What did you do to your stereo rig today?

BlueBirdMusic

JayCee,

Nice photos above ^^^^

My favorite:

marvda1

@audioluvr i was reading that if you use the higher voltage setting and run 12au7's with it on the bhk preamp, the sound is much better.

JayCee

marvda1 wrote: »

looked at a pair of new tubes i have from upscale and they don't have that writing underneath.

audioluvr wrote: »

The one's I just got from there "the CJ specials" had no markings either.

Interesting, might just email them out of curiosity. Thanks for checking.

BlueBirdMusic wrote: »

Nice photos above ^^^^

Thank you.

marvda1 wrote: »

@audioluvr i was reading that if you use the higher voltage setting and run 12au7's with it on the bhk preamp, the sound is much better.

Do you have a link to the voltage setting you reference above? I've probably read it but don't remember doing so. PS Audio BHK forum/tube thread and another on PSA's new M1200 monoblocks had me close to trying the Brimar's. Recent chatter on CP pushed me to do so. Even w/the BHK stuff some folks like them and some don't. Synergy and/or personal preference seem to be the factors. Haven't seen anyone say the suck.

I spent time w/them last night and so far they've kept my interest. One criticism, though, is a bit of tube rush at idle. The Mullard's aren't dead quiet but these are a bit more noticeable w/nothing on. In use...not a factor for either tube.

marvda1

Wherever I read it they said they confirmed it with ps audio, so give them a call.

JayCee

audioluvr wrote: »

Pulled out the Belles pre to dust and the stupid shelf came out with it and the front dropped 3" when the shelf came off the pins. While I had it out I thought I'd set it on top, pull the cover and do some tube rolling. Fired it up to get a reference from my favorite tubes (the Raytheon long black plate halo getters marked "Baldwin") and nothing. No sound. Swapped out the tubes with the RCA clear tops I picked up from @Gerres26 and all's well again! Clearly those tubes weren't Mil-Spec rated... Good thing I have a stash!

The RCA's are very nice. Accurate, smooth and revealing with just a little less bass than my favorites.

Next I put in a fresh set of the "Baldwin" tubes. Immediately I'm immersed with what I can best describe as "hall effect" where the sound of music wraps around you. One of the benefits of small venue concerts is that "hall effect". I miss live music .

After some reference tracks on those tubes I went ahead and rolled in the Brimar CV4003's I got from Upscale Audio. The only thing I can say they lack in is the "Hall Effect" (it's there but just not on the same league as the Raytheons) They are the most balanced of all the tubes I have tried so far from 20Hz to 20K! Whether playing low volume or cranking it up you don't feel like something's missing. They are also the most accurate tubes, edging out the RCA's for their crystal clear reproduction! The only bad thing about that is they make mediocre recordings more mediocre...

I'm reading too many tube threads on different forums. I've read everything, here, but recalling it is another story. LOL.

Just remembered you'd posted above. Are these tubes the ones Brent Jesse was selling? Here's what I saved from his ad:



I purchased 2 sets in September. One tube developed a problem in the first 2 hours and he replaced the set for me. Have 150 hours between the 2 sets and absolutely agree w/you if they are the same as yours. They are crazy good tubes...especially @ $20.

I've been rolling since this summer and having 9 sets has me all over the map trying to recall the details. I'm at status quo w/my selection and burning them in. So, will start doing head-to-head comparisons for clear winners.

audioluvr wrote: »

Currently rocking April Wine's "Harder / Faster"

I'm a big April Wine fan. Strangely, I was missing Power Play on CD and picked it up 2 weeks ago. In high school my best friend recorded "If You See Kay" on a mixed tape and we thought the name was so clever. To date, one of my favorite songs. Saw/met them in the 90's, w/BOC, and they were very approachable. I also have an original 80's poster from the Nature of the Beast tour.

audioluvr

JayCee wrote: »

Yes that sounds like the ones I have. I'm hoarding several matched sets

JayCee

Good man. Based on the PSA forum when they were abuzz, I doubled up. Figured, for the price, I could karma them off I didn't like them.

marvda1

in with 65

JayCee

I like them. Unfortunately, not tubes, but I'll have some karma stuff when I do spring cleaning.

invalid

The BHK preamp jumpers are to change the voltage from 6-12 and the current from 4ma-5ma.

