Man, I've often wondered what had happened to you,  it's as if you totally vanished one day 😁😁. I hope you are doing well.  Last time we talked I was using the Shuguang Black Treasure tubes and enjoying themselves. I still consider them very good 300b tubes.  Better yet IMO are Takatsuki  (very expensive Japanese tube) and the EML XLS  (experience (European tube). Both are superb in the Frankenstein amplifier.  In the past couple of years I've settled on the EML XLS.  It is exceptionally rugged,  reliable and really mates well with the Frankenstein.  The Takatsuki is a superb choice by any standard and certainly some would prefer it to the EML. 

Bottom line is that you can't possibly go wrong with either,  the EML XLS is less expensive and for me pushes all the right buttons in my system. I also tried the German Elrog 300b, again expensive with superb sound quality but proved to be unreliable with the Frankenstein circuit 😣. The EML is a workhorse type of tube that possess wonderful sound.  Field reports say that it has a life expectancy of 40,000 hours due to the heavy duty construction. 

Tony,  the Coincident Statement Line Stage is honestly fantastic and obviously a natural match with the Frankenstein.  I have not heard the EAR preamplifier but it has earned much praise over the years.  I don’t like to say that "this blows that away " just too many factors and personal preferences to talk in that manner. The CSL is utterly pure and natural sounding and exceptionally open,  dynamic and transparent  (just like the Frankenstein). Tony it's so good to hear from you. 

Charles 

I just saw your post today! Sorry about that. With the changes to the audiogon virtual systems section I find it more difficult to know when I receive new comments/postings. Based on Equi- Tech's reputation I'd feel very comfortable with them  for sure.  Balanced AC power is terrific IMO foraudio systems. 

Charles 

Been a loooong time. Moved a couple times, getting settled again finally.

Wanted to ask- how do you like the Coincident Linestage pre? I still have the EAR 868....Israel told me there is "no comparison." Which is what I expected him to say...both are solid preamps.

Also, I see you went with new power tubes on the Franks. May I ask why, and what have you experienced with the switch?

Regards,

AFC

I have a question, not related to your system, a balanced power question.

I haven't been able to pick up another BPT 3.5 and would like to run my Mcintosh MC60s off  balanced power. I have located an EQUI=TECH ET2R, puts out 20 amps. Do you think this would be more than ample for the amps?

Thanks in advance.

BTW very nice system. When I can find the funds I plan to go the SET route.

Sorry but I didn't see your post until this morning  (I don't like the new format for virtual systems ). No I didn't have the red tube plate issue you describe. I did develop a cold solder joint that had to be corrected. Joe you can post on my system page regarding any topic at any time. I just wish we could have notification of new postings on our system pages. 

Charles, 

They measured 1.3k with my meter and they are 25watts. The joints look good, could it be that the auto-bias could go out of range with the higher value resistor?

I don't want to high jack Charles site. Can you give me a call or text me?

Thanks,

Joe

Maybe you could help me out. I changed the cathode resistor to a 1.2k. Before I tried my better tubes I put in the original chinese tubes. Once I powered up the amps I noticed the plates of the tubes to glow reddish, but sounded fine. I played music for about 4 hours with no trouble. I had no smoke coming from the amps, thank god.

Do you remember if that was normal with those tubes. Also did you get a smell like new components breaking in from the new resistor?

Any help would be great.

Best,

Joe

Yes I own this recording and it is an excellent recommendationfor fans of Gerry Mulligan(and Art Farmer ).

Charles, 

Charles, I am sure you have this but for others, this is worth owning:

It's very nice to hear from you and I'm happy to know that you found such a good speaker match for your terrific SET  amplifier. 

Hi Scott, 

You have the newer versions of the Coincident components which use different fuses than mine which were purchased new in 2009. In my older units  The Frankenstein mono block and the CSL use a single 3 amp 250 volt slo blo small size fuse. 

Charles, 

I have read many of your posts. Big thanks for all of your contributions. I am now the proud owner of both Coincident Franks and Linestage. I would like to get some of the Black fuses for both. I was hoping you could help with which size fuese I should go with? Here is what the fuses say:

* Coincident Frankenstien mono-block amps, which use 2 fuses: T1.6AL 250V[S] and T500mAL 250V [S] 

Are these the same as what you have in your units and if so, which Black fuse sizes did you go with?

Thanks,

Scott

Long time since I've posted in your thread. The Spatial M4's continue to sing with the Audio Note Kits "Kit 1" 300B SET amp. What a great (and cost effective) match for single-ended amplification. Highly recommended!

Here's my review if you haven't seen it:

Best regards!

Positively, the most dramatic upgrade to my system, besides the 300b amps, has been the removal of my power regenerator. And, this upgrade cost me nothing.

Once, I pulled out the regenerator, and plugged my amps directly into the outlet my system came alive.

Another, interesting tweak to the amps, was adding the odd and minimalist Shun Mook power cords. I must admit, I was laughing inside when I first held these in my hands. These cords opened up the sound of my system and added dimensional layers to the depth of my soundstage. When compared to Telwire HC Cords, the Telwires did add more body, so I did get some bass improvement. I could live with either of these cords, but the Shun Mooks just made the music sound a bit more real, so I'm still looking for bass improvement suggestions.

I suspected that the TW 300b is a really top tier SET amplifier , no doubt that it sounds wonderful. 

Charles, 

If you check out my system pictures, you can see how my speakers are set up. I'm losing some bass energy. Otherwise, l love the sound that's now more detailed, and the system throws a much bigger soundstage that's convincing. I can finally say, that my system has arrived and exceeded, in part, my expectations from when I got on this new road in 2009! Joyful and satisfying, and it's the room that has changed the character and presentation.

Some time back, I was trying to give Dev, an accurate review of the 300b amps, and he was particularly interested in the bass. Where I am now, I have excellent, but reduced energy in this respect as described. However, recently a buddy of mine purchased the TW 300bs, plus we have similar systems, so he's the one who lent me the Tron Ultimate line stage. He has worked and reworked his room, and now it's alive with energy. The bass is startling and perfectly natural, and in my situation, to die for. If, I could get that, except for some tweaking, and perhaps a new line stage, l'd been done.

By the way,  how are your Raven 300b SETs matching up with the Hornings? 

Charles, 

You have the highly regarded Horning speakers,  I am certain you'll find a way to get them to work in your room. You've really put together an exceptional system. 

Charles, 

Yes, I had to search out your system to post my question. So, they made this quite inconvenient IMO.

I am a great fan of Tron, so that hasn't changed. The price of the Ultimate will keep it at bay for quite some time, so I'm reaching out. Additionally, I moved into a new home and I now have a corner problem with my speakers causing some fill-in loss and less bass energy. I'm starting to look at subs or other solutions, so that just adds to cost.

Kenny

You've so right!  I wish the system threads had been kept as part of the recent activity section. I had no idea that people are posting on my system page. I wish that there was a notification aspect regarding postings. 

Charles, 

Kenny, I believe that your Tron Phono stage would be a terrific match with the CSL. I can't imagine why it wouldn't work. 

Jond, thanks for the recording recommendation, I'll seek it out. 

2ndliner (Michael), thanks for your kind comments. I have not viewed this thread in about 3 months, sorry I didn't see your post sooner. I can call you tomorrow if you're still interested. 

Charles,