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Audio Research

sirianni

sirianni

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I have an Audio Research SP-9MKIII Preamp, Is there a tube that is considered the best match for this Preamp. I have two sets of tubes that I have been using, they are Electro Harmonix 6922 EH 0608 and a set of Telefunken PCC88 68/48.
Any suggestions on something better.

Thanks

Gary
 
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sirianni said:
I have an Audio Research SP-9MKIII Preamp, Is there a tube that is considered the best match for this Preamp. I have two sets of tubes that I have been using, they are Electro Harmonix 6922 EH 0608 and a set of Telefunken PCC88 68/48.
Any suggestions on something better.

Thanks

Gary
Click to expand...

pcc88 will be underpowered, they need 7.6V for filament.

i'd suggest JJ E88CC as the best tube for your SP-9
 
I've tried rolling several tubes through my SP9 II, and it just doesn't seem to make much difference. I'm not a tube geek who dreams at night about finding a magic tube anyway, but frankly, the SP9 just doesn't seem to show much if any differences between good working tubes IME. I can hear tube changes in most full tube amps & preamps, but the SP9 is basically a SS preamp, with a tube "buffer" stage AFAIK, so I guess it just doesn't matter as much. Not even sure what I currently have in there.
 
In a unity-gain buffer stage it's probably going to be hard to hear a difference- not saying it can't be done...
 
botrytis said:
So maybe with a full ARC tube pre one would hear a difference. Is that what you are saying?
Click to expand...

Yes, I suspect so. I've never used a full tubed ARC preamp, so I can't be sure, but I've noticed slight changes when rolling tubes in Conrad Johnson, QuickSilver, and others.

I stress, SLIGHT changes, because I've never heard the sort of revelatory shifts in performance that some folks have claimed, in ANY tube equipment, just swapping brands of the same tube type.
 
I've gone through almost every tube out there and the quietest and the nicest sounding tube that I've found bar none.Is an NOS 7308 Mullard.
The bass improvement was shocking and the soundstage was the blackest I've ever heard,well worth the money..!!
Brent Jesse Recording & supply is where I get mine..
 
sirianni said:
Any suggestions on something better.
Click to expand...
While the Electro Harmonix is the factory choice, I prefer Amperex 7308s. The EHs are quiet and reliable, but I find them lean tonally.

The Telefunken (as mentioned earlier) as a 7DJ8 isn't really designed for the circuit. They are nice but you really need a 6922/7308 equivalent.
 
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