My objective is to duplicate the sound of a good jazz venue as best I can. I'll never match it but getting close is fine. I've had various audio components through the years and tubes particularly DHT tubes/ASSET have gotten me the closest. So this is where I will settle down and appreciate.
Balanced AC power is fantastic !! 1800va balanced isolation transformer/conditioner. All aspects of music reproduction are improved for every single component.
Tripoint Tripoint Troy.
A wonderful grounding box component. When added to my system it increased the sense of natural sound quality and emotional engagement. The Troy has a humanistic and “soulful “ quality to it.
Coincident Speaker Tech Total eclipse 2
This wonderful speaker is transparent,open and involving. It`s large yet completely disappears as the source of sound within the room. Very easy to drive,94db and 14 0hm impedance (Minimum 10 ohm). I replaced the stock Solens capacitor with the Duelund CAST in the crossover.
Coincident Statement linestage
Superb performance. In my opinion , a masterpiece by Israel Blume. As would be expected, a wonderful match with its sibling the Frankenstein MK II.
Coincident Speaker Tech Frankenstein mark 2
A terrific 300b SET amplifier that is the foundation of my system. The EML XLS 300b tubes are a superb match with this amplifier.
Acquiring these 300b SET mono blocks changed the course of my music listening experience. They elevated the emotional engagement, tactility and “breath of life “ realism.
Yamamoto YDA-01
Wonderful music lover's DAC that has a very natural/organic sound quality. Duelund CAST addition(output coupling capacitors) makes it sound even better. It has a very minimalist circuit/design that was implemented well.
Ocellia Silver Reference IC
Very natural and pure sounding with excellent tone and timbre preservation.
Ocellia Silver Reference Speaker Cable
Same qualities/ comments as the IC.
Star Sound Technologies Sistrum Apprentice component platforms..
These Star Sound platforms are mandatory in my system. Effectively managing resonance and vibration leads to a very noticeable sound improvement with every component and especially the speakers. Excellent product.
High Fidelity CT1 Ultimate Digital cable
A highly impressive digital cable that mates beautifully into my system. Contributes to the natural sound presentation.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems CD Box RS2T
This is a superb Redbook CD playback transport. It’s both high resolution and impressively natural.
. I’m using the excellent Fidelizer Nikola II LPS. Splendid pairing.
Lavricables Grand and Master series Power Cables.
Pure silver wire and unshielded power cables. These are used with all of my audio components. They are very open, transparent, high resolution with beautiful natural tone and timbre presentation.
Abbas Esoteric Audio 3.2SE
Built by renown Ukrainian Abbas Zulfugarov. NOS DAC utilizing the classic Phillips TDA 1541 multi bit chip. Two 6080 tubes in the analog stage. 5 various rectifier tubes in the power supplies.
3 separate toroidal transformers (And 2 chokes ) for the power supplies.A very serious and successful upper tier DAC implementation. Using with the Abbas SPDIF and power cable.
"Johnny Bench" that's a good one Bill. When or if he eventually wins the starting QB position it will be becaused he earned it. Not because he was anointed, all the hype regarding him really went over the top. College football isn't the NFL, They're two different worlds. Charles,
I got a hold of Bluesy Burrell and I must say that it's truly top shelf material. The ebb and flow of the music is uncanny. It's definitely not an album that has one or two great songs, but rather one you put on until the album completes....
Charles, Hoyer is a Cleveland native. The hometown boy has more support than any QB since another local, Bernie Kosar, lead the team to some notable near misses with the SB. As for me, he has won me over. Thinks like Kosar and plays like Brian Sipe. What's not to like?
Johnny Football will get his shot in time. For now, he has a new nickname. Johnny Bench.
That's awesome news Charles, I had a strong feeling you would like the shift in sound. I'm just glad we can use the CV378/GZ37 in the Franks. I've had them on standby mode for so long.
I will try out the fatter CV378 cousins this weekend and report back in this thread.
I root for Brian Hoyer to thrive. People are so eager to throw him under the bus with the drafting of "Johnny Football". In the NFL you play based on merit and production. That's the way I like it. Brian is apparently better at this present time.
Len, they just bought land 4 miles from my new house. One of 4 new sites in the country this year. Not so scarce as you might think. Pretty decent presence in E. Tn. No snake handlers for me.
My new insurance agent down there has Bach as a surname, and yes, her husband is a real Bach. Sadly, they are Steeler fans. Must be a decedent of Johann Christian Bach.
We close on the new house 2 weeks from today. No takers on the house in Indy yet.
Sunday was a comedy. Started off awful, ended up sweet!
Thanks Fan, you're still hyped from the fantastic comeback last week. BTW, going by the large WELS edifice a few miles from moi today the thought came to me they must be scarce on the ground in E. Tn. Don't take up with the snake handlers.
Len, that is a profound observation, even by the standards you have already set. In a single phrase, it captures exactly the best spirit of this forum.
Hi Bill, The good thing about this site is we learn from each other. There are certain people who contribute much worthwhile knowledge, perspective and input and I consider you one of them. Some participants here are simply music lovers who use audio equipment only as a means to an end and I strongly gravitate towards these folks, and you fit that category.
I understand your experience with tube rolling, when you find that ideal match in your components the music reproduction becomes increasingly engaging and connects you deeper into it. Bill in just a short period of time you've made substantial improvement in your system and I know how fully satisfying that feels (and sounds). Given your current system's development you'll be very happy for a long time. Charles,
Charles, Good to know that you are hearing an improvement right out of the box, as I did. The tubes will continue to improve with additional hours. I think we can consider the CV387s a must have item for the Franks at this point.
