Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

---

[ Follow Ups ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Tubes Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

Advice re: improving a good thing - lots of detail

Posted by AMoon (A) on August 9, 2006 at 08:38:03

Hello to all. I have been relying heavily upon opinions expressed here (and in other forums) to build a budget newbie audiophile tube system. This is a very long post, so I thank any and all of you who take the time to read and respond. No flaming please. I value everyone's opinion, whatever it is. I know that I must make subjective judgments myself, but I am trying to make the most bang for the buck improvements first. I will describe the system in detail first and then ask a couple of questions. I know that there will be differing opinions. Here is what it consists of so far:

1. I use my powerbook or airport express as a source; I also use iTunes' volume control instead of a pre-amp;

2. TriVista Dac 21 (w/ a Transparent MW Super power cable);

3. I use a Sound Professionals glass toslink cable (1M)between airport express or powerbook and the DAC;

4. VTL TT-25 Tiny Triodes; I use Cardas Neutral Reference RCAs between DAC and amps;

5. Monitor Audio Silver RS6s; I bi-wire these using AQ Dragons to the lows (maybe 2' to 2.5' long, I haven't measured them, but they are quite short -- not jumpers, but short) and MIT MH-750s to the highs (same length as the Dragons);

6. Rel Q108E sub (I use another Transparent powercord with the sub)

7. The tubes are stock, the room is approx. 12x12 w/ 8' ceilings.

It sounds quite good. The imaging is like nothing I've ever heard before. Images extend from wall to wall, and there are at least two songs which produce clear, fairly life-like images behind my head (E. Brickell "Picture Perfect Morning" -- at the very end,a ghost passes behind your ears). Difference between Triode and Tetrode mode is plainly evident. Tetrode simply rocks, triode rolls. Images are dense and the soundstage is dead front and center. Sound is almost eerie at night (sounds better at night than during the day -- not sure if this a warm-up or power issue). I know its best to leave well enough alone, but I am so happy with this system that I'd like to take it a little further to improve realism and three-dimensionality.

1. Should I add a pre-amp? Would a transformer volume control be the best option here?

2. Should I add better power-cables for amps?

3. Better tubes?

4. Jitter reducing Monarcy Audio DIP Upsampler?

5. Power isolator or AC regenerator (PS Audio P300)?

6. different amps or speakers; Would Cain and Cain Abby's give me more realism; if so, would they be less extended at high frequencies than traditional speakers?

7. Vibration isolation?

All replies will be appreciated and I thank you in advance.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Kimber Kable

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---