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Post by Ward on Jun 18, 2023 16:42:23 GMT -6
What's out there and are any of you using one?
Mono, dual with stereo option? Straight ahead stereo?
What are the tube options? Anyone making one with sub-miniature vacuum tubes like the 6s6b or even nuvistors?
Full of questions! Wondering what the general 'think' is on the subject. Thanks for your consideration.
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Post by sentientsound on Jun 19, 2023 1:07:57 GMT -6
IGS Tubecore 500
Mono, 2x 6AK5, ECC82
Retro Doublewide:
Mono, 4x 6BJ6
WesAudio RHEA:
Stereo, 2x 6NP3
Digital / plugin control, nice features like adjustment of THD and parallel mix
Sound Skulptor MU524:
Mono, 1x ECC189
I haven't used any of them...
The RHEA looks most compelling and is on my wanted/demo list. I can't help be skeptical of feature-packed stereo in a 2-slot chassis but people I trust say they sound awesome. Plus their MIMAS and DIONE are excellent.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107 
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Post by ericn on Jun 19, 2023 7:20:35 GMT -6
This sort of reminds me of that guy we saw in every Hot Rod Magazine in the 80’s you know that guy who would stick a Hemi V8 in a Omni / Horizon. I mean yeah ok you can do it but why?
In this case yes you can run tubes in a 500 series, but between the limited space and all the fun of getting the the voltage I just ask why?
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Post by Ward on Jun 19, 2023 8:46:12 GMT -6
SNIP . . . Hot Rod Magazine in the 80’s you know that guy who would stick a Hemi V8 in a Omni / Horizon. I mean yeah ok you can do it but why? Is that a serious question? Try a 427 in a Chevette!!! Now THAT was awesome! Anyhow, 500 series Vari-Mus. Anyone have and using one? Serious question. Kinda sorta maybe |
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Post by plinker on Jun 19, 2023 9:45:35 GMT -6
I've been looking down this path, Ward, and found the same stuff as Sentiensound.
However, a part of me agrees with Eric; the idea of tubes in a 500 chassis makes me feel like I do when I see lesbian porn -- it's just not optimally configured.
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Post by srb on Jun 19, 2023 10:50:10 GMT -6
I feel like Dave Hill did a fine job incorporating a tube into the 500 series format with the Crane Song Falcon. $.02
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Post by robschnapf on Jun 19, 2023 11:22:04 GMT -6
Is cranesong still making stuff since Dave’s passing?
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Post by Ward on Jun 19, 2023 11:29:42 GMT -6
I've been looking down this path, Ward, and found the same stuff as Sentiensound. However, a part of me agrees with Eric; the idea of tubes in a 500 chassis makes me feel like I do when I see lesbian porn -- it's just not optimally configured. I thought you were trisexual, no wait, ambidextrous . . . I think I'm psychosexual - attracted to batshit crazy women. But that's just me, always mixing up something. Anyhow, tube in a 500 pound chassis. right, I see how that was confusing. I referenced sub-miniature glass tubes and Nuvistors because I was thinking about heat. O:) |
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Post by plinker on Jun 19, 2023 11:45:30 GMT -6
I've been looking down this path, Ward, and found the same stuff as Sentiensound. However, a part of me agrees with Eric; the idea of tubes in a 500 chassis makes me feel like I do when I see lesbian porn -- it's just not optimally configured. I thought you were trisexual, no wait, ambidextrous . . . I think I'm psychosexual - attracted to batshit crazy women. But that's just me, always mixing up something. Anyhow, tube in a 500 pound chassis. right, I see how that was confusing. I referenced sub-miniature glass tubes and Nuvistors because I was thinking about heat. O:) "Trisexual"?? Naw...I'm trite-sexual -- boring in bed. On a positive note though, I'm married, so it doesn't really matter. I overlooked the sub-miniature tube part. Yeah -- that's a really good idea! LTL uses one in their Pentode thingy. They're used in some of Oliver Archut's mics too, but you don't see them used too often. 30 volts is asking a lot less of a 500 chassis than a regular tube! |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 19, 2023 12:40:12 GMT -6
What's out there and are any of you using one? Mono, dual with stereo option? Straight ahead stereo? What are the tube options? Anyone making one with sub-miniature vacuum tubes like the 6s6b or even nuvistors? Full of questions! Wondering what the general 'think' is on the subject. Thanks for your consideration. I’m just really dubious about any Vari mu in 500 rivaling something like a Sta…If there is, please let me know. |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107
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Post by ericn on Jun 19, 2023 15:18:14 GMT -6
Is cranesong still making stuff since Dave’s passing? That is the Million dollar question, I think Brad Lundy was distributing one of his lines, I’ll ask since I need to email him on another matter. |
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Post by ab101 on Jun 19, 2023 16:16:26 GMT -6
Is cranesong still making stuff since Dave’s passing? That is the Million dollar question, I think Brad Lundy was distributing one of his lines, I’ll ask since I need to email him on another matter. It would be nice if someone could continue the line of Crane Song as well as David Hill labeled gear, and provide some of the profits to his family. I am not sure if he has a "will." It would be nice to know. Somehow I think Peter Montessi might now this information. |
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Post by ab101 on Jun 19, 2023 17:18:58 GMT -6
Update: Peter Montessi reports to me that David Hill's company is still up and running. Super excellent products too!
