Retube Transformation

Amps & Preamps
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Retube Transformation

Over the week end, I received and installed new tubes for my VAC PA 35.35 amp. I had ordered from Brent Jesse a matched pair of Telefunken NOS 12AU7's, and a matched quad of Mullard reissue EL 34's (new stock). After a thorough cleaning with Deoxit, ProGold, and a coating of Mapleshade SilClear on the tube pins, I was ready for some listening. After biasing, right out of the box, I was astounded at what I was hearing. I couldn't believe this was the same amp. What a jewel this old amp is, I had no idea it could sound like this. I am still a relative Tube Nube, (the VAC is my second tube amp), so I didn't know what to expect, I was hoping for some improvement, but not the vast increase in every aspect of performance.

I won't be buying any more EH tubes, I found that out. Just thought I'd share, this was a very good day, audio wise.

Regards,

Dan

Discussion started by Dan Thomason , on 809 days ago

Hi Fi Spicoli

Interesting and congrats to you!
Were the tubes your replaced EH tubes?

545 days ago

Dan Thomason

Hi, yes they were EH tubes. What's now new, though, is the Mullard reissue's have been replaced with new Genelex Gold Lion KT77's. The other night, I put the mullards back in, and in under ten minutes, I had to put the KY88's back in. Nothing I've had or heard has topped the KT88's.

543 days ago

Ed Westfall

Hi Dan. I put Genelex Gold Lion KT88's in my Cary CAD-50's a few months ago and it really beefed up the bass and brought the whole sound stage forward on 2ndary system. As they have settled in, I've noticed a difference in the high end as well. They're a bit bright after a few (4-6) hours of listening. It's not fatiguing per say, but some of the female vocalists and syllabant S's can be a little annoying when your really grooving along. What's weird about it is that this only seems to crop up when I've been listening for a long time. I don't notice it during the first few hours of listening. I'm wondering if it's me or the tubes at this point.

542 days ago

Dan Thomason

Hi Ed, maybe I haven't been paying enough attention lately. There have been a few occaisions where the sound was a bit bright, but I chalked it up to the individual recording. If this occurs while listening to Redbook CD's, I just change the Dithering mode to 2, instead of 1 on my Digital Time Lens, where it normally is set. That takes the brightness away. If is with vinyl, I either change the cartridge loading, or lower the tonearm a bit, and that usually takes care of it.

It didn't occur to me it might be the tubes. Maybe you're right. I do know that I definitely prefer the KT77's much more than anything else I have used. I sent my old VAC in to Kevin at VAC for an an upgrade and refreshening, so my benchmark will have changed upon its return. I'll do a follow-up here if there is something revealed at a later time.

542 days ago

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