Preamp Deal of the Century

Hi guys,

I'm considering getting a Chardonney - no plans to play LDs. Would Chardonney be a good match for a Perreaux EP-220 (220W SS amp) and Mirage M7-si speakers?

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I just dropped a pair of WE 350B's into my Cortese about 3 weeks ago and am more than thrilled with the fantastic results. They continue to improve (did not think that to be possible) as they break in.
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I thought I had gotten as far as possible with improving the sound of my Cortese by tube rolling andwas quite happy, but I kept reading and re-reading all of the talk about how great and how expensive the 350's are. Finally, I found a pair of 350's on ebay at a relatively good price (still a killer), but it has been well worth the money spent.
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I replaced a pair of NOS Philips 1963 Miniwatt / Mullard EL37’s with the WE 350B’s and the improvement was startling. The EL37’s had produced wonderful sound and I was quite content, but you know, the disease got me and I popped for the 350’s – great move.
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I would highly recommend the EL 37’s for the regulator position, but if you are in a position to pick up a good pair of WE 350B’s, do it.
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Given that the 350’s should last longer at the regulator position longer than I will on the planet, this should turn out to be one of my better aggressive decisions.
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I am thinking I can sell them to Bryan White in about 20 years and make a tidy profit.
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Hi Cello - Hopefully I'll be around to buy them from you.

Just curious, what rectifier tube are you using with the 350B's?

I'm still stuck on the Bendix 6106 - it was weird sounding and almost nauseating when I first started using it but after a few months of break in, became unbeatable.

Anyone know of a source for fat base Mullard GZ34's?

Hi Bryan,
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I am using a 5AR4 Philips Miniwatt Holland Metal Base NOS 1957 (same as Mullard GZ34)
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I got my Mullard EL 37's and GZ34's from Brendan Biever email him at [email protected] or check out his website http://www.tubeworld.com.
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Brendan's not cheap, but he has a great selection of high quality tubes and is quite honest.
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I have bought from him 4 or 5 times and been more than happy each time. He is also a good source for 6922 and it's variants.
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You can call or email me directly if I can be of any help.
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Good Luck and let us know how you make out.
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All the best, - Larry

Congrats, Cello. I have been running 350B's in my Supratek for a long time and nothing else has the magic the 350B's do. Sure they are expensive, but as you say, they should outlast everything else by two or three times or more.