GoodSoundClub - Romy the Cat's Audio Site

In the Forum: Analog Playback
In the Thread: About EAR 834P Modifications

Post Subject: Sensitivity TrainingPosted by Paul S on: 12/15/2008

I would not say the circuit (per se) was becoming more sensitive to tube choice (and neither would I claim it's not...); I would say that as I have developed the system I have been better and better able to hear what more and more pieces in the system-wide "circuit" are doing, including tubes, so it's no longer just a matter of choosing tube type but it has also proven worthwhile to select particular tubes, according to the audible effect they have, within the system. Rather like VTA (or IC), actually. But I've had this problem for years, and I think lots of other people also have this gift/curse. And I'll bet lots more people still could develop the gift/problem if they just listened "consistently" with any kind of objectivity, let alone any idea of what music actually sounds like, and they went and paid attention to where their ears and taste took them. I see this as similar to (but not the same as) "spice-ing" the system, except the different tubes seem to have somewhat "deeper" effects than IC (once you get past the obvious dreck, of course). And, like Romy said, I don't see what difference any of it makes in a phono stage if the electricity is not primo. Really, I think it's just simple fooling around to swap phonostage parts unless the electricity is primo and one has good targeted listening skills.

It would be funny to find out it's true, but I would not be surprised if the FET 10 and the K & K sounded more alike than different, and certainly more alike than my K & K and the 834 I heard. How would that be explained by topology? I mean, go figure. Or the Boulder's "limitless" thing... from freaking op amps? What the hell is that?

Again, I am interested to see what might come from the "which-component-in-what-topology" theory, but my inner Raymond Lull always winds up rearing its head, and I can't help but think that the actual matter is considerably more complicated - arcane, even - and not so easily nailed down, in practice.

Best regards,
Paul S

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