jbsl Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 This is what I"m getting myself for Christmas. I bought a Cayin TA 30 two years ago from Paul at BizyBee audio and it has been a very good first tube amp and Paul is great to work with. Now if I had the money I'd get some VRDs but those will have to wait. So I decided to upgrade the TA 30 and Paul did me right the first time so I'm willing to try the TAD-60. It is 60 watts or 30 in triode using EL34, KT 88, KT 90, 6550, or my favorite tube the EH 6CA7s. There are reviews on it over at Audiogon. Many people bought the TAD-60 to replace their Cayin TA 30 and they felt the TAD-60 takes the sound to the next level. I use a 2004 Luxman int amp, L-505f, as a preamp and I love the sound and versiatility(yes bass, treble, and Loudness). I have tried 2 tube preamps and I feel the Luxman has a better overall sound than the tube preamps when used with the 3 different amps I had. With a pair of VRDs I might have liked the tube preamps better but I doubt it. As the Rolling Stones like to say"You can't always get what you want(VRDs) but you get what you need(TAD-60)". So I'll let you know if the TAD-60 satisfies my needs but still leaves me wanting more. And maybe for a little while I can keep my "wants" under control, at least for a day, okay hours, 1 hour, allright minutes. Xman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 I have not heard one so can't comment on the sound. However, it sure does look cool. Merry Christmas to yourself. Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 totally "Tube"ular, Dude .....[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedball Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 .......should blend in well with the Christmas lights around the house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Happy Christmas jbsl!!! Enjoy!!! Did Paul take your Cayan in trade or are you left to selling it yourself. (No, not for me I'm up to my ears.) I am just curious about Bizzy Bee as may be others. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago_Pete Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Congrats on the new tubes. I have had a few dealings with Paul at BizzyBee, great guy! Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Congrats! Glad you've been a good boy this year! Excellent results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilbert Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 SCHAWWWWING!!, Beautiful looking....Merry Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaaaz Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 the center knob is for adjustable feedback and the right is a volume pot for a single source.not sure what the driver tubes are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted December 21, 2005 Author Share Posted December 21, 2005 The Triode(3) / UL(4) mode switch allows you to change how dynamic the amp sounds. The variable feedback knob allows you to perfectly match the amplifier to your speakers by ear for the most realistic in the room live sound. The other knob allows the TAD-60 power amplifier to work as a single input integrated with a built-in volume control. This amp should hold me over till I can get some tube monoblocks. Stereo 60w/ch RMS maximum poweror with SuperbA Upgrade 45w/ch RMS maximum powerFrequency response: Flat 10Hz-20kHz, -3dB @ 50kHzLarge: 16"W, 14"D, 7.25"HHeavy: 45 poundsStainless steel chassisHeavy black face, blue lightSingle pair of gold RCA inputs, L & R Huge gold speaker binding posts, 4 & 8 Ohm tapsTriode Mode (3) / UL mode (4) SwitchesLarge heavy gold knob volume control - single input integratedLarge heavy gold variable feedback knobSpring loaded vibration damping tube shields for small tubesInput sensitivity full power: 1.25VRMS or more (adjustable)Excellent huge Z-11 silica steel transformers with vibration dampingNormal US audio tube types(4) EL-34, (2) 12AU7, (1) 12AX7Accepts EL-34, KT-88, 6550 or KT-90 output tubesEasy to use digital bias meter includedHuge dual power supply (glass/oil cap end) for wide accurate imagery Xman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny dB Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 I was just over at bizzybee's website considering his TAD-150 preamp. Having a remote would be nice. I don't really care for his "end of the year close-out special" that is $100 more than what they were selling for 3 mos. ago!! ...but that's just me. His gear does look nice though. Did you get the SuperbA upgrade for your >93dB sensitive speakers. If not, is there a hummmmmmmm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 Wonder how many people have paid $100 for the token call LOL !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted December 22, 2005 Author Share Posted December 22, 2005 I think the Christmas sell is $50 for the token call.XMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted December 23, 2005 Author Share Posted December 23, 2005 Well amp got here today and is powered up and running. On Dec 31 it will have been over a week so I'll start to really be more critical and try the triode mode and feedback control and then leave it for a couple of weeks. Then pull out the Svetlana EL 34s and put in EH 6CA7s and see which I like better. Leave it for a couple of months and get some KT 88 and KT 90s. Then I can compare it to the Cayin TA 30 and see which one I like better. Xman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted December 23, 2005 Author Share Posted December 23, 2005 xman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted December 23, 2005 Share Posted December 23, 2005 I know Craig's rolling his eyes right about now [^o)], but I like it! Looks well built, and I'll bet it'll only improve in sound once you get into some serious tube rolling (especially with nice Telefunken drivers and NOS 6550s)! The only thing that distracts my eye are those darn tube shields...wonder if they're really necessary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted December 23, 2005 Author Share Posted December 23, 2005 Craig knows Paul and says they are good friends. Craig and Paul both know tube amps very well but they just went with different designs for their amps. I plan to get some KT 88, KT 90s, and 6550 and try em all. The Svetlana EL34s in the amp are not burned in yet but I did not like them on my Cayin TA 30 so I do not think I will like them on the TAD 60. I used some EH 6CA7s that had much better bass and smoother midrange and treble on the Cayin. So once I give the EL34s and amp a chance to break in I will compare the two tubes. I have La SCalas in a 15 x 15 x 8 living room so I'm not worried about the volume being loud I'm want excellent sound quality. The 6CA7s do a very good job of better bass with smoother midrange and treble than the EL34s in my system. Are Telefunken drivers the brand of driver tubes? How much do 4 NOS 6550 cost? I think the tube sheilds can comm off but I don't know if they even improve the sound or not. This will give me something to play with for the next couple of months. Xman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 what 6CA7's do you have ..??? Sylvania ..?? they have a somewhat harder sound than the '34 they are just an Industrial EL-34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny dB Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 jbsl, Did you get the SuperbA upgrade on that amp or is it "stock"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted December 24, 2005 Author Share Posted December 24, 2005 Duke the Elctro Harmonix 6CA7s sound much smoother to me than the Svetlana EL 34s but maybe a different EL 34 tube might be smoother than the Svets. To me the Svet 34s sound very forward and hard in the midrange. The EH 6CA7s have better bass and smoother midrange but everyone says the EL34s should be smoother but I don't hear it. With the Svet 34s in my Cayin I could not turn it up very loud without felling like I was being overwhelmed by a unpleaseant wall of sound. I do not mean rock concert sound levels but loud listening levels. I had the 6CA7s and tried them for a couple of days and did not think much of them but I did not give them time to burn in. I put them back in about 4 months ago and let them burn in and they are much smoother when I turn up the volume so now no massive unpleasent wall of sound. I think the better bass with the 6CA7s blends better with the midrange and highs and gives a smoother sound, at least to my ears it does. I would rather try some KT 88, KT 90, 6550 before I would spend anymore money on EL 34s I really don't like the sound from them. Yes Johnny dB I did get the superbA upgrade and if I put my ear up to the midrange horn I can hear a little hiss. From a foot away I can barely hear hiss and nothing from 2 feet. So with no hiss with La Scalas the superbA seems to work very good! I'm leaving the Svet EL34s in till the amp breaks in (I've got 12 hours on the amp now) and then I'll put the 6CA7s in and see if they still sound smoother with better bass in this amp. Then in a couple of months I'll get some other tubes. Hope everyone has a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year!! Xman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.