been liking my CJ5 preamp a great deal. I am going to let the LP-27a go. If there was a strong interest, I would consider letting the Firebottle amp go along with it. For the sake of a proper set of equipment.
Reply With Quote
  #6472  
Old 07-03-2021, 07:47 PM
Isaacc7 Isaacc7 is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 296
Default

Tried a 7f7 as an input tube for my Firebottle kt88 the other night. It is the equivalent of a sylvania 6sl7. This one is known as a "chrome dome" because of the way the silver on the inside of the tube extends to cover most of the tube. I've kept my Ferranti 807 tubes in for a while now.

I was initially blown away by the bass this new tube gave me. It was significantly tighter and had more impact than the various 7n7 (sylvania 6sn7) tubes I had been using before. With extended listening I found the higher frequencies to be harder, or at least annoying lol. Went back to the short 7n7 with the small top getter. It is much better tonally and goes just as deep but I do miss that bass crispness.

Sigh, the quest for the perfect input tube continues!
Reply With Quote
  #6473  
Old 07-06-2021, 11:15 PM
Isaacc7 Isaacc7 is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 296
Default

Went back to the 7f7. Sounds amazing. Have to keep reminding myself that I am the biggest variable when it comes to subtle differences!
Reply With Quote
  #6474  
Old 07-10-2021, 09:39 AM
Isaacc7 Isaacc7 is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 296
Default

I went down to my father's place for the first time in over a year thanks to covid. I finally retrieved my tube stash after 12-13 years. I had gone on a tube buying frenzy and then moved out of the country.

I, uh... bought a lot of tubes. Lol. I must have 200+ here. All of them were bought with the idea of doing DIY stuff. All of them are useful audio tubes but only a handful are useable in commercial equipment.

In particular I have a bunch of old 6v6 and 7c5 tubes, mostly Sylvania. I do also have some 6sn7 and 6sl7. All of these can be used in my Firebottle. As a tube roller enthusiast I'm stoked to try them out. Now what to do with all the other ones....
Reply With Quote
  #6475  
Old 07-11-2021, 10:56 AM
rmlowz rmlowz is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 67
Default

Hello Forum Friends,

I have heard of people on other forums using 46 and 71A tubes with an adapter with their 45 tube amps. Has anyone tried this? Can this be done with my Inspire 45?

Thanks rmlowz
Reply With Quote
  #6476  
Old 07-13-2021, 08:57 PM
Bombadil Bombadil is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 609
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaacc7 View Post
Tried a 7f7 as an input tube for my Firebottle kt88 the other night. It is the equivalent of a sylvania 6sl7. This one is known as a "chrome dome" because of the way the silver on the inside of the tube extends to cover most of the tube. I've kept my Ferranti 807 tubes in for a while now.

I was initially blown away by the bass this new tube gave me. It was significantly tighter and had more impact than the various 7n7 (sylvania 6sn7) tubes I had been using before. With extended listening I found the higher frequencies to be harder, or at least annoying lol. Went back to the short 7n7 with the small top getter. It is much better tonally and goes just as deep but I do miss that bass crispness.

Sigh, the quest for the perfect input tube continues!
On my Firebottle KT88 HO, when I used a 6SL7 there was a LOT of high frequency detail. At first I was amazed by the detail and big soundstage, but over time it literally gave me headaches.

Briefly tried a 6BX7 and the Inspire tube magic disappeared. Harsher, less natural, less midrange magic.

Over the past 2 years I've exclusively used 6SN7 in both of my Inspire amps. The better ones sound great to my ears. Open, transparent, great midrange, big soundstage, well defined bass. Good high frequency detail without being harsh or bright.

Last edited by Bombadil; 07-13-2021 at 09:15 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6477  
Old 07-14-2021, 11:57 AM
Isaacc7 Isaacc7 is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 296
Default

I have gone back to the 6sl7 and been enjoying it. Think the music I was listening to originally didn't pair well with it. That is something to keep in mind though, not sure if sounding amazing on some music overcomes being annoying with other music especially since the 6sn7 doesn't offend at all.

Once I get back home I'll do more listening. I'll have a whole slew of new tubes to try too.
Reply With Quote
  #6478  
Old 07-17-2021, 04:37 PM
Analog Addict's Avatar
Analog Addict Analog Addict is offline
Member

 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 486
Default The latest and greatest...

Dennis has been perfecting an upscale version of a pre amp that we have been monkeying around with for the better part of 3 years, and as some of you may already know, is called the LP-71A.

Before I go any further, let me tell you all what Dennis has said about this new design, and I quote...

"Not only is this the best pre amp I've ever designed, but it is the best pre amp I've ever heard"

What more is there to be said?

One of the nice things is that it will run three different types of tubes interchangeably, the 12/112, the 01A and variants, and of course the 71A and it's variants. I won't try and describe how it sounds. Let Dennis' comment speak for itself...

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Amps for today were a 45 SET and a PSE 6V6 prototype wired in pentode.

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Here's my preamp, which I suppose one could call the original prototype on the bench. Check out that square wave... Perfect! Even with the gain turned up to 11, the sine wave is perfect and undistorted.

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Finally a shot with some thoriated filament globes installed. These tend to be a bit more finicky because of the microphonics and the fragility of the innards, but they do shore look nice...
Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr
Reply With Quote
  #6479  
Old 07-17-2021, 09:07 PM
Isaacc7 Isaacc7 is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 296
Default

I listened to a 71a based preamp at a dealer last month. Sounded amazing but if you flicked the tube with your finger it rang like crazy! Make sure you can isolate the preamp if you get this one. What are the other tubes?
Reply With Quote
  #6480  
Old 07-17-2021, 09:21 PM
Analog Addict's Avatar
Analog Addict Analog Addict is offline
Member

 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 486
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaacc7 View Post
I listened to a 71a based preamp at a dealer last month. Sounded amazing but if you flicked the tube with your finger it rang like crazy! Make sure you can isolate the preamp if you get this one. What are the other tubes?
Oh yeah, you can tap out a tune on the pre amp chassis if you want. Nothing in life is 100% perfect.

Mine uses a single 0A3, a 5AR4 rectifier, the two signal tubes, and a 6SN7 for the center channel mixer. The official LP-71A uses two signal tubes, a 5U4G rectifier and an 0A3 for each channel.

Last edited by Analog Addict; 07-17-2021 at 09:27 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:01 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video