andreweast

Responses from andreweast

Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
Tweaking is what I'm doing now. And I have to take back what I said about KT-120s since I switched to the 8 Ohm tap. Now they are neutral and dynamic rather than warm. I think the previous tubes I was using sounded too harsh and forward on the 8Oh... 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
That's interesting Sherod, thanks. Do you have a VAC pre-amp also. The only reservation I have about the Auricles is that they are extremly insensitive at 1.5V and need lots of gain. I suspect they are made for pre-amps with gain of 20dB or more. ... 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
I have some breaking news, which is that the Auricles should be ok with KT120s. Very tempted to give them a go. 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
I'd love to try 300B with the Vaughans. I'm sure you're right that its the big trannies that matter, but it seems that is what you pay for. The Unison Research S2 had no bass control, so that was out of the question. But I tend to like the UR soun... 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
wrm57; thanks for that very useful information. I'll see if my friend can pick up some of the Preferrred Series. He just told me that this shop in Kyoto has Shuguang. It's apparently a very messy little shop full of tubes, with a couple of shabbil... 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
maxmad, did you compare in the same amp? And what kind of speaker efficiency? Surely it will all be relative; with 86dB speakers you are going to want a KT88 based amp if you are using valves; with 106dB horns you are going to want 300B. And with ... 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
I take the point that I might be better off with an EL34 based amplifier. I could go much lower power than that. I've got a 2A3 based integrated which powers the Vaughans well. If there is a tube I have a natural liking for its the EL84, but I don... 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
Kevin has just told me that the Gold Lions might be the best idea to get what I'm looking for, and that is certainly the easiest option for me. I take your point that the input valves are likely to make more difference, but I can't get much warmer... 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
I think a more concise acronym would be GITS (Garcia Issues from Tubes Study). I'd be happy to take part in the experiment, but only if I get a confirmation from Kevin Hayes that it is safe to use the new uber-tubes in the Auricles. I've fired off... 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
Thanks, so did you find the Psvane only marginally better than the Gold Lions? There seem to be several varieties of Psvane now, including the cheaper KT88 UK, which are meant to have a slightly warmer 'classic British' sound. They are also less e... 
Best KT88s (specifically for VAC Auricle Musiblocs)
I should have said 'for reasonable money'. The prices for NOS GEC KT88 are absolutely crazy now, if you can find them! So they're out of the question.Black Treasures are appealing, but some things I've read suggest that the Psvane KT88 T2 will be ... 
Devore or Harbeths to replace my ESL63s?
I came to update this thread and I cannot believe it has been more than a year since I started it. It's taken me that long to settle on speakers. The M30.1 were lovely, but I craved more bass, and a little more presence. A pair of SHL5 Plus came u... 
Devore or Harbeths to replace my ESL63s?
That is a good question. It's actually quite possible that the D30R weren't fully burnt in since the dealer said they hadn't listened to them yet. I certainly agree with you that they have achieved something special with the ribbon tweeter, and it... 
Devore or Harbeths to replace my ESL63s?
Ctsooner, you may be right about the Proacs - it would be for the room to make the decision. I'd certainly like to hear them at home but I'm in no rush because I'm enjoying the M30.1. The mid-bass emphasis seems to me very subtle indeed with these... 
Devore or Harbeths to replace my ESL63s?
I thought I’d give an update on this thread, since I’m now using the M30.1 as my main speaker. It took some time to make a proper decision to say goodbye the the 63s. During this time I switched them with the M30.1 and both had their virtues. Then...