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I've had the Cary for years, changed stock tubes to EH6NS7 and EI6922. SED "Winged C" EL34 power tubes.
I changed everything but the power tubes. 1950's CBS/Hytron 5U4G's, 1944 Raytheon Vt-231, and 1960 Bugle Boys.
It was an amazing change. More space. Really more space.
Does that make sense?
El Monte
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nt
and was quite stunned how good this amp sounds, I had been using an Onix SP3 that I really like but it has been giving me some way intermittent noise so I pulled it to check it out and do a little upgrading to the components. Replacing the Onix with the SLI-80 was quite an ear-opener, the Cary had a smaller soundstage but much greater clarity and delineation within the soundstage. I just have to replace the damn 9-pin sockets with something better, those sockets are so noisy!
That's kinda like asking if it makes sense if you prefer hamburger over rib eye (or vice versa). Guess it depends on how much you like hamburger/rib eye, Welcome to the world of tube rolling!:-)Not sure if you found the NOS tubes less desirable or not, but if you did, and the NOS tubes had been in there for a while, perhaps they were a little tired. BTW, it's not clear to me which tubes were original, and which were the replacements, but your ears are the only judge that matters.
twystd
Edits: 05/31/14
"
Honest amplification is better than excessive 2nd order distortion anytime.
Twystd:
You're right, my post could have been clearer.
I had made some changes earlier, The Ei 6922 and EH 6SN7.
Just this week I changed everything but the Winged C EL 34's.
1944 Raytheon VT-231, CBS/Hytron 5U4G and 1960 Amprex Bugle Boy ECC88.
It was a wonderful change. Great air/space. Very holographic. Still trying to figure all the changes it made.
Power tubes next?
Regards
El Monte
I you like Winged C EL 34's you will also like Winged C 6550 tubes. I purchased ny Cary SLI-80 in 2003 or 2004 and the stock tubes (Ruby/Winged C 6550) sound wonderful.
Some people say Ei KT90 are good as well.
Some days ago I tried again reissue GL KT88 with my SLI-80 (I was not impressed when I tried them first a year ago - I thought they were rolled off and had a very wide but somewhat metallic midrange, while Cary does need space that you mention).
This time it was better - at first, it was rolled off, but in approx. 30 minutes it started to produce a very powerful sound with crispy highs which I did not notice before.
I do have vintage TS 6550 w/three holes and original GEC KT88. As compared to the GL KT88, the vintage tubes sound softer, with a leaner midrange, weaker bass and better midrange. It is my subjective opinion, though.
JAN GE 6550 were just OK (closer to the modern sound). As far as I remember, the stock 'winged C" Ruby/Svetlana 6550 sounded great...
I too found NOS the way to go on all tubes (except for power tubes, NOS out of the question there) made a huge difference especially in the 6SN7 slots. Running Sylvania Bad Boys. Using Bugle Boy 6DJ8's for signal tubes.
I also tried the Gold Lion KT88 reissue very good but they went south way too early. Liked the sound though. Running TS 6550 reissues now and pleased with the sound. All are better than EH tubes.
Next stop Psvane KT88 I think. I have heard good things.
How long ago did you try the GL KT88 reissues? I've heard the new ones have much better reliability. Tube rolling is on my short list. I'll be starting with the non-power tubes first, KT88 later. Thanks!
I recently bought a set of KT120's from Jim McShane that I like very well.
Compared to the TS 6550 they sound fuller on the bottom end without losing anything in the mids and highs.
I might have to go back for more Gold Lions though. I really liked them and hopefully they last longer. Next time I will keep closer track of the hours of use.
Cool, more choices. Thanks for the info!
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