Hi Ian,
The AVVT is a very linear and top to bottom balanced 300b variant (mine is the 32b SL). The Sophia RP was very good sounding in my system for the 2 weeks I had them on loan. Both have a natural high frequency sound and neither sound hyped or emphasized in this region. The RP may be just "slightly" more upper frequency extension if memory serves me correctly. Overall I'd say the Sophia RP is subtly warmer and fuller in my amplifier. Both are at the premium 300b level IMO. I didn't have both at the same time for direct comparison.
Charles,

charles1dad March 19, 2014 01:20

Charles,

How would you describe the high frequencies on the AVVT. I ask because I now have the PRE (Super Eclipse sold) and there are times I would wish for I little less energy up top.

By chance did you ever get a chance to try the Sofia Royal Princess? If so what's your take on it compared to the others?

Thanks kindly for the inputs. In the meantime I think I'll start with Dennis Fraker of Serious Stereo just in case I can avoid the import/shipped hassles.

Cheers,

Ian

ianderson March 18, 2014 03:56

Drdavid says he just got a pair of the AVVT 32b from Jac's Music for his Frankenstein amps.
Charles,

charles1dad March 15, 2014 01:49

Try calling Dennis Fraker of Serious Stereo at 406 222 9229. I bought my AVVT 32b SL from him last year and they were in excellent condition and sound splendid. This hard to find tube is a gem.This AVVT 32b and the EML XLS are cut from the same premium cloth
Charles,

charles1dad March 14, 2014 16:45

I've tried to order through the Jac Music site very unsuccessfully on several attempts to order the AVVT 32b tubes you speak of. I follow their directions but I have never gotten a response from them???
Very frustrating!!!
:-(

lak March 14, 2014 13:20

Re:
I'd like to recommend to anyone who uses a 300b amplifier to seriously consider the AVVT 32B SL tube if you happen to come across a pair(out of production)..... For their cost they are a true significant value given the performance provided. The AVVT 32b used (hard to find these days) is a spectacular buy.

I was on the Jac Music site (Germany) they still have some stock, though there will be foreign exchange, shipping and import fees to take in consideration. Based on the high praise it might be worth it. Has anyone gone this route before and had a positive experience? In the end how much extra did this cost I wonder?

ianderson March 14, 2014 05:04

Beautiful record and Sarah's voice is at her prime here.

jwm March 02, 2014 13:06

Hi Jet,
Yep, wonderful music! When you consider that it was recorded in 1954 it surely has stood the test of time.
Charles,

charles1dad March 01, 2014 22:24

I didn't want to be left out so I stopped by the local record shop here in Park Slope called Music Matters hoping they might have Sarah Yaughan- Clifford Brown and sure enough they did. Picked it up and spinning it now. Hi Sarah and Clifford! thank you for stopping by and giving me a personal concert. Great sounding stuff on re issued vinyl.

jetrexpro March 01, 2014 19:09

Hi Pradeep,
I Concur with your comments regarding Sarah Vaughn. I also simply adore the beautiful tone and emotion of the great Clifford Brown's trumpet mastery. In truth I love the contributions of every performer on this classic jazz gem. Convincing realism, oh yes!
Charles,

charles1dad February 26, 2014 11:23

Tjkurita
I suspect you may not have heard a mono cart play a mono LP !
Charles
This is great music and an excellent recording. Every turn of phrase, sigh and intonation in Sarah's voice is faithfully reproduced by the SET amps. The realism is eerie
Cheers
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 February 26, 2014 07:17

Hi Pradeep,
That is definitely a mono recording done in 1954-55 and yes it's beautiful music by two legends. I play that CD often and always feel as though I'm in the venue with them.
Charles,

charles1dad February 25, 2014 14:35

You vinyl crazies need to use different carts for stereo and mono recordings?! What an inconvenient life you lead!

tjkurita February 25, 2014 13:17

Charles
I just got the Sarah Vaughan -Clifford Brown LP. Thanks for the recommendation . Superb. It appears to be a mono LP but there is no inscription on the jacket. I am not going to risk playing it with my mono cart. Afraid not much luck with the LP versions of the other recommendations :(
Cheers
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 February 25, 2014 12:42

