Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

Triode Electronics:
http://store.yahoo.com/triodeel/index.html

"Al" wrote in message news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

There's also
http://tubestore.com/

http://www.kcanostubes.com/
--
Phil Wilson
----
"Al" wrote in message
news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours
for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

I have a vmp-2 as well and would be interested in suggestions for tubes that
could upgrade and "fatten" the sound a bit.


"Al" wrote in message
news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours
for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

In article ,
"Sanbar" wrote:
I have a vmp-2 as well and would be interested in suggestions for tubes that
could upgrade and "fatten" the sound a bit.

It's more tedious and requires more thought, but you'd do better to
replace the coupling caps with caps that use better sounding dielectrics
if you want a larger/fatter sound. Yes, better tubes can help, but only
so much.

Try to find polypropylene caps for the larger values and polystyrene for
the tiny stuff, especially in the EQ section. The stock film caps are
all mylars and can easily be improved upon. The cathode bypasses can
remain electrolytic, but you could replace them with a higher quality
unit and possibly bypass them with a quality film if you're gung-ho.

The basic design of the VMP-2 is quite good, but the component quality
limits performance. But, considering that the VMP-2 sold for less than
$1K, it's hard to complain!!


Have fun,

Monte McGuire

On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 19:05:58 -0400, Sanbar wrote
(in article ):

I have a vmp-2 as well and would be interested in suggestions for tubes that
could upgrade and "fatten" the sound a bit.


"Al" wrote in message
news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours
for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

I just retubed both my 65 Vibrolux and 67 super reverb with Groove Tube
tubes. I'm very pleased.

Regards,

Ty Ford




-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at http://home.comcast.net/~tyreeford

On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 19:05:58 -0400, Sanbar wrote
(in article ):

I have a vmp-2 as well and would be interested in suggestions for tubes that
could upgrade and "fatten" the sound a bit.


"Al" wrote in message
news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours
for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

I just retubed both my 65 Vibrolux and 67 super reverb with Groove Tube
tubes. I'm very pleased.

Regards,

Ty Ford




-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at http://home.comcast.net/~tyreeford

"Al" wrote in message news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

Most customer's are liking the Electro harmonix 12AX7A EH's. They are
also selling NOS 12AT7's from Mullard, a good value. I like the
polyprop MIT caps in there as well. Consider using a Jensen JT-115 in
there as well.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

"Al" wrote in message news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

Most customer's are liking the Electro harmonix 12AX7A EH's. They are
also selling NOS 12AT7's from Mullard, a good value. I like the
polyprop MIT caps in there as well. Consider using a Jensen JT-115 in
there as well.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

In article QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02, Al wrote:

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

Try the JJ tubes. Triode Electronics carries them. So does Antique
Electronics Supply.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

In article QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02, Al wrote:

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

Try the JJ tubes. Triode Electronics carries them. So does Antique
Electronics Supply.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Thanks for your input. Coming from you, I'll take it as very reliable
advice!

I've been looking at some of the tube websites that came up in response to
my posting. To my surprise, it appears that GT doesn't actually manufacture
the tubes sold under its logo. I thought they had bought the old tooling and
had resumed production in the U.S., at least for some of their tubes. But
one site in particular claims unequivocally that _every_ new tube on the
market comes from a handful of former Iron Curtain countries, and China.

Of course, there's true NOS merchandise out there, if I don't mind paying as
much to re-tube as I paid for the preamp in the first place...

Thanks again,

Alan


"Ty Ford" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 19:05:58 -0400, Sanbar wrote
(in article ):

I have a vmp-2 as well and would be interested in suggestions for tubes
that
could upgrade and "fatten" the sound a bit.


"Al" wrote in message
news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with
its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low
hours
for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding
decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to
get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the
benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

I just retubed both my 65 Vibrolux and 67 super reverb with Groove Tube
tubes. I'm very pleased.

Regards,

Ty Ford




-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other
audiocentric
stuff are at http://home.comcast.net/~tyreeford

Thanks for your response. Do you by any chance have a schematic I could use
as a roadmap for these mods?

Alan



"Monte McGuire" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Sanbar" wrote:
I have a vmp-2 as well and would be interested in suggestions for tubes
that
could upgrade and "fatten" the sound a bit.

It's more tedious and requires more thought, but you'd do better to
replace the coupling caps with caps that use better sounding dielectrics
if you want a larger/fatter sound. Yes, better tubes can help, but only
so much.

