Blind Luck
- Thread starter coaltrain
- Start date
Awesome Write Up! Congratulations on the setup!
Lovely ...my wife loved it too...another one added to consider for our future setup...one suggestion instead of the big painting you can consider putting a 18-24 inch monitor in portrait mode and it can display only the cover art of your music in big and set anything as wallpaper too (like samsung frame)
I guess a transport only makes sense if you have a reasonable collection of silver discs. I didn’t have much of a choice as all my music is on cd.
I did try switching in my two Blu-ray players as transports, when my cdp started misbehaving; a Toshiba and a Sony. For some reason, both sounded insipid In my setup.
The poster of Dizzy blowing bubblegum has confused the hell out of new visitors for many years now! It’s worth keeping him just to watch people trying to figure out what’s going on
I have an small LP collection of the classics ~ 150 - Floyd, Santana, Zappa, Shakti and blah, but never got into vinyl. In the 90s CDs were compact and most of the 'discoveries' were available to buy. LPs were very expensive then. The silver discs number close to 1200. I'm still buying
, and have converted most to digital.Been a Marantz fan for their 'utility' value and have cycled through a few KI series. They always end up with a broken tray mechanism which was unobtanium and then - R.i.P. Yes, I even replaced the tray, which broke again
Right now, have a CD6004 with a replaced tray which seems to be spinning ok
. Isn't the Audiolab CDT going for ~ 40K ?This!
CH Precision has just launched a transport for $46,000, and it has a cd tray. That’s the only reason I’m not buying one
1200 CDs is a more than reasonable collection! You’re definitely a candidate for a good transport; perhaps, even a Jay’s top loader?
Yes, the Audiolab is ~45k at HifiMart, which is where I bought mine.
Go on, Sunil, take the red pill!
the CH precision looks wow. Jay's top loader is going for $2000+, way above what I want to spend. I was looking at the Tascam CD200 for a while which has a well reviewed tray mechanism from the professional line.Maybe Audiolab
The setup looks great. Getting the right tonality right in one go as a combo is wonderful. Individually , the components seem to punch way above their weight. ENJOY.
Or the Leak CDT. Similar internals and, according to reviews, a slightly warmer presentation.
No arguments there
Drool worthy setup - in a country like ours with mostly blind buying as the only option it's nice to see you found what you are looking for
Further compounded by Covid.
I should mention that I didn’t get everything at one shot; rather, it was one component at a time, with a lot of research in between. Knowing what you want, and reading between the lines, is perhaps essential to the process.
It also helped that these were relatively inexpensive buys. I wouldn’t have attempted this otherwise.
Going thru the same myself so I know exactly what you mean. Happy listening sir!
A pretty accurate take on the Linton’s sound signature.
One point most of these YT reviewers don’t get right is regarding the grilles. They’re supposed to be kept on, in order to ameliorate the effects of the wide baffle and chamfered edges. No point yanking them off for listening sessions.
One point most of these YT reviewers don’t get right is regarding the grilles. They’re supposed to be kept on, in order to ameliorate the effects of the wide baffle and chamfered edges. No point yanking them off for listening sessions.
Update: Tube Rolling the Cayin CS55A
Stock:
Preamp: Electro Harmonix 12AU7 x 2; 12AX7 x 2
Power: Shuguang KT88 x 4
Rolled:
Preamp: BEL 5814A x 2; ECC83 x 2 (NOS)
Power: Psvane KT88C x 4 (new production)
Notes:
- The 5814A is a military spec 12AU7 with a more rugged construction for lower noise/microphonics.
- ECC83 is the European nomenclature for the 12AX7.
- The Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) factory was set up by Mullard-Phillips in 1954 at Bangalore. The BEL tubes are sometimes referred to as 'Indian Mullards', but I'm hearing something else, too...
- Psvane was formed by a group of ex-Shuguang engineers. They're known for their Western Electric replica tubes, and they also collaborate(d?) with Audio Note UK.
