How to obtain, much better sound?


Shalom Folks!

I live in "Terra Santa"...Israel.

My "Comeback" to tubes equipment, was thanks to my passed away "Music Lover" audiophile, who ask to his lovely widow to give me his Stereo tube equipment, as his widow..., never demonstrate bay sympathy for Music.
I receive an a ARC/SP-9 Mk-2, together with a Dynaco Stereo 70 Series 2 by Panor,all together was acquired by my passed away friend during 1990.
As I return back after obtaining the items, I decided to change all the tubes, by NOS ones.
In the Dynaco power, instead the "National;" brand ""Made in E.Germany""", ones and those Chinese drivers 6GH8A, trough E-bay, I obtain from a nice guy, 4 Raytheon (Made in Japan), completely new 6GH8A tubes and from another who sell all his "Guitar" inventory, a matched quad JJ-E34L tubes, not NOS, after less of a month some Old friend call me to came to his home and to take 50 used NOS EL-34 tubes. I went, came with all the "Trash"..., my wife was very very angry, "DON'T CAME INSIDE MY HOME WITH ALL THIS TRASH", I leaved in my car and next morning when she went to work I quickly brought all the tubes, and begun to test with my Lovely Hickok 539c... took me near 12 hours till I finished!
Mostly of the 50 tubes were extremely well used and measure extremely low. Of 50... I have funded 3 quads = 12 tubes!!! All Mullards branded Philips/Trovac & Mullard, one double ring getter, and all the rest single
ring getter. Till here is my "History"... Now I need very badly your "Expertise Advise", if...? from any, "Erudite"; who so kindly will read my letter.
I plug one of such perfectly matched (with my HicKok instrument) quad, mixed Philips/Trovac/Mullards, and after two weeks of happy listening..., this morning one of the Philips...REFUSE to be biased!, the led where two tubes were plugged, came being "Crazy"..., SO I rush and turn OFF my power, and after a pain decision I refitted my Dynaco with these "Brand New" JJ-E34L tubes, turn on the power, wait 1/2 hour, till stabilize and with no music, make "Bias" to the tubes, till the two led on each side lids equally.
NOW..., came the history...!
The "Sweet" sound CHANGED..., came much more
"Unpleasant"... highly and less bodied that when the used NOS were fitted! Maybe..., (I really hope...?), after a week of use will change to more likely "Mullards"...?, I listen each day 10 hours, for that I'm speaking till a week will pass.

OK...I hope that you are not tired reading this letter, if yes..., my heart fully apologies. For end this letter..., I think to select for the "Phono" tube inside my SP-9/2, instead the actually fitted Siemens CCa, another that all of you can advise me for make my Phono Stage much less harsh!!!

PS... Sorry... All my problem is only using my Turntable!, for the Line from the beginning I fitted a Amperex White label 6922 PQ made in USA., NOS that I have a few completely brand new un-used. Only for the Phono stage to avoid "Microphonics"...I select a Siemens CCa. Again, with the Used Mixed Mullards sound Amazing..., Now with those JJ-E34L it's HORRIBLE!; completely No musically at all!. I want to leave those JJ, because are completely news, and "Tune"...with the right tube the Phone stage in my SP-9/2.

Thanks in advance for the time that you take reading my letter!

Waiting for your kindly advise!

Regards..., from Israel

ALEX
cozva

Showing 2 responses by thorman

I tend to agree with the Svetlanas EL34.' I like them a lot also.
You may want to try Tube World which has Cry'od Svetlana EL 34 Quads at a reasonable fee. This maybe a good choice over the frustration of NOS tubes...
As far as the sp9 mk2,I had one awhile back and if my memory sevres me right I switched the stock tube to a Gold Aero (platinum Yugoslavian ). They worked well for me,getting a warmer sound than the brightness/leanness I originally got from the ARC.I also used the same tube in the linestage section of a ARC sp11 with great success....Good luck