Try to find polypropylene caps for the larger values and polystyrene for
the tiny stuff, especially in the EQ section. The stock film caps are
all mylars and can easily be improved upon. The cathode bypasses can
remain electrolytic, but you could replace them with a higher quality
unit and possibly bypass them with a quality film if you're gung-ho.

The basic design of the VMP-2 is quite good, but the component quality
limits performance. But, considering that the VMP-2 sold for less than
$1K, it's hard to complain!!


Have fun,

Monte McGuire

Thanks for your input. Coming from you, I'll take it as very reliable
advice!

I've been looking at some of the tube websites that came up in response to
my posting. To my surprise, it appears that GT doesn't actually manufacture
the tubes sold under its logo. I thought they had bought the old tooling and
had resumed production in the U.S., at least for some of their tubes. But
one site in particular claims unequivocally that _every_ new tube on the
market comes from a handful of former Iron Curtain countries, and China.

Of course, there's true NOS merchandise out there, if I don't mind paying as
much to re-tube as I paid for the preamp in the first place...

Thanks again,

Alan


"Ty Ford" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 19:05:58 -0400, Sanbar wrote
(in article ):

I have a vmp-2 as well and would be interested in suggestions for tubes
that
could upgrade and "fatten" the sound a bit.


"Al" wrote in message
news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with
its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low
hours
for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding
decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to
get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the
benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

I just retubed both my 65 Vibrolux and 67 super reverb with Groove Tube
tubes. I'm very pleased.

Regards,

Ty Ford




-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other
audiocentric
stuff are at http://home.comcast.net/~tyreeford

Thanks for your response. Do you by any chance have a schematic I could use
as a roadmap for these mods?

Alan



"Monte McGuire" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Sanbar" wrote:
I have a vmp-2 as well and would be interested in suggestions for tubes
that
could upgrade and "fatten" the sound a bit.

It's more tedious and requires more thought, but you'd do better to
replace the coupling caps with caps that use better sounding dielectrics
if you want a larger/fatter sound. Yes, better tubes can help, but only
so much.

Try to find polypropylene caps for the larger values and polystyrene for
the tiny stuff, especially in the EQ section. The stock film caps are
all mylars and can easily be improved upon. The cathode bypasses can
remain electrolytic, but you could replace them with a higher quality
unit and possibly bypass them with a quality film if you're gung-ho.

The basic design of the VMP-2 is quite good, but the component quality
limits performance. But, considering that the VMP-2 sold for less than
$1K, it's hard to complain!!


Have fun,

Monte McGuire

Thanks for your input. Is the JT-115 a drop-in replacement for the existing
transformers?

Alan



"Jim Williams" wrote in message
om...
"Al" wrote in message
news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours
for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the
benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

Most customer's are liking the Electro harmonix 12AX7A EH's. They are
also selling NOS 12AT7's from Mullard, a good value. I like the
polyprop MIT caps in there as well. Consider using a Jensen JT-115 in
there as well.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Thanks for your input. Is the JT-115 a drop-in replacement for the existing
transformers?

Alan



"Jim Williams" wrote in message
om...
"Al" wrote in message
news:QsXBc.88868$eu.23756@attbi_s02...
Hello all...

I'm re-tubing my Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp. Currently it's set up with its
original set of Chinese-made tubes. Although it has relatively low hours
for
its age, I'd like to give it a fresh start with some NOS tubes or
equivalent.

Each channel uses three 12AX7's and one 12AT7. No problem finding decent
AX's; pending the response from this group, I'm planning to install new
Groove Tubes 12AX7M's. (Has anyone had any experience with those?)

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

I'm concerned that installing garden-variety 12AT7's will undo the
benefit
of adding the expensive GT preamp tubes.

Thanks in advance for your responses...

Alan

Most customer's are liking the Electro harmonix 12AX7A EH's. They are
also selling NOS 12AT7's from Mullard, a good value. I like the
polyprop MIT caps in there as well. Consider using a Jensen JT-115 in
there as well.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

I get all of my tubes from Lord Valve. He hangs out over at
alt.guitars.amps. His tubes are burnt in, and matched. (these are
power amp tubes, obviously). He could probably give you some good
suggestions on your pre-amp.

For the record, I'm not real fond of Groove Tubes. They're just
relabeled Czec or Russian tubes, for the most part.

I get all of my tubes from Lord Valve. He hangs out over at
alt.guitars.amps. His tubes are burnt in, and matched. (these are
power amp tubes, obviously). He could probably give you some good
suggestions on your pre-amp.