- Prior to rolling, I contacted Cayin to enquire which set of tubes had the greatest impact on the sound. They replied that changing the 12AU7s would reap the biggest sonic benefits. This was borne out by what I experienced as I rolled each set separately.
- All listening was done with the amp in Triode mode. (22wpc)
Sound (NOS preamp tubes)
- The stock EH tubes are very quiet and have high gain, but they're also rather bright on top with a thinner midrange.
- The 5814A definitely has the signature Mullard sound of sweet top end and liquid midraqnge, with plenty of body and detail. However, I was not expecting the bass to be this prodigious. It's hard to believe that a couple of tiny glass bottles from 1965 could sound like you've added a subwoofer, but that's exactly what I'm getting. Is this a feature of the 5814A? No idea, but I'll take it!
- The ECC83 was another surprise as it sounded very different from the 5814A. While the latter had a Mullard signature, the ECC83 sounded like an Amperex: airy top end, clean open midrange and tighter bass.
- The BEL au7 and ax7 complement each other very well to create a beautifully balanced sound. The music has great body, tone and timbre, with a real sense of flesh and blood, particularly on acoustic instruments and vocals. Not SET level, of course, but enough meat on the bone. Definitely a huge step up from modern tubes like EH, JJ, Tungsol, Genalex GL, etc, which all tend to be on the brighter side.
Sound (new production power tubes)
- While there's nothing really wrong with the Shuguangs, the Psvanes just bettered them to varying degrees in every area.
- One very noticeable difference was in soundstage width and depth; definitely larger with the Psvanes. I also noted that, despite all the tube rolling, the soundstage remains in line with the speaker plane and extends behind them.
- Overall, the Psvanes are on the neutral side. This allows them to simply amplify the sonics of the preamp tubes, without getting in the way.
Value
- At around 50-60% the cost of original European glassware, the NOS BELs are a real bargain. Especially when you consider that these are closely matched pairs.
- Thanks to the current situation, new production Russian tubes are ridiculously overpriced. To my ears, the Psvane is a better option and definitely great value for the sound it delivers.
- Avoid the 'gray bottle' Psvanes that are double the cost. The gray coating hides the fact that they're exactly the same as the KT88C on the inside.
Bonus
With the volume knob set to 10 o'clock and your ear squished against the tweeter, you'd swear the amp was switched off! All the tubes are dead silent, which translates to effortless detail even at lower volume levels.
Below: The BELs reveal their European ancestry by flashing spectacularly on startup
Stock:
Preamp: Electro Harmonix 12AU7 x 2; 12AX7 x 2
Power: Shuguang KT88 x 4
Rolled:
Preamp: BEL 5814A x 2; ECC83 x 2 (NOS)
Power: Psvane KT88C x 4 (new production)
Notes:
- The 5814A is a military spec 12AU7 with a more rugged construction for lower noise/microphonics.
- ECC83 is the European nomenclature for the 12AX7.
- The Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) factory was set up by Mullard-Phillips in 1954 at Bangalore. The BEL tubes are sometimes referred to as 'Indian Mullards', but I'm hearing something else, too...
- Psvane was formed by a group of ex-Shuguang engineers. They're known for their Western Electric replica tubes, and they also collaborate(d?) with Audio Note UK.
- Prior to rolling, I contacted Cayin to enquire which set of tubes had the greatest impact on the sound. They replied that changing the 12AU7s would reap the biggest sonic benefits. This was borne out by what I experienced as I rolled each set separately.
- All listening was done with the amp in Triode mode. (22wpc)
Sound (NOS preamp tubes)
- The stock EH tubes are very quiet and have high gain, but they're also rather bright on top with a thinner midrange.
