Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
Thanks man, that's nice of you to say.
I'm back!!! And back to basics for the moment. (lots of pictures)
- Thread starter Mr. Lin
- Start date
Thanks man, that's nice of you to say.
Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
Tube time:
I sense I'm pushing my luck with my lady now so I'm only going to do part of this right now. I took a lot of pictures of tubes tonight, some of which I haven't used in a long time, but will soon. They're worth showing IMO, and I'm really happy with the way most of the pictures came out.
First, before I forget, if you've been patient and resilient enough to actually read everything I put up last night, I applaud you - and you'll recall I posted a picture of the NOS Philips Holland 12AX7. I mentioned that this tube has a "dimple pan getter." I'm sure those AKer's who are really into tubes have seen this on something at some point, but it's the only time I've encountered it, and I think it looks interesting. I have no idea why they chose this type of getter for this particular tube. If you're wondering what that stuff on the pins is, btw, it's Mapleshade Audio "Silclear" contact enhancer, which I bought for something else, and now usually apply to tube pins after they've been clean with Deoxit. The following picture is the best I could do - for those who are tube illiterate, the getter is the metal thing at the "top" of the tube (at the end with the pointy thing, not the end with the pins):
Here's a quick look at both Tube Cubes side by side, lonely Naim CD player seen in background... :sigh:
And now for something really sweet. :drool: Tonight I removed the Philips tubes and replaced them with these NOS Tungsram (Hungarian brand) 12AX7's, which are from Upscale Audio, and for which I payed a Hefty Price. But Kevin swore these were cream of the crop among the ones he'd found, and I trust him. Funny thing is, I don't recall this tube having much of a character when I used it in the 200C years ago. Not that that's a bad thing, it was just neutral, and not dramatically different from any other good tube.
For whatever reason, the results were different tonight. Maybe it's because I'm listening with headphones? Maybe my hearing is in fact getting better with age like a fine wine, some kind of miracle!
Ok that's nonsense, but tonight the sonic result was: a zippier, tighter sound, with more "slam," and they're also apparently a little quieter than the Philips - at least that's the only conclusion I can come to since it seems like I can hear deeper into the recording, if said recording is good to begin with. Here they are:
Alright, I hope that's entertainment enough for one night. I'll be back tomorrow, presumably.
...
I sense I'm pushing my luck with my lady now so I'm only going to do part of this right now. I took a lot of pictures of tubes tonight, some of which I haven't used in a long time, but will soon. They're worth showing IMO, and I'm really happy with the way most of the pictures came out.
First, before I forget, if you've been patient and resilient enough to actually read everything I put up last night, I applaud you - and you'll recall I posted a picture of the NOS Philips Holland 12AX7. I mentioned that this tube has a "dimple pan getter." I'm sure those AKer's who are really into tubes have seen this on something at some point, but it's the only time I've encountered it, and I think it looks interesting. I have no idea why they chose this type of getter for this particular tube. If you're wondering what that stuff on the pins is, btw, it's Mapleshade Audio "Silclear" contact enhancer, which I bought for something else, and now usually apply to tube pins after they've been clean with Deoxit. The following picture is the best I could do - for those who are tube illiterate, the getter is the metal thing at the "top" of the tube (at the end with the pointy thing, not the end with the pins):
Here's a quick look at both Tube Cubes side by side, lonely Naim CD player seen in background... :sigh:
And now for something really sweet. :drool: Tonight I removed the Philips tubes and replaced them with these NOS Tungsram (Hungarian brand) 12AX7's, which are from Upscale Audio, and for which I payed a Hefty Price. But Kevin swore these were cream of the crop among the ones he'd found, and I trust him. Funny thing is, I don't recall this tube having much of a character when I used it in the 200C years ago. Not that that's a bad thing, it was just neutral, and not dramatically different from any other good tube.
For whatever reason, the results were different tonight. Maybe it's because I'm listening with headphones? Maybe my hearing is in fact getting better with age like a fine wine, some kind of miracle!
Ok that's nonsense, but tonight the sonic result was: a zippier, tighter sound, with more "slam," and they're also apparently a little quieter than the Philips - at least that's the only conclusion I can come to since it seems like I can hear deeper into the recording, if said recording is good to begin with. Here they are:
Alright, I hope that's entertainment enough for one night. I'll be back tomorrow, presumably.
...
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Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
I had wondered where you were.
Thanks for the welcome, and yes you will hear more from me. I plan to start two other threads tonight on slightly different topics, and probably put up more pictures of tubes here as well. Hope you'll stick around for the show Dave.
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Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
What's on tonight?
