Near field use on 87db speakers in a masive room.
- Thread starter currly30
- Start date
The iron in the Kaiju is also a bit better than the Stereomour, and the 5670 is the better sounding driver tube.
The Stereomour is possibly a bit easier to build because it is a bit simpler, but you also have to do all that input wiring to the selector switch which takes some extra time...
The Stereomour is possibly a bit easier to build because it is a bit simpler, but you also have to do all that input wiring to the selector switch which takes some extra time...
Larpy
Member
They both make a difference, but I hear bigger differences between 300B tubes. Tube rolling with 300Bs gets expensive, however. But I found the expense of new production Western Electrics to be worth the upgrade in sonics and what I anticipate will be a longer life than the stock EH tubes.
It's pretty cheap to try different 5670s. My Kaiju kit came with GEs, and they sound pretty good. I've tried RCA, Sylvania, and vintage WEs, and none proved decisively better than the GEs. In fact, the WEs were a distinct disappointment.
It's pretty cheap to try different 5670s. My Kaiju kit came with GEs, and they sound pretty good. I've tried RCA, Sylvania, and vintage WEs, and none proved decisively better than the GEs. In fact, the WEs were a distinct disappointment.
Interesting. Thank you all for answering all my questions. I have just a couple more.
Is it possible to use 6SN7 tubes with adapters instead of the 5670 tubes? I only ask because I own 15 pairs of matched 6sn7 tubes.
Does the DC upgraded change the sound characteristics of the Kaiju?
Later on of I decide to upgrade the caps on the Kaiju. Which ones would be worth upgrading?
Is it possible to use 6SN7 tubes with adapters instead of the 5670 tubes? I only ask because I own 15 pairs of matched 6sn7 tubes.
Does the DC upgraded change the sound characteristics of the Kaiju?
Later on of I decide to upgrade the caps on the Kaiju. Which ones would be worth upgrading?
Paul Joppa
Moderator
It would be possible to use 6SN7s in Kaiju, but you'd need more modifications than just an adapter. You'd also lose 6dB of gain.
The interstage coupling cap (0.1uF/630v) and parafeed output cap (10uF/630v)are the principal caps that are in the signal path. The shunt regulator stability Zobel cap (also 0.1uF/630v) also has has a minor effect on the sound, but it's on the regulator PC board and difficult to access.
These caps are subject to break-in changes, so allow at least 100 hours of music before critical listening.
The interstage coupling cap (0.1uF/630v) and parafeed output cap (10uF/630v)are the principal caps that are in the signal path. The shunt regulator stability Zobel cap (also 0.1uF/630v) also has has a minor effect on the sound, but it's on the regulator PC board and difficult to access.
These caps are subject to break-in changes, so allow at least 100 hours of music before critical listening.
Paul Joppa
Moderator
Changing the caps will - subtly - change the sound. Whether it's an upgrade or a mistake is difficult to generalize; it depends too much on personal reaction. There is some consensus on the interwebs, but it changes often. I personally think the best benefit of cap rolling is that it educates your hearing, and you learn what you like. That's just my two cents though.
It's usually a good idea to build an amp stock first and run it for a few weeks. This gets it through break-in, educates your ear as to the baseline sound, and it helps catch a lot of small errors such as dirty tube pins, marginal solder joints, loose screws, etc. And it's much easier to debug any problems after a change when you know for sure it was working correctly before the change.
It's usually a good idea to build an amp stock first and run it for a few weeks. This gets it through break-in, educates your ear as to the baseline sound, and it helps catch a lot of small errors such as dirty tube pins, marginal solder joints, loose screws, etc. And it's much easier to debug any problems after a change when you know for sure it was working correctly before the change.
What varieties of the 5670 will work for the input socket on the Kaiju? I read in another post that some of the varieties aren't rated for high enough volts.
Will pretty much any of these tubes types work? I think this is full list of comparable tubes. 396A, GL5670, CK567, 2C51, 6CC42, 6Ð3П, 6N3P(EV, DR), 5670W, 5670WA, CK5670-WA, CV4013, GB-5670.
Will pretty much any of these tubes types work? I think this is full list of comparable tubes. 396A, GL5670, CK567, 2C51, 6CC42, 6Ð3П, 6N3P(EV, DR), 5670W, 5670WA, CK5670-WA, CV4013, GB-5670.
Do you have a link to the post about the varieties with insufficient voltage rating? (or which tube is not supposed to be adequately rated?)
I'm not certain where PJ is finding that number, as the 6N3P shows 300V is acceptable for plate voltage:
https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/113/6/6N3P.pdf
I've gone cross-eyed at times trying to keep Russian equivalent tube types straight in my head, so perhaps there's another tube that's maybe a letter off with that restriction, or there's a different grade that's derated, or even a conflicting datasheet out there!
https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/113/6/6N3P.pdf
I've gone cross-eyed at times trying to keep Russian equivalent tube types straight in my head, so perhaps there's another tube that's maybe a letter off with that restriction, or there's a different grade that's derated, or even a conflicting datasheet out there!
Paul Joppa
Moderator
I have edited that post today. If you read the posts that follow it, you'll get the full story. It's complicated.
Sorry for the confusion, I should have edited the post earlier.
Sorry for the confusion, I should have edited the post earlier.
So the E suffix ends up being the issue it seems, or perhaps the derated voltage is part of the trade for longer life?
Paul Joppa
Moderator
Kaiju was designed around the 5670, not with alternative tubes in mind. Most candidate drivers will need changes to the voltages and currents; some will also require an adapter. I looked at quite a number of candidates to pick the 5670, but have not done the detailed calculations for any alternatives, so I can't at this point say which might or might not be made to work out.
Sonic upgrades and downgrades are so much personal taste that I can't usefully comment.
Kaiju will usually need a preamp in most systems. There are exceptions, but not that many.
Sonic upgrades and downgrades are so much personal taste that I can't usefully comment.
Kaiju will usually need a preamp in most systems. There are exceptions, but not that many.