- The 5814A definitely has the signature Mullard sound of sweet top end and liquid midraqnge, with plenty of body and detail. However, I was not expecting the bass to be this prodigious. It's hard to believe that a couple of tiny glass bottles from 1965 could sound like you've added a subwoofer, but that's exactly what I'm getting. Is this a feature of the 5814A? No idea, but I'll take it!
- The ECC83 was another surprise as it sounded very different from the 5814A. While the latter had a Mullard signature, the ECC83 sounded like an Amperex: airy top end, clean open midrange and tighter bass.
- The BEL au7 and ax7 complement each other very well to create a beautifully balanced sound. The music has great body, tone and timbre, with a real sense of flesh and blood, particularly on acoustic instruments and vocals. Not SET level, of course, but enough meat on the bone. Definitely a huge step up from modern tubes like EH, JJ, Tungsol, Genalex GL, etc, which all tend to be on the brighter side.
Sound (new production power tubes)
- While there's nothing really wrong with the Shuguangs, the Psvanes just bettered them to varying degrees in every area.
- One very noticeable difference was in soundstage width and depth; definitely larger with the Psvanes. I also noted that, despite all the tube rolling, the soundstage remains in line with the speaker plane and extends behind them.
- Overall, the Psvanes are on the neutral side. This allows them to simply amplify the sonics of the preamp tubes, without getting in the way.
Value
- At around 50-60% the cost of original European glassware, the NOS BELs are a real bargain. Especially when you consider that these are closely matched pairs.
- Thanks to the current situation, new production Russian tubes are ridiculously overpriced. To my ears, the Psvane is a better option and definitely great value for the sound it delivers.
- Avoid the 'gray bottle' Psvanes that are double the cost. The gray coating hides the fact that they're exactly the same as the KT88C on the inside.
Bonus
With the volume knob set to 10 o'clock and your ear squished against the tweeter, you'd swear the amp was switched off! All the tubes are dead silent, which translates to effortless detail even at lower volume levels.
Below: The BELs reveal their European ancestry by flashing spectacularly on startup
Subbu68
Well-Known Member
Beautiful room. Can spend whole life there
Wife and daughter too say "Wow, beautiful arrangement".Reminded me of the ads of Klipsch Heritage series (III and IV) with the brick wall background.
Stick a length of 40 or 50mm caping & casing (trunking) behind the rack, make some slots for wire entry from the amp and they exit on the two ends to speakers.
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Thanks for your kind words, Subbu
Tbh, I’ve given up on the backstage mess. All the cables (except for a Mogami 2803 rca that’s super thin) are thick and unwieldy. It just might be simpler to cover the back of the rack
Tbh, I’ve given up on the backstage mess. All the cables (except for a Mogami 2803 rca that’s super thin) are thick and unwieldy. It just might be simpler to cover the back of the rack
Subbu68
Well-Known Member
Don't give up . Covering the back of the rack spoils the aesthetics. Now it gives an airy look.Thanks for your kind words, Subbu
Tbh, I’ve given up on the backstage mess. All the cables (except for a Mogami 2803 rca that’s super thin) are thick and unwieldy. It just might be simpler to cover the back of the rack
Your rack has a good, thick frame..A length or two of trunking can easily be fitted and wires hidden away.. for illustration see below link.
or use open cable tray or mesh tray they use for computer wiring. Or fix a piece of simple wire mesh (jaali) on the back of the rack and tie the cables with cable ties.
We fit much thicker and heavier cables in trunkings in the field.. not so easy but doable.
Glad to hear the BEL tubes are sounding great.
Btw, when you say not SET level , any particular SET amp you’ve compared to ?
Lovely set up coaltrain. I just had one question. Apple music has come up with lossless audio starting with CD standard of 16/44. Does it still make sense to have a CD collection and a dedicated player/ transport ? Why not use apple music + a good DAC ? Or is it the nostalgia which keeps ppl hooked to CDs ?
The one I’m most familiar with is the Audio Note M3+P3 combo, seen in my friend’s system below. The sense of realism those 300Bs create is unreal
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