Great circuit = Great sound

[KevO]

I 'found' Bottlehead last year after hearing the Tape Project demo at CAS 2012. That was the best sound at the show - period. I signed up for the TP. So, find a R2R, order an Eros tape preamp and R2R kit. Read. Learn.....  and get hooked on Bottlehead.

Buy BeePre for fun (and therapy) since my tube pre is 11 years old. Get some 300B magic into my system.

I was told years ago that a great tube circuit sounds as good as the tubes you put in it. And the BeePre is a great circuit. Luckily I had some $$ for tubes.

I changed out the EL84's trying to get rid of upper mid glare/beaming. Psvane EL84s cleared that up. Whew!

Since Deb tried the KR 300B's and really liked them, I almost bought a set. Then Tube Depot raised the price $100. Darn! Trying to stay at $600 (for 2 tubes! ouch)

So, try something else. I had used a pair of Sophia 6SN7 in my last pre and liked them. Seemed pricy, but they bettered my (pricy, hard to find) NOS tubes.

I bought the Sophia Electric Carbon Plate 300B's. They took time to settle in. But very nice. Like the Electro's, they are microphonic - so Docs 'Rad Red Rings' are a must. They are musical with great tone, image, bass and not 'hi-fi' sounding. Very natural. Unravel complex music beautifully. Took the BeePre from very good to really good! WOW.

I called Richard Wugang at Sophia Electric and discussed one oddity. One tube 'chimed' as it warmed up. Seems to be thermal so it stops after 15 minutes or so. The carbon plates warm up faster in an amp I suppose.

Richard asked if I wanted to 'upgrade'. Oh oh. Good question. I had read some raves about his top 300B. Am I crazy spending $1200 on tubes for a $1200 preamp

After only 7 hours listening to the Sophia Royal Princess (also carbon plate) I can say (and my wife agrees) I am NOT crazy. (Mom had me tested) The Royal Princess in the BeePre is amazing. All the pluses of the Carbon and MORE. The BeePre is stunning with these tubes. A great preamp unleashed!

Last night we sat in the dark and listened for 4+ hours until we couldn't stay awake.

The Healer by John Lee Hooker, MFSL CD, blew us away. We were at the recording venue. Every sound is clear, clean, dynamic, musical and maybe magical.

My thanks to Bottlehead - Doc, Paul, Paul, Eileen for a great circuit and to Richard Wugang at Sophia Electric for great tubes.

I am very, very happy! (Now to finish the R2R re-build)

-Kevin

[adamct]

What are the 'Rad Red Rings'?

Thanks,
Adam

[KevO]

Doc found em.

http://www.belart.com/shop/183070005-vikemreg-vinyl-coated-lead-ring-p-183070005.html

Work well on the BeePre 300B tubes.

-Kevin

[adamct]

Cool, thanks!

[earwaxxer]

Its a shame those tubes are so pricey. I guess its popularity. It keeps most of us mortals from experimenting with them.

[corndog71]

Someday...

[KevO]

I just noticed Sophia had a Fathers Day sale on Audiogon. Royal Princess $950. Still - ouch! But awesome sound. Worth it if you have the funds. IMHO.

After reading about the different models I didn't think I would like the mesh plates in my system.

They start at $375 a pair. I am sure a nice step up from the Electro Harmonix. The Electro's are fine. No issues. Nice to know that better tubes really pay back in sound. At least with the ones I have tried.

I would love to hear the KR's Debra bought. Too bad it is so hard to evaluate/compare these tubes without buying them.

That is the point of our sharing....

-Kevin