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I just finished assembling my new Vacuum Tube Audio SP14 preamp. Wow! This thing really really really sounds good. It definitely sounds better than my Pass Labs X1 control preamp. I'm truly impressed.
I ordered upgraded NOS Sylvania 6SN7 chrome-dome octal tubes and Mundorf silver-oil PIO output capacitors as well as a Khozmo remote volume control with digital display. Total cost for the kit was $1355. This is not a kit for beginners, but if you can assemble this preamp I think you would be hard pressed to find one that sounds as good for anything near its price. My Pass Labs X1 retailed for $5800 thirteen years ago and this SP14 is noticeably superior in sound quality. The SP14 sounds as good or better than any preamp I can remember hearing and I've been to 6 or 7 major audio shows. Anyway, I'm more than happy to say the least.
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Topic - I'm a tube convert... - John Elison 22:24:14 08/05/16 (95)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... Mazel tov! I coulda told ya . . . . (nt) - goldenthal 03:40:20 08/28/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - jkaschyk 17:51:11 08/11/16 (4)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - John Elison 18:10:39 08/11/16 (3)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - TubeDriver 05:37:51 08/28/16 (2)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - John Elison 05:41:05 08/31/16 (1)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - BCR 06:30:41 08/31/16 (0)
- flashy bit 'o gear - bare 15:23:02 08/10/16 (2)
- Lordy 'bare'... - Ivan303 12:55:20 08/08/22 (0)
- Your last sentence?... - musetap 22:20:11 08/10/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - mondial 20:44:42 08/08/16 (3)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - John Elison 20:51:10 08/08/16 (2)
- Nice ! ... - reelsmith. 09:24:42 08/08/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - bill_stevenson@bellsouth.net 08:22:43 08/08/16 (0)
- RE: Great build, John - I'm sure it sounds great! :-)) nt - andyr 04:07:01 08/08/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - Sondek 14:25:12 08/07/16 (1)
- Thanks for the complement! - John Elison 01:35:28 08/08/16 (0)
- Looks like you are a DIY convert as well. Absolutely beautiful PCB work! - alaskahiatt 11:01:34 08/07/16 (1)
- RE: Looks like you are a DIY convert as well. Absolutely beautiful PCB work! - John Elison 01:30:46 08/08/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - Mick Wolfe 09:38:15 08/07/16 (1)
- Thanks! - John Elison 01:27:58 08/08/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - timothywas1@comcast.net 08:38:35 08/07/16 (3)
- Thanks for the complement! - John Elison 01:26:04 08/08/16 (2)
- RE: Thanks for the complement! - SETdude 07:48:56 12/04/16 (0)
- RE: Thanks for the complement! - timothywas1@comcast.net 05:08:40 08/08/16 (0)
- Big Mistake! - amandarae 07:10:49 08/07/16 (9)
- So why do you own 2 preamps that employ 6SN7's? - Rick W 08:08:35 08/07/16 (6)
- RE: So why do you own 2 preamps that employ 6SN7's? - amandarae 16:17:00 08/07/16 (5)
- Bottlehead now offer a 4P1L preamp... nt. - jusbe 05:34:21 08/11/16 (0)
- Type 27s (IDHT) sound very nice, too... - Lew 07:07:12 08/09/16 (1)
- RE: Type 27s (IDHT) sound very nice, too... - amandarae 18:39:41 08/10/16 (0)
- Thanks. I'll see if I can check a 76 pre out. nt - Rick W 16:32:07 08/07/16 (1)
- RE: Thanks. I'll see if I can check a 76 pre out. nt - amandarae 16:50:14 08/07/16 (0)
- LOL! Whose mistake are you referring to? Certainly not mine! /nt\ - John Elison 07:42:59 08/07/16 (1)
- You took it the wrong way. - amandarae 16:09:53 08/07/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - AudioSoul 17:36:42 08/06/16 (1)