For the record, I'm not real fond of Groove Tubes. They're just
relabeled Czec or Russian tubes, for the most part.

Al wrote:
Thanks for your input. Is the JT-115 a drop-in replacement for the existing
transformers?

Yes, but what is in there is a Reichenbach that is only slightly different
than the JT-115. I'd worry more about the cap mods first.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Al wrote:
Thanks for your input. Is the JT-115 a drop-in replacement for the existing
transformers?

Yes, but what is in there is a Reichenbach that is only slightly different
than the JT-115. I'd worry more about the cap mods first.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

In article _%iCc.80132$Hg2.35122@attbi_s04,
"Al" wrote:

Thanks for your response. Do you by any chance have a schematic I could use
as a roadmap for these mods?

Unfortunately not. But, you can be pretty simplistic about it,
modifying it "stage by stage" and still end up doing a good job. This
circuit isn't all that obscure, and there are no odd interactions
between the stages that could cause you grief.

If you're used to tube circuits at all, then you should have no problem
identifying what makes sense to replace and what is OK to leave alone.
Still, if you get that wrong, you'll at worst waste money upgrading
something that isn't all that bad.

You basically have coupling caps (mostly plate to grid), cathode
bypasses, power supply bypasses and EQ caps to replace. Get a tube book
to decode the tube pinout and take a look at the circuit yourself.
Again, it's really not a complex circuit...


Best of luck,

Monte McGuire

In article _%iCc.80132$Hg2.35122@attbi_s04,
"Al" wrote:

Thanks for your response. Do you by any chance have a schematic I could use
as a roadmap for these mods?

Unfortunately not. But, you can be pretty simplistic about it,
modifying it "stage by stage" and still end up doing a good job. This
circuit isn't all that obscure, and there are no odd interactions
between the stages that could cause you grief.

If you're used to tube circuits at all, then you should have no problem
identifying what makes sense to replace and what is OK to leave alone.
Still, if you get that wrong, you'll at worst waste money upgrading
something that isn't all that bad.

You basically have coupling caps (mostly plate to grid), cathode
bypasses, power supply bypasses and EQ caps to replace. Get a tube book
to decode the tube pinout and take a look at the circuit yourself.
Again, it's really not a complex circuit...


Best of luck,

Monte McGuire

On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 14:35:28 GMT, "Al" wrote:

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

One minor caveat (very minor, based on my small experience) is
about the 6201's released from US military stocks. Possibly too
microphonic for your use. Sort or get return privileges.

East European and Russian tubes nowdays are excellent. Folks who
sort/ select tubes (Groove Tubes, Ned, others) provide as good a
product as was ever available.

A hobbyist will still want his (gender not optional) own tester
and a good selection of new, used, and abused bottles. Civilians
with lives can confidently move on.

Personally, I have both a TV2B and a TV7. I try not to burden
my friends though. There, I've said it.

Chris Hornbeck

On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 14:35:28 GMT, "Al" wrote:

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

One minor caveat (very minor, based on my small experience) is
about the 6201's released from US military stocks. Possibly too
microphonic for your use. Sort or get return privileges.

East European and Russian tubes nowdays are excellent. Folks who
sort/ select tubes (Groove Tubes, Ned, others) provide as good a
product as was ever available.

A hobbyist will still want his (gender not optional) own tester
and a good selection of new, used, and abused bottles. Civilians
with lives can confidently move on.

Personally, I have both a TV2B and a TV7. I try not to burden
my friends though. There, I've said it.

Chris Hornbeck

I personally wouldn't recommend anything but Dutch, W.German, UK or USA made tubes for a VMP-2,
or anything else worth putting good tubes into. I have yet to hear any Russian, Chinese, etc.
tube sound half as good as even a crappy old Raytheon tube, nor last even 1/10th as long as the
worst old US tube. Even stock, putting Dutch Amperex tubes in a VMP-2 is a fabulous
improvement in sound over the stock crap. The FIRST thing I do to any VMP-2 is to get rid of
almost all of the horrible IDC connectors, hardwiring all but the couple needed for maintaining
service ease, but the remaining connectors get the wires soldered into the contacts. Doing
this makes the VMP-2 vastly more reliable, and vintage-tubing then makes the unit about
bulletproof. The next step is to go into upgrading the caps, HV rectifiers, tube sockets & the
more critical resistors. A fully upgraded and vintage-tubed VMP-2 is truly a magnificent
sounding, and very quiet, mic preamp.

