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Went to buy Vandersteen 2C speakers and came home with a conrad-johnson Premier 11A.

I found a great deal on a pair of Vandersteen 2C speakers with Sound Anchor stands.  I didn’t need them, but they are identical to a pair that I had back in the 90s.  While I was there, the seller mentioned that he had an amp that he wanted to sell.  It was on a shelf in a basement collecting dust.  The price was right, so I bought it.  He said there are about 40 hours on the tubes.  Hopefully, the caps are ok.  I’m thinking I’ll try a Wiim Ultra streamer with volume control just to see if everything works.  I have old preamps by NAD and Rotel, but they aren't good ones.

Is there anything special that I should do before firing up the old girl?  This is my first tube amplifier. 

sls883
elliottbnewcombjr
7,781 posts
 

@alvinnir2 

"We both use the KT88, more of less a direct equivalent of the 6550."

My Cayin A88T came with 6550's, manual said could use KT88's, I tried them, prefer them. I had it re-biased eventually, I don't think it made any difference, perhaps prior owner got it with KT88's, changed to 6550's and never changed the bias.

I see some amps, that use EL34's, and a physical switch in the back if you use the alternate ____ tube.

My question: can you switch KT88's and 6550's in any amp that is made for either tube type?

sls883 OP
1,058 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr Thank you.  

I have it connected to the Vandersteen 2C speakers now.  It sounds really good with the Wiim Ultra streamer.  Not as good as my main rig, but it was a LOT less expensive.

Now, to figure out where to put it permanently.  My wife wants to put it upstairs in the living room.

dekay's avatar
dekay
6,208 posts
 

"The voltage was off on the variac (by about 5 volts)."

I didn’t realize that you were savvy (with a meter).

5V is not bad (one review had a unit measured "up" by around 25V - which could inflict some serious damage if the dial were to be trusted on its own merit.

PS:

The unbranded tubes with "dots" are most likely GE - which I not a bad thing.

 

DeKay

 

sls883 OP
1,058 posts
 

@dekay I'm glad that you mentioned the quality concern. It encouraged me to get the multimeter out.

Good to know that the unmarked tubes are likely GE. I think the tubes in the amp are probably decent, but not the best I could get.  My wife wants me to put the system in the living room. If it ends up there, I'm not going to be too worried about tubes.  I say that now, but I'll probably try some different tubes.  It's unfortunate that I have lots of spare tubes, but none that work in this amp. 

knotscott's avatar
knotscott
1,391 posts
 

@sls883 

I have it connected to the Vandersteen 2C speakers now.  It sounds really good with the Wiim Ultra streamer.  Not as good as my main rig, but it was a LOT less expensive.

Now, to figure out where to put it permanently.  My wife wants to put it upstairs in the living room.

Congrats on getting the amp up and running.  I’d guess that it’s worthy of a nice tube preamp to keep it company!.  Enjoy!

ps:  I know tubes are subjective and sound different in different circuits, but I'm really enjoying the Tung Sol 6550 reissues in my rig.  

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