Jensen or Mundorf coupling capacitors?

[decooney]

At least your are narrowing it down, and it sounds better.

Don't give up, keep up the good work.

[timm]

Yes. Thanks for the guidance ... And positivity.

So I have to get some tubes for the phono stage. I really don't use it. Kevin Deal suggested the just get the mullard reissues.

Any opinions?

[decooney]

Originally Posted by timm

Yes. Thanks for the guidance ... And positivity.

So I have to get some tubes for the phono stage. I really don't use it. Kevin Deal suggested the just get the mullard reissues.

Any opinions?

Of the re-issues, the Mullard is probably one of the few I have not tried lately. And, I've considered it many times as they do seem to come recommended more so recently as some folks are finding NOS getting to be ridiculous. I went nuts two years ago hoarding a bit of the Sylvania and RCA NOS tubes. Still using them today in my preamp and input section of my big cary tube amp. I am running all new tubes in my Dennis Had amp, and like it a lot - not messing with it. I may sell off my rare NOS tubes and just start going back to new/re-issue tubes that sound 94% good as the old stuff. Yes, I think it might be worth a try knowing your preamp. Kevin sells more than a few tubes.

[timm]

Done!! Hopefully be here by the weekend.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by timm

Done!! Hopefully be here by the weekend.

Keep in mind, break in time starts again with new tubes. Its good you got a chance to listen to the new upgrades for a little bit. If you think the pre sounds good now, wait until the upgrade bits actually break-in after 100/200hrs. If you ad the new tubes now, you may not be able to tell what made a difference, but as long as you like how it sounds, that's what matters...

[timm]

No worries there. This is only the phono stage tubes. When the phono tubes were in - that's when the fuse would go after 5-20 hrs of play. So my hunch was bad tube in phono was the original problem all along. I'll know when these go in. The 6sn7s are staying the same ...for now. . Keep fingers and toes crossed!! Haha

[timm]

Got tubes today for phono stage. Got platinum grade mullard reissues. Test one: do they glow? Yes!! Phew!
Going 3 hrs so far. One thing I have noticed. Hum from power supply is GONE!!
I could hear it from 5' away before. I put my ear right next to it now and can not hear it.

So good signs so far.

[W9TR]

Awesome! Fingers crossed!

[timm]

I think we have a winner. 20 hours playing linestage straight with new phono tubes - no blown fuses, power supply has less hum . Sounds great.

No idea whether remote for volume is a clip or soldered wire ...anyone know? I'm not going to crack it open as it isn't intuitive as the case has screws all over it. My guess is remote volume wire got loose somehow.

Anyway I think the main issue is fixed. . I can now focus more on the music.
And the reason I was working so diligently with this is because it sounds so damn good!!

[timm]

Originally Posted by timm

I think we have a winner. 20 hours playing linestage straight with new phono tubes - no blown fuses, power supply has less hum . Sounds great.

No idea whether remote for volume is a clip or soldered wire ...anyone know? I'm not going to crack it open as it isn't intuitive as the case has screws all over it. My guess is remote volume wire got loose somehow.

Anyway I think the main issue is fixed. . I can now focus more on the music.
And the reason I was working so diligently with this is because it sounds so damn good!!

So... this guy was WRONG!!! haha.... So yes... I am still hovering around the phono stage... But, after the above.... long play time - probably on/off for 80 hrs... fuse blew.... and I found I was getting some low level hum in the speakers (midrange) only when the new phono tubes were in.... The ground has been lifted via a cheater ........ When I Remove phono tubes - hum seems like it has gone.... So, I am going to play like this for awhile... If it plays clean - no hum... no blown fuse .... then I will re-introduce the new phono tubes... If hum comes back - it seems like the issue is the phono stage itself - not the tubes that are connected to it....

Let me ask if anyone knows -- the linestage is direct coupled ... and the phono stage was NOT direct coupled.... Do we think the two can play together nicely this way?