Topic: Finally dropped the loot!

[scervin]

Today I got a call from Alex at Odyssey Audio responding to a PM I sent him.  We talked for 30min about what would be best for my system and what upgrades would be available.  I mentioned what I was looking for and what was in my system and he had some ideas that really made sense.

Ended up calling Klaus (a great guy BTW) and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse.  I ended up going with:

-Candela Tube preamp with remote
-Stratos Extreme SE
-Khartago mono extreme

Yes, I could have gone with a used Stratos Extreme for a little less used, but if I end up upgrading to mono extreme SE in the future I'd be getting a better deal.  The reason for the Stratos and not a 3 channel unit is to a) offer better 2 channel performance  b) easily upgrade to monos (just pay for new chassis and transformer) c) WAF.  The Khartago will also offer a little more punch in mono configuration for HT/SACD/DVD-A.  If I like the sound I'll probably upgrade to mono extremes and add another Khartago for surround.

I should be getting all the gear in 4-8 weeks due to Plitron not sending the last order and the fact they have 68 Candela preamps on order.  I'll be sure to let you all know how they sound in the coming months, but if they are as good as Klaus say's I'm sure I'll be happy.

I plan on rolling tubes in the Candela so if any of you have a good place to buy tubes (RCA black cap's).  Are 12ax7's and 12au7's interchangeable?

SC

 

[Nick Culbreth]

Today I got a call from Alex at Odyssey Audio responding to a PM I sent him.  We talked for 30min about what would be best for my system and what upgrades would be available.  I mentioned what I was looking for and what was in my system and he had some ideas that really made sense.

Ended up calling Klaus (a great guy BTW) and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse.  I ended up going with:

-Candela Tube preamp with remote
-Stratos Extreme SE
-Khartago mono extreme

Yes, I could have gone with a used Stratos Extreme for a little less used, but if I end up upgrading to mono extreme SE in the future I'd be getting a better deal.  The reason for the Stratos and not a 3 channel unit is to a) offer better 2 channel performance  b) easily upgrade to monos (just pay for new chassis and transformer) c) WAF.  The Khartago will also offer a little more punch in mono configuration for HT/SACD/DVD-A.  If I like the sound I'll probably upgrade to mono extremes and add another Khartago for surround.

I should be getting all the gear in 4-8 weeks due to Plitron not sending the last order and the fact they have 68 Candela preamps on order.  I'll be sure to let you all know how they sound in the coming months, but if they are as good as Klaus say's I'm sure I'll be happy.

I plan on rolling tubes in the Candela so if any of you have a good place to buy tubes (RCA black cap's).  Are 12ax7's and 12au7's interchangeable?

SC

 

Congrats on the new gear.

In regards to the tubes, in some circuits 12ax7 and 12au7 tubes may be interchangeable but in most cases they are not. 

[carlbeck]

I wish you lived closer so I could hear the Stros'

Good luck with the new rig.

[Invisible]

I plan on rolling tubes in the Candela so if any of you have a good place to buy tubes (RCA black cap's).  Are 12ax7's and 12au7's interchangeable?

The AX's and AU's are interchangeable. You should really try a pair of 12BZ7's. They are sometimes a little hard to find but it is a much more dynamic tube. I am very partial to the 12AU7 as well. Congratulations on your purchase.

[pfife]

+T for toys.  Although, I woulda gone the Aiwa route, personally   

[Brian Skalinder]

Not sure if your gear takes the AU or AX, but I've used the 5751s as replacements for the AXs in my Audio Experiences Symphonies pre and liked the results a lot when mixed with an AX input.  The 5751s are lower output (turn that volume knob up a bit more) and a little bass-thin relative to the AXs, but have a really sweet and detailed mid-range with less spitty highs, which I love.  I found a nice balance with AX on input and 5751 on output.  The AX provided a nice robust low end, while the 5751 tightened it up nicely and provided better mid and HF detail.  (Some of the options I've tried.)

I gather many tubes are still bought and sold over the phone, and it's probably the best way to find rare tubes or good prices.  But FWIW, some online sources I found for tubes:

http://www.vacuumtubes.com/
http://thetubestore.com
http://www.upscaleaudio.com
http://www.nebsnow.com/LordValve
http://kcanostubes.com/
http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com
http://www.tubesandmore.com/
http://www.house-of-tubes.com
http://www.torresengineering.com/
http://store.triodestore.com
http://www.tubedepot.com
http://www.tubeworld.com/
http://www.vacuumtubes.net/
http://tubes.buybeach.com/
http://www.tubeman.com/
http://partsconnexion.com/
http://greenstoneusa.com/
http://www.elexs.com/
http://www.audiotubes.com/
http://www.audioclassics.com/
http://www.tubesandmore.com/

[scervin]

HOLY TUBES!!  Thanks, I should be set with all those links.  I've checked some of those sites and upscale didn't have what I was looking for, but I'll be sure and give them a ring when the time comes.

Not sure if your gear takes the AU or AX, but I've used the 5751s as replacements for the AXs in my Audio Experiences Symphonies pre and liked the results a lot when mixed with an AX input.  The 5751s are lower output (turn that volume knob up a bit more) and a little bass-thin relative to the AXs, but have a really sweet and detailed mid-range with less spitty highs, which I love.  I found a nice balance with AX on input and 5751 on output.  The AX provided a nice robust low end, while the 5751 tightened it up nicely and provided better mid and HF detail.  (Some of the options I've tried.)

I gather many tubes are still bought and sold over the phone, and it's probably the best way to find rare tubes or good prices.  But FWIW, some online sources I found for tubes:

http://www.vacuumtubes.com/
http://thetubestore.com
http://www.upscaleaudio.com
http://www.nebsnow.com/LordValve
http://kcanostubes.com/
http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com
http://www.tubesandmore.com/
http://www.house-of-tubes.com
http://www.torresengineering.com/
http://store.triodestore.com
http://www.tubedepot.com
http://www.tubeworld.com/
http://www.vacuumtubes.net/
http://tubes.buybeach.com/
http://www.tubeman.com/
http://partsconnexion.com/
http://greenstoneusa.com/
http://www.elexs.com/
http://www.audiotubes.com/
http://www.audioclassics.com/
http://www.tubesandmore.com/

[Nick's Picks]

yea, those 5751s were kick ass in the symph.

[Nick Culbreth]

yea, those 5751s were kick ass in the symph.

QFT.

[som]

Another tube source (in the UK, but they ship):

http://www.watfordvalves.com/