AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Tube-o-phile Circle => Topic started by: chgolatin2 on 12 Nov 2015, 09:54 pm
-
Looking to improve my Cary audio SLI 80, looking for better bass response, a better soundstage. I want to upgrade modify the internals of this unit, it doesn't sound bad but I understand that by changing caps, etc the unit could sound better. So recommendations would be greatly appreciate~
Thanks
-
What tubes are you using now?
-
What tubes are you using now?
[/quote
Russian tubes electro harmonix, tubes work fine but I want to do something internally. Cary Audio contacted me about their services and upgrading the amp, but at $1200 to $1400 doesn't seem like a cheap endeavor;(
-
You really need to try other tubes before spending any money on internal upgrades. I can promise you that replacing the 6SN7s with some nice NOS tubes will make a huge difference. The drivers you are using do not sound very good at all. For just $100-$150 you could make a significant improvement of the sound.
-
Yep. EH tubes are not the best sounding. Check out this long thread for more options, including mods: http://www.head-fi.org/t/546064/cary-audio-sli-80-owners-unite
-
+1 on tubes. That's the best bang for the buck. SLI-80 was my first hifi amp. I kept the SED 6550Cs it came with since those were the best production tubes available back then. But I upgraded the 6922 to 1970s Matsushita and I upgraded the sovtek 6SN7s to some nice vintage Sylvania or RCA, iirc. I also changed the Ruby tubes coke bottle rectifiers which flashed all the time to Sylvania NOS. It was an incredible sound. My friend was QC at Cary, he says the stock caps and parts are pretty good in there. The paper-in-oil cap upgrade they offer would make a warmer sound, I don't prefer that. The amp is already warm enough with vintage 6SN7s.
Genalex Gold Lion KT-88s or Shuguang Black Treasure KT-88 would be my first choices for current production power tubes.
Later on I got some autoformers from Anticable.com because my speakers had low impedance dip in the bass. That improved the bass and overall sound a lot.
-
+1 on tubes. That's the best bang for the buck. SLI-80 was my first hifi amp. I kept the SED 6550Cs it came with since those were the best production tubes available back then. But I upgraded the 6922 to 1970s Matsushita and I upgraded the sovtek 6SN7s to some nice vintage Sylvania or RCA, iirc. I also changed the Ruby tubes coke bottle rectifiers which flashed all the time to Sylvania NOS. It was an incredible sound. My friend was QC at Cary, he says the stock caps and parts are pretty good in there. The paper-in-oil cap upgrade they offer would make a warmer sound, I don't prefer that. The amp is already warm enough with vintage 6SN7s.
Genalex Gold Lion KT-88s or Shuguang Black Treasure KT-88 would be my first choices for current production power tubes.
Later on I got some autoformers from Anticable.com because my speakers had low impedance dip in the bass. That improved the bass and overall sound a lot.
Thanks for the recommendations, for some reason I always try to improve what I already have with better
Internal components. I'm just anal like that but I'm gonna start to play with some tube swapping and see where that takes me. I contacted Cary and they offered to mod my tube amp, but it wasn't a cheap proposition. Something to $1300 or so to get it done...
-
I'll ask him what mods he reccomends.
-
The SLI80 was my 1st tube piece that I owned. I didn't know much about tube rolling at the time, but have a good bit of experience since then.
I 2nd the notion about replacing the 6SN7's w/ some nice NOS RCA's. I bout a pair from EBay for less than $30.
I also like the 6N23P as a sub for the 6922, NOS on EBay from Russia.
These are relatively inexpensive swaps - I the you could impact your sound quickly for a lot less than the Cary factory option.
Good luck with it - tube collecting / rolling has become a favorite hobby of mine.
-
What is the rest of your system?
-
What is the rest of your system?
Technics SL1200MK2 and SL1600MK2, DH labs speaker cables, interconnects and power cord, Von schweikert VR 2 speakers. At times I switch my speakers to JBL L50 or L26 and at times I go with bookshelf speakers PSB 25... Varies...
I also have a Cambridge Audio 840C CD player and a Ideco from peach tree audio...
-
My friend said later models used Solen coupling caps. If that's what you have you will definitely appreciate the upgrade to better caps.
-
Reviving an oldie thread.
After spending about 10 years, on a pretty constant merry-go-round of revolving kit; I've decided to "settle-down", and simplify.
Not that I haven't, waffled between seps and IAs...tubes, and all classes of SS...in the past; but I wasn't planning to go tube IA, in this quest. The idea...was no futzing; turn it on, play and enjoy music...and stop listening to gear.
But...the audiophile impulse, dies hard; and I jumped at a never-tried, Cary SLI-80 Signature. The thing was practically new, and the price was right; and it's gorgeous, visually. However...it's obviously, a futzer's delight; 10 tubes to roll...caps and other tweaks abound.
I'll read that head-fi thread, from earlier in the topic; but I always wanted to revive the thread...for some initial thoughts and advice.
FTR...I'll be coming from an Auralic Aries Mini, feeding Mytek Brooklyn (source staying); into a Backert Labs Rhumba 1.2 (will miss dearly), and Adcom GFA-565SE...driving PMC Twenty-5 23s.
-
Driver tube (6SN7) will make the biggest difference in sound. I really like the Sylvania 6SN7's from the 60's. For capacitor upgrades you can't really do better than the Jupiter Copper Foil in Paper/Wax for input/output caps. Power Supply caps make less of a difference, IME. They do make a difference, just a lot less than input or output caps.
