Tubes Asylum: RE: Tube rolling preamp or power amp gain tubes, which ones (or both)? by Chuck Y Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

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Posted by Chuck Y (A ) on January 17, 2017 at 08:49:54

In Reply to: RE: Tube rolling preamp or power amp gain tubes, which ones (or both)? posted by 2121@comcast.net on January 16, 2017 at 09:03:10:

Lets assume for a moment that you like the overall sound of your amp/pre amp in your present system except that you find the upper mid range a bit bright. In that event I would put a different pair of 12AU7's in the center sockets of the amp - I would make sure that the tubes had a reputation for a soft or slightly mellow upper mid range. If that made any difference at all towards your goal than I would get another pair an put them in the center sockets of the pre-amp and see if that improved the sound more.

Lets say you like your present systems sound but you might like a bit warmer bass (a change I don't usually experience much with small tube changes) you might try a Tungsol 6550 power tube (a tube I use in my Primaluna for just that reason and FWIW I use a new stock Mullard 12AX7 as it softens the highs slightly something that is useful as my system is based on CD's, not vinyl. If I wanted a more linear sound than the Tungsol I'd try a GL KT88. If I wanted a tube with less bass but a very clear linear mid/high end I would try Sovtek KT88's. But FWIW all of these recomendations are based on my use of them in Primaluna products.

The permutations of tube combinations and consequential results are, seamingly endless, so do not expect definitive advice beyond the mechanical.

Other posters mentioned the importance of matching your amp/pre-amp to your source. Unfortunately your source can have some (negative) impact on your ultimate sound. But sources change from year to year, or day to day if you have multiple sources. Finding an ideal amp/pre-amp for both, i.e. vinyl and digital (or multiple) sources can be a real challenge if you have very high end expectations of the sound of both.

Hope that helps a bit.

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