In the current S'phile, MF writes an interesting article on the new Ypsilon Aelius amp. In the article, MF notes that the amp that is delivered to him for review is using a 6C45PiEH tube and that this tube is typically spec'd for european delivery. MF goes on to say that he was unaware of the fact the expected tube ...a Siemens C3g tube, was not in use. He also comments on how the amp sounds with the EH tube in place....and he is not very enthusiastic about the sound. Then, upon realizing that the US spec tube ( the C3g tube) is not in place, replaces the EH with the Siemens and all is now right with the amp!
The amp apparently takes on a new sound that is supposedly more musical, punchier and " tightens the screws on the musical framework, producing a punchier, more direct, more insistent sound". The single tube replacement has seemingly transformed this amp!
Having read this article, I am left with a couple of thoughts....1) Can a single tube replacement make that much of a difference? ( IME, tube rolling can be VERY advantageous, but one tube??) and 2) If, or since, a single tube change can make that big a difference in our gear, think of all of the other parameters that are possible....tube aging comes to mind among other things.
I also read JA's technical findings of this amp...it would seem the replacement tube was perhaps not that big a change on the bench...interesting.
The amp apparently takes on a new sound that is supposedly more musical, punchier and " tightens the screws on the musical framework, producing a punchier, more direct, more insistent sound". The single tube replacement has seemingly transformed this amp!
Having read this article, I am left with a couple of thoughts....1) Can a single tube replacement make that much of a difference? ( IME, tube rolling can be VERY advantageous, but one tube??) and 2) If, or since, a single tube change can make that big a difference in our gear, think of all of the other parameters that are possible....tube aging comes to mind among other things.
I also read JA's technical findings of this amp...it would seem the replacement tube was perhaps not that big a change on the bench...interesting.