JayCee

Correct. I've run both 6 and 12 volt tubes. Haven't had to change the current jumper. The Brimar's and Mullard's are both 12V, so the only option would be to lower the voltage and/or change the current. Can't remember what the current's set to but posts I've read on PSA say to leave at factory position unless there's an issue. I did call them last year when I purchased the Matsushita's and they really didn't have much to recommend. It's a 6V tube.

Edit to add...the reason I asked, earlier, was thinking maybe there was some weird recommendation based on the previous post. Perhaps, it was in reference to audioluvr's Belles pre and the fact I am using the BHK?

phipiper10

I have a few Upscale tubes acquired recently and at least some have additional markings on the bottom. Possibly all, will confirm.

marvda1

@JayCee here is the thread where they discuss changing settings for the tubes.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/to-all-ps-audio-bhk-preamp-owners-must-read

JayCee

marvda1 wrote: »

@JayCee here is the thread where they discuss changing settings for the tubes.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/to-all-ps-audio-bhk-preamp-owners-must-read

Cool, thanks for that. I'll look it over. I haven't searched A-gon for BHK. Appreciate it.

phipiper10 wrote: »

I have a few Upscale tubes acquired recently and at least some have additional markings on the bottom. Possibly all, will confirm.

Emailed them earlier today:
"Hi. Recently purchased Brimar CV4003 tubes and was cleaning the pins. Noticed blue ink on the cotton pad and discovered a number (426) and blue "square" at the base in the pin area. Checked the other tube and realized I'd wiped it off on that one. Mentioned this to some other guys and they checked their tubes from Upscale. No one else had this. Just curious what it means? TIA."

Response:
"Hi, We are not 100% sure to be totally honest"

JayCee

marvda1 wrote: »

@JayCee here is the thread where they discuss changing settings for the tubes.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/to-all-ps-audio-bhk-preamp-owners-must-read

Okay, just digested this. Has to do w/the mV setting on the BHK pre, 4 vs. 5. The pre is factory sent w/12AU7 but is capable of 6922 and compatible variants of either. The BHK 250 amp, which I have, uses 6922's, too. The next step after my pre tube rolling was to progress to the 250 and then look at mixing/matching. Even though it's an A-gon thread I recognize some of the chatter that bled over to the PSA site.

The abridged version of what I just read, for anyone reading this that may have BHK products, is changing to/from 4/5mV and experimenting may have positive or negative results. It's considered reasonably "safe" but, the bottom line is, for 12V tubes, 5mV may shorten the life of the tube. YMMV and I recommend reading the thread, along w/cruising over to PSA.

Edit to add an FYI....BHK, the man, had some influence in folks trying this. Also edited text above for clarity.

halo71

Found a pair of these last Friday. Extremely impressed with them so fa. NHT Evolution T6

BlueBirdMusic

^^^^ just regular looking speakers that one sees everyday.

rooftop59

halo71 wrote: »

Found a pair of these last Friday. Extremely impressed with them so fa. NHT Evolution T6

Man those are cool! I wanted a pair for a long time, finally gave up. I owned three M5s for my fronts for a while, very clean and dynamic speakers! I bet the larger M6s are awesome! The only potential issue I saw was it just doesn’t seem like the subs go as low as they should for 4 inch subs. How are you liking the bass?

rooftop59

Installed this on Saturday and been listening a lot since. Such a detailed DAC with a very back background. The bass could be a bit stronger, but it makes up for it with speed and texture...

mhardy6647

Over the weekend, I built a little stereo-mono summing circuit switch, meant to be inserted into a tape loop. This is to enable good playback of mono records on a stereo system, in response to someone who was looking for one. It's not quite trivial to sum two stereo channels to mono -- some provision has to be made (i.e., should be made) to prevent one channel from trying to drive the other one!
https://www.prosoundweb.com/rane-note-why-not-wye-or-y-for-that-matter/

This is the simple and elegant little design I used.


https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analog-line-level/303898-stereo-mono-switch-circuits-2.html#post5029295



Some out of phase noise will be (should be!) eliminated in mono playback -- and I guess many "modern" components don't have mono switches on 'em anymore.

