REF 6 v.s. REF 40

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by cleeds

Harlequin, you may want to consider buying your own tube tester. Good ones are available, both new and used. They aren't cheap, but compared to what some high-end audio gear costs, the cost isn't crazy. If you have an audio-buddy, you might be able to share the cost with him.

One word of caution, though: Once you test your own tubes, you may find some of those precious NOS tubes aren't quite what you'd hope them to be!

Sound advice cleeds....My weapon of choice being an calibrated AVO CT160, I never trust untested NOS valves with serious $ ARC equipment.

[cleeds]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

... My weapon of choice being an calibrated AVO CT160, I never trust untested NOS valves with serious $ ARC equipment.

Interesting! I am not familiar with AVO.
It's not just NOS tubes that warrant caution, by the way. I've had brand new tubes arrive DOA - even once with a tube I'd ordered directly from ARC.

ARC replaced the tube, of course, even though it was probably fine when it left the factory (as the others in that shipment were) and was damaged en route to me. As you mentioned, you need to choose your vendors carefully.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by cleeds

It's not just NOS tubes that warrant caution, by the way. I've had brand new tubes arrive DOA - even once with a tube I'd ordered directly from ARC

Therein lies an Irony in that having suffered ARC supplied output valve failure, taking out their associated resisters, within my previous Ref150se(KT120) an GS150(KT150) and most recently one of my Ref250se's(KT150), I harbour no delusions of valve infallibility, whatever the source.

[brad225]

I also replaced the rectifiers with GE 6550A's in my Ref 40 and it was a marked improvement as described by others here.

Originally Posted by TOGA

Well, it is a problem. I don't live in the US. NOS is hard to find, cost a lot more, and may have reliability issue awaiting.
Power cord is opposite, it lasts forever and new and better models come every year.
But I have made up my mind, I will bring my Ref40 back to factory spec.
keep it fresh, use it less. And I think I will add Burmester 808 MK V to the
system as I like how it sound in my system, with REF40 as an alternate use.
This post is just a smaller picture of what I am doing right now, the bigger picture is posted in Amplifier and preamplifier section as " preamp to match Gryphon Pandora "
I started this post to share how I feel with Ref6 comparing to my Ref40,
that I am very much enjoyed the Ref6 in my system, that's why I started it.
Another point to make, Ref40 didn't enjoy the Purist 25th Anni power cord
as the other preamps did. With Ref6, Bur808, Jeff Corus, Purist made them much better sounding, but with Ref40 it made the sound rather whitish and metallic a bit. For Ref40 I kept coming back to Kubala Elation PC.

Toga

I will apologies to you Toga in advance as I'm sure this may sound harsh.
Your mention that the cost of NOS tubes is quite expensive and I agree they are not cheap.
It is the scale of perspective in this crazy hobby that NOS tubes are expensive so a Ref 40 will be for alternate use, with a Burmester 808 being the main preamp.

I apologies again TOGA. My family all thinks I have lost my mind on audio though they are amazed how it sounds.

This is meant to be in jest.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by brad225

I also replaced the rectifiers with GE 6550A's in my Ref 40 and it was a marked improvement as described by others here..

Well you most certainly have a pair of transducers that will convey any and all changes that you are hearing due to your GE regulators Brad.

Hope they are working out well for you