F1 Pre troubles....and Tube Suggestions for the Amp

[beardog03]

I hooked the V12 up to the Cary pre and I`m barely getting anything out of one side...
I changed back and forth to determine if I had something wrong, and to be sure it was the Pre amp..

I hooked the 850 Parasound up and all the prblems went away...
I swapped out tubes on the Cary (both) to see if maybe I was having tube troubles...nope !

Looks like she`s going back in for a tune up...bummer


Tha V12R sounds sweet though...even through the SS Parasound (wich I almost was ready to let go to a member here)..

All those tubes sure warm up the office..!!!

I have a question for you tube guy`s though....actually two questions


1)...The Popes I just got....there is a really small piece of glass rolling around inside of it...can`t figure out where it may have come from...

Should I replace it ? or leave it be as it doesn`t ( I think ) effect the sound.

2)...What tubes do you suggest to try in the V12R..
These are higher power...50w average in triode mode (each channel)
6550... KT-88... EL-34.... KT-90

These are lower power..30-35w average in triode mode (each channel)
KT-66... 6L6... 6V6

Please suggest make and model (brand)

The V12 has a peak envelope power of 72 watts (ea. ch) into an average loudspeaker load in the triode mode....according to the book

Although the Cary Pre Amp is very new and covered under warrenty, I am not wanting to be without it fo ra long period of time...
I figured it would be a great match for the V12...both being Cary Products, and was really looking forward t all those tubes being my "Christmas Tree"


I`m going to hook it up to the HCA-1000 before It gets sent out (next week bro) to see if it is just a compatability problem...

If so, what SS pre would you suggest ?

I was looking at a MF (older model) as a new stand in pre while the F1 is in the shop

Have a Merry one and a Safe New one..!!

[madmax]

Did you let her warm up a minute? Is this an amp where you can check the bias without taking the amp apart? If so I would check the bias voltages to see if they look about right. Maybe a wrong connection? Compatibility would not be a problem of this magnitude.

[beardog03]

Yes , I swapped tubes and biased each set after a 10-15 warm up as the book said..

I get just a very little out of the right side and if I turn the input knob on the pre and make the gain very small I can listen to it, but it`s just not right..

I used different cables also, thinking it could be a cable...

I unplugged and replugged several times, checking to make sure it was right..

The only thing left that I have not done, is try another amp with the Cary Pre to see if it works like it should..

[TroyD]

Hmmm...that's a stumper.

Of the tubes you had listed up there, I like the 6L6 and the 6550's. The 6550's you have more options for rolling but both are very musical tubes.

BDT

[beardog03]

aren`t those the ones used in Marshall amps ?

I found mant versions of the KT88 and 6550 that I thought would sound good..

Looks like the Cary pre is going abck to get fixed...
I`m going to check it one more time tomorrow with the parasound first though

[TroyD]

Not sure, possibly...

For the 6550's...Tung-Sol is the way to go. The reissues sound REALLY good (my issue is that it took 4 quads to get a set that didn't have a bad tube)....I also liked the EH's for a warmer sound.

I don't have as much experience with the 6L6's....I have JJ's but the NOS JAN's are supposed to be the shiznit.

BDT

[beardog03]

I was looking at JJ`s also..

I am very interested in these KT-90`s..

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/product.asp?itemid=69&catid=85

[madmax]

I tend to stay away from tubes that push the envelope in any way with the electronics. Stick with KT88's or 6550's. The Tung Sols are my favorite 6550 tube.
madmax

[stereo_luver]

Tung Sol 6550's or try a set of Genalex KT88 Gold Lion. I tried some EH KT90's and didn't really like these too much. I deal with a guy I found on the Bay and he does me REALLY well with my tubes. Matches the pairs and quads himself.

BTW..if you want to try the EH KT90's let me know.