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Post by anders on Jun 23, 2023 4:21:49 GMT -6
[…] I’m just really dubious about any Vari mu in 500 rivaling something like a Sta…If there is, please let me know. I finished DIY-ing a Sound Skulptor MU524 the other day. If you have some (mono) material you'd want to audition, just share a link, and I can run it through the MU524. (Not saying it will rival it, but it might give you an idea what is feasible within a single space 500 unit) |
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Post by keymod on Jun 23, 2023 4:38:08 GMT -6
[…] I’m just really dubious about any Vari mu in 500 rivaling something like a Sta…If there is, please let me know. I finished DIY-ing a Sound Skulptor MU524 the other day. If you have some (mono) material you'd want to audition, just share a link, and I can run it through the MU524. (Not saying it will rival it, but it might give you an idea what is feasible within a single space 500 unit) A pair of mu524 are on my horizon.... |
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Post by anders on Jun 23, 2023 5:09:12 GMT -6
I finished DIY-ing a Sound Skulptor MU524 the other day. If you have some (mono) material you'd want to audition, just share a link, and I can run it through the MU524. (Not saying it will rival it, but it might give you an idea what is feasible within a single space 500 unit) A pair of mu524 are on my horizon.... Then you'll be able to offer stereo auditions. Envious! |
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Post by EmRR on Jun 23, 2023 7:05:05 GMT -6
It’s not that challenging to get vari-mu in 500, if “just compression” is the goal. If overall box tone is the bigger part of the picture, prob not. A proper standalone with a traditional longer path, power tube output, and bigger transformers is a whole different animal, and many vintage also rely on some headroom limiting of transients somewhat above the compression threshold, which just can’t be the same in a hybrid design.
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Post by plinker on Jun 23, 2023 12:59:05 GMT -6
It’s not that challenging to get vari-mu in 500, if “just compression” is the goal. If overall box tone is the bigger part of the picture, prob not. A proper standalone with a traditional longer path, power tube output, and bigger transformers is a whole different animal, and many vintage also rely on some headroom limiting of transients somewhat above the compression threshold, which just can’t be the same in a hybrid design. This is a nice compromise between the big boxes and 500 units: www.phaedrus-audio.com/phamulus.htmI'm still kicking myself for not buying one of these (~$700 USD) before they stopped making them. I've confirmed with the owner that, due to component sourcing problems, they will likely never be made again. |
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Post by sentientsound on Jun 27, 2023 18:25:52 GMT -6
I'd like to see WesAudio do a 2-3U rack ng version of the Rhea. Their control system is great and the ngBusComp and 76 are really popular. The larger platform would allow for bigger transformers maybe another tube stage, optimal power and better heat dissipation.
Back on topic, found another one:
Fredenstein F602
Single-slot, Mono, 6386 LGP tube
Wet/dry blend, flexible DSP controlled knee it seems? Hard/soft toggle, ratio control.
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