Christmas comes early-TAD preamp

bikerboy

I now have a TAD 150 signature tube preamp in the mancave system. I got it used from audiogon and it had low hours so it is still breaking in. I think I am going to like it a lot. I have a 100 disc cdp that a friend gave me that I am using to burn it in and it is sounding better by the day. At first it didnt have much bass and the highs had too much ssss. But after a couple of days it is settling in nicely. The top is smoother and bass is great. I never actually heard electronics burn in till now. It has a pair of Ei 12AT7WA tubes that replaced the stock ones. The tubes also have a VTL on them but dont know what that means. I almost bought a bottlehead kit but wanted a remote and a phone section and then this came up used and had good reviews. I hope it was a good choice as I cant compare it to anything else except the carver CT-7.
Next is a better amp as the carver receiver isnt up to the task of pushing the sda-2b very well. But I need to finish the remodel in the mancave first. I have run two 20 amp circuits to the wall and need to put up sheetrock. Would 5/8" make any difference over 1/2" or is that overkill? I was thinking 5/8" but dont know.
Thanks to this forum I have found a great source of info and laughs and am on my way to audio bliss. Happy holidays to all.

BlueMDPicker

Cool! Glad you're enjoying it.

VTL stands for Vacuum Tube Logic, a designer/manufacturer of high-end gear run by David Manley's son Luke and his wife.

Watch out for heat under your CDP if you keep the components stacked like that.

steveinaz

Cool!

danger boy

congrats.. that's a very cool looking tube pre.

RuSsMaN

I've got to go the other way, that screams grey market fugly.

Interesting choice with the 12AT7. You'll have plenty of inexpensive (even NOS) options to try in it. Enjoy!

danger boy

ugly or not.. the only real test and the only thing that matters in the end is how it sounds. can i get a high five here??

dorokusai

sssss is sibilance.

criverajr

bikerboy,

Make sure your sheetrock is THX certified!!

CRj

BlueMDPicker

RuSsMaN wrote:

I've got to go the other way, that screams grey market fugly.

It's built by Audcom for TAD, and is legit.

I was looking at tube pres sometime ago in another thread, and you pointed me to your friend in Canada that distributes Audcom.

Early B.

I really like the tubes glowing in the windows. Very cool. No point having tube gear if you can't show 'em off.

Bikerboy -- now that you're started down that slippery slope of upgrading, ya gotta get a new CDP, too.

RuSsMaN

I just don't care for the window, the reflective surface behind the tubes, and the added red LEDs to make it glow brighter. Screams cheese factor, but again, that's just my opinion.

I've got an Audcom, decent sounding for the money - so maybe the TAD will perform well also.

Cheers,
Russ

BlueMDPicker

RuSsMaN wrote:

and the added red LEDs to make it glow brighter.

I just figured the red glow was from the tubes approaching China Syndrome from the gear stacking.

bikerboy

Hi Guys,
Sorry I posted the pic with the most glow. Heres another that isnt so hot. Sounding better all the time. THX sheetrock? Is that next to the monster cable? Currently using 12 ga romex. No heat problems, the case is sealed, no vents! Need more NIN.