[Carlos269]

I’m considering a new build of a DHT preamplifier and want to hear your thoughts, in terms of sound qualities, between the following tubes 01A/201A/301A, 10/10Y,VT25, or EML 20B. Between the 01A, 10Y or 20B which one should I go with and why? Thanks

[FullRangeMan]

Hi,
Starting Block is really for people to introduce themselves.
This question/thread is best posted in the Tubeophile Circle,
so I'll move it there for you now.

[FullRangeMan]

http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/triodes.html

http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/amps.html

[shooter]

No experience with the 20b, love the 10 and 801a family, filament supply is important, my ux210 sounds bright with voltage regulation on filament, much smoother with current regulation, 801a somewhat less picky. Sound is big, bold, detail and 3D. 26 is also a great sounding tube softer sounding than the 10, it sings with a beautiful voice. I can not get the o1a to work in my preamp, pick up a lot of RF interference, I did not spend much time trouble shoot it. All the above was tested on breadboard only, will eventually put the 10 in a chassis.

[Carlos269]

Thanks for the insight. I like the 801A very much. Agree that the 26 is very musical, although a bit rolled off on top. Have been getting great feedback on the 01A so don’t give up on it. Thanks.

[ketcham]

This was posted yesterday:

https://whatsbestforum.com/threads/there-are-no-speakers-there-are-no-walls-a-brief-summary-of-allnics-current-line-stage-preamplifier-product-line.30564/

I like the 3A/109 3A/110, OSRAM PX25 second best.

[FullRangeMan]

Being a fan of the big tone from 6SN7/SL7 Iam curious how 6SN7 compare to these Vintage DHT tubes?
Thanks for inputs.

[rodge827]

Contact Radu Tarta of Simple Pleasures. He builds DHT preamps from a variety of tubes. He’s a great guy and can give you some real insight on different tube presentations.

https://simplepleasuretubeamps.wordpress.com/

[mresseguie]

Contact Radu Tarta of Simple Pleasures. He builds DHT preamps from a variety of tubes. He’s a great guy and can give you some real insight on different tube presentations.

https://simplepleasuretubeamps.wordpress.com/

+1 on rodge827's recommendation for Radu Tarta! Radu built an amp for me a couple years ago (not a DHT amp).

Michael

[FullRangeMan]

Thanks, Iam aware the great expertise and builder talent of Radu, in any way I will going take Radu precious time to instruct me on the different flavors of these old tubes, I though a AC member could know 6SN7 vs the old tubes.

[richidoo]

I heard the Manley 300B preamp once. It sounded really, really good.

[shooter]

In my experience the clarity of a DHT with thoriated tungsten filament has no match.

[shadowlight]

+1 on rodge827's recommendation for Radu Tarta! Radu built an amp for me a couple years ago (not a DHT amp).

Michael

+2, I currently use a 4P1L based preamp that was built by Radu - https://simplepleasuretubeamps.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/radus-implementation-of-the-siberian-4p1l-gen3-designed-by-ale-moglia/ and I have been using it for the last 5yrs or so.  As of right now the only way that preamp is getting moved out of the chain is to move to an integrated amp (tube or SS).

[mresseguie]

Great thoughts on DHT preamps. Now, if I may, I'd like to add a tag on question to see if anyone has thoughts.

Do any of you have experience with DHT DACs?

I ask because I'm considering upgrading my SW1X DAC III, and one option is to convert it to DHT. I know of one other SW1X owner who recently upgraded his DAC III, and this is one of his chosen options. For reference, my amp and preamp are both made by Don Sachs. My combined system: D Sachs + SW1X + Daedalus Apollos

[I know. I know. "Why are you thinking of upgrading, Michael?" The answer is simple....'addiction'.....

[shooter]

I am using a DIY NOS TDA1541a dac with DHT output, in my system it is a huge upgrade from my previous IDHT built, as my previous post mine uses type 10 or 801a, it is no difference from a line stage, generally DHTs are low gain devices and the gain is made up somewhere else.

[FullRangeMan]

The gain are intended to be done in the first stage/tube.

[mresseguie]

I am using a DIY NOS TDA1541a dac with DHT output, in my system it is a huge upgrade from my previous IDHT built, as my previous post mine uses type 10 or 801a, it is no difference from a line stage, generally DHTs are low gain devices and the gain is made up somewhere else.

Shooter, You've got a PM.

Michael

[shooter]

The gain are intended to be done in the first stage/tube.

In this case it is a SUT doing the I/V.