The Bad habit!! So far this is what I call the Slab A Audio Research Ref II Mk II preamp that feeds through some Zu Audio Varial XLR cables to a pair of McIntosh MC-501 amps. For a CD player there’s a Cary CD 303/300 with Audioquest Cheetah cables hooking it to the preamp. The CD player has a pair of Amperex Bugle Boy 7316 tubes in it right now. I have tried various 12AU7’s lately, but these seem the best. Overall I like the Amperex sound best. The 7316 sounds a little cleaner and has extended bass over the 12AU7 Bugle Boy. The Mullard long plate has a killer sounding sound stage as well in the CD player, but I seem to like the Amperex warmer midrange. The Mullurds sound a little thin compared to Bugle Boys, but they are very smooth and probably more accurate in their sound. Also I’m trying the Brimar long plate 13d5 industrial version of the 12AU7. I didn’t give the Brimars’ enough playing time. So far the 7317 Amperex Bugle Boy tops my favorite tube in the CD player.

I just upgraded again with various things from cables to tubes to speakers to stands. I’m just breaking in a pair of Zu Audio Definition MK II’s. They replaced a pair of Vandersteen 3A Signatures. The Zu’s are an amazing speaker. I’m working on setting them up but they are extremely detailed and efficient. Their reproduction of the human voice, electric guitar (just to name a few things) and midrange is amazing!!

All this to play Rock N Roll and some Jazz and other stuff too

If you have comments, suggestions or questions, pleas let me know