I wanted to play a little bit with tubes so searching over the internet I found a configuration to try on my CAV 50: 2xKT77 JJ + 2xKT77 Genalex for final, 2x6SN7GTB TUNG-SOL + 2xECC83 Genalex for pre.
Till now I'm not satisfied of the result, it's like the sound lost its soul with respect to my former configuration.
I've some questions that perhaps you may answer:
1 - does the position of the KT77 matter? I have the JJ in positions 7 and 8 and Genalex in positions 5 and 6, should I expect a difference exchanging each other?
2 - I read about a breaking in period for tubes? How should I do it?
ML CLX BF-210 Stage X Motion 4. CJ 120SE amp ET7V2 pre, Holo May Kte Dac. Mac Pro. Power Cond. BPT Signature+ 3.5, Gaia II Feet. USB Lush^V3. Nordost SPM IC and Spk. Shun Mook, BCanto CD2 CD3. Linn LP-12/Unitrack tonearm/Denon DL103R MC.
Unfortunate to hear that the current status is disappointing.
1) It can be very hard to predict which tubes "are the best." I find that experimentation is the best approach. This is true for a number of reasons. Each component in the system varies form person to person and your listening environment is also unique. If you have the option to experiment, yes, I think switching the tubes and doing a few days of listening would be the best option. You may find something that you really like.
2) Yes. Tubes need time to break in and may not sound their best (or very good) at first. Recommendations for burn in vary from person to person, but most agree 200 hours is around the minimum, and some say even more (up to 500 hours). I would not judge the final sound if still early on (less than 50 or 100 hours). As to how to do burnin, simple, just play music. Some people who don't want to go through listening for that amount of time will often just put a CD on replay and leave the system on for a week.
-admin Home Theater in Member Gallery Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
admin wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 3:11 pm
Unfortunate to hear that the current status is disappointing.
1) It can be very hard to predict which tubes "are the best." I find that experimentation is the best approach. This is true for a number of reasons. Each component in the system varies form person to person and your listening environment is also unique. If you have the option to experiment, yes, I think switching the tubes and doing a few days of listening would be the best option. You may find something that you really like.
2) Yes. Tubes need time to break in and may not sound their best (or very good) at first. Recommendations for burn in vary from person to person, but most agree 200 hours is around the minimum, and some say even more (up to 500 hours). I would not judge the final sound if still early on (less than 50 or 100 hours). As to how to do burnin, simple, just play music. Some people who don't want to go through listening for that amount of time will often just put a CD on replay and leave the system on for a week.
Thank you, I will have to play then and I will update you
Was there something specific that you were trying to achieve with the raft of substitutions?
People tend to really like the EL34s. As a rule CJ advises that the OEM tube set is likely to be the best sounding. But of course “your ears, your system” is in play.
It’s just stuff. I like mine. I hope you like yours. I probably like yours too.
AnotherJohnson wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 4:20 pm
Was there something specific that you were trying to achieve with the raft of substitutions?
People tend to really like the EL34s. As a rule CJ advises that the OEM tube set is likely to be the best sounding. But of course “your ears, your system” is in play.
I didn't have any expectation doing the change, just wanted to try what could be the difference.
I tried to contact CJ to get OEM tubes but they don't answer me, thus I tired the configuration suggested by some users on other forums.
I don’t think that a used CAV 50 will take hundreds of hours to break in. I think that the unit itself is probably well broken in and the issue is how long to wait before judging the tubes. My experiences is that tubes settle into something very close to what they’re going to be within a few days.
If you don’t like what you’re hearing, it could be the tubes. But it could also be that you’re not enamored with the CAV 50.
There are several more recent Control Amp models. People chase the CAV 45 v2. But not the others.
Of course it could also be the speaker wires. I know I suggested them as a modestly priced alternative. Or even the match between the CAV and the speakers themselves.
It is hard to chase these things down without listening.
And, of course, your ears are the ultimate judge.
It’s just stuff. I like mine. I hope you like yours. I probably like yours too.
I got these from my CJ tech a week ago, for my preamp (CT5) and they're mighty fine! At first though it sounded soft..., bit flat although it had all the great features of imaging, detail and soundstage depth, so no issues there. After about 30mins things began to open up and then after about 3 - 4hrs the quality standards really took flight! It's pretty much the same tube construction as the Sovteks, and made at the same factory.
I guess the gold pins added a more secure connection, as you can certainly feel the tightness when installing the tubes. Whether these EH 6N30P gold pins are superior to the standard 6N30P Sovteks, I really can't say. Both are fabulous and do take a few hours to settle in properly.
Tonight I was listening as well for several hours and now it performs even better than the initial hours. According to Kevin Deal, and other tube specialists, tubes require their own burn-in process... a few hours the most and they should settle in nicely. After several days the sound must be effortlessly reproduced with great texture and layering, it should not sound forced or anything. Also highly dependent on amplifier to speaker matching... but you get my point.
So do allow for new tubes to settle in, and after that you can determine which type of sound you prefer. Hope all goes well with the CAV50. Btw, it's a wonderful amplifier!
