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Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
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Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
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In Reply to: EL34 SHOOT OUT! posted by Michael Samra on May 17, 2013 at 01:01:05:
Hi guys,
As this might be seen by some as a way of bailing Michael out on this one - as he did after all do an excellent job on re-doing the circuitry on my beloved little EL84 based integrated for me, as it was burning through these tubes within 20 seconds of being powered up. Long story shorter - he told me it was in fact meant to be used with 7189s as the screen grid was designed at higher voltage.
Yet, seeming that I've maintained in one form or another a variant of said EL34s as my user name on various forums since 1998, as this was my first venture into tube amps back in 1989 with a Dynaco Stereo 70 followed by a Cary Audio SLA-70 between 1990 until 1995 when I moved onto an Audio Prism Debut MK II which I kept until 2004, as I returned to integrated's with a Cayin TA-30 which was replaced in 2011 with an AudioMat Arpege 10 Reference.
Bottom line is - it wasn't until I ventured out into the use of said EL84 based integrated that I became aware of the fact - that as mentioned on Mapleshade Recordings site in regards to said tubes offering a better sense of directness and/or completeness as I now hear it compared to said EL34s - that I've found them to be extremely nice sounding throughout the midrange, yet lacking in the highs as well as bass.
It's all glossed over in a sense that makes music as it resides in this vital area of the musical spectrum more enhanced - but once we become aware of what's actually missing - we find they aren't as truthful to the source as we once believed them to be.
Much like some users of SET amps prefer the sounds of any given device using 45s or 2A3s compared to say 300Bs - as once again either of these offer a more direct sound with a greater sense of attack/snapping of notes as well as better defined/tighter bass whereas said 300Bs are first and foremost about refinement in the mids and do vocalist a great deal of justice. It's not until we focus our attentions on other areas of our music collection say jazz that we hear what's lacking in regards to PRAT as well as nuances that aren't as clearly heard.
Perception is about what we each then allow ourselves to hear - until in fact we become aware of said differences one we become exposed to tubes that actually cover every aspect of the musical range as a whole collectively.
As, Michael and I've discussed my fondness of said EL34s for said period of time, and we both agreed to more or less the same conclusion - EL34s much like 300Bs are more often geared towards a warmer - richer - creamier sound that makes for beautiful midrange above all else. But there are times where some of us require a more accurate account of the actual musical event where our attention becomes aware of the missing pieces that have to be filled in.
As I see/hear/view it - the EL84s have introduced me to an entire different mindset on the topic of musicality that had in fact escaped me before hand. And has become my tube of choice as it covers its ass extremely well top to bottom as well as just coming across as more musically " correct ".
So, I've to then agree with Michael's assestment on this very subject - as I've come to realize there's much more to music then simply beauty of said midrange - which I also see/view as a reason that so many Asian music lovers tend to hoard LS 3/5A's more so then any other culture - it's because of said beauty of notes within the vital mids that moves them to tears as well as musical bliss.
But if one was to look at this even closer - if becomes all to obvious that their culture on a whole doesn't listen to music that offers anywhere near the bass or highs as required in Western Music - so therein lies the tale tell signs of what they've stressed an emphasis on as their one true obsession with said speakers and with many others obsession with EL34s/300Bs - they do the midrange/vocal thing extremely well.
But beyond that - they are in fact lacking in snap/drive/attack as well as a sense of truthfulness.
Just the facts as I hear/see it, and as mentioned - I might not know shit about soldering passive components - but I do know what I'm talikng about in regards to matters of jazz recordings/labels - cartridges - turntables and cabling looms as well as isolation devices/platforms more then most.
But as I often put it - I'm more into a sense of what I term " Mi-Fi " as opposed to trusting others to tell me what sounds best to " Me ". I trust in what my ears/senses/heart tells me sound " correct " as opposed to BS these days, so system wise I'm done - and no longer have the desire to change out components every 3-8 months based upon reviews or the so-called latest greatest this or that component favor of the month based upon what some see as the best of the best - when all one has to do is - look at the contents of said persons system to see if they might in fact be someone to whom we should trust.
As a person that chances their system in this manner - can't tell/teach me shit - because as I see it....., they're lost.
Bottom line is Michael is correct on his findings - as I came to the exact same conclusion of late - but as I often tell friends/associates " hearing is believing ".
Trust in your ears/senses/heart and know the truth for what it's worth.
Regards,
O_o scar
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Follow Ups
- RE: EL34 SHOOT OUT! - el34eh@yahoo.com 12:06:05 05/17/13 (0)
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