-
Driver tube (6SN7) will make the biggest difference in sound. I really like the Sylvania 6SN7's from the 60's. For capacitor upgrades you can't really do better than the Jupiter Copper Foil in Paper/Wax for input/output caps. Power Supply caps make less of a difference, IME. They do make a difference, just a lot less than input or output caps.
Excellent! Thanks Tyson.
Where the best place, to get any cap work done...when the time is right?
-
I'd post a request in the DIY circle here on AC. I wish I could be more help, but I've been doing my own cap swapping since I learned to solder a few years ago.
-
Driver tube (6SN7) will make the biggest difference in sound. I really like the Sylvania 6SN7's from the 60's. For capacitor upgrades you can't really do better than the Jupiter Copper Foil in Paper/Wax for input/output caps. Power Supply caps make less of a difference, IME. They do make a difference, just a lot less than input or output caps.
Just received the amp, and have only listened for a short while.
Under normal circumstances...I wouldn't look, to start rolling, until I had a feel for the stock tubes. However...TubeDepot dropped me this email, on a sale; and I'm just wondering...if these inexpensive NOS 5U4s, are worth the low price, or likely a waste of money (even if it is only $35)?
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170653)
-
Rectifier tubes won't make much of a difference.
-
Rectifier tubes won't make much of a difference.
OK; thanks for weighing in.
-
Rectifiers can matter a lot. Depends on the circuit. But that said, that is too $ for that tube. It’s a$20 tube on a good day. 5U4gb are all over the place.
-
Rectifiers can matter a lot. Depends on the circuit. But that said, that is too $ for that tube. It’s a$20 tube on a good day. 5U4gb are all over the place.
Of course, a quick Google...and I'm mired in the whole does-the-rectifier-make-a-difference-or-not debate.
Of those who seem to think it does; it appears RCAs, are a very safe bet? I tend to like Tung-Sols for value, and GLs for sonics (though I don't think, GL makes a 5U4).
Can someone, give me a lay-man's rundown...on going SS on the rectifier??
-
Do NOT go SS on the rectifier. Part of what a tube rectifier gives you is a slow ramp up on voltage, which will extend the life of your other tubes. SS rectifiers blast the tubes with high voltage immediately. That might be OK if the amp was designed for it, but my experience is that amps designed for a tube rectifier should never try to switch over to SS. Not if you value longevity in your other tubes.
RCA's are what I would recommend. It's a solid tube that will give you good sound. If you want to experiment with other tubes, it'll give you a good basis for doing that, too.
-
Agree with Tyson. RCA, Tung-Sol or even Sylvania from the 40's to the mid-50's. You can find them on Ebay with patience or you can just call Andy at Vintage Tube Services.
-
:thumb:
-
I got my SLI-80 about 7-8 years ago used.
It had all EH tubes except for rectifier tubes which were SED 5u4's.
First replacement tubes were all EH except for the rectifiers I went NOS Sylvanias.
The change of rectifiers made a nice improvement in the lower regions.
Next I got some early 50's Sylvania 6SN7's. The improvement was substantial. I didn't realize how harsh the EH made the unit sound.
Next was NOS Sylvania 7308's. WOW that made a huge difference. I have tried Bugle Boys, Amperex 6DJ8's, and other NOS but I always come back to the 7308.
For power tubes I have tried EH KT88, TS 6550 RI, Gold Lions, then TS KT 120, an excellent tube but recently went back to the GL's and probably will stick with them.
Of all power tubes the TS 6550 were the most bland.
I run the unit in triode 95% of the time.
Hope this helps.
Marlin
-
^^ TY Asman.
So...I've been reading, on the unit and tubes; 6SN7s specifically.
I can't tell you, how many times I've seen the same thing: that the EH 6SN7, is a horrible...not bad...horrible-sounding tube.
I'm pretty new, to NOS; but I do know...a guy can get taken for a ride. In fact...I think that's why, even though I've had a good number of tube units (mostly pre-amps though, where maybe a 12somethng doesn't make that big a different); I've steered clear. I mean...I don't understand the getter, and the certain printing and logos; it really is, a fetish property, yes.
It reminds me of this...
https://youtu.be/Bu-A8YfC4w0
I've heard the names over the years; can't remember them, and I'm sure they are as du jour as many things.
So...who are the tube mongers, to look to. Right now...my safest bet, based on the little research I've done; are perhaps these https://www.tubedepot.com/products/rca-6sn7gt-gtb-black-plate
-
Chris
That RCA is a good "mellow silky mid-range" tube, I have a handful of them. Your safest bet for NOS tubes is Andy at Vintage Tube Services who you can talk to on the phone about your gear and what sound you are looking for. Also in addition to testing tubes on testers he tests them in actual gear for noise. The other guys only test for numbers.
-
You really need to try other tubes before spending any money on internal upgrades. I can promise you that replacing the 6SN7s with some nice NOS tubes will make a huge difference. The drivers you are using do not sound very good at all. For just $100-$150 you could make a significant improvement of the sound.
Hi, sorry for the late response~ I actually reposted my thread~ I need help upgrading my tubes~
-
Chris
That RCA is a good "mellow silky mid-range" tube, I have a handful of them. Your safest bet for NOS tubes is Andy at Vintage Tube Services who you can talk to on the phone about your gear and what sound you are looking for. Also in addition to testing tubes on testers he tests them in actual gear for noise. The other guys only test for numbers.
+1 on VTS. Would be interesting to see what Cary Technical Support have to suggest on this amp.