Tube suggestions for Mapletree pre

ROHfan

So I'm loving this thing. Sounds like I have new speakers.

Face suggested I start a thread asking advice for different tubes to try. Right now I believe they are Sylvania 6SN7s. They have a very forward sound with tons of bass, but not bloated. Would love to attenuate the treble a tad, though. The physical impact is impressive. I wouldn't mind a more laid back sound with more detail and space around the instruments. Are there any tubes that should be on my "must try" list? What about changing out the power supply tube? And would a better power cord be beneficial?

pitdogg2

tungsol 6sn7wgta are a little laid back in the highs. Which 6sn7 are in there now?

tonyb

I know someone here had one, maybe EarnieJade ? Power cord...yeah, would help some and also cables will help a lot too. Hopefully someone will chime in on the tubes. I was looking at Mapletree too for a good pre but those suckers hardly ever come up on the used market. I especially dig the separate power supply.

george daniel

Tung Sol mouse ears-- Sylvania Brown Base-- I'll look at mine and be more specific

dromunds

Don't forget the IC's contribution to the equation.

ROHfan

pitdogg2 wrote: »

tungsol 6sn7wgta are a little laid back in the highs. Which 6sn7 are in there now?

I have to double check.

I can only imagine what this pre can do with a pair of B&W CM9s. Yeah, thinking about upgrading from the Logan's because they're very fussy about placement which I knew going in. The B&Ws are very exciting speakers. Not sure how they're regarded around here.

pitdogg2

To me B&W is dry and sterile and not musical. My wife and I went audio shopping one weekend and when we stepped out from listening to some TOTL B&W I was acting all excited and the like. She is not an audio person at all, but she looked me in the eye and said " I hope those aren't what your thinking about cause they sound like crap" So me being me I egged her on then let her know I thought the same way about them .....not to mention I/we could never afford them...

get your listen on good.

ROHfan

DSkip wrote: »

The one near us will do a fully refundable 10% deposit if you want a demo.

That is good to know. Thank you.

BKphoto

I personally never liked the low end of the B&W's that I have listened to, seems like it only comes on at higher volumes...1/2 my listening is done at lower levels...but I haven't listened to many and wouldn't want to paint every model like that...

SCompRacer

ROHfan wrote: »

Yeah, thinking about upgrading from the Logan's because they're very fussy about placement which I knew going in.

Always keep in mind speaker interaction with the room means you may still have to move them around for best placement. Acoustic treatments are also beneficial. Wasn't that long ago I went from having ESL's for several years (where I knew the best and least best placement for them) to a three way speaker. I stuck my new speakers in the room and was greeted with a 15dB drop out in the mid range. I could hear it and a room sweep confirmed it. I still had to go through some moving and listening to find the best location. No regrets with the new speakers after doing some homework.

In store or someone else's house demos depend on gear used and how well they have them set up. To me detail in music can be good if the details are not over emphasized in a specific frequency range. That is the detail should exists from the lowest to highest frequency. Good luck in your quest!

ROHfan

I just checked and both preamp tubes are Sylvania 6SN7 with the black bottoms.

The left tube has writing that says:
8
1
8

The right tube has writing that says:
86
33
71

Both tubes say "Made in USA."

The rectifier tube is a 6X5GT USA.
The tube has writing that says:
CD
EDC

The power supply side has a huge "Made in Denmark" audiophile grade capacitor.

I would like to try some tubes that have a warmer sound with a little more detail and air around the notes.

I should also add that I've began upgrading my cabling, buying a Pangea AC-9 and a Pangea AC-14 from fellow member voltz. Question is, where do I use these new power cords to get the best benefit?

voltz

I'd probably put the AC-9 on the Amp, and the AC-14 on the Pre-amp and use the kimber kable IC to connect them except you need 1 more for the extra channel.

ROHfan

voltz wrote: »

I'd probably put the AC-9 on the Amp, and the AC-14 on the Pre-amp and use the kimber kable IC to connect them except you need 1 more for the extra channel.

Extra channel?

polrbehr

ROHfan wrote: »

I should also add that I've began upgrading my cabling, buying a Pangea AC-9 and a Pangea AC-14 from fellow member voltz. Question is, where do I use these new power cords to get the best benefit?

My, that did not take long at all. Impatience much? LOL : )
BTW, I still have not received my LG from the shop yet, no ****.

I can get you a Signal Magic Power and a Xindak PC to roll in there as well, just say the word.

ROHfan

polrbehr wrote: »

My, that did not take long at all. Impatience much? LOL : )
BTW, I still have not received my LG from the shop yet, no ****.

I can get you a Signal Magic Power and a Xindak PC to roll in there as well, just say the word.

Harry, I'll probably need one of those for my Oppo. Will let you know. And this time you're not getting it back!

ROHfan

Any more tube suggestions?

ROHfan

DSkip wrote: »

Hey bro, why don't you enjoy your system for a month or two and figure out what part of the sound you want to improve. When you get to that point, you should get some better recommendations that fit what you're going after. You've made a boatload of changes recently and you're going to have to adjust to that before you start fine-tuning.

You offer excellent advice. But I was reading up on the Northern Electric 6SN7 and may want to try it. I love the current sound but it's a little bright.

ROHfan

DSkip wrote: »

Hey bro, why don't you enjoy your system for a month or two and figure out what part of the sound you want to improve. When you get to that point, you should get some better recommendations that fit what you're going after. You've made a boatload of changes recently and you're going to have to adjust to that before you start fine-tuning.

You offer excellent advice. But I was reading up on the Northern Electric 6SN7 and may want to try it. I love the current sound but it's a little bright and harsh.

ps--fellow member "volts" is the MAN! As is "Face!"