I am pleased to report that it works. In fact, it is kind of cool to play the Stereophile CD test track with out of phase white (or maybe pink) noise, switch to mono, and hear -- absolute silence.

halo71

rooftop59 wrote: »

Man those are cool! I wanted a pair for a long time, finally gave up. I owned three M5s for my fronts for a while, very clean and dynamic speakers! I bet the larger M6s are awesome! The only potential issue I saw was it just doesn’t seem like the subs go as low as they should for 4 inch subs. How are you liking the bass?

The bass on these digs deeper than my NHT VT3's do. Very solid. The VT3's have 4 10" subs where these have 4 12".

I also have VT2's that I think I will sell.

rooftop59

halo71 wrote: »

rooftop59 wrote: »

Man those are cool! I wanted a pair for a long time, finally gave up. I owned three M5s for my fronts for a while, very clean and dynamic speakers! I bet the larger M6s are awesome! The only potential issue I saw was it just doesn’t seem like the subs go as low as they should for 4 inch subs. How are you liking the bass?

The bass on these digs deeper than my NHT VT3's do. Very solid. The VT3's have 4 10" subs where these have 4 12".

I also have VT2's that I think I will sell.

cool man! Based on S&V and stereophile measurements, I would expect the VT-3s to have great output below 30hz, but would think the mids and highs might be better with the T6s. Glad you're enjoying them!

phipiper10

JayCee wrote: »

marvda1 wrote: »

@JayCee here is the thread where they discuss changing settings for the tubes.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/to-all-ps-audio-bhk-preamp-owners-must-read

Cool, thanks for that. I'll look it over. I haven't searched A-gon for BHK. Appreciate it.

phipiper10 wrote: »

I have a few Upscale tubes acquired recently and at least some have additional markings on the bottom. Possibly all, will confirm.

Emailed them earlier today:
"Hi. Recently purchased Brimar CV4003 tubes and was cleaning the pins. Noticed blue ink on the cotton pad and discovered a number (426) and blue "square" at the base in the pin area. Checked the other tube and realized I'd wiped it off on that one. Mentioned this to some other guys and they checked their tubes from Upscale. No one else had this. Just curious what it means? TIA."

Response:
"Hi, We are not 100% sure to be totally honest"

JayCee wrote: »

marvda1 wrote: »

@JayCee here is the thread where they discuss changing settings for the tubes.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/to-all-ps-audio-bhk-preamp-owners-must-read

Cool, thanks for that. I'll look it over. I haven't searched A-gon for BHK. Appreciate it.

phipiper10 wrote: »

I have a few Upscale tubes acquired recently and at least some have additional markings on the bottom. Possibly all, will confirm.

Emailed them earlier today:
"Hi. Recently purchased Brimar CV4003 tubes and was cleaning the pins. Noticed blue ink on the cotton pad and discovered a number (426) and blue "square" at the base in the pin area. Checked the other tube and realized I'd wiped it off on that one. Mentioned this to some other guys and they checked their tubes from Upscale. No one else had this. Just curious what it means? TIA."

Response:
"Hi, We are not 100% sure to be totally honest"

JayCee wrote: »

marvda1 wrote: »

@JayCee here is the thread where they discuss changing settings for the tubes.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/to-all-ps-audio-bhk-preamp-owners-must-read

Cool, thanks for that. I'll look it over. I haven't searched A-gon for BHK. Appreciate it.

phipiper10 wrote: »

I have a few Upscale tubes acquired recently and at least some have additional markings on the bottom. Possibly all, will confirm.

Emailed them earlier today:
"Hi. Recently purchased Brimar CV4003 tubes and was cleaning the pins. Noticed blue ink on the cotton pad and discovered a number (426) and blue "square" at the base in the pin area. Checked the other tube and realized I'd wiped it off on that one. Mentioned this to some other guys and they checked their tubes from Upscale. No one else had this. Just curious what it means? TIA."

