Doctor's Orders-Part Two-The New Listening Room Of Steve Williams

highstream

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Nov 16, 2013
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Ready to reveal the source and price of the GZ480?
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I got mine in 6 days direct from China


it says they are sold out. They are but they can get them. Click the “contact us” and tell them what you want. They emailed me immediately and said “being sold out doesn’t man they aren’t available “
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
You sound a little tipsy here :D
Fortunately I don’t drink. I was tired and posting with my iPhone. I’ve found autocorrect plus fat fingers on a thin keyboard is usually not a good thing wrt typos
 
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Bobvin

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www.purewatersystems.com
Fortunately I don’t drink. I was tired and posting with my iPhone. I’ve found autocorrect plus fat fingers on a thin keyboard is usually not a good thing wrt typos
Auto correct is your worst enema
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I have posted many times that, although my system is all tubes I just have never had the urge to become a tube roller. I have always tried to find this tubes which impart the "natural" sound that I crave

Well several weeks ago I was encouraged to try 2 different rectifier tubes (5u4g) in my Lampizator Pacific. Up until then I was using the RK-KR 5u4g and was quite happy. Along came an NOS Philco tube circa 1946. This tube was beautiful, imparting just the correct amount of mid range warmth without affecting the SQ. I have been using this Philco tube for the past 2 weeks and it certainly has become a keeper. overall for an investment of all of $75 this was a pleasant treat in my system

IMG_0130.jpeg
 
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Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
at the same time I acquired the Philco tube I was encouraged to seek out the Shuguang gz480 (if I could find it as it has become unobtanium)


My search was all of a few hours as I found a supplier in China. I placed the order and received the tube via DHL Express 5 days later. The packaging was superb

IMG_0114.jpeg
 
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Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I inserted this tube into my system 3 days ago and for me the sonic changes were completely unexpected

This tube lit up my ears. Simply put the dynamics, clarity and midrange are the best I have ever heard in. my system. There were songs I've used for years to dial in deep bass. One in particular, I always use, Leonard Cohen, "You Want it Darker". His voice is low and guttural and on that song there are parts where his voice sounds slow and tubby, almost as if it is flapping. I was stunned that after the insertion of that tube, there was complete resolution of that tubbiness.

As an aside the tube change took place at the same time I changed my USB card to my Lampi Pacific and Emile installed his proprietary TAS driver

Over these past few days I have been glued to my seat as the sound in my room is better than anything I have ever before heard


This gz480 is built like a tank and is very heavy but after 3 days of solid listening the gz480 has become the permanent rectifier in my system. I love this tube and would recommend it without reservation
 

spiritofmusic

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Sometimes, you've just gotta roll with it.
 

Golum

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Does this little experiment officially qualify me as a tube roller :rolleyes:
Well - I guess we can accept you officially into the Lampi tube rollers club :cool:
Glad you like the GZ480!
 
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highstream

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Interesting. How have you distinguished between the effects of the GZ480 and the other changes you made at the same time? You described the Philco as warm, to which I would agree from a 1948 sample I picked up. To the extent you can tell given the other changes, would you say the same of the 480?
 
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Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
How have you distinguished between the effects of the GZ480 and the other changes you made at the same time? You described the Philco as warm, to which I would agree from a 1948 sample I picked up. To the extent you can tell given the other changes, would you say the same of the 480?
The gz480 is a powerhouse. As stated I am not a tube roller but this tube is like nothing I have ever heard. Clarity, dynamics. and 3D soundstage are big upticks. Ss things stand this gx 480 is now my rectifier of choice. I do believe that the TAS driver has also served to help
 

highstream

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Steve, when I asked you about where the Philco stood on the neutral to varying degrees of warmth scale, three pages passed before there was an answer. I would be grateful to get a direct answer to the second question, about whether or not the GZ480 is on the warm side, like the Philco. The answer is of operative interest to me. Thanks,
 
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Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Steve, when I asked you about where the Philco stood on the neutral to varying degrees of warmth scale, three pages passed before there was an answer. I would be grateful to get a direct answer to the second question, about whether or not the GZ480 is on the warm side, like the Philco. The answer is of operative interest to me. Thanks,
It is not on the warm side at all. Sorry for no reply after 3 pages. The gz480 is top to bottom superb bit not warm like the Philco. The dynamics on it are beyond any 5u4g that I have heard ( I haven’t heard many). Although this tube is not inexpensive it’s cost is dwarfed 3-4 fold by the $1000 tube that many here call the holy grail. I’m not prepared to spend that. The output tubes in my amps are $950 each. They need to be replaced every 12-18 months

I would recommend the gz480 in a heartbeat. The Philco is a wonderful tube for special occasions but the ShuGuang is a workhorse in all genres
 
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highstream

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Thanks for clarifying. Disappointing. I’ve noticed that there seems to be an inverse relationship with components between the kind (or level) of sound characteristics you’re describing and even a modest degree of warmth, at least up to a certain price level that I’m able to work at. I’ve wondered if there’s a technical reason for this or if it has to do with development costs, or ...?
 
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Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Thanks for clarifying. Disappointing. I’ve noticed that there seems to be an inverse relationship with components between the kind (or level) of sound characteristics you’re describing and even a modest degree of warmth, at least up to a certain price level that I’m able to work at. I’ve wondered if there’s a technical reason for this or if it has to do with development costs, or ...?
I’m betting you’d like the tube. It’s pretty dramatic
 

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