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Post by brubacca on Dec 11, 2016 6:57:27 GMT -5
Wait until the next thread where people argue against tubes saying they don't measure well or you are listening to distortion. You will most likely have the same reaction I do. "Yes, yes I am and I am loving it"
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Post by vcautokid on Dec 11, 2016 7:14:09 GMT -5
Yes they don't measure well. But like a great drink that is bad for you. Is a poison, and can kill you if you go far enough. We do it anyway. And guess What? We are going to keep on doing it. Drinking, and tubes. Or tubes by themselves too. Isn't choice great?
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Post by Jim on Dec 11, 2016 8:15:45 GMT -5
Yes they don't measure well. But like a great drink that is bad for you. Is a poison, and can kill you if you go far enough. We do it anyway. And guess What? We are going to keep on doing it. Drinking, and tubes. Or tubes by themselves too. Isn't choice great? Lol. But if you drink enough water...it can kill you too.
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Post by audiobill on Dec 11, 2016 8:39:24 GMT -5
Wait until the next thread where people argue against tubes saying they don't measure well or you are listening to distortion. You will most likely have the same reaction I do. "Yes, yes I am and I am loving it" Some listen with their ears, others by their eyes looking at specs and graphs.......
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 11, 2016 10:07:59 GMT -5
^^^ Now THAT's a true statement, audiobill, AND a profound one...
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Post by Jim on Dec 11, 2016 11:14:20 GMT -5
^^^ Now THAT's a true statement, audiobill, AND a profound one... Not really profound...it's pretty much stated in the lounge on a quarterly basis.
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Post by vcautokid on Dec 11, 2016 11:33:55 GMT -5
Yes they don't measure well. But like a great drink that is bad for you. Is a poison, and can kill you if you go far enough. We do it anyway. And guess What? We are going to keep on doing it. Drinking, and tubes. Or tubes by themselves too. Isn't choice great? Lol. But if you drink enough water...it can kill you too. Well, it is all about moderation. Anything too much of is not a good thing.
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Post by pedrocols on Dec 11, 2016 11:35:26 GMT -5
If you let it warm up, say, for a year straight - how does it sound? Does it sound warmer? Or smoother? Or? Mine had been warming up for two years and well yes they sound as warmer and as smoother than any other....
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Post by vcautokid on Dec 11, 2016 11:39:06 GMT -5
I say stop measuring, start listening with your favorite drink, and enjoy your Sunday.
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Post by Jim on Dec 11, 2016 12:38:22 GMT -5
Is that still the official Vince recommendation - even for early morning? Mmmm. Booze and breakfast.
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Post by mountain on Dec 11, 2016 12:47:13 GMT -5
Beer, it's not just for breakfast anymore!
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Post by Casey Leedom on Dec 11, 2016 12:56:00 GMT -5
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Post by audiobill on Dec 11, 2016 13:21:48 GMT -5
Trust me, "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing"....accept no substitutes.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Dec 11, 2016 13:42:55 GMT -5
Back for more listening now...going to listen to the EL34's then let it cool and try out the KT-88's. Might as well since I have them!
Mark
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Post by brubacca on Dec 11, 2016 14:00:27 GMT -5
Back for more listening now...going to listen to the EL34's then let it cool and try out the KT-88's. Might as well since I have them! Mark Yes please. We would love to hear the difference.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Dec 11, 2016 15:14:05 GMT -5
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Dec 11, 2016 16:51:03 GMT -5
So, here's my take on the KT-88 vs. the EL34 vs. the Hypex nCores. Each sound different, and I really like each. I lean to liking the PL Tube amp overall vs. the nCores, but on some music - I prefer the nCores. For example, on ZZ Top, I like the nCores best - more power to handle the dynamics and volume I tend to like with that music. On music for which the volume preference is lower, the tube amp has plenty of power to handle the dynamics recorded.
Regarding the KT-88's vs. the EL34's, the results are as night and day different as I've heard. A friend (who has a Unison Research S6) likes the EL34's best across the board and feels the KT-88's are too "plush" for him. He's German and often uses different words to say what I would say, but I agree overall. I find the KT-88's very rich in the bass and airy on the treble relative to the EL34's. In my system, I found the KT-88's really added to my Maggie's bass and took advantage of the planar design for the upper end. He has Sonus Faber Cremona's, and with the EL34's - he have plenty of bass. I have not heard his with KT-88's, so hearing what I heard with my Maggies - I can only guess that his bass got too rich/plush with the KT-88's.
