FS: (2) TAD-60 tube amps

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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2007
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    Norm,

    Got them, biased them, hooked them up and I'm listening to tubed SDA's.

    The bass from these (with the 6550's) is unbelievable!!!

    Come on guys, you won't get a better deal than this; plenty of power, common ground, and beautiful.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Normanality
    Normanality Posts: 297
    edited March 2007
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    Glad it arrived safely! It's the first time I triple boxed anything LOL :D

    The 6550's are superb bass drivers! Enjoy!
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2007
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    jaw open, while wiping the drooollll.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2007
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    Ok guys; I've been listening to the SDA's with the TAD 60 all morning and I must say I am impressed. Not only the bass is breathtaking; there is a sweetness on the top range that makes you just love it. And this is with the 6550's, which are not the best for mid-upper range (so I hear). I have yet to set it up as SET and see how the VR-1's sound, but I just can't do it...it sounds sooooo good that I don't want to touch it :):)

    Norm is a wonderful seller; you won't be dissapointed here.

    I am seriously (seriously) thinking on getting #2 for bi-amping and sell the Belles; they are that good.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Normanality
    Normanality Posts: 297
    edited March 2007
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    Thanks Ricardo!

    I really enjoyed these amps. If it wasn't for the nonexistent air circulation on the second floor of my house, I'd still be enjoying them.

    I ran SET mode most of the time on one of the amps. I ran the bass in full UL mode on one amp with the volume turned back about 25% and then ran SET on the mids and highs off the other amp. The match was gorgeous.

    Talk to fredv about tubes with the TAD. He's tried a bunch and has alot of good information!
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  • Normanality
    Normanality Posts: 297
    edited March 2007
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    Forgot to mention :rolleyes: I'm about to tear down my putie for a long overdue cleaning and drain-refill of the water cooling. I'll be offline probably until Monday but will check to see if there's any interest once back online.
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  • Normanality
    Normanality Posts: 297
    edited March 2007
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    Deal is done!

    The second unit has also been bought by Ricardo!

    Many Thanks!
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2007
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    Thanks to you Norm.

    It will be paid off by lower gas bills next winter ;)
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,353
    edited March 2007
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    Damn! Congrats Ricardo! To think I traded mine towards 1/2 of a sand amp.....

    I liked the KT77's all round. EL-34's had a fat bass sound you might either love or hate. KT-88 or 6550's had a more true bass IMO. The EL-34 midrange is more precise, while the 88/6550 midrange is larger, but sort of a delightful smeared abstract. It is all about system synergy and personal taste.

    Paul of Tube Audio Design is also a great guy to deal with and really into the music.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2007
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    SCompRacer wrote:
    Damn! Congrats Ricardo! To think I traded mine towards 1/2 of a sand amp.....

    I liked the KT77's all round. EL-34's had a fat bass sound you might either love or hate. KT-88 or 6550's had a more true bass IMO. The EL-34 midrange is more precise, while the 88/6550 midrange is larger, but sort of a delightful smeared abstract. It is all about system synergy and personal taste.

    Paul of Tube Audio Design is also a great guy to deal with and really into the music.


    You guys are so tickling that upgrade bug to switch to all tubes.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,353
    edited March 2007
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    Normanality wrote:
    I'll be offline probably until Monday...

    You shoulda told me last week, I coulda brought you out my old scuzzy (SCSI) dually Friday...but then you wouldn't have got anything done.:D
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2007
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    Second TAD is here and playing; tomorrow I'm getting the Tylers, so will be biamping during the weekend.

    Must say that Norm is TOP NOTCH. Highly recommended. Every little detail of this transaction was a pleasure.

    Now to some quick impressions on the different types of tubes for these amps (paired with an Audio Research pre, BADA CDP, and SDA 3.1 TL's)

    I started playing the first amp with 6550's, and I already posted my impressions (great bass, beautiful mids, ok highs).
    I then played with the KT-77's, expecting to see an improvement in the upper ranges, but this was not the case; maybe these tubes have not been broken in, and I let them play for a couple of days but just could not stand the sound; it seemed as if a blanket was on top of the speakers. A no go with my system/ears.
    Today when I got the second one I started with the Electro Harmonik 6CA7's, which as I understand are not broken in yet (and are on the cheap side).
    OH MY GOD!; 6550's have the bass maybe a tad better, mids have that same sweetness, but highs sound so much better. It seems to me that this IS the tube. I need to let them burn in for a while, and I just hope that they get better or at least stay the same...

    Thanks again Norm for a great transaction.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited March 2007
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    Its all about synergy & what works in your rig. I liked the KT-77's top to bottom, just didn't have as much bass as the 6550's. The EL-34's were ok imo. I didn't care for the 6CA7's at all but that was in my system when I still had the Von Schweikert VR-2's. Never tried them on the ESL's.

    Like Norm and Rich I've decided to go with all InnerSound SS amps. My 2 TAD-60's are available if anyone feels they missed out on Norm's. email me if interested: peersool at hotmail dot com.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • Normanality
    Normanality Posts: 297
    edited March 2007
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    I'm glad you are enjoying those amps! They do look sweet in your rack:cool:

    Interesting how different tubes sound on different speakers. The 6550 is definitely a full-bodied tube!


    Halo, good luck with your sale!
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,328
    edited March 2007
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    Ooooooh! Very nice Ricardo! Congratulations! Sounds like it will be a good weekend with the new amps and Tylers!!
    Carl

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