Bill,
I'm using Slyvania at the present time. The Mullards have me interested, I had one in my former Quicksilver preamp and it was very good.
Charles,

charles1dad September 22, 2014 20:16

Charles, if you don't mind me asking, what rectifiers are you using currently?

brownsfan September 22, 2014 16:57

Thanks a lot Bill, I'll give Israel a call.
Charles,

charles1dad September 22, 2014 16:51

Charles, The Mullard CV387 was recommended by Israel. He has them in stock, so I got a pair from him. I can't find a date code on the tubes, but the skinny bottles were made at the Blackburn plant in the late 50's and 60's. From what I have read, the earlier fat bottles were made at a different plant, and are superior to the later skinny bottles but are pretty pricey.

What I like most about this tube is that it has mitigated an overly aggressive presentation of French horns that has been a long standing problem. It has persisted through several speakers, amps, sources, and preamps. I assumed it was a room problem. I've probably got 20-30 hours on the tubes, so I still have a way to go I imagine. But it was clearly superior to the GEs right out of the box.

Knowing what a perfectionist Israel is, I find it prudent to consider his recommendations carefully. I sent him an email inquiring about another rectifier I wanted to try in the Franks. He directed me toward the Mullards, and I am quite satisfied with what I have heard so far.

brownsfan September 22, 2014 16:33

Brownsfan(Bill),
Did you happen to discover the Mullard CV387 or was it a suggestion from Israel? I'm not familiar with that tube, what vintage is it?
Charles,

charles1dad September 22, 2014 15:44

David, could you share with us what tubes you found to your liking? I recently bought a pair of Mullard CV387s from Israel, and they are a substantial improvement over the GE 5U4GBs that came with my Franks. I think I am going to stick with my PSVane T 300Bs for now, but I would be interested in trying something different on the 6em7s if you found something special.

brownsfan September 22, 2014 11:18

Hi David,
I haven't changed the 6em7 driver tube and I didn`think there were many choices of this tube available. Regarding the rectifier I've tried the Sylvania and a General Electric and didn't hear much difference.Some say that the Tungsol version is a good choice. What have you discovered?
Charles,

charles1dad September 22, 2014 10:59

I've heard tube based CD and DAC systems that easily rival the best analog.

I'd love to hear that Yamamoto some day

jeff1225 September 22, 2014 10:04

Hi Charles
I hope al is well with you.
I was curious if you ever have rolled the 5au4g tubes or the 6em7's in the Franks. We've talked a lot about the 300b tube rolling but not the others. I recently did change both the rectifier and gain tubes with some astonishing results.
Regards
David

drdavid September 21, 2014 20:39

Andrew,
I see your point and this scenario or assessment applies for some audiophiles where neurosis is substantial. I'd like to think many audiophiles have the same motive as I do, obtain good audio equipment to enhance the joy of music. The components acquired are just to get you more closely connected during your music listening experiences. There's really no reason to experience anxiety and angst, that takes the fun out of it.
Charles,

charles1dad September 21, 2014 16:36

Agear, thanks for the tip. I do like a glass of red wine or a nice Belgian lager with my music!

grannyring September 21, 2014 16:35

09-21-14: Charles1dad
Agear,
That strategy could be effective, I don't drink and therefore I'm unable to verify. I suspect there are an ample number of folks here who could attest to this methodology and its benefits.
Charles,

Charles, as one clinician to another, I think you would agree that a lot of audiophilia is self medication (via endorphin release) for depression, anxiety and whatnot. That being understood, there could be something said for medical marijuana in this setting. A chemically induced euphoria would lessen the likelihood of soulless wandering for new equipment and increase enjoyment of what we have in the here and now. Just a thought....

agear September 21, 2014 12:22

Hello Jeff,
Thank you for your kind comments regarding my system. Jeff I was a diehard analog advocate for many years and still enjoy listening to good quality turntable sourced sysrems. The truth is that my Yamamto DAC is as fully satisfying (I can't say more) as my former TT and records. Not every record made it to CD format as you point out. Conversely there are many recordings that are exclusively Redbook. With jazz there's so much available in Redbook I could live two lifetimes and still not have them all (I'm constantly finding wonderful jazz CDs). The Yamamoto is built by a person well versed in both analog and SET components. He sure found a way to get that same character and feel from his superbly natural sounding DAC.I don't draw a line in the sand, and can easily live with and appreciate both formats.
Charles,

charles1dad September 21, 2014 11:23

Your system is looking great. As such a great jazz lover, you should think about adding vinyl....there are so many albums never released on CD.