- Thanks! - John Elison 05:13:23 08/07/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - twystd 17:06:43 08/06/16 (2)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - John Elison 07:39:40 08/07/16 (1)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - twystd 21:18:42 08/07/16 (0)
- welcome to the dark side - teenage diplomat 13:26:54 08/06/16 (2)
- I thought the "dark side" was SS - rickmcinnis@dogwoodfabrics.com 10:18:01 08/07/16 (0)
- Thanks! - John Elison 05:10:19 08/07/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - Solidcore 11:37:04 08/06/16 (1)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - John Elison 05:02:09 08/07/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - Lew 11:31:39 08/06/16 (3)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - John Elison 18:50:38 08/06/16 (2)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - Lew 10:01:23 08/07/16 (0)
- If I'm correct, it's a 5AR4 nt. - Cougar 19:53:57 08/06/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - PMEL324X0 11:30:50 08/06/16 (1)
- Thanks! - John Elison 01:39:38 08/08/16 (0)
- RE: wow...so cool - user510 11:17:36 08/06/16 (2)
- RE: wow...so cool - John Elison 14:57:50 08/06/16 (1)
- John, I see Horn 2 ways in the future for you! :) - Cougar 18:39:24 08/06/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - Dave Garretson 11:05:44 08/06/16 (1)
- Thanks! - John Elison 14:26:19 08/06/16 (0)
- Glad you found 6SN7s that satisfied you. - Opus 33 1/3 09:47:12 08/06/16 (4)
- My chrome-dome 6SN7s sound great... - John Elison 05:19:45 08/07/16 (2)
- Once into tubes, you'll discover a whole new aspect to OCD. /nt\ - Opus 33 1/3 05:41:53 08/07/16 (1)
- Oh yes he will! :) - Cougar 11:09:52 08/08/16 (0)
- RE: Glad you found 6SN7s that satisfied you. - bcowen 10:22:12 08/06/16 (0)
- Congrats John - M3 lover 09:02:42 08/06/16 (2)
- Thanks! - John Elison 06:30:11 08/07/16 (1)
- Tubes and speaker impedance - M3 lover 09:56:26 08/07/16 (0)
- Definitely - Dingojazz 09:02:11 08/06/16 (0)
- Really nice workmanship and Congrats ! - Frank Sol 08:35:25 08/06/16 (1)
- Thanks for the complement! /nt\ - John Elison 07:13:36 08/07/16 (0)
- RE: "It definitely sounds better then my Pass labs X1..." - genungo 07:02:19 08/06/16 (1)
- More detail and clarity with greater realism! /nt\ - John Elison 08:20:27 08/06/16 (0)
- Beautiful work! - vinyl survivor 05:52:28 08/06/16 (1)
- Thanks! /nt\ - John Elison 06:52:40 08/06/16 (0)
- What took so long? - Uncle Mike 05:14:40 08/06/16 (4)
- I corrupted him with my all-tube system ;-) [nt] - steve.ott@kctcs.edu 08:50:07 08/06/16 (0)
- I don't know, but I'm glad I finally arrived... - John Elison 06:51:43 08/06/16 (2)
- If you like the Parasound ALWAYS keep it for some dependable/known back-up... N/T - musetap 15:28:23 08/07/16 (0)
- RE: I don't know, but I'm glad I finally arrived... - painter27 18:07:35 08/06/16 (0)
- RE: I'm a tube convert... - bcowen 05:11:00 08/06/16 (2)
- This is a new adventure for me... - John Elison 06:45:20 08/06/16 (0)
- You hit the nail on the head!!! - TomWh 06:33:50 08/06/16 (0)
- That looks great John. - Guss2 04:30:31 08/06/16 (4)
- Thanks! - John Elison 06:43:18 08/06/16 (0)
- RE: That looks great John. - rosendds@frontiernet.net 04:37:25 08/06/16 (2)
- RE: That looks great John. - John Elison 06:32:43 08/06/16 (0)
- Oops, missed that one. Thanks nt - Guss2 05:21:33 08/06/16 (0)
- That's sweet!... - musetap 22:44:16 08/05/16 (2)
- Thanks! - John Elison 22:53:23 08/05/16 (1)
- I been using Tube Preamps since the late 90's... - Cougar 23:01:29 08/05/16 (0)
- Congrats, and nice work! Not surprised at your reaction. Gonna try a tube amp? nt - Rick W 22:41:44 08/05/16 (3)
- Thanks! - John Elison 22:45:34 08/05/16 (2)
- That too reads promising... - musetap 11:41:57 08/06/16 (0)
- Look forward to reading future posts about it from you. nt - Rick W 22:58:41 08/05/16 (0)
- Nice work! - Cougar 22:36:26 08/05/16 (2)
- Thanks! - John Elison 22:50:55 08/05/16 (1)
- Yup, That's it! - Cougar 22:53:24 08/05/16 (0)