Author Topic: Should I go First Watt?  (Read 13262 times)

Offline Emil

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #15 on: January 15, 2017, 07:44:22 AM »

So I scratched that it.

The M2 is a fine amp but not as musical as my 300B on my horns. I kinda knew that but needed to find that out for myself so back on the market it goes.

Jbitro nailed it. The Pass lacks midrange and texture of the 300B. 



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Offline Emil

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #16 on: January 15, 2017, 08:11:02 AM »
Hi Emil,

I've bought tubes from this place before and they are having a sale today.

http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/300B-Tube-Types

Go for the Genalex - Gold Lion PX-300B

Best of luck.

This seems to be the direction I will most likely go.

Upscale Audio has them for the same priced but cryoed and tested in an actual amp prior to shipping.
Any thoughts on cryoed and dealing with Upscale Audio?
"Today I didn't even have to use my A.K.
I got to say it was a good day"
    --Ice Cube

Offline Emil

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #17 on: January 15, 2017, 08:18:24 AM »
I'm also thinking about bring this amp up the 21st century standards by replacing the captive cord with an IEC connector are hardwiring it with one of Pete's cords. Replacing the RCA input and speaker connector strip with Cardas binding posts would also be a nice touch :thumb:

"Today I didn't even have to use my A.K.
I got to say it was a good day"
    --Ice Cube

Offline Emil

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #18 on: January 15, 2017, 08:20:33 AM »
The rectifiers are GE5AR4 rectifiers and for all I know they may have never been replaced. How long do they usually last? Any recommendations on a replacement?
"Today I didn't even have to use my A.K.
I got to say it was a good day"
    --Ice Cube

Offline Triode Pete

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #19 on: January 15, 2017, 08:46:03 AM »
I'm also thinking about bring this amp up the 21st century standards by replacing the captive cord with an IEC connector are hardwiring it with one of Pete's cords. Replacing the RCA input and speaker connector strip with Cardas binding posts would also be a nice touch :thumb:



Emil - I could help you out with the binding posts since I'm a Cardas & Furutech OEM... let me know...

Pete
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Offline Triode Pete

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #20 on: January 15, 2017, 08:49:14 AM »
The rectifiers are GE5AR4 rectifiers and for all I know they may have never been replaced. How long do they usually last? Any recommendations on a replacement?

GZ34 (5AR4) rectifiers last a long, long time... To my ears the Mullard GZ34 are the best and they made millions for the masses and other companies.

Try to find a "off-brand", such as Sonotone. The printing on the tube will indicate "Made in Gr. Britain" and Mullard was the OEM!

Cheers,
Pete
www.TriodeWireLabs.com
WT Reference/Lyra Titan I
Quadratic Audio MC-1
Custom BorderPatrol preamp with phono & line stage
Innuos Statement Server
BorderPatrol S20 EXD w/EXS PS
Klipschorns - Volti hot-rodded
UberBUSS

Offline sleepyguy24

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #21 on: January 15, 2017, 08:52:35 AM »
I've had great experience with Jim McShane for my tube dealings. He does really thorough real world tests. I like dealing with Jim McShane vs. Upscale Audio. With Upscale my experience there is a bit of ego in dealing with them. Be ready for that. With Jim I didn't have that.

Hi Emil,

I've bought tubes from this place before and they are having a sale today.

http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/300B-Tube-Types

Go for the Genalex - Gold Lion PX-300B

Best of luck.

This seems to be the direction I will most likely go.

Upscale Audio has them for the same priced but cryoed and tested in an actual amp prior to shipping.
Any thoughts on cryoed and dealing with Upscale Audio?

Offline Emil

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #22 on: January 15, 2017, 09:19:12 AM »
I've had great experience with Jim McShane for my tube dealings. He does really thorough real world tests. I like dealing with Jim McShane vs. Upscale Audio. With Upscale my experience there is a bit of ego in dealing with them. Be ready for that. With Jim I didn't have that.

 
That's not the first time I heard that.

Jim McShane it is then


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I got to say it was a good day"
    --Ice Cube

Offline Emil

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #23 on: January 15, 2017, 09:34:24 AM »
Just sold the First Watt M2 for Watt ( pun intended) I paid :thumb:

That was painless
"Today I didn't even have to use my A.K.
I got to say it was a good day"
    --Ice Cube

Offline rpf

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #24 on: January 15, 2017, 09:36:03 AM »
Both Upscale and Jim M. are excellent sources of tubes: with them you know the tubes will be tested and burned in properly. And both will stand behind their products. Jim is often a bit less expensive.

IME, cry'od tubes are more relaxed sounding than ones that aren't. Whether you want that or not is up to you. The Gold Lion KT88s would benefit from that but I don't know about the 300Bs.
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Offline rpf

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #25 on: January 15, 2017, 09:40:15 AM »
The rectifiers are GE5AR4 rectifiers and for all I know they may have never been replaced. How long do they usually last? Any recommendations on a replacement?

IIRC, some GE 5AR4s were made by Mullard. Check the tube, as Pete suggested. If it wasn't a NOS Mullard will be a nice improvement.

Your other thoughts about upgrading the amp will do the same, esp. if you use Cardas un-plated Cu binding posts. And Pete's power cables, of course.  :thumb:
« Last Edit: January 15, 2017, 09:45:16 AM by rpf »
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Offline StereoNut

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #26 on: January 15, 2017, 12:38:34 PM »
Congrats, Mr. Two-calendar!  :lol:

SN
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Offline shadowlight

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #27 on: January 15, 2017, 01:06:42 PM »
Another vote for Jim McShane.  I have also had good dealings with Cryoset,when I got the kt77 tubes for my Response Audio 3205.  The genelax Kt77 needed for high and not knowing that I got low buas tubes , which were replaced without any push back.

Offline Bill O'Connell

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #28 on: January 17, 2017, 11:24:19 AM »
The rectifiers are GE5AR4 rectifiers and for all I know they may have never been replaced. How long do they usually last? Any recommendations on a replacement?

GZ34 (5AR4) rectifiers last a long, long time... To my ears the Mullard GZ34 are the best and they made millions for the masses and other companies

Try to find a "off-brand", such as Sonotone. The printing on the tube will indicate "Made in Gr. Britain" and Mullard was the OEM!

Cheers,
Pete

 Look for Mullard GZ34/5AR4 rectifiers with the  F31B date codes etched in glass, not F32B.
 Fat Base Mullard GZ34 is wonderful, a bit pricey but well worth it.
 The metal base GZ34's are hideously expensive now but have a bit more punch.
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Offline jbtrio

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Re: Should I go First Watt?
« Reply #29 on: January 18, 2017, 04:47:09 AM »
Emil,
Parts Connexion has grade A black treasure 300b on sale for $224.95.
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