--
Stephen Sank, Owner & Ribbon Mic Restorer
Talking Dog Transducer Company
http://stephensank.com
5517 Carmelita Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico [87111]
505-332-0336
Auth. Nakamichi & McIntosh servicer
Payments preferred through Paypal.com
"Monte McGuire" wrote in message
...
In article _%iCc.80132$Hg2.35122@attbi_s04,
"Al" wrote:

Thanks for your response. Do you by any chance have a schematic I could use
as a roadmap for these mods?

Unfortunately not. But, you can be pretty simplistic about it,
modifying it "stage by stage" and still end up doing a good job. This
circuit isn't all that obscure, and there are no odd interactions
between the stages that could cause you grief.

If you're used to tube circuits at all, then you should have no problem
identifying what makes sense to replace and what is OK to leave alone.
Still, if you get that wrong, you'll at worst waste money upgrading
something that isn't all that bad.

You basically have coupling caps (mostly plate to grid), cathode
bypasses, power supply bypasses and EQ caps to replace. Get a tube book
to decode the tube pinout and take a look at the circuit yourself.
Again, it's really not a complex circuit...


Best of luck,

Monte McGuire

I personally wouldn't recommend anything but Dutch, W.German, UK or USA made tubes for a VMP-2,
or anything else worth putting good tubes into. I have yet to hear any Russian, Chinese, etc.
tube sound half as good as even a crappy old Raytheon tube, nor last even 1/10th as long as the
worst old US tube. Even stock, putting Dutch Amperex tubes in a VMP-2 is a fabulous
improvement in sound over the stock crap. The FIRST thing I do to any VMP-2 is to get rid of
almost all of the horrible IDC connectors, hardwiring all but the couple needed for maintaining
service ease, but the remaining connectors get the wires soldered into the contacts. Doing
this makes the VMP-2 vastly more reliable, and vintage-tubing then makes the unit about
bulletproof. The next step is to go into upgrading the caps, HV rectifiers, tube sockets & the
more critical resistors. A fully upgraded and vintage-tubed VMP-2 is truly a magnificent
sounding, and very quiet, mic preamp.

--
Stephen Sank, Owner & Ribbon Mic Restorer
Talking Dog Transducer Company
http://stephensank.com
5517 Carmelita Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico [87111]
505-332-0336
Auth. Nakamichi & McIntosh servicer
Payments preferred through Paypal.com
"Monte McGuire" wrote in message
...
In article _%iCc.80132$Hg2.35122@attbi_s04,
"Al" wrote:

Thanks for your response. Do you by any chance have a schematic I could use
as a roadmap for these mods?

Unfortunately not. But, you can be pretty simplistic about it,
modifying it "stage by stage" and still end up doing a good job. This
circuit isn't all that obscure, and there are no odd interactions
between the stages that could cause you grief.

If you're used to tube circuits at all, then you should have no problem
identifying what makes sense to replace and what is OK to leave alone.
Still, if you get that wrong, you'll at worst waste money upgrading
something that isn't all that bad.

You basically have coupling caps (mostly plate to grid), cathode
bypasses, power supply bypasses and EQ caps to replace. Get a tube book
to decode the tube pinout and take a look at the circuit yourself.
Again, it's really not a complex circuit...


Best of luck,

Monte McGuire

Thought I'd chime in here - Stephen did this work for me on my VMP-2 a
year ago. It was suffering from a well-known intermittent connection
problem w/ the rear XLR's. Of course that's better, but the preamp I
got back is much quieter, more detailed, and has improved headroom and
more usable gain before distortion. I have this and a Great River
MP2, and call on them both depending on the source to be recorded.
Rob

"Stephen Sank" wrote...
The FIRST thing I do to any VMP-2 is to get rid of
almost all of the horrible IDC connectors, hardwiring all but the couple needed for maintaining
service ease, but the remaining connectors get the wires soldered into the contacts. Doing
this makes the VMP-2 vastly more reliable, and vintage-tubing then makes the unit about
bulletproof. The next step is to go into upgrading the caps, HV rectifiers, tube sockets & the
more critical resistors. A fully upgraded and vintage-tubed VMP-2 is truly a magnificent
sounding, and very quiet, mic preamp.