Even my preference on my system comes down to which music I am listening to. I like the 88's more on most stuff, but the 34's on others.
Net, I'd have to say that as far as KT-88's vs. EL34's...it may come down to one's speakers and musical tastes as to which sounds best to you.
Overall, I've come to the conclusion that I really want to keep the Prima Luna. The dealer is checking into the warranty situation. At last check on Saturday, their rep from Prima Luna thought there would be no warranty given it is an older version they have had well past the normal warranty, but that person was checking with someone else at the company to see what could be done. Frankly, I'd like at least some "protection", even if it's just the dealer handling anything that comes up (other than abuse) for at least 60-90 days...just to cover my @$$. If they would not agree to that, then letting me have the spare set of tubes or something would be OK with me. It's been in operation as a demo for long enough that I know basic MFG defects are out of the question. Now, it's into useful life scenario - so I am not too worried about it.
Net, it looks like I'll be worrying about building a speaker switch box and figuring out wiring to use with the XMC and Hypex both in the mix. I have it sorted in my head, but I need to lay out details and order some parts.
Mark
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Post by audiobill on Dec 11, 2016 17:09:43 GMT -5
Good report, Mark- now enjoy this new/old world of sound!!!
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Post by bluemeanies on Dec 11, 2016 17:46:01 GMT -5
My tubes for the Bob Latino m125 mono block My tubes KT88's (4) Driver GE12BH7A Rectifier Mullard GZ33
Sweet surrender. Although I have used only Two KT 88's over the Ast 3 months I have experimenting with four...I must say there is a nominal difference with power but I like the rich glow of ambler.
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Post by kauai82 on Dec 11, 2016 19:02:25 GMT -5
So, here's my take on the KT-88 vs. the EL34 vs. the Hypex nCores. Each sound different, and I really like each. I lean to liking the PL Tube amp overall vs. the nCores, but on some music - I prefer the nCores. For example, on ZZ Top, I like the nCores best - more power to handle the dynamics and volume I tend to like with that music. On music for which the volume preference is lower, the tube amp has plenty of power to handle the dynamics recorded. Regarding the KT-88's vs. the EL34's, the results are as night and day different as I've heard. A friend (who has a Unison Research S6) likes the EL34's best across the board and feels the KT-88's are too "plush" for him. He's German and often uses different words to say what I would say, but I agree overall. I find the KT-88's very rich in the bass and airy on the treble relative to the EL34's. In my system, I found the KT-88's really added to my Maggie's bass and took advantage of the planar design for the upper end. He has Sonus Faber Cremona's, and with the EL34's - he have plenty of bass. I have not heard his with KT-88's, so hearing what I heard with my Maggies - I can only guess that his bass got too rich/plush with the KT-88's. Even my preference on my system comes down to which music I am listening to. I like the 88's more on most stuff, but the 34's on others. Net, I'd have to say that as far as KT-88's vs. EL34's...it may come down to one's speakers and musical tastes as to which sounds best to you. Overall, I've come to the conclusion that I really want to keep the Prima Luna. The dealer is checking into the warranty situation. At last check on Saturday, their rep from Prima Luna thought there would be no warranty given it is an older version they have had well past the normal warranty, but that person was checking with someone else at the company to see what could be done. Frankly, I'd like at least some "protection", even if it's just the dealer handling anything that comes up (other than abuse) for at least 60-90 days...just to cover my @$$. If they would not agree to that, then letting me have the spare set of tubes or something would be OK with me. It's been in operation as a demo for long enough that I know basic MFG defects are out of the question. Now, it's into useful life scenario - so I am not too worried about it. Net, it looks like I'll be worrying about building a speaker switch box and figuring out wiring to use with the XMC and Hypex both in the mix. I have it sorted in my head, but I need to lay out details and order some parts. Mark Damn, this forum always costs me money in the long run ! I just found a deal on four KT88's on eBay and after Mark's review I purchased them. I just have to see how they sound with my Primaluna. Will up date here after I test them out. Matt
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