6N1P Tube Upgrade available now.

avahifi · « **on:** 28 Mar 2007, 12:07 am »

The 6N1P tube upgrade for all AVA tube and hybrid preamps and DAC (big chassis required).

With a lot of work, testing, and listening, we have been able to engineer a very useful upgrade to these products. The 6N1P tube has substantially higher current drive and linearity than our current 12AT7 tube in line applications. Redesigning our circuits to use this tube makes a really nice musical improvement in all the applicable products.

What you hear is significantly better dynamics, resolution, and range. Along with that comes an even sweeter, more open, and more musical extreme top end. We think this new upgrade will make you very happy.

The upgrade requires parts changes on the PC card to rebias the circuits for the 6N1P tubes. It also requires changing the heater supply to accommodate the higher current draw and 6 volt heater voltage.

Because the 6N1P tubes demand more heater current, are biased on harder, and have much more current drive, they run hotter. Thus part of the upgrade includes a new cover for the preamps and DAC with significantly greater ventilation.

But I just got my unit before you announced this!

Not to worry, we have been shipping all units with this significant upgrade since December, 2006. If you have received your unit within the past three months, simply look at the back label. If it says “use two 6N1P tubes” it is current. It may not have the full ventilated cover. We will give you a cover exchange free of charge, as long as you send the old one back. Call us at 651-330-9871 for details.

The upgrade cost for any Ultra preamplifier, Transcendence Eight preamplifier, or Ultra DAC built before December, 2006 in our big chassis is $299 including the new cover. Again, call us for details.

Frank Van Alstine

WEEZ · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 01:02 am »

Frank, has the gain changed? Sounds to me like a nice upgrade

WEEZ

Toka · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 02:25 pm »

Sounds good! Are the tubes for the phono stage changed at all?

avahifi · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 06:41 pm »

No, these are line tubes only. The phono tubes remain 12AX7 type because the high voltage gain is needed to close the RIAA feedback loop at low frequencies.

Regards,

Frank

avahifi · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 06:42 pm »

Overall gain has not changed. It is still a pretty much industry standard 20 dB on line and 40 dB on phono at 1 KHz.

It is a significantly better musical improvement than you would ever expect or anticipate.

Frank

Toka · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 07:12 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 28 Mar 2007, 06:42 pm

It is a significantly better musical improvement than you would ever expect or anticipate.

Frank

Not that I doubt ya, but the brief listen I had a little while ago to an Ultra setup had me muttering "it don't get better than that!". Can you tell us how the upgrade idea/process came about?

avahifi · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 11:13 pm »

It came about because we never assume we have done the best we can and always are trying many new things. Many new ideas do not work, but this one did.

Regards,

Frank

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 12:10 am »

Frank:
Can you do the upgrades to my T7ECR pre.

Cheers
Charlie

modular747 · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 12:58 am »

What about the Ultra/FET-valve power amps?

pearsall001 · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 02:02 am »

Boy, after waiting 9 weeks for my DAC it finally shipped on 11/26/06. I wasn't even aware of the upgrade. Maybe a phone call would have been nice to see if I wanted to wait a little longer to get the upgrade. You know the saying, win some, lose some!!!

nicksgem10s · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 03:25 am »

Hello Frank,

Did the equipment that you showed at AKfest '07 have the upgrades? I am guessing that it did. That was the first time I had a chance to hear your equipment and Jim Salk's speakers and I left the show very impressed

It was nice to have a chance to meet you & Jim Salk. Thanks for the opportunity to hear your wonderful designs.

avahifi · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 11:41 am »

The preamps and DACs run at AKfest did have the upgrades. Nothing planned for the power amplifiers at this time. 6N1P tubes can't be used in the small (12 inch wide) chassis units for thermal reasons. The new cover vents have two areas about 6" x 9". Equipment needs to be Ultra level already to have it done for the $299 price. All Ultra upgrades to older equipment in the big chassis now includes the 6N1P upgrade at no increase in price. Not much used AVA equipment out there because people tend to keep it long term.

Any other questions?

Frank Van Alstine

avahifi · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 07:32 pm »

Darn it, someone is always going to get the last of a model run before the new is through final testing and debugging and ready to ship.

A guaranteed way to avoid this is to purchase the last piece from a company going out of business.

The 6N1P upgrade is not a money maker for us, and it is worth the time and cost. Do it when you can, or simply enjoy what you have, its not too shabby as is.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

avahifi · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 07:33 pm »

Does what go to 11?

Frank

jmc207 · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 09:07 pm »

For those who prefer a visual on the Spinal Tap 11:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akaD9v460yI

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 11:06 pm »

I'll Swiss cheese the top of my small cased T8 just for the upgrade. Actually while I'm on the subject I have been considering 5751's for the phono stage, will this cause a problem?

avahifi · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Mar 2007, 12:26 am »

5751 tubes are simply a ruggedized version of the 12AX7 useful mostly for old portable radios. They in general have lower gain than good 12AX7 tubes and thus will yield higher harmonic distortion and poor bass response in a phono circuit. At one time years ago we used them because then there were no good 12AX7 tubes available. Not true now.

Vent your own cover? Sorry, still not enough room to get adequate heat fins on the + heater supply regulator IC.

Regards,

Frank

martyo · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 Mar 2007, 02:32 pm »

Frank, no more tube rolling with the new tubes, huh? Who is the manufacturer? I have another 2-4 week wait for my new equipment, I'm even more anxious

and excited

now!!!

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 Mar 2007, 06:03 pm »

I think 6DJ8, 6CG7, 6922 and 7308 are subs for the 6N1P.

TjMV3 · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 Mar 2007, 06:50 pm »

Quote from: Listens2tubes on 31 Mar 2007, 06:03 pm

I think 6DJ8, 6CG7, 6922 and 7308 are subs for the 6N1P.

Is that accurate?

Would be convienant for me if that is true, because if anything ever happens to the stock tubes of my forthcomning T8; I have several real nice 6922 and 6dj8 tubes to replace them with.

And if I ever get the urge to try switching some tubes in and out, I have plenty to try.