Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 8:02:30 GMT 12
After many stable years with an all tube set up, of late the constant edge of seat 'whats that noise' 'is the left channel more than the right', plus where do I start fault finding with a 28 tube system, led me to consider a reduction of tubes and an increase in solid state for sanity and peace of mind in my retirement. Selling off the Tube Pre Amp I attempted to sell the Tube Monoblocks before realising there was some noise and a chuff-chuff capacitor sound, meaning I could not honestly sell them as all good. Replacing the pre amp with the integrated Yamaha A-S1100 'to be getting on with' while I decided on system membership. Upgrading my speakers to Focal Electra 1038BE showed the Yamaha could deliver at this level, but only just. Getting my monoblocks back from the astonishingly capable 34 Audio (he should train up an apprentice to retain all that knowledge) after a service, recap (all the Jensens leaked), and rebias, I plugged them in making the Yamaha a pre amp. Switching to my usual Triode mode it still seemed lacking, BUT ultralinear finally produced the grunt to drive the Focals to sparkling performance. And that's where it will stay for a while, monoblocks withdrawn from sale as I enjoy the revitalised performance from them.
System is now unmodified 80's Linn Sondek with Dynavector DX202 low output, Jolida JD9a Phono amp, Yamaha A-S1100 as a pre amp, Marantz CD6005 CD, Marantz ST15S1 Tuner (still on a T wire, must get round to a roof aerial), Meixing Ming Da Monoblocks at 150w ultralinear, Sennheiser RS185 Headphones, mogami speaker cables, various price level RCA leads (cant tell the difference), Focal Electra 1308BE speakers.