--
Stephen Sank, Owner & Ribbon Mic Restorer
Talking Dog Transducer Company
http://stephensank.com
5517 Carmelita Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico [87111]
505-332-0336

Thought I'd chime in here - Stephen did this work for me on my VMP-2 a
year ago. It was suffering from a well-known intermittent connection
problem w/ the rear XLR's. Of course that's better, but the preamp I
got back is much quieter, more detailed, and has improved headroom and
more usable gain before distortion. I have this and a Great River
MP2, and call on them both depending on the source to be recorded.
Rob

"Stephen Sank" wrote...
The FIRST thing I do to any VMP-2 is to get rid of
almost all of the horrible IDC connectors, hardwiring all but the couple needed for maintaining
service ease, but the remaining connectors get the wires soldered into the contacts. Doing
this makes the VMP-2 vastly more reliable, and vintage-tubing then makes the unit about
bulletproof. The next step is to go into upgrading the caps, HV rectifiers, tube sockets & the
more critical resistors. A fully upgraded and vintage-tubed VMP-2 is truly a magnificent
sounding, and very quiet, mic preamp.

--
Stephen Sank, Owner & Ribbon Mic Restorer
Talking Dog Transducer Company
http://stephensank.com
5517 Carmelita Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico [87111]
505-332-0336

Thanks to all for their responses. Now I have plenty of places to check out
for new tubes, as well as some other ideas I hadn't considered.

I'm pleased to hear that the VMP-2 has the potential to be a very good
preamp. Actually I think it's pretty good in its standard configuration from
the factory. Now it's just a matter of how many heroics I want to go through
to get it to the next level.

Alan


"Chris Hornbeck" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 14:35:28 GMT, "Al" wrote:

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

One minor caveat (very minor, based on my small experience) is
about the 6201's released from US military stocks. Possibly too
microphonic for your use. Sort or get return privileges.

East European and Russian tubes nowdays are excellent. Folks who
sort/ select tubes (Groove Tubes, Ned, others) provide as good a
product as was ever available.

A hobbyist will still want his (gender not optional) own tester
and a good selection of new, used, and abused bottles. Civilians
with lives can confidently move on.

Personally, I have both a TV2B and a TV7. I try not to burden
my friends though. There, I've said it.

Chris Hornbeck

Thanks to all for their responses. Now I have plenty of places to check out
for new tubes, as well as some other ideas I hadn't considered.

I'm pleased to hear that the VMP-2 has the potential to be a very good
preamp. Actually I think it's pretty good in its standard configuration from
the factory. Now it's just a matter of how many heroics I want to go through
to get it to the next level.

Alan


"Chris Hornbeck" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 14:35:28 GMT, "Al" wrote:

But I need some advice on the two 12AT7's. Where's the best place to get
them, and what brand is the most like the old U.S.-made AT's?

One minor caveat (very minor, based on my small experience) is
about the 6201's released from US military stocks. Possibly too
microphonic for your use. Sort or get return privileges.

East European and Russian tubes nowdays are excellent. Folks who
sort/ select tubes (Groove Tubes, Ned, others) provide as good a
product as was ever available.

A hobbyist will still want his (gender not optional) own tester
and a good selection of new, used, and abused bottles. Civilians
with lives can confidently move on.

Personally, I have both a TV2B and a TV7. I try not to burden
my friends though. There, I've said it.

Chris Hornbeck

Stephen Sank wrote:
I personally wouldn't recommend anything but Dutch, W.German, UK or USA made tubes for a VMP-2,
or anything else worth putting good tubes into. I have yet to hear any Russian, Chinese, etc.
tube sound half as good as even a crappy old Raytheon tube, nor last even 1/10th as long as the
worst old US tube. Even stock, putting Dutch Amperex tubes in a VMP-2 is a fabulous
improvement in sound over the stock crap.

What about selecting through Russian tubes? You know, when you buy any of the
Millennia Media Twin Topology stuff, that's what you get. They hand pick the
better ones out of Sovteks. In fact, anyone who wants can probably pay
Millennia to send them hand selected Sovteks.

The FIRST thing I do to any VMP-2 is to get rid of
almost all of the horrible IDC connectors, hardwiring all but the couple needed for maintaining
service ease, but the remaining connectors get the wires soldered into the contacts. Doing
this makes the VMP-2 vastly more reliable, and vintage-tubing then makes the unit about
bulletproof. The next step is to go into upgrading the caps, HV rectifiers, tube sockets & the
more critical resistors. A fully upgraded and vintage-tubed VMP-2 is truly a magnificent
sounding, and very quiet, mic preamp.

