[ricmon]

It's been two days since receiving my upgraded 550.  Without getting into trying to be an audio reviewer I just want to give what I think is a very intresting aspect of the U550.  In short I was struck by the fact that at first listen I was totally under whelmed.  Than as I began to listen more it hit me.  What the amp was doing was nothing.  There is no hifi pyrotechnics, no in your face audio attack.  In short the amp sounds is totally unoticabe.  Which in and of it self is a remarkable achievement.  Kudos for making an amp that just sounds very natural.  And by the way.  Because of this naturalness my vinyl is totally incredible.

Ric

[martyo]

Hey Ricmon,

I notice on your system page your running NOS Siemens in your Ultra 550. Did you have Frank set the bias for those during your repair/upgrade? I hope after you get some  more hours in you'll give us a comparison between the Ultra and the EX.

No more turning it up to "11"

[tonyptony]

Ric, I second Marty's comment. Hopefully you had AVA bias the upgrade with your tubes in place. I was afraid to send my ECC801S tubes in when I sent my FetValve in for the upgrade and wound up sending them afterward via US Mail, in time for biasing as the work was finished at Frank's.

I agree with you comments about the Ultra. There's really not much you can say about it, other than it makes music in a way that is both glorious and neutral.

Are you using the Siemens two mica or three mica jobs? I just bought a pair of Siemens NOS ECC81 triple micas off an eBay seller. I've heard they are a great tube to use. I'm running Telefunken ECC801S right now in the Ultra. I can't see ever wanting to use anything else, frankly, but the chance to get some of the other well-regraded AT7s at a decent price is too much to give up! 

[ricmon]

Sorry for the delayed respone.  Had to get some sushi.  Yes I had the tubes install at AVA during the upgrade and yes I'm using the triple mice Siemens.  I just hope I can find a set to stash at a decent price for the eventual replacement of the ones in there now.

[ricmon]

Excellent!

Next step (?): trade in the preamp for an Ultra SL. I expect it will sound like your current pre on steroids.

But I bet those Lipinskis are sounding good these days...

The Ultra SL has been on my mind.  But I think Frank breathed a little extra life into my TR7.  I sent it in with the amp because of the problems I was having with my speakers and Frank benched tested it and added some new tubes.  I suspect he did a little more then just test it.  So I may wait about a year before I make that move.