Into another rabbit hole I go - TUBES!!!!!!!!

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
edited February 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
So like most of us, I am a member on multiple audio websites. One of those sites was running a RIDICULUOUS Karma, a FREE TUBE AMP. The amp was originally housed in a 1962 Custom Electra V Console. It is a Fisher 460A EL84/7247 amp. It was totally re-wired and better tubes were added to it. The amp was donated by one member and rebuilt by another.

To make a long story short, after a very unique Karma picking method on New Years day, I was the EXTREMELY LUCKY WINNER!

So I have started getting my learn on about tubes and am STOKED that this baby will be mine. It wont run low ohm loads so no LSis. I will probably stick to running it on 8 ohm loads but am looking forward to playing around with tubes.

So I thought I would share some pics with you guys. The only sucky thing is that I am out of town all this week for work so I won?t get to play with it till this weekend at the earliest?.

These pics are from the awesome guy who did all the work on it.
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AE724A0D-7F16-4E86-920C-A1005FB01636-9106-000008BAC16F12A6.jpg
63AB06F9-364D-4414-9938-ED8A5BC4D6F3-9106-000008BABC323FEA.jpg
1AE237A0-3612-4DC6-8668-B854AE27F802-9106-000008BAC86ECBDB.jpg

This last one is a nude pic so keep the kiddies eyes away :wink:

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"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited January 2013
    You're Screwed, enjoy the ride.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited January 2013
    disneyjoe7 wrote: »
    You're Screwed, enjoy the ride.

    LOL, trust me I know. But I am going to try to not jump too far down too fast, lets see how that goes lol...

    I now have tubes on vinly :eek:. I think I am doing pretty good lol...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited January 2013
    Congrats!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited January 2013
    Congrats on your good fortune! But yes, you are screwed:biggrin: It's an ear and wallet opening experience
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited January 2013
    Congratulations Dan,you are a lucky dog.
    Enjoy,the other Dan
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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited January 2013
    Boy, that's a sweetie, looks like fun:razz:
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited January 2013
    Oh yeah baby!!! It all starts now....

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,766
    edited January 2013
    When I bought a tube preamp 14 months ago, I thought it would be a bad rabbit hole, but it hasn't been too bad.

    I tried it with the set of tubes sent by the seller (the pre uses a set of six 6922 tubes), I bought another set of 12 NOS tubes wholesale from a seller in Thailand (about 1/4 the cost of some US sellers). From that set, I cherry picked the best sounding set of 6 and I've stuck with that. Haven't made any other changes or spent anything else. I think I spent about $120 on the extra tubes incl shipping.

    Enjoy the warm glow.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited January 2013
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Oh yeah baby!!! It all starts now....

    Tom

    LOL, well after hearing Marks setup (from Carverfest) I am now thinking about going Open Baffle as well with the tubes lol.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2013
    Congrats. As many here say; "tubes rule"! And some of those early Fisher console amps can be real gems. You best check in with our vintage tubologist (mhardy). I bet he knows this model.

    Also, looking at that amp, I find it hard to believe that it cannot be configured to drive 4 ohms loads?

    Enjoy!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited January 2013
    Awesome! You are going to love it!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited January 2013
    cnh wrote: »
    Congrats. As many here say; "tubes rule"! And some of those early Fisher console amps can be real gems. You best check in with our vintage tubologist (mhardy). I bet he knows this model.

    Already been done :wink:....

    cnh wrote: »
    Also, looking at that amp, I find it hard to believe that it cannot be configured to drive 4 ohms loads?

    All I know is what I was told which is "It will handle a 6 to 8 ohm load"
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • bthogan
    bthogan Posts: 151
    edited January 2013
    This is why I'm holding off on that Jolida cd player. It'll be the beginning of the end.
    Marantz CD6004
    Adcom GFP-750
    McCormack DNA-1
    Polk LSi9s
    Signal Cable ICs
    Blue Jeans cables
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2013
    bthogan wrote: »
    This is why I'm holding off on that Jolida cd player. It'll be the beginning of the end.

    Those "are" very "nice" players at their price point, you know!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • bthogan
    bthogan Posts: 151
    edited January 2013
    cnh wrote: »
    Those "are" very "nice" players at their price point, you know!

    cnh

    Oh yes, my friend...I know...
    Marantz CD6004
    Adcom GFP-750
    McCormack DNA-1
    Polk LSi9s
    Signal Cable ICs
    Blue Jeans cables
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2013
    Congrats & enjoy!!! Now get the shovel out & start digging the hole.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • mister pig
    mister pig Posts: 28
    edited January 2013
    You should be in for a fun adventure. Not sure how much power you got on tap there, but a moderately efficient speaker with a not to complex crossover is going to be well suited to use with that amp. I hear many of those vintage console and organ pulls can be remarkably good.

