6112 tubes

[stone]

Are there smoother sounding alternatives for the 6112 tubes in the X-10 V3? Has anyone experimented with this?

regards Johan

[Sol]

By smoother what do you mean exactly? The stock tubes are hard wired in .. so rolling isn't simple and would require desoldering etc ... and besides, the buffer gives source and amplification and easy time, so characteristics in sound are more likely to come from these ... and harshness may be better sorted there first!

[stone]

By smoother I mean more warmth.

[PinkFloyd]

The 6112 are very good valves, Sol is correct in what he says.... maybe look at your source if you want a bit more warmth.... no point "adding" warmth with a line buffer...... you could recap the V3 with decent quality, low impedance capacitors and "up" the output coupling caps from 100uF to non polar Nichicon MUSE 1000uF types.... this certainly does "smooth" the presentation quite nicely.... those Jamicons are horrible sounding items.

[XTRProf]

Jun 16, 2010 13:17:54 GMT stone said:

Are there smoother sounding alternatives for the 6112 tubes in the X-10 V3? Has anyone experimented with this?

regards Johan

These are supposed to be mil std tubes and so already very good. I don't think there is an alternative except to experiment between brands. But then you have to fix sockets for the tubes for the experiment. Btw, tube buffer is supposed to add more warm to the sound. You mean you are not getting the warmth from this tube buffer?

[stone]

I think that it adds more transparency, particularly. That's oke but I would like more 'analogue/warm' tubesound too.

(my set: MF X-pre V3,two X-P200, X-DAC V3, X-10 V3, X-PSU V3, Sony CDP XB 930 and Magnepan 1.6)

[stone]

But I will think about the things you said. Thanks!

[XTRProf]

Jun 17, 2010 8:19:22 GMT stone said:

(my set: MF X-pre V3,two X-P200, X-DAC V3, X-10 V3, X-PSU V3, Sony CDP XB 930 and Magnepan 1.6)

From what I see in your system, the X-Dac V3 and Magnepan 1.6 hybrid quasi-ribbon speakers are not at fault. The X-Dac V3 uses BB chip which is well known for their warmer sound. Also, the higher range Magnepan are quite neutral sounding except that it lacks the wack of the dynamic drivers when it comes to dynamics. Since you are using 2 MF X-P200 to drive it, giving a combined total wattage of 250 W (8 ohms) in a biamp fashion, you have already met the Magnepan requirement and ie they need at least a big 200 W amp and above to make them come alive. In fact, you are getting even higher wattage as the Magnepan 1.6 are definitely less than 8 ohms. I had been there before since I had owned a MG 3, many Saturns ago, in a biamp fashion. If you want more warmth of the tubes, when the tube buffer doesn't meet your requirement, then the only way to go is to have a high power tube or hyrbrid tube amp. I will go for the latter as power tubes can be very expensive to replace. I advice you start with the pre first before going to the power amp to see whether the tube pre already meets your requirement.

If you can diy, increase the e-capacitance of the power supply, within the transformer VA capability, and you will have better dynamics and more warmth as well. Use Elna Cerafine instead of Blackgates for better warm and wholeness. I guess only these 2 highend brands have the bigger value e-caps. Midend Sanyo Oscon may not have the higher values.

Hopes this helps.

[stone]

Thank you. I placed the X-10 V3 between the pre and power amps and connected it with Belden interlinks. This is the sound I was looking for.