audiodon
Addicted Member
jailtime,
The 800-C and 500-C are mining the same territory. I did that and am slowly fixing and selling off my spare 500-C collection. I also have two 500-Bs in bomber condition to build into one. One had transformers stripped out and the front panel and knobs sold off and the other sat in a wet basement for years.
That being said, I went sideways in Fishers and I recommend it. I've grown really fond of the 400, which is a great piece, but you've got to roll tubes in it to make it sing. Stock tubes make it sound lifeless. I've also gone integrated with an X-100-3, which is a 7189 output amp with outstanding microdetail, and an X-200, which uses 7591s like a 500-C. They're all good. I haven't gone 6V6, EL34, or KT66 output tube yet, but I have heard some 300-B SET amps that weren't bad, even though they could heat the room.
The 800-C and 500-C are mining the same territory. I did that and am slowly fixing and selling off my spare 500-C collection. I also have two 500-Bs in bomber condition to build into one. One had transformers stripped out and the front panel and knobs sold off and the other sat in a wet basement for years.
That being said, I went sideways in Fishers and I recommend it. I've grown really fond of the 400, which is a great piece, but you've got to roll tubes in it to make it sing. Stock tubes make it sound lifeless. I've also gone integrated with an X-100-3, which is a 7189 output amp with outstanding microdetail, and an X-200, which uses 7591s like a 500-C. They're all good. I haven't gone 6V6, EL34, or KT66 output tube yet, but I have heard some 300-B SET amps that weren't bad, even though they could heat the room.