Response:
"Hi, We are not 100% sure to be totally honest"

JayCee wrote: »

marvda1 wrote: »

@JayCee here is the thread where they discuss changing settings for the tubes.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/to-all-ps-audio-bhk-preamp-owners-must-read

Cool, thanks for that. I'll look it over. I haven't searched A-gon for BHK. Appreciate it.

phipiper10 wrote: »

I have a few Upscale tubes acquired recently and at least some have additional markings on the bottom. Possibly all, will confirm.

Emailed them earlier today:
"Hi. Recently purchased Brimar CV4003 tubes and was cleaning the pins. Noticed blue ink on the cotton pad and discovered a number (426) and blue "square" at the base in the pin area. Checked the other tube and realized I'd wiped it off on that one. Mentioned this to some other guys and they checked their tubes from Upscale. No one else had this. Just curious what it means? TIA."

Response:
"Hi, We are not 100% sure to be totally honest"

It’s on the bottom of the same Brimars One reads 345 and the other appears as 96?. The last digit appears to have smudged away. One orange dot on the bottom of 1/2 Mazda/Cifte. Strange!

JayCee

phipiper10 wrote: »

It’s on the bottom of the same Brimars One reads 345 and the other appears as 96?. The last digit appears to have smudged away. One orange dot on the bottom of 1/2 Mazda/Cifte. Strange!

Wow, you quoted me 4 times from the same post. I must've made quite an impression! LOL.

Yah, surprising they don't know what's up. Hopefully, they aren't returns and "forgot" to wipe off the super secret squirrel markings. I'd buy the response but have to question why it's on different branded tubes, too. Will have to remain a mystery. Thanks for looking at yours.

ALL212

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Over the weekend, I built a little stereo-mono summing circuit switch, meant to be inserted into a tape loop. This is to enable good playback of mono records on a stereo system, in response to someone who was looking for one. It's not quite trivial to sum two stereo channels to mono -- some provision has to be made (i.e., should be made) to prevent one channel from trying to drive the other one!
https://www.prosoundweb.com/rane-note-why-not-wye-or-y-for-that-matter/

This is the simple and elegant little design I used.


https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analog-line-level/303898-stereo-mono-switch-circuits-2.html#post5029295



Some out of phase noise will be (should be!) eliminated in mono playback -- and I guess many "modern" components don't have mono switches on 'em anymore.

I am pleased to report that it works. In fact, it is kind of cool to play the Stereophile CD test track with out of phase white (or maybe pink) noise, switch to mono, and hear -- absolute silence.

If’n it’s mono out how comes it’s got TWO wares a comin’ outa it?

2-mono=1

motorstereo

This just arrived............ now I have something to do

pitdogg2

motorstereo wrote: »

This just arrived............ now I have something to do

What is it?

mhardy6647

ALL212 wrote: »

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Over the weekend, I built a little stereo-mono summing circuit switch, meant to be inserted into a tape loop. This is to enable good playback of mono records on a stereo system, in response to someone who was looking for one. It's not quite trivial to sum two stereo channels to mono -- some provision has to be made (i.e., should be made) to prevent one channel from trying to drive the other one!
https://www.prosoundweb.com/rane-note-why-not-wye-or-y-for-that-matter/

This is the simple and elegant little design I used.


https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analog-line-level/303898-stereo-mono-switch-circuits-2.html#post5029295



Some out of phase noise will be (should be!) eliminated in mono playback -- and I guess many "modern" components don't have mono switches on 'em anymore.

I am pleased to report that it works. In fact, it is kind of cool to play the Stereophile CD test track with out of phase white (or maybe pink) noise, switch to mono, and hear -- absolute silence.

If’n it’s mono out how comes it’s got TWO wares a comin’ outa it?

2-mono=1

Mono out to stereo in
The mono image is right dead center... it'd be kinda pulled to one side if there were only one "outtie"

mhardy6647

pitdogg2 wrote: »

motorstereo wrote: »

This just arrived............ now I have something to do

What is it?

... and what is it supposed to do?

motorstereo

^^^^^^^It's just another way to spend money on this hobby once you run out of electronics and speakers to upgrade
https://www.amazon.com/Furutech-Flux-50-Filter/dp/B005LF17AG