Ok, its time to let you guys know my thoughts so far with these tubes..
These are the Chinese stock power tubes (Beijing 6C19-J), the Sovtek NOS distributed power tubes (Ulyanov 6C19PI), the stock Ediswan driver tubes (EF92 - CV131), the Mullard NOS driver tubes (6CQ6 MA - CV131), and finally the Military NOS /l\ (Mullard CV4015 - 6065 NG) driver tubes.
Tested only using HD650 and my Cambridge Audio 640c as source.
Ok, after listening to the stock tubes for the longest, all of my comparisons are reffering to the difference between them and the rest (so if I say that tube X is brighter, I mean brighter than stock power/driver)
My first roll was to the Sovtek (Ulyanov) power tubes and the stock Ediswan drivers, I let all tubes burn in for over 24 hrs before listening (it seemed an eternity!). The Sovtek partnered with the Ediswan gave the sound more grain, and the whole sound was faster, grain most noticable on female vocals and guitar, also a more energetic bounce to beats and bass but the bass not noticably deeper, I very much like this sound and if they were the only tubes I had heard I would be most pleased indeed..after listening on the second day the grain is still present but smoother. I would say on a par with the stock power tubes for enjoyability but a different kind of presentation. A very quiet (hardly audible) hum present when first using the Sovtek (Ulyanov) but once music starts to play is totally gone, the hum didnt get louder with volume set higher.
Soundstage seemed no different to the stock power tubes to me.
Next roll was back to the original power tubes partnered with the Mullard CV131 drivers, the sound really changed here, a deeply smooth presentation with less edge to upper-mids, soundstage not as spacious and the lower-mids have taken the lead, its like im hearing all my music in a different way again, and it sounds good to me.. The bass beats are less clean cut but more rounded. A softer sound overall but the flick of a guitar string forever present but not forced. The sound is less analytical and more whole, female vocals sound clear and harmonys sound luxurious. Bass has a nice bounce and the sound is not grainy at all and is never sibilant, perhaps this combo should suit the brighter of headphones well, but that said it does sound great on the sens.
My next choice was with the stock power tubes and the Mullard CV4015. First impressions..Wow! I like this sound. Bass is so deep and tight, guitars sound great and vocals are simply the best ive heard out of all the tubes so far. A total feeling of control over the pace with a feeling of the music just flowing how it should. Sparkle is there, yet never to much, everything just fits, there is a very slight grain to vocals which im finding intoxicating.
I havnt been able to shake these CV4015's yet, Ive pushed some pretty fast paced tunes with good bass at them (chemical bro's for instance) and they just lap it up. I am having a break from rolling for now as im enjoying this Little Dot 2++ to much, I have however got an urge to partner the CV4015 with the Sovtek...more to come
These are the Chinese stock power tubes (Beijing 6C19-J), the Sovtek NOS distributed power tubes (Ulyanov 6C19PI), the stock Ediswan driver tubes (EF92 - CV131), the Mullard NOS driver tubes (6CQ6 MA - CV131), and finally the Military NOS /l\ (Mullard CV4015 - 6065 NG) driver tubes.
Tested only using HD650 and my Cambridge Audio 640c as source.
Ok, after listening to the stock tubes for the longest, all of my comparisons are reffering to the difference between them and the rest (so if I say that tube X is brighter, I mean brighter than stock power/driver)
My first roll was to the Sovtek (Ulyanov) power tubes and the stock Ediswan drivers, I let all tubes burn in for over 24 hrs before listening (it seemed an eternity!). The Sovtek partnered with the Ediswan gave the sound more grain, and the whole sound was faster, grain most noticable on female vocals and guitar, also a more energetic bounce to beats and bass but the bass not noticably deeper, I very much like this sound and if they were the only tubes I had heard I would be most pleased indeed..after listening on the second day the grain is still present but smoother. I would say on a par with the stock power tubes for enjoyability but a different kind of presentation. A very quiet (hardly audible) hum present when first using the Sovtek (Ulyanov) but once music starts to play is totally gone, the hum didnt get louder with volume set higher.
Soundstage seemed no different to the stock power tubes to me.
Next roll was back to the original power tubes partnered with the Mullard CV131 drivers, the sound really changed here, a deeply smooth presentation with less edge to upper-mids, soundstage not as spacious and the lower-mids have taken the lead, its like im hearing all my music in a different way again, and it sounds good to me.. The bass beats are less clean cut but more rounded. A softer sound overall but the flick of a guitar string forever present but not forced. The sound is less analytical and more whole, female vocals sound clear and harmonys sound luxurious. Bass has a nice bounce and the sound is not grainy at all and is never sibilant, perhaps this combo should suit the brighter of headphones well, but that said it does sound great on the sens.
My next choice was with the stock power tubes and the Mullard CV4015. First impressions..Wow! I like this sound. Bass is so deep and tight, guitars sound great and vocals are simply the best ive heard out of all the tubes so far. A total feeling of control over the pace with a feeling of the music just flowing how it should. Sparkle is there, yet never to much, everything just fits, there is a very slight grain to vocals which im finding intoxicating.
I havnt been able to shake these CV4015's yet, Ive pushed some pretty fast paced tunes with good bass at them (chemical bro's for instance) and they just lap it up. I am having a break from rolling for now as im enjoying this Little Dot 2++ to much, I have however got an urge to partner the CV4015 with the Sovtek...more to come
Maybe not the best idea to leave the thing running for 8-9 hours at a time. Although I'm not sure that was the sole reason. I probably will not have a new (or repaired) ++ for a few weeks. But I am much looking forward to trying out the tubes. In case people are curious, you can buy the tubes from these places/sellers.
REALLY?!
Don't even have to pay for shipping. Not even sure they want the non-working amp returned. Very pleased. This company does go out of their way to make its customers happy. It also shows that it is worth buying from authorized Little Dot dealers, just in case something should happen.
