Dan,
Great insights here that build on many of your posts on AA over the years, as well as insights from Tom (W9TR) and others.
The Telefunken ECC83 is an expensive tube, and I was wondering if that price (and that of other 12AX7 variants) was driven more by rarity or demand for better performing tubes. While they are rare, your strong impression of it indicates the high quality. Of course the price/value equation is different for each of us, depending on our ears, wallets and plenty of other factors.
Your point about enjoying most of the tubes you've rolled puts rolling into perspective - not to try to chase a "best" tube but appreciate the differences and find what works best for me and my better half, as I expect her to probably get into it a bit, just as she's been a great partner on the audio and musical journey over the years.
__________________
Sources: Vinyl: Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable with 9" Universal tonearm, Da Vinci V2 cartridge, Stillpoints SS & Stillpoints clamp, McIntosh MVP 901, Apple Mac mini via Benchmark DAC 1, Aurender N100C via Schiit Yggdrasil
Control: McIntosh C1100, Mcintosh MX151
Power: Mcintosh MC2301s (front), McIntosh MC501 (center), Mcintosh MC402 (rear)
Speakers: Sonus Faber Amati Futura (front and back), SF Vox center
Power/connections: PS Audio Power Port receptacles, RGPC 400 pro (2) WireWorld interconnects and speaker cable
|