I know this Talking Heads album comes up often in the music forum as a favorite:
Then another classic: Psychedelic Furs self-titled album. However, tonight I was just in the mood to hear "Imitation of Christ" and a few songs after that:
Fans of Cocteau Twins have probably at least heard of Lowlife, which features an ex-member of the former band. This is my only lp by them, and served as my introduction to them. I like it a lot, it's sort of like a darker version of New Order:
Next one of the somewhat earlier albums (mid-80s I think) by a band I love that almost no one's heard of, And Also The Trees. They're still together, making their best albums yet. If you like The Cure, or any kind of "darkwave" type music, you'll probably like them. Only their first, self-titled album leaves something to be desired IMO:
Then we have The Sea and Cake's album of a couple years ago: Car Alarm, with it's, uhhhh, unusual cover. :scratch2: They have a lot of good albums, this is one of my favorites, and it's a pretty decent recording on top of that. Here the band has dropped much of the keyboard/synthesizer aspects of their signature sound, but maintains influences by such genres as Caribbean, for example. In all, a solid indie album:
Last for the moment is a 45rpm reissue of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers Caravan. Wonderful packaging, quiet vinyl, and good sound do this classic adequate justice. Unfortunately my picture does not - I'm not sure what happened there:
...
I know this Talking Heads album comes up often in the music forum as a favorite:
Then another classic: Psychedelic Furs self-titled album. However, tonight I was just in the mood to hear "Imitation of Christ" and a few songs after that:
Fans of Cocteau Twins have probably at least heard of Lowlife, which features an ex-member of the former band. This is my only lp by them, and served as my introduction to them. I like it a lot, it's sort of like a darker version of New Order:
Next one of the somewhat earlier albums (mid-80s I think) by a band I love that almost no one's heard of, And Also The Trees. They're still together, making their best albums yet. If you like The Cure, or any kind of "darkwave" type music, you'll probably like them. Only their first, self-titled album leaves something to be desired IMO:
Then we have The Sea and Cake's album of a couple years ago: Car Alarm, with it's, uhhhh, unusual cover. :scratch2: They have a lot of good albums, this is one of my favorites, and it's a pretty decent recording on top of that. Here the band has dropped much of the keyboard/synthesizer aspects of their signature sound, but maintains influences by such genres as Caribbean, for example. In all, a solid indie album:
Last for the moment is a 45rpm reissue of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers Caravan. Wonderful packaging, quiet vinyl, and good sound do this classic adequate justice. Unfortunately my picture does not - I'm not sure what happened there:
...
Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
Original/vintage pressing?
Lin.Since you have a penchant for the obscure;Taste this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEWQd1jX4Sk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEWQd1jX4Sk
Scuzzer
Fixed Bias
Hold on let me check. Nope, it's an OJC reissue.
Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
Thanks, I'll check it out in a moment, I have to get different headphones to hook up to the laptop.
I see - I'm assuming earlier issues of this recording sounded good too? Although I will note that with my 45rpm version, while the sound is good, is not "holy crap!" good, like that Jung Trio Dvorak record I posted earlier in this thread.
I'm going to put up a picture of something I bet you'll like shortly, or at least find amusing, Scuzzer, I'm listening to it right now...
Scuzzer
Fixed Bias
Mine sounds fine in that old jazz sort of way. Without anything to compare it to I don't know if fine is OK, good or sorta bad. It's not an audiophile masterpiece though, more of a fine document of the music.
It's a bummer that the 45rpm isn't "holy crap" good. I've not dipped my toe in that water but I hope when I do it's worth the cost. I can buy these older reissues for around $5-$8 so it's a cheap way to hear the music.
Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
I usually do the same thing - and right now I don't even have a choice. But a couple years ago I bought a bunch of them. I can tell you that some of them (most actually) are "holy crap" good. One of my favorites is Bill Evans How My Heart Sings. Great album, amazing sound, and I've used it as a "demo" album for family members before, one of whom complained "There's no enough bass."
That was with a pair of full-range speakers.I'll tell you what, if you ever decide you're probably going to buy one, if you're looking at one in particular feel free to ask if I have it, and my opinion on the sound quality.
I know a lot of people around here eschew CDs in general, but those newish Blue Note reissues on XRCD are awesome, period. I just wish they'd release something without a prominent saxophone, as that's not my favorite instrument, especially when it's too loud in the mix.
Scuzzer
Fixed Bias
I like good music in whichever form it's delivered in. These days I tend to spend my meager music dollars on records simply because there are so many of them that I need to hear and I'm having so much fun playing them.
