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Good Morning,
This question is for any Mp-3 owners, who may have replaced the 12at7's in their phono sections, with Psvane tubes. I'm interested in your thoughts as to how they performed sonically compared to any Nos favorites, as well as how long did they last.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and if it helps, I'm running a Basis Audio 2001 turntable, with a Morch Up-4 Tonearm, and a Grado reference master cartridge.
Follow Ups:
Have been using Brimar CV 4033 (fly lead) in MP3 phono stage for more than a year. Sounds very good and very quiet. Bought tubes and adapters on bay.
I recently came back to MP3 phono, after Ralph helped me fixing M60.
My current setup is Sota Cosmo table/SME V arm/Grado Reference Reference (4.5Mv).
Tubes I have tried so far: sino 12at7, Mullard CV4024, and RFT 12at7. They are silent at the levels I play, 10-11 O'clock. The sound level is equivalent to 1 O'clock with Ayre Codex balanced.
The two front 12AT7 tubes also have significant impact on sound. With the above tubes at the 4 posterior positions, I like RCA black plate 12AT7 and Sylvania 12AT7WA 3-mica better, The sound is richer and smoother.
The remaining of the system: M60 and KEF LS 50 (with zero-autoformer).
Mp, since my original posting, I ultimately settled on the Rft's in my Phono section. So far they have been quiet, and held up well. After rolling some of the very same Nos tubes you mentioned, I have found the differences between them to be subtle at best, and doesn't warrant the expense. In my experience, the most important thing is that they be quiet, and hold up over time. The most profound difference I've noticed, is from the recent cartridge change I made to a Garrott bros optim fgs. Imo, this kind of change, makes much more of an impact on the sound in our Phono stages.
To my ears with Grado, Mullard and RFT do sound better than sino 12AT7, mainly in sound stage. More presence and 3-D.
MP, with your Grado, have you tried lowering the gain by removing the center pair of 12at7's? If so, what did you think of results?
Flitchcut, I have not tried yet. Have read about it (cascode mod?).
With RFT, Mullard at posterior 4 positions, I could hear tube rush when volume sets at 1-2 pm.
I had used Benz Micro Ruby H (0.6 mV) for many years using one set Sino 12AT7. Will try it with Mullard cv4024 or RFT 12AT7 some time.
To my opinion the regular Shuguang 12AT7 is a fabulous sounding, really quiet and very much under-appreciated tube. My Thorens TD124/SME3102/Ortofon SPU combination sounds fabulous with them.
I tried the Psvane version too, hoping to get the extra that is promised. There is a minor sonic difference, but it is not better. Out of the box the so-called matching was very poor. Even worse, for some reason all six tubes died within 2-4 months. They suffered from a fast degradation of emission. Normal Philips or Shugangs do not do this, and sound just as good...
I spent a lot of money on many of the Darling high pedigree NOS 12At7 tubes including several pairs of PSVANE, Mullards, Telefunken, you name it. All but PSVANE purchased from a very visible & well known Source for matched and tested tubes. There was nothing wrong with the tubes. They just did nothing better than the AT7's from Ralph for way more money and somewhat more noise. The PSVANE were the worst sounding and 3 or 4 were DOA on the launching Pad! It was a colossal waste of money. I re-sold all the NOS & PSVane tubes..I am back to only Atma-Sphere sourced 12AT7s for my MP-1....They are the best IMO and reasonably priced...
Edits: 07/15/17 07/15/17 07/15/17
Thanks for the feedback. David M. ,how many hours are you getting from those stock tubes? I agree that they sound good, but I've had them go in as little as 500hrs.
my preamp tubes seem to last for years. I have only fully replaced them once (other than when I was experimenting with other NOS and PSVANE 12AT7s) and I've had my pre for several years. I am gonna guess I get 1500-2000 hours from them? I do not leave the MP-1 on when I am not listening. My 6SN7s are NOS Tungsol tubes in the key locations..I find them preferable to stock.
Edits: 07/18/17
They sound very good, much better than the bulk of at7 NOS. My favorites in my MP3 are Valvo 6201 in the first 4 positions and Siemens ecc81 in the last 2 positions. The psvanes are similar to the Valvo's with just a touch less body in the mids. They are more quiet than either of the other tubes. Used them for about a year without any issues.
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