Tube Rolling Cayin CS 55A


Having ventured into tube amplifiers, I also have Vincent pre / power hybrid and Naim Uniti Solid State, I have experimented with tube rolling.  So far only replacing the stock KT 88's with Electro Harmonix EL 34's. My impressions are tabulated below.  What are other peoples experiences.  Do the pre amp tubes make much difference bacuse the power tube difference is day and night. I must say the tube amp, for me is greatly preferred over the others, with EL 34's most markedly.

Cayin CS 55A

EL 34 Ultra

EL 34 Triode

KT 88 Ultra

KT 88 Triode

Soundstage

10

9

8

7

Treble

9

10

8

7

Bass 

8

10

9

7

Vocals

10

9

8

7

Imaging

9

10

8

7

Overall

9

10

8

7

128x128henry53
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I’ll repeat: if tubes, get thee a simple tube tester, nothing fancy, just the basics, test existing, garage sale finds, and new ’matched’ ones you buy:

You must get or find the manual to use one.

here’s an accurate 157. I have one of these, it’s smaller brother 151, and a big fancy Jackson or Hickock (it’s down there somewhere, haven’t seen it in years, because the small accurates ALWAYS matched the big one’s results.

 

don’t let the beat up vinyl or rusty hinges dissuade you, they used low quality metal and thin coverings.

a clean looking Eico https://www.ebay.com/itm/195518113222?hash=item2d85c9a5c6%3Ag%3A4qYAAOSw58Jjmmud&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoIxeD9vNoKp%2FRjJpdPhJ8VFC7vjuIELd90KucmbeWwUK7WXF%2BDhESAKfFTWIgiSo53S9SLlBmu3AekVgbaDnGuEQl7R2QXJbqTUM8YV5CjmEHD8uVcs0AD0WCrSDJVFyTlXyTRfDmDL03vegcPBY2wKZlMWLIcPhamo39m1Y%2BNQDPOjgosb7oHZP0gTulw%2B%2BpBKc27UstZLLzaRskk6lzCU%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9jTzrLAYQ&LH_RPA=1&LH_BIN=1

Here’s a Jackson: https://www.ebay.com/itm/354440155415?hash=item5286479117%3Ag%3ACy8AAOSwFotjk3wR&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoD%2BRhC7yrKfgFDnur%2BlRCvyipFwg2OTpZGeVL1mOGBQ08QtV2HvwN7CyVOmjPPXIYrXwNo80OJHX4iOlZj8wDqOR5BCWzp5O1XC7DVj2CBjpMjXn9sfrf%2BkyioZTQ1%2BBoFBTglqTO5ANwB5sqpmbtMFGaMx49X%2FWMZYjNE91QfhQRQj5wIg9xMlvif%2Bq7S9NuoEpQe0nWUplkCNr5HcOB7Q%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9jTzrLAYQ&LH_RPA=1&LH_BIN=1

Preamp is the first stage of amplification and will have the most audible effect on sound. Start with the gain-stage tube.