Earlier today my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas, perhaps I should let her buy me nice audiophile Mingus release. Do they have Black Saint on 45rpm? If so, have you heard it?
edit: OK a quick search shows that it's coming out in a couple of weeks. Fifty bucks can buy a whole bunch of used records though.:scratch2:
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Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
Yeah I know. It comes down to how much you like the album when money's tight, and/or you're just not sure if it's worth it. You saw the "Black Saint..." I posted earlier in the thread? That's the reissue from about a year and half ago. That one sounds very good, so I can't imagine how the 45rpm version wouldn't sound even better.
Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
Getting out of hand...
I guess Herbie Hancock has a LOT of albums, because almost every time I go to a record store I see something else by him that I didn't know about before.
This was one of those albums. The cover and title were laughter inducing, and it was sealed, and it was only $5. I really like when I find desirable old records that are still sealed. Gives me a fighting chance.
I have a feeling fans of Herbie don't consider this is best work. It sounds a little dated, some of it borders on cheezy, but despite these minor slip-ups I enjoy it every time I listen to it. The recording is decent, if not particularly natural-sounding. However, it was good enough for me to notice that the Grado Silver's presentation simply pales in comparison to what I heard with the Glider and Yatra - those are clear aural memories. Yes:
...
I guess Herbie Hancock has a LOT of albums, because almost every time I go to a record store I see something else by him that I didn't know about before.
This was one of those albums. The cover and title were laughter inducing, and it was sealed, and it was only $5. I really like when I find desirable old records that are still sealed. Gives me a fighting chance.
I have a feeling fans of Herbie don't consider this is best work.
It sounds a little dated, some of it borders on cheezy, but despite these minor slip-ups I enjoy it every time I listen to it. The recording is decent, if not particularly natural-sounding. However, it was good enough for me to notice that the Grado Silver's presentation simply pales in comparison to what I heard with the Glider and Yatra - those are clear aural memories. Yes:
...
Scuzzer
Fixed Bias
But I've got to try at least one 45 rpm audiophile release so I can complain about what a ripoff ALL audiophile records are and how they don't make them like they did when I was a kid.
It's a joke, see I put the smiley in. I would imagine the reissues can only be as good as the condition of the master tape. I would also imagine that a nice recording could possibly be nicer at 45 rpm than 33. Somebody should start a boutique label and re-release all the Blue Note stuff at 78rpm using a proprietary size stylus like a 1.75 mil Shibata. I wonder what the theoretical best sounding speed for a vinyl record is?
It's a joke, see I put the smiley in. I would imagine the reissues can only be as good as the condition of the master tape. I would also imagine that a nice recording could possibly be nicer at 45 rpm than 33. Somebody should start a boutique label and re-release all the Blue Note stuff at 78rpm using a proprietary size stylus like a 1.75 mil Shibata. I wonder what the theoretical best sounding speed for a vinyl record is?
Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
Let us once again gaze upon...
Tubes.
Tonight I pulled the Siemens Roehre 12AU7 tubes out of the 200C and replaced them with the Radiotechnique tubes pictured below. If you've been paying close attention, you'll recall I already showed a picture of La Radiotechnique tubes, albeit in different boxes. These are different, the internal structure isn't the same.
What is the same is that they were intended for French military Signal Corps use, but they're older than the others I showed, vintage 1960s. I don't hear much of a "sound" at all with these tubes: they pretty much don't intrude on anything, although going from the Siemens to these I noticed the midrange thinned out a little. There's a subliminal message in the second picture
:
For good measure, here is a picture of the 6X4 rectifier tube discussed last night.
That's all for now, see you tomorrow.
...
Tubes.
Tonight I pulled the Siemens Roehre 12AU7 tubes out of the 200C and replaced them with the Radiotechnique tubes pictured below. If you've been paying close attention, you'll recall I already showed a picture of La Radiotechnique tubes, albeit in different boxes. These are different, the internal structure isn't the same.
What is the same is that they were intended for French military Signal Corps use, but they're older than the others I showed, vintage 1960s. I don't hear much of a "sound" at all with these tubes: they pretty much don't intrude on anything, although going from the Siemens to these I noticed the midrange thinned out a little. There's a subliminal message in the second picture
:
For good measure, here is a picture of the 6X4 rectifier tube discussed last night.
That's all for now, see you tomorrow.
...
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Mr. Lin
Lunatic Member
I don't have either of those, but I'll keep an eye out from now on.
As for the audiophile/record speed thing - I'm sure these 45rpm reissues mostly sound so damn good because they are made from the master tapes, rather than another copy. But as to the other issues you brought up Scuzzer, I simply have no idea what the answer is.