Excellent music recommendations as well, I have every Dexter Gordon album ever made.

jeff1225 September 21, 2014 08:33

Agear,
That strategy could be effective, I don't drink and therefore I'm unable to verify. I suspect there are an ample number of folks here who could attest to this methodology and its benefits.
Charles,

charles1dad September 21, 2014 07:00

Bill,
Different instrument but beautiful music.
Dmitri Matheny, "Starlight Cafe" this is a live jazz venue recording (just my style!).

Dmitri plays trumpet and the flugelhorn and is accompanied by piano and acoustic bass. Wonderful mellow playing and feel, it's as though you're there with these musicians. I think you'll enjoy it Bill.
Charles,

charles1dad September 20, 2014 18:34

Bill,
Looking forward to your impressions back here, like or dislike them, I'll understand.
Charles,

charles1dad September 20, 2014 16:08

I just ordered all 5 from Amazon and look forward to hearing them.

grannyring September 20, 2014 13:43

Spot on description of what these caps have done in my Dude, Romulus dac and speaker crossover. They will continue to open up and reveal more goodness.

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me with jazz. I will order these recordings.

grannyring September 20, 2014 13:10

The new Jupiter copper foil capacitors in the Frankenstein (input coupling position) is beginning to expand/open up and sounds oh so natural. Burn in is still early stage (15 hours) but its forte is tone, harmonic richness and very good music pace and lively fluidity. This amplifier had exceptional nuance and subtle inner detail retrieval, the Jupiter capacitor takes this up a notch. Listening to various trumpeters this morning and their distinct sonic and textural differences are very cleared demonstrated. Terrance Blanhard, Roy Hargrove, Nick Payton or Art Farmer, all beautiful, all so different. Not just in terms of their tonal signature but you hear very subtle approach in inflections and this intensifies the musical emotion and communicates more deeply. These guys can really play! If you can't fully hear the pure tone, color density and harmonics you are missing out on much this music has to offer.

beauty in the music
Charles,

charles1dad September 20, 2014 10:50

Bill,
Here are a few saxophonist recordings you will probably like (I sure do).
1, John Coltrane "Plays For Lovers" this is quintessential late 1950s big tenor Coltrane prior to his more exploratory period.
2, Dexter Gordon "Ballads" gorgeous tenor playing by the great Dexter.
3, Charlie Rouse "Unsung Hero" mostly know for his work with Theloneous Monk. On this CD he leads and plays in a devine fashion.
4, Gerry Mulligan "Night Lights" Simply beautiful baritone saxophone playing in this sextet performance.
5, Frank Morgan "Listen To The Dawn" masterful alto saxophonist accompanied by the superb Kenny Burrell (guitar).

These are for starters, if you share my taste then there are others I can happily recommend.
Charles,

charles1dad September 20, 2014 09:00

Yes to both! Big yes to both!

grannyring September 20, 2014 07:47

Hi Bill,
I know what you mean. I'll get some for you tomorrow morning, I worked late tonight and I'm going to bed. There's some beautiful jazz guitar you may like and I'll list a few for you to consider. Are you a fan of the vibraphone? Trumpet?
Charles,

charles1dad September 20, 2014 01:06

09-19-14: Grannyring
Charles,

I ask a favor of you. I would like to listen to more jazz and want your guidance. I like jazz, but not the volatile nervous style. I hope you know what I mean here. I like more mellow and inviting. I tend to like sax that is not piercing , but more intimate.

Can you share 5 recordings for me to start with?

I recommend (and I think Charles in his abundant wisdom would agree) one or more adult beverages as a prelude to any listening session. It loosens the sphincter tone and dulls those pointy saxophone notes.

agear September 19, 2014 22:29

Charles,

I ask a favor of you. I would like to listen to more jazz and want your guidance. I like jazz, but not the volatile nervous style. I hope you know what I mean here. I like more mellow and inviting. I tend to like sax that is not piercing , but more intimate.

Can you share 5 recordings for me to start with?

grannyring September 19, 2014 21:57