    Regards
    Mister Pig
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited January 2013
    mister pig wrote: »
    You should be in for a fun adventure. Not sure how much power you got on tap there, but a moderately efficient speaker with a not to complex crossover is going to be well suited to use with that amp. I hear many of those vintage console and organ pulls can be remarkably good.

    IIRC it's 20-30 watts. Right now it's going to be on Polk Monitor 60's but I have some ideas.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited January 2013
    Thats really cool that you got that for nada, congrats bud you deserve it
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited January 2013
    Nice score!!
    Stock-up and let the tub rolling begin!! . . .

    G
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited January 2013
    GlennDog wrote: »
    Nice score!!
    Stock-up and let the tub rolling begin!! . . .

    G

    I think for right now while the caps break in I will keep it how it is, may never tube roll, who knows...

    Here is what the builder posted is in it right now
    Tubes are EL84/6BQ5's four of them - Mullards (Vintage not re-issues) for this amp would be my choice. It has a perfect balanced set of Soviet tubes right now. 7247 are the pre's and there are two. Mullards again would be my choice.

    The tubes that were OEM's in Fisher amps were labeled Fisher but most were made by Mullard at their Blackburn Plant.

    The caps are gonna need a little more break in time so I would not try to tube roll until you put anpther 30 or 40 hrs on the amp.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited January 2013
    Very nice and CONGRATS!!! Are those EL84 output tubes? They sound yummy.
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited January 2013
    Congrats! Nice Karma - Enjoy!
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited January 2013
    Congrats on a cool looking unit! Regarding your comment about possibly never tube rolling, I think you owe it to yourself to try at least a couple different variations of the same models (it can get expensive though, especially with 6 tubes!). It's amazing how the sound of tubes can vary so much from one manufacturer to another...

    P.S. Tubes Rule! :cheesygrin: I love my Dared sl2000a tube preamp. It really makes the music come alive.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited January 2013
    audio_alan wrote: »
    Congrats on a cool looking unit! Regarding your comment about possibly never tube rolling, I think you owe it to yourself to try at least a couple different variations of the same models (it can get expensive though, especially with 6 tubes!). It's amazing how the sound of tubes can vary so much from one manufacturer to another...

    P.S. Tubes Rule! :cheesygrin: I love my Dared sl2000a tube preamp. It really makes the music come alive.

    I know I will eventually roll some tubes, but before then I think I will probably add some better stuff to the mix, mainly a good tubed pre, possibly a tube CD player, and for sure some better speakers than the Monitor 60's I have now.

    Thinking Open Baffle after hearing another members setup.... thinking either 8" or 6" drivers, more than likely 6" since I dont have lots of width to play with, about 6 feet tall give or take with a totally separate woofer section (one for each side) of 4 10" woofers.....

    One of the issues I have is finding a good 6ish inch driver.... only one I see on parts express is this one and its the cheapest they got....

    I also know someone with some experience with this 8" and he said it was pretty good when he got 6 of em per side... this one is another option that spec's out a bit better....

    Before anyone suggests Maggies over OB I know all about Maggies and am a HUGE FAN my main problem is their low ohm load wont work with this tube amp I am getting. I need 8 ohm loads.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited January 2013
    All this talk has me reeeeeeeally itching to get a tube pre in my setup.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited January 2013
    Drenis wrote: »
    All this talk has me reeeeeeeally itching to get a tube pre in my setup.

    Drop on the Velleman then lol..... its a good starting point...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • 55LS70
    55LS70 Posts: 184
    edited January 2013
    Nice, real nice!!! I have EL84 amps for my guitar (Mesa Boogie) and they're a great tube. Cheap, powerful, sound great and best of all, durable. Congrats and enjoy.
    Decware CSP3 Preamp, RCA 6DJ8, 2 X Rocket 6N1P-EV's, Cary SLA70B Signature V2 Amplifier: 2 X Mullard GZ32's, 2 X RCA/GE 5691's, 4 X Tung-Sol 6550's

    Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC

    Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
    upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand

    Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's

    H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited January 2013
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Drop on the Velleman then lol..... its a good starting point...

    No remote
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited January 2013
    Congrats. Welcome to the "I'm broke because of tubes and vinyl" club!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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