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Tube Rolling

I think I like warm generally. If I stick with the MM-6, I will wonder how much better the MP-7 is. It ever ends! I don't know whether my Baldwin tubes in my phono pre are GE's or Sylvanias at this point. Two guys said two different things . I know they sound good. I will probably keep the MM-6 and use it in my secondary sytem. Thanks Flattire !
 
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There's a long thread over on SHF with many who upgraded.
Not a big jump, but still a jump. I put the MP-7 at maybe 95% of my $2200 Tavish and I don't have the one with the newest board. One owner told me a Lehman Decade just edges the MP-7 out. For most that's an endgame phono stage.
The MM-6 btw, gets some trickle down upgrades.
You can always email Keith at Darlington and ask his opinion, especially about matching that SAE.

I ran the MP-7 through my tube pre and it was great!
 
Sounds to me like I should just go MP-7 and roll tubes with my new tube line stage. Everybody has different ears, rooms and gear though.
 
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Keith talked about future hybrid tube products. I'm sure you are aware of the line stage they are going to bring to the public. I don't really understand it though. It sounds like just a really nice volume pot ?
Should I get a sub woofer output on my line stage or is there a better way ?
 
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Well, the green Baldwins are Sylvania 12AX7s. 312 is their code and I bet they have the crinkled plates. They are solid tubes and were getting bid up quite a bit a while ago as they were Eddie Van Halens' fave preamp tubes.
They usually test very strong. Sonically, I never really gave them a hard listen as I was focused on Euro brands and black plate triple mica 5751s.

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The PJL phono pre is going toe to toe with the Darligton labs MM-6. It will take at
least a week to break in according to the site. The PJL only has cheap tubes so far.

Instead of going down the SS road I might just buy some exotic tubes for my phono pre and keep the MM-6 for the living room rig where I have an old grado cart. Flattire, David , any thoughts?
 
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Black plate triple micas. That sounds so hip! Scared to see what they cost. Wanna play, ya gotta pay.
 
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Go with the one you like better.
Rolling tubes, IME, won't give you a massive change, but it can wake up a so-so amp. I would run it stock until you get used to the sound, then roll some tubes to see if it makes a positive difference.
Don't have to go with the NOS; you can roll JJs or Sovteks or EH for now. I think they tend to have more bass.
All depends on what sound you are looking for and how well the PJL responds .
Darlington Labs recommends burn in; I just left it on while I ran it.

If you are running that SAE, perhaps you should wait until the cart is broken in some before you seriously audition the phono stages. Or go back to your old cart and see which one sounds better. The SAE sound may be changing by the hour.
I wouldn't be too hasty about making a decision unless there are glaring differences or you just can't listen to it.
Have fun!
 
The PJL came with Baldwins which Andyman says where Sylvanias and it's been running a year. A little bass shy but quiet and clear. So Flattire, that is good advice because I am after more bass.Like you said, let the SAE settle first and Keith said the MM-6 could take a month of running before it's nice and baked. Well, he doesen't talk like that, just hay seeds like me do.
 
Well Flattire that did it ! You just had to show me that site. I just disregarded everyone's advice and bought the Gold Lions.
I figure the PJL needs good parts to compete with the MM-6.
 
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I got the Gold Lions in my PJL preamp . So far, much better than modern Mullards. Anybody know how long I need to wait for the new Gold Loins to burn in?
 
ive used some JJ 12ax7 (tho i forget which ones) and psvane art series 12ax7 in phono and been very happy. the jj are quite affordable, and a variety of vendors sell em, some doin stricter audio screening than others. i also have had luck with electro harmonic 7025EH.
 
ceylon said:
ive used some JJ 12ax7 (tho i forget which ones) and psvane art series 12ax7 in phono and been very happy. the jj are quite affordable, and a variety of vendors sell em, some doin stricter audio screening than others. i also have had luck with electro harmonic 7025EH.
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Upscale Audio? Do you let your preamp sit, turned on with no record playing to burn in tubes?
 
theflattire said:
THe MP-7 is now my back up. I'm running the Modwright PH9.0 now. I was running a Tavish Adagio which was a pure tube phono stage.
You will like the MM-6! The MP-7 is a real giant killer; almost as good as the Adagio!
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u sell that tavish? seems the modwright is the choice for next step up.
 
Morgan D said:
Upscale Audio? Do you let your preamp sit, turned on with no record playing to burn in tubes?
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no, havent bought from upscale. ive brought new production from jim mcshane, eurotubes and 1 or 2 other sellers.

bought NOS/used/ANOS from AKers, mcshane, andy/vintage tube, ebay, brent jessee, tubemonger, tube maze, etc

sometimes i do but not always. i even have an on-off timer (& reverse RIAA for phono) thatd be great for such but just havet set it up.
 
Getting back to this thread after a while. I hate to say that, knowing this is ALL subjective, I may be the only listener I know who didn't love the Darlington Labs product. I have come to appreciate them and their approach, their pricing and support, and their participation in the relevant forums. I also am potentially biased by my reaction against 'hype' I see in forums for any particular product, having been through it with the Lounge LCRIII phono amp, which I didn't enjoy at all, among others.

Anyway, I listened for several days, in two separate stints, to an MP-7 I had here to compare with a Hagerman Cornet 3, and I never warmed up to the Darlington. It sounded competent and detailed but it lost out to a certain euphonic sound that I struggle to describe, and which could easily be utterly in my own head when it comes to the Cornet 3. None of this it to denigrate the Darlington product, and I'm aware that I'm the only poster who hasn't raved about these units.

If anything, I suppose I'm lending credence to the idea that @Morgan D might prefer the sound of the Retro Version and enjoy the potential to roll tubes. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Cornet 3 in comparison to the MP-7, but there it was. There is really something about having tubes somewhere in the chain. FWIW, I have an old Audio Research LS-1 hybrid SS/tube Line State coming my way this week, which will make for some interesting listening. It uses one 6DJ8/ECC88 tube for gain and should be interesting to try out and maybe to tube roll as well.




Morgan D said:
The PJL phono pre is going toe to toe with the Darligton labs MM-6. It will take at
least a week to break in according to the site. The PJL only has cheap tubes so far.

Instead of going down the SS road I might just buy some exotic tubes for my phono pre and keep the MM-6 for the living room rig where I have an old grado cart. Flattire, David , any thoughts?
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DavidTT said:
I have an old Audio Research LS-1 hybrid SS/tube Line State coming my way this week, which will make for some interesting listening. It uses one 6DJ8/ECC88 tube for gain and should be interesting to try out and maybe to tube roll as well.
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That's a great sounding piece of gear. I suggest to install a NOS 6DJ8 such as an Amperex, and then just leave it alone, it will be as good as it needs to be.
 
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