Hi Tjkurita,
I meant every word I said about the Duelund CAST but recognize there are other superb products available. Your AN Silver capacitors are considered to be among the absolute best. There's no guarantee that the CAST would necessarily be better in your amplifier (different, probably). I'd believe that either of these capacitors would result in a superior upgrade for most applications.
Charles,

charles1dad February 21, 2014 15:51

Charles,

I am really glad you like the caps! If my Audio Note caps ever die (I hope not for many years), I think Dueland will be high on my list of replacements. I must say, I love the Audio Note silver sound. I can't imagine my amp sounding better. But your comments about the Dueland and your insightful ears make me start to think...

tjkurita February 21, 2014 05:24

I continue to be fascinated by the effects of the Duelund CAST capacitors. I've had them for quite some time in my DAC and speakers and they are indisputably a superb audio product. In retrospect I can say that they'll continue to improve probably up to 400-500 hours. Subtly after about 300 but they do continue the progression. They are good straight out of the shipping box and noticeably better at the 100-150 hour mark.

Their ability to present a profoundly natural sound has earned my deep admiration. They actually improve all aspects of sound but for those music lovers who appreciate genuine tone, harmonics and timbre as I do will love
this capacitor. They simply increase the nuances,emotion and organic bliss
that's present in acoustic instruments and voice. What ever they're doing at
Duelund they surely got it right.

charles1dad February 21, 2014 04:39

Mr. Coltrane should have my moniker "spirit of music", Just love the power and soul of those Atlantic sessions, a true spirit indeed. What tone!!! All conveyed to the heart by SET's.
Grounding really clears the hash to let the message come thru unhindered.

spiritofmusic February 14, 2014 12:57

Coltrane begn to play the soprano saxophone more frequently as he moved on. He mastered the soprano and played it beautifully but I just prefer the sound of the tenor saxophone, full, rich and big body tone. Coltrane and Dexter Gordon could really make that luscious big tone tenor sax communicate.
Charles,

charles1dad February 14, 2014 12:02

Hi Spirit,
Mr Coltrane, yep! I like his sound and style of playing during his Prestige and Atlantic Records period more than the later Impulse years. Certainly you could say he continued to "evolve" but I listen more often to his earlier music as I find it more soulful.
Charles,

charles1dad February 14, 2014 11:49

Absolutely, Charles. The goosebump feeling on familiar tracks, and new appreciation of songs I used to pass over in the past, are major benefits of the SET presentation.
My experiments on installing 50's Telefunken tubes in my Hovland pre, and changing the stock 6H23N and E182CC tubes on the Audions, has been totally positive, so I'm confident substituting the 845's will be similarly beneficial.
Loving the fact that the foundation of the system stays true, but supercharged by these mods.
Recently listened to the early 60's Coltrane Atlantic label lps, and I've never felt more connected to the big man's miraculous brilliance.

spiritofmusic February 14, 2014 08:52

For those who love jazz piano I recommend "Twogether" (correct title spelling). Features the very gifted but under rated John Hicks with alto saxophonist Frank Morgan on 4 of the selections. Sheer beauty.
Charles,

charles1dad February 14, 2014 04:25

"Holistic listening experience", Spirit that sums up the SET effect and again you're right with stating, "an irreversible move". Right now I'm listening to pianist John Hicks playing along side saxophonist Frank Morgan and the venue atmosphere and musicians are utterly palpable. Pure enjoyment. Spirit just continue to fully appreciate what you have.
Charles,

charles1dad February 14, 2014 04:06

Just when one thinks there's an exit from all this high end madness, the journey just keeps stretching on...
I have to say the move to SET's has been totally instructive, with the holistic listening experience putting all the distortion figures to bed.
Having sorted out balanced power, grounding and vibration isolation in the last year, with the irreversible move to SET's and full range driver Zu's, my listening enjoyment has gone thru the roof.
My last big areas of expenditure look like these tubes, and investigating the Sablon cables further.
It'll be strange approaching this 90% of final destination stage (I'll reserve 10% for another left field upgrade, whatever that will be).

spiritofmusic February 14, 2014 00:57

Spirit,
I thought the KR 845 had non standard specifications. If your Audion dealer gives the green light they are okay it seems.
Charles,

charles1dad February 14, 2014 00:46