Why did I choose this tube amp vs other “dynacos”? From reviews and I have a good stash of preamp tubes this amp can use.
From the get go I used TungSol El34 power tubes, Mullard 12au7, Mullard/Hammond 12au7 in center and they provided the right balance with my LSA speakers and Akitika preamp. LSA’s go down little more than I like for bass hence the el34 tubes. My room is well damped but no overly so because Maggie’s 1.7, 1.6 & LSR reflected well off some hard services. I recently acquired the latest Zu Omen DW speakers and they sound so detailed yet sharp in high frequencies. I added snubbers bringing their impedance from 12 to 9 and made a positive difference. Adjusting the carpet spike height brought back some bass I was missing when swapping out LSA for Zu. But I still felt it was mid to top heavy.
Scouring the forum here and elsewhere I decided on the Genalex KT66 - after all Bob touts it in several threads right?
After setting the bias...yes I had to go back to the install guide, because I have only used TungSol el34 since building it, that’s how happy was with it.....well I was surprised by the changes.
The lower end was back, not overly bass-heavy but everything else seems to have some solid end to it. Hard to describe. The huge soundstage and detail is still there just sounding better, which I can attribute to the bass each note has. I find it warmer and to my taste.....and this is my point......it is all subjective and all about synergy. What is good for me might not be for you.
If you looking for new adventure, I highly recommend looking at KT66....btw I bought mine burnt in for 24 hours and all 4 were exactly matched as I requested.
One thing though....I chose KT66 also because the impression I got was even though my ST-70 could handle kt88/6550, it needed some changes which I was not too keen on....it works well so leave it be. Let me know if this is correct..?
From the get go I used TungSol El34 power tubes, Mullard 12au7, Mullard/Hammond 12au7 in center and they provided the right balance with my LSA speakers and Akitika preamp. LSA’s go down little more than I like for bass hence the el34 tubes. My room is well damped but no overly so because Maggie’s 1.7, 1.6 & LSR reflected well off some hard services. I recently acquired the latest Zu Omen DW speakers and they sound so detailed yet sharp in high frequencies. I added snubbers bringing their impedance from 12 to 9 and made a positive difference. Adjusting the carpet spike height brought back some bass I was missing when swapping out LSA for Zu. But I still felt it was mid to top heavy.
Scouring the forum here and elsewhere I decided on the Genalex KT66 - after all Bob touts it in several threads right?
After setting the bias...yes I had to go back to the install guide, because I have only used TungSol el34 since building it, that’s how happy was with it.....well I was surprised by the changes.
The lower end was back, not overly bass-heavy but everything else seems to have some solid end to it. Hard to describe. The huge soundstage and detail is still there just sounding better, which I can attribute to the bass each note has. I find it warmer and to my taste.....and this is my point......it is all subjective and all about synergy. What is good for me might not be for you.
If you looking for new adventure, I highly recommend looking at KT66....btw I bought mine burnt in for 24 hours and all 4 were exactly matched as I requested.
One thing though....I chose KT66 also because the impression I got was even though my ST-70 could handle kt88/6550, it needed some changes which I was not too keen on....it works well so leave it be. Let me know if this is correct..?
peterh
