View Full Version : Calling KT88 valve experts - Best Bias setting for Svetlana Winged C KT88?
Swapped out my Gold Lion KT88's for a matched quad of Svet Cs. :D
The GL's ran at 40mV, wondering if there's a different value needed for the Svet's?
thanks.
The Black Adder
22-09-2013, 10:05
Eyup Gaz. :)
Anthony is ya man to ask matey.
Any comments on the sound, so far, Gaz? :)
Marco.
No word on sound yet Marco,
current view of my equipment rack :)
http://imageshack.us/a/img27/1373/9qku.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/9qku.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img405/4141/yohm.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/405/yohm.jpg/)
Next part of my balanced mains setup underway...
TV wall mounting, more through wall hardwiring; 5 discrete linear power rails to the music server, hardwired from the balanced mains.
All the work will be done by close of play tonight, hopefully in time for Singapore F1 at 5pm.
Its a case of a lot of new and improved stuff being switched on at the same time I guess, should sound a bit different :)
Once its up and running I'll do a comparison between the Gold Lions and the Svet C's.
Maybe the AOS Scottish Mafia troops could come along, I trust their ears and it's always a good sanity check.
Not had the troops over in a while, think I had the Rega Brio and Dac and my old server that time?
lots of new stuff in place:
* New Dac + linear psu (upgraded twice already!)
* Balanced Mains
* New server design, completely linear powered hardwired from balanced mains unit
* Better quality coffee (probably...)
Eyup Gaz. :)
Anthony is ya man to ask matey.
I'll ping Anthony a message, cheers Joe.
Good yakkin' over on Wigwam too, small world!
The Black Adder
22-09-2013, 14:08
lol.. yeah, great minds mate :)
Looks like a very nice set up coming on there. When will it be up and running?
Hopefully get it all plumbed in and wired up by close of play today Joe.
Hi Gaz,
All looking good and hopefully will sound even better but I thought the preferred method of introducing change was one thing at a time? ;) . Hopefully it won't sound sh1te but if it does you're gonna have fun putting your finger on why, maybe? If it happens it might be a nice little project for the Mac Mafia to get to grips with on their visit.
I repeat, I hope it sounds great.
Dave.
Thanks Dave, I think! :)
Lots of changes happening so not so fussed about what changes what, how and when.
Just plumbing the bloomin' thing all in and sitting back and enjoying it.
All back in place aside from a wee bit of rubbing down, sanding and painting.
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3013/8ytu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/209/8ytu.jpg/)
(note space now under telly for the turntable...)
All tested working apart form the Server as I still have some internal wiring on the linear supplies feeding the server.
The listening room side of things is all done though, cables through the wall to be hooked up the the BPS.
Looking fwd to a night of listening but "her indoors" suggested going to see Rush at the flicks.
Ah well...to be continued.
Dave, the Manc Mafia is welcome anytime ol' chum. :)
Ali Tait
23-09-2013, 12:34
Looking forward to hearing the new server Gaz.
The Black Adder
23-09-2013, 12:40
Oh aye, looks very nice... :) :cool:
Looking good, Gaz. Just be careful, though, that you've left enough of a gap between your valve amp and whatever component is above it (and that the amp has enough ventilation), as there'll be LOADS OF HEAT kicked out by those KT88s, when the amp has been switched on and used for a few hours....! :eek:
That aside, it'll be interesting to know what you think when you sit down and listen to it seriously :)
Flicks? I'd be telling her *that* is what's getting delayed, for far more important stuff!! ;)
Marco.
well...
got the system back together, new server built, all the linear psu's in place and the new(old) Svetlana valves in my amp.
Hard to identify where the improvements are coming from exactly but really Im not fussed or worried about it.
System sounds completely different now. Like different kit kind of different...
Still generally the "house sound" from the Rega speakers but most of everything else has changed for the better.
Big step up, big...linear powers the way to go.
Swapped the Gold Lion KT88 valves back in to compare with the Svet Winged C's earlier this afternoon?
A loss of drive and impact was the first thing I noticed, still very clear and tight, just not as good really.
Marco, good call on the Svetlana KT88's, good improvement over the ones I had.
Ali Tait
25-09-2013, 18:58
Nice one Gaz. Time for a "Do" methinks?
Nice one Gaz. Time for a "Do" methinks?
Oh aye...
want to give things a couple of weeks to settle in, then its Mafia time :)
The Black Adder
25-09-2013, 19:50
Nice one Gaz... glad it's all worked out matey.
Ali Tait
25-09-2013, 20:29
Oh aye...
want to give things a couple of weeks to settle in, then its Mafia time :)
Cool.
thanks Joe.
The Valves are a good improvement, well chuffed what they've done to my amp.
brian2957
25-09-2013, 20:36
Och aye the noo :D Time for another gathering of the clans :eyebrows:
Ali Tait
25-09-2013, 20:53
Get yer violin cases out..
brian2957
25-09-2013, 21:41
You bringin your fiddle mate ? :D
Ali Tait
25-09-2013, 22:05
Aye, a sub machine fiddle.
Swapped the Gold Lion KT88 valves back in to compare with the Svet Winged C's earlier this afternoon?
A loss of drive and impact was the first thing I noticed, still very clear and tight, just not as good really.
Marco, good call on the Svetlana KT88's, good improvement over the ones I had.
Nice one, dude - glad it worked out. I've always said that the Svets were best, based on extensive experience of using various different KT88s. The only problem now is that they're getting really hard to find...
The only KT88s that beat them are the original GECs, and those cost mega bucks! Maybe try some KT120s, once your 'new' system has settled down and you've got used to it, if your amp can handle them safely, as those, IMO, take things into another league.
Anyway, enjoy... You've got a few weeks yet for everything to 'burn in', with all the changes you've made, before your system will be sounding at its best! :)
Marco.
Sovereign
26-09-2013, 18:53
thanks Joe.
The Valves are a good improvement, well chuffed what they've done to my amp.
Glad my Svet Winged C valves worked out for you!
Glad my Svet Winged C valves worked out for you!
Certainly did James, thanks.
Cheers for the offer when you saw I was looking for a set.
Owe you a fizzy fruit based soft drink if our paths ever meet. :)
Yup, cheers Marco good shout.
The 120's would be the way to go, just need to be sure the amp can cope with the extra 1a or so heater voltage.
Not looking just now, but would Anthony be the man for that?
fanks.
Nice one, dude - glad it worked out. I've always said that the Svets were best, based on extensive experience of using various different KT88s. The only problem now is that they're getting really hard to find...
The only KT88s that beat them are the original GECs, and those cost mega bucks! Maybe try some KT120s, once your 'new' system has settled down and you've got used to it, if your amp can handle them safely, as those, IMO, take things into another league.
Anyway, enjoy... You've got a few weeks yet for everything to 'burn in', with all the changes you've made, before your system will be sounding at its best! :)
Marco.
Yessurs - A is yer man! :cool:
:goodluck:
Marco.
Thanks to Anthony for the advice on the valve bias.
between 35 and 45 Mv, adjust to taste.
sorted. :)
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