Category: Reviews by Tube Model

6CA7-Z / KT88-Z or WE 6CA7Plus / WE KT88Plus – which one?

Posted adminPosted in - 6CA7/EL34 all types, Purchase Guide, - KT88 all types

Answer to an inquiry from Germany – related to Unison Simply Italy:

6CA7-Z and KT88-Z were released over 10 years ago to the market as the very first high end upgrade tubes. But over years, the factory’s lack of quality screening has flooded market with mixed quality. We (Grant Fidelity) no longer carry them as the ‘selection’ cost is simply too high and performance varies too much. 


WE Plus series is the latest release before Shuguang factory went into relocation and ceased production in 2020 till further notice. From our own evaluation, the sound of this series is much better than previous Z-series (yes people do hear lots of good things about Z-series as they have been on market for 12 years with certainly more users). We selected through the entire factory stock and acquired less than 10 quads which meet our quality standard. We won’t hesitate to recommend them, simply just by the excellent test results we have seen on those we picked.


For your amp – i see the manufacturer website showing it uses EL34. It can be replaced with WE6CA7Plus no problem. I don’t see mentioning this amp can use KT88 – so please make sure your amp indeed can use KT88. If so, WEKT88Plus can be used. 


In general, KT88 gives more bass low frequency but resolution for midrange and high frequency isn’t as good as 6CA7. You can have to decide what is more important to your listening and choose accordingly. 


Hope this helps. 

12AX7LS: ‘Deadly quiet, extremely dark but not in a soupy muddled way’

Posted adminPosted in Reviews by Tube Model, - 12AX7-T/TII/LS

Feedback received from Paul via email:

“Hi Rachel,
I just want to give you an update. The tube(s) are doing well. No issues seen and I have about 10 hours on them so far.
I gotta say “wow!” these are deadly quiet, extremely dark but not in a soupy muddled way, they are still very dynamic but the silence is incredible. I am really enjoying these so far and I am sure that they will continue to develop.”

 

Type 50 tube “if you like the sound of the old triodes go for Grant Fidelity (type 50)”

Posted adminPosted in - 50 tube, Reviews by Tube Model

Read review by long time Type 50 tube lover Rob from Netherlands:

Conclusion:
Winners are Grant Fidelity and EML. I would put my money on these. You get new tubes, with warranty. If you like the sound of the old triodes go for Grant Fidelity, if you do favor a bit more modern sound, EML would be your choice. Comparing the Grand Fidelity 50 to the originals, the originals will set you back a heap of money for used pairs, whilst difference in sound will be subtle. You get the same character for far less money, and new. As a runner up I mention the EML’s. They do not exactly match tone and spaciousness like the Grant Fidelities and originals, but do breath about the same character with more tight bass and highs. A bit more “modern” sound. Available new as well. Take your pick.
One thing to mention, the Grant Fidelity type 50 was a one batch production, so only a limited stock is available. No idea how much pairs are left at this time..”

https://www.dhtrob.com/impressies/grantfidelity_50.php

“The 12AX7LS are the best I’ve heard in my system for phono”

Posted adminPosted in Reviews by Tube Model, - 12AX7-T/TII/LS

Feedback received from Steven D. via email:

“Hi Rachel,

Initial impressions on the Treasure 12ax7-LS in the critical phono preamp application are positive (George Wright’s WPP200C, 2 x 12ax7 per channel, 60db gain MC). Replacing the Psvane T-IIs, I find the sound is more articulate / better organized / more coherent / less homogenized. Appears as if the noise floor has been lowered, better low level info retrieval. Better bass, too.

My comments should be taken with a grain of salt, as I did not do an A-B comparison, and there was about a week’s gap in listening, so I am working from memory. Still, the LS are the best I’ve heard in my system for phono. System is reasonably revealing: upgraded Nantais classic Lenco, AT ART-9 MC cart, RS-A1 tonearm, passive TVC volume, 2A3 SET, DIY crossoverless fullrangers for speakers (they and my hearing both roll off at ~15KHz ;).

Cheers,

Stephen”