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In Reply to: you're about to be one happy camper posted by triode on October 8, 2006 at 20:46:35:
The ML2s have TONS of gain, don't they!As you know, the Wrights like a good kick in the a**, so I was surprised when I had to turn the pots on my AI M3A almost all the way down, even though its 40k Ohm output suggests automatic attenuation into the ML2. If I keep the AI I will certainly do a volume shunt, bypass all those nasty little resistors.
Is there perhaps a more synergistic match with a particular pre-amp or pre-amps (got to have pots and phono; could be potted phono alone)?
Follow Ups:
I use a Cary SLP-98 (direct coupled version)...had to turn the gain down quite a bit to find the sweet spot - have the L&R gain knobs about 1/4 of the way up. No noise issues with my 108dB Duo Omegas, once I retubed the Lamms (the 12AX7 input tube seems to be especially critical, I used Tele smooth plates but others have reported the Tele ribbed plates also slay in this application).
"Your liver suffers dearly now for youthful magic moments...so rock on completely with some brand new components"
I first thought of the 12AX7 as a likely culprit. I guessed it would be the driver in this circuit, and I know 12AX7s are prone to noise.While I imagine others can match the 6C33Cs, I have read that they are a tempermental lot, so there may well be more to matching them than a quickie on a generic tester. I just wondered how it could be that Lamm matches "his" tubes "amp-specifically", because that is what I understand him to be saying. The big difference between NOS 300Bs and 6C33Cs is that the WEs, etc., are truly rare birds, while there are literally millions of NOS 6C33Cs out there. IF Lamm charges $300/pr, then, frankly, I think he is being opportunistic, and I don't take kindly to that. Likewise with the 6N6Ps. These should be dirt cheap, "no substitutions" notwithstanding. It's like the Hunt Brothers trying to corner the silver market...
As for pre-amps, I can't see running so far onto the pots, so either I take the easy route and shunt my AI's pots or I start looking for a more suitable phono/pre. Sigh.
you're about to ungo a shift in paradigm with your tastes in gear and understanding of recorded music...enjoy the ride...
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