BTW, as my Telefunken 6922s burn in, it is becoming clear that these are just spectacular tubes. They are giving me an incredible sweet, delicate tonality! Violins, voices, and woodwinds in particular are to die for, without taking anything away from the lower frequencies. I think this is proving to be one of the most important purchases I have made recently, and that i saying a lot . I now have a sound that in this respect is better than anything I have yet to hear anywhere. The telefunkens in the ModWright and the Mullards in the Franks has really made the rig something very special and unique.
I'm following the grounding discussion with a great deal of interest. This looks to be one of those areas that I investigate for a year or so before acting, but this does look like a possible opportunity for me to experience another quantum jump in performance. This is why I called you more of a coach than a cheerleader. When you speak, I learn!
The Mullard CV 378 tubes arrived today and I installed them and then went to the concert mentioned above. Any thing I say at this point is redundant as Drdavid and Brownsfan have described them so well already. With just a few hours it obvious they surpass the 5u4g rectifiers I use (and these are good). Smoother, more organic and harmonically sorted out but also better resolution and articulation. Simply a superior and more musically/emotionally involving presentation. Listening to guitarist Bobby Broom accompanied by Hammond B3 organ and it's just full of life and dynamic energy. This is the default choice of rectifier for the Frankenstein. Israel is right. As with the Psvane W.E. Replica 101D in the CSL, these are mandatory tubes to aquire to get the best of what these components have to offer. Charles,
There's a Steinway piano gallery near my home that features live jazz and classical music performances on a regular basis. Tonight was a showcase for various budding students of jazz piano. 90 minutes of fun and involvement, varying levels of accomplishments among them, it didn't matter. Hearing people playing what they "feel" and expressing it via an instrument is just special. The audience was smaller tonight compared to when the professional performers are there but the high enthusiasm of the crowd compensated. These developing musicians sincerely appreciated the support and encouragement. Those Steinways(and a jazz guitarist as well) sound utterly beautiful accompanied by drums and acoustic double bass. That bass is just wonderful to hear when played "con arco". This was a very enjoyable evening of enchanting acoustic music played by people with pure passion. Charles
Hi David, I received an email from Luan (Strawbros3 ) who has been using the skinny CV 378 in his Frankensteins the past 3 days. He says they are definitely very good and sound better than the Tungsol 5u4g. He happens to have the fat bottle tubes and will listen to them next. All of you who've used this skinny Mullard are thrilled with its sound in the Frankenstein. I won't worry about the fat bottle s since they're not available anyway.
David, you posted one of the earlier reports of the Psvane W.E. Replica and you were very enthusiastic concerning them. I just want to say that you nailed it! This is a truly superb tube in the CSL and I can't seem to stop listening to music nearly every day. They've made the listening ever more beautifully joyful. Thanks, Charles,
Alright men listen up, two a day practices begin tomorrow. Linemen and linebackers report at 7 am sharp! Okay, now we're going to the weight room. Charles,
Charles, Not that I'm picturing you in the outfit with the Pom-poms and all. Well, maybe just the Pom-poms.... -give me an S, give me an E, give me an S...E...T ..What Do We Have...
It is nice to see this kind of consensus developing on the Mullards. It really helps all of us when we have such a highly discerning group of owners sharing their findings. I agree with Davids take on the tubes, and pretty much hear the same qualities with the exception of being more quiet. My GE 5U4GBs were fine in this regard.
Hello David, Thanks for your comments. I appreciate your impressions as much as I do Bill's(Brownsfan). Both of you have very good taste and ears. I am looking forward to receiving the Mullards soon. You, Bill, Strawbros3 and Israel, how can I possibly go wrong with this decision ? Fine tuning the Frankenstein is a lot of fun. David, I assume that you have the skinny bottle CV 378 rather than the "rare" fat bottle version. The fat tube may be the ultimate but all of you seem very happy with the skinny Mullard alternative. Charles,
Hello Dentdog, The 20 watt tube is the EML 320 XLS and I don't believe the Franks have the proper circuit to realize those 20 watts. I use the EML XLS 300b which is a drop in replacement in this amplifier. Amplifier recommendations are tricky due to the variables, speakers,room size,listening levels,taste etc.
My speaker is 94 db and a 14 ohm load, my prior amp was a 100 watt PP class AB 6550/KT 88. I much prefer the 8 watt SET but that's me, I don't know what you like or want. Your Zu DEF IV is much more sensitive than mine and "should" be a fine match. Germanboxers used the Franks with this same Zu speaker very successfully in a large room I'd email him.
Gsm18439 has this same Zu driven by his 300b SET in a large living space and loves the result. So I think your chances for success are quite reasonable. They are both very nice people and I'm sure they'd respond to you. Charles,
Brett, I must say, It sure is fun having you back on this site and I hope you get your Wavelength amplifiers up and running soon. Come on Mr. Rankin, take care of Brett. Charles,
Hi Charles I too have found the Mullard CV378 GZ37 the best rectifier of all . More open and natural than any of the Sylvania or General Electrics's. I found they (Mullards) had a substantial impact on the sound landscape. Definitely quieter than any of the above rectifiers and mids and highs are substantially more articulate. Also noticeable is a cleaner less smeared bass with more control. The only other tubes I like as well, but not as much as the Mullards, are the RCA black plate 5u4g, but they must be early to mid 1950's ;a very nice rectifier tube . But I am sure you will definitely love the Mullards in your wonderful system . I've tried almost every good rectifier tube available and the Mullards are definitely the best of any rectifier tube I've tried in my Franks. Regards, David