What about the jumpers running from the mother board to the control panel
circuit board? Those are a real weakness in the design in that they can
come loose and become an intermittant crackly problem.

Rob R.

Stephen Sank wrote:
I personally wouldn't recommend anything but Dutch, W.German, UK or USA made tubes for a VMP-2,
or anything else worth putting good tubes into. I have yet to hear any Russian, Chinese, etc.
tube sound half as good as even a crappy old Raytheon tube, nor last even 1/10th as long as the
worst old US tube. Even stock, putting Dutch Amperex tubes in a VMP-2 is a fabulous
improvement in sound over the stock crap.

What about selecting through Russian tubes? You know, when you buy any of the
Millennia Media Twin Topology stuff, that's what you get. They hand pick the
better ones out of Sovteks. In fact, anyone who wants can probably pay
Millennia to send them hand selected Sovteks.

The FIRST thing I do to any VMP-2 is to get rid of
almost all of the horrible IDC connectors, hardwiring all but the couple needed for maintaining
service ease, but the remaining connectors get the wires soldered into the contacts. Doing
this makes the VMP-2 vastly more reliable, and vintage-tubing then makes the unit about
bulletproof. The next step is to go into upgrading the caps, HV rectifiers, tube sockets & the
more critical resistors. A fully upgraded and vintage-tubed VMP-2 is truly a magnificent
sounding, and very quiet, mic preamp.

What about the jumpers running from the mother board to the control panel
circuit board? Those are a real weakness in the design in that they can
come loose and become an intermittant crackly problem.

Rob R.

On Fri, 25 Jun 2004 09:41:58 -0600, "Stephen Sank"
wrote:

The only thing you get from "hand selecting" is, presumably, lower noise, lower microphonics
and, maybe, strongest readings on a tube tester for transconductance, out of the batch of tubes
picked from.. You won't get much difference in actual sound quality among similar Russian
tubes. Tube metallurgy, especially in audio, is a true art, and mostly a lost art.

In fairness to the Russian receiving tubes, the St. Petersburg bottles
are pretty well made. And the Chechk tubes are lovely.

Do they sound like 1950's tall plate Bugle Boys or smooth-plate
Telefunkens? Well, no.

Chris Hornbeck

On Fri, 25 Jun 2004 09:41:58 -0600, "Stephen Sank"
wrote:

The only thing you get from "hand selecting" is, presumably, lower noise, lower microphonics
and, maybe, strongest readings on a tube tester for transconductance, out of the batch of tubes
picked from.. You won't get much difference in actual sound quality among similar Russian
tubes. Tube metallurgy, especially in audio, is a true art, and mostly a lost art.

In fairness to the Russian receiving tubes, the St. Petersburg bottles
are pretty well made. And the Chechk tubes are lovely.

Do they sound like 1950's tall plate Bugle Boys or smooth-plate
Telefunkens? Well, no.

Chris Hornbeck

Perhaps not all VMPs are the same!

On mine, the control board is connected to the mother board with very stiff
jumpers making a 90 degree turn. These are prone to cracking loose.

At some point I want to replace them with a more flexible wire.

Rob R.`

Stephen Sank wrote:
The control board to main board wiring is part of what I was addressing when referring to doing
away with all non-essential IDC connectors. All of those cables can be hard wired, without
making the unit one bit harder to service.

maintaining
service ease, but the remaining connectors get the wires soldered into the contacts. Doing
this makes the VMP-2 vastly more reliable, and vintage-tubing then makes the unit about
bulletproof. The next step is to go into upgrading the caps, HV rectifiers, tube sockets &
the
more critical resistors. A fully upgraded and vintage-tubed VMP-2 is truly a magnificent
sounding, and very quiet, mic preamp.

What about the jumpers running from the mother board to the control panel
circuit board? Those are a real weakness in the design in that they can
come loose and become an intermittant crackly problem.

Rob R.

hi alan I just got a vmp2 and am trying to figure what tubes to get .I have
pics and smatics for you .if you email me i will send info to

hi alan I just got a vmp2 and am trying to figure what tubes to get .I have
pics and smatics for you .if you email me i will send info to

In article outaudio.com writes:

hi alan I just got a vmp2 and am trying to figure what tubes to get

It came without tubes? People keep the tubes and sell the preamp?
What's this world coming to?


--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

In article outaudio.com writes:

hi alan I just got a vmp2 and am trying to figure what tubes to get

It came without tubes? People keep the tubes and sell the preamp?
What's this world coming to?


--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo