It's just like Christmas...

[Tonepub]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

i couldn't have put it any better myself. That is exactly the plan.

Also, the seller told me that his friend who sold his CT-5 to upgrade to a GAT said the CT-5 didn't fully open up until it had 1500 hours on it. Whoa. Mine has an estimated 900-1000 hrs as the seller was running it 24/7 with the CD player on repeat to get the caps burned in. Fortunately, there's only two tubes in the CT-5 and they are readily available and inexpensive, so I am not worried about tube life. And there's really only one model and manufacturer of this tube, so there's no need to think about expensive tube rolling. A set of three NOS Ediswan 6922s for the input stage of my LP70S cost me 450 clams! And that's for miniature tubes, we're not talking power tubes like the original Genalex Gold Lion KT88s from the 60s.

That's a little out there. The Teflon caps come out of the fog substantially at 300 hours and are broken in by 500-600 hours tops. Running a tube amp or preamp 24/7 can lead to other problems.

And there are still some NOS 6H30's out there that are another step up....

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by tonepub

And there are still some NOS 6H30's out there that are another step up....

Interesting. Would it be these by any chance (http://thetubestore.com/russian6h30pdr.html; the DR version)? I'm only familiar with the Sovtek ones. My understanding is that the Electro-Harmonix are made by Sovtek and branded EH.

[Tonepub]

Nope. Gotta find the old ones that BAT used to sell. Usually about $200 a pop.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by tonepub

Nope. Gotta find the old ones that BAT used to sell. Usually about $200 a pop.

I believe this is the tube that BAT used to sell...from the link cited above:

"This tube was made by Reflektor throughout the '80's up to 1992. This is the same 6H30 Supertube offered by Balanced Audio Technology as their premium replacement."

Price is $200/tube.

[turntable]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Turntable,
Believe it or not, I am just using the stock C-J 6550s that come with the amp. I tried my Genalex Gold Lion KT88s from my Premier 11A in the LP70S and the amp did not seem to like them at all. So, I stuck with what C-J recommends. The LP70S is a wonderful amp; one of the nicest I've ever heard. The owner at Spearit Sounds, one of the larger C-J dealers in the U.S. thinks it's the nicest-sounding amp C-J has ever built. Not sure I agree, the guy who sold me my Premier 17LS and who had just bought the ACT 2 S2 had a Premier 350, and that was pretty amazing, I have to say.

The other maker of tube amps that I've heard that I like as much as C-J are the Octave amps from Andreas Hoffman. Also truly superb.

As far as SS amps go, Tonepub's Burmester is the best sounding SS amp I've ever heard, with the C-J Premier 350 a close second.

The best integrated I've ever heard, hands-down, was the DarTZeel CTH-8550. That thing is amazing.

I too use the stock cj 6550's. That is the way cj voice their amps and I am happy with the sound. I did try Kt88's a few years back and they did add some sparkle, however I find the 6550's are better integrated in the bass and a smoother in the tope end.

Having 16 x 6550 tubes makes it expensive to tube roll.

I would luv to hear the new ART amplifier - too rich for me ATM

enjoy the playing around with the new toy.

cheers

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Turntable,
Believe it or not, I am just using the stock C-J 6550s that come with the amp. I tried my Genalex Gold Lion KT88s from my Premier 11A in the LP70S and the amp did not seem to like them at all. So, I stuck with what C-J recommends. The LP70S is a wonderful amp; one of the nicest I've ever heard. The owner at Spearit Sounds, one of the larger C-J dealers in the U.S. thinks it's the nicest-sounding amp C-J has ever built. Not sure I agree, the guy who sold me my Premier 17LS and who had just bought the ACT 2 S2 had a Premier 350, and that was pretty amazing, I have to say.

The other maker of tube amps that I've heard that I like as much as C-J are the Octave amps from Andreas Hoffman. Also truly superb.

As far as SS amps go, Tonepub's Burmester is the best sounding SS amp I've ever heard, with the C-J Premier 350 a close second.

The best integrated I've ever heard, hands-down, was the DarTZeel CTH-8550. That thing is amazing.

Stephen...I heard the CT-5 with the LP-70S at Spearit Sound. It's a very nice sounding combo. Are you in the Boston area by the way? In any case, good luck and enjoy the new CT-5. Will look forward to read about your impressions.

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

I believe this is the tube that BAT used to sell...from the link cited above:

"This tube was made by Reflektor throughout the '80's up to 1992. This is the same 6H30 Supertube offered by Balanced Audio Technology as their premium replacement."

Price is $200/tube.

Yes...the NOS 6H30-DR is the main upgrade option to roll in place of the 6H30. It comes recommended for the ARC preamps that have the 6H30s. I have not tried them in my Ref 3 so can't give you any feedback on them.

[chessman]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Yes...the NOS 6H30-DR is the main upgrade option to roll in place of the 6H30. It comes recommended for the ARC preamps that have the 6H30s. I have not tried them in my Ref 3 so can't give you any feedback on them.

Cyril ... so when the time comes, do I want NOS 6H30-DR or something else for the BAT VK-52SE?

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by chessman

Cyril ... so when the time comes, do I want NOS 6H30-DR or something else for the BAT VK-52SE?

Randy...if you do a quick search on the Gon, you will see quite a few threads on the 6H30-DR and some people swear by them and others have not noted such a big difference. I checked on BAT's website and on the VK-52SE's product page, it does not list the complete compliment of tubes but it says it has the 6H30 BAT supertube which is the NOS 6H30-DR I believe. So I think you are good to go. Does your manual list what all the tubes are in the preamp?

[chessman]

Cyril ... the manual is not handy, but as I recall it just said 6H30. I was curious primarily as between NOS and Sovtek. Thanks for the help. (And sorry about the threadjack).