Tube amp and polk monitors

DON73
DON73 Posts: 516
edited September 2011 in Electronics
I'm really enjoying my little 30 watt DARED tube amp. Right now I'm using Polk 10s and they sound very good but I'm noticing too many ssses in the highs. Which set of tubes has the most to do with the sound? I still have the Ruby AU7s that came with the amp. I've replaced the AX7s with Raytheons and the power tubes are Winged SDSs. The 10s still have the 2500 tweeter. I have a graphic equalizer that I could put in the system but I'd like to avoid that if I can. I'd just like to tame the highs a little. I could put a small pillow over the tweeters but I don't have any.:cool: Any suggestions? TIA
TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited September 2011
    Try the RDO-198s. Drop in replacement for the SL2500. I think you'll find it smoother than the 2500. You might also find some 3000s. I have those in my 2.3s, and they're quite good tweeters. The 198 is still the upgrade even for the 3000.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited September 2011
    quadzilla wrote: »
    Try the RDO-198s. Drop in replacement for the SL2500. I think you'll find it smoother than the 2500

    +1000

    There may be other tweaks you could do to your amp/tubes, but I wouldn't do anything until you get the 198's in; that way you'll know what you're working with.
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  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited September 2011
    Thanks everyone. I was afraid you guys would cause me to spend another $100 or more:wink: Any suggestions for the tube amp "tweaks"?
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited September 2011
    I haven't run my Monitors on the tube amp, but I must say that I have 'never' encountered this (sibilance--ssses) you are describing on a tube amp....even with the cheap stock Chinese tubes?

    Correct me if I am wrong. But aren't most tubes less sibilant in general?

    Don't mean to disagree...but this runs counter to my experience.

    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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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,460
    edited September 2011
    obvious-troll.jpg
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * McCormack DNA 0.5 amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
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  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited September 2011
    cnh wrote: »
    I haven't run my Monitors on the tube amp, but I must say that I have 'never' encountered this (sibilance--ssses) you are describing on a tube amp....even with the cheap stock Chinese tubes?

    Correct me if I am wrong. But aren't most tubes less sibilant in general?

    Don't mean to disagree...but this runs counter to my experience.

    cnh




    I only noticed this after many hours of listening. It's not something I can't live with but if I can eliminate it I would like to do that.

    Oh the pain of approaching "Audiophile" hearing capability! DQ would be so happy.
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2011
    cnh wrote: »
    I haven't run my Monitors on the tube amp, but I must say that I have 'never' encountered this (sibilance--ssses) you are describing on a tube amp....even with the cheap stock Chinese tubes?

    Correct me if I am wrong. But aren't most tubes less sibilant in general?

    Don't mean to disagree...but this runs counter to my experience.

    cnh

    These are my thoughts too on reading the post .Perhaps something else might be going on here in the chain
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  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited September 2011
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    These are my thoughts too on reading the post .Perhaps something else might be going on here in the chain





    There are many sources on the net that attribute sibilance to tubes although I'm not saying that's what I've got here. I will reluctantly probably change tweeters.
    Where's H9 when I need him:smile: He'll probably get on my butt because he's already told me what I need to know.......but H9.... I'm forgetful:redface:
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited September 2011
    agfrost wrote: »
    obvious-troll.jpg




    wtf............
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited September 2011
    I'd certainly go with Brock if this is the case. Perhaps it is amp and tube specific. I'm just saying that I'm running a Jolida with the original cheap **** tubes in it at this point and that's just not there for me. Jstas brought a less than 200 dollar 8 x 2 watt tube amp kit to PolkFest and it wasn't there either. I haven't heard it on the Conrad Johnson or Anthem tubers I've heard and so on.

    Is it possible? Well, I defer to the Tube Aficionados on this one. Maybe Brock or others will chime in.

    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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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,460
    edited September 2011
    DON73 wrote: »
    wtf............

    No offense to you or your thread, just commenting on someone who apparently wants to spread an argument from a different thread into this one.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * McCormack DNA 0.5 amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited September 2011
    agfrost wrote: »
    No offense to you or your thread, just commenting on someone who apparently wants to spread an argument from a different thread into this one.




    No offense:biggrin:


    Probably need a few Shakti Stones but where to put them:confused:
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited September 2011
    lamson88 wrote: »
    I'm using Polk 10s and they measure very safe but I'm noticing too umteen ssses in the highs. Which set of tubes has the most to do with the strong? I solace make the Ruby AU7s that came with the amp. I've replaced the AX7s with Raytheons and the superpower tubes are Winged SDSs. The 10s comfort possess the 2500 tweeter.

    I'm not quite sure what your agenda is, but I've read both of your posts to date and they have nonsensical phrases mixed within.

    Don, sibilance can be caused by any type of vibration so you need to figure out possible sources, but tube dampers for the 12AX7's might be an economical place to start.
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  • intangible
    intangible Posts: 262
    edited September 2011
    That's a spam post generated from other posts in the topic to make it seem less out of place. Notice the advertisement in the signature. Just mark it and move on.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,396
    edited September 2011
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    The distortion you hear is inherent with the technology. You can reduce it with better tubes but not eliminate it. The "tube" sound isn't for everyone when there are great and affordable quality SS amps out now, but it is fun to experiment with it as long as you can afford the time and money.

    What he is experiencing is NOT because of the technology of tubes. You are so far off base you should be banned for even discussing something you have absolutely no experience with and have no clue about.

    To the OP, try replacing the AU7's I believe they are used as a phase splitter. Which Raytheon AX7's do you have? The Winged C's are very nice. Do NOT put an equalizer in the loop it will add more noise and distortion than anything else.

    What are using as a source? Are you using the built it DAC of the tube amp?

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited September 2011
    :smile:This really isn't a big problem but I'm new to tubes and I'm curious if anyone else has heard a similar sound and how it was corrected.........if it was. The amp doesn't have a DAC as far as I know. I'm using an Onkyo CD player.


    Brock the tubes are marked JRP-12AX7. The numbers 280 and 8-05 are also marked on the tubes.
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,396
    edited September 2011
    You have the Dared I30, correct? It has a built in USB DAC. Not sure of the quality, probably not great, but not too bad either. I'd swap out the Ruby 12AU7's for now. You could try tube dampers, but I doubt that's enough of an issue to worry about at this point in time.

    What cables are you using? Source and cables have a huge affect on things of this nature. If it's convenient you could try hooking it up to a computer via USB and see if it's the Onkyo that's causing the issue. Be sure what ever you play on through the computer is lossless, not compressed like MP3's, etc.

    If you weren't even aware it had a USB DAC, not sure how savvy you will be at hooking it to a computer :tongue::eek:

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,499
    edited September 2011
    Not to derail Don

    Brock is there a book or 2 that you can recommend for your tube references?

    Thanks
    Ron
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
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  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited September 2011
    Brock whenever I read USBDAC I would have gone straight to the next line because that means diddley to me when it comes to connecting the amp into my system:afro:afro The user manual that came with the DARED doesn't say anything about the DAC except for a small line in the features listing.









    I'm using Acoustic Research interconnects. I have a pair of Signal cables "out for delivery" today........I think another of your recommendations.

    I think we can put this one to rest. Thanks to everyone who responded.
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,396
    edited September 2011
    ^^^reported
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited September 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    ^^^reported



    ?????
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,396
    edited September 2011
    DON73 wrote: »
    ?????


    LOL..........there was a spammer post. I alwasy forget when they delete the spammer post, then it looks like a legit post was reported.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited September 2011
    I'm leaning to source as the culprit in this situation. Tubes....not so much.
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