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REVIEW: Head-Direct EF1 Desktop Tube Hybrid Amp (not EF-1) - Page 2

post #16 of 59
11/2/08 at 10:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HiFlight View Post
Larry...
Have you tried the EF1 with the AD743JNs and the JJ ECC 82
yet?
No, not yet - no time yet. The stock EF1 was a big hit at the CO head-fi mini-meet yesterday.
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post #17 of 59
11/2/08 at 10:47pm
I have found that so far, with the AD743JN opamps in the EF1, the 2 best sounding tubes of my collection are the JJ ECC82 and the Amperex 12AU7A/ECC82, with the orange print, not the Bugle Boy, which I don't have. The JJ is more detailed and airy while the Amperex is smoother and warmer. Sort of the like the difference between an outdoors performance and an indoor venue.
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post #18 of 59
11/4/08 at 12:43am
For those having the socketed version of the EF1, there is an upgrade kit available consisting of a matched triode JJ ECC82, a set of AD742JN opamps mounted on a 2>1 adapter, 4 rubber spacers to raise the acrylic top enough to allow the use of the adapter, and 4 longer screws for use with the spacers.

PM or Email me if interested in further information.
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post #19 of 59
11/4/08 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HiFlight View Post
there is an upgrade kit available consisting of a matched triode JJ ECC82
The JJ would be an upgrade over the Chinese tube, but it would be a serious downgrade from the RCA clear-top. I thought I read that the EF1 was now being supplied with the RCA?
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post #20 of 59
11/4/08 at 1:12pm
I find that the JJ sounds better to me than the RCA...the cleartop is a bit bright for my taste, and lacks the soundstage of the JJ. Maybe it is just the synergy with the AD743. Both the cleartop and chinese tube were shipped with my EF1. I haven't even tried the Chinese tube yet.
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post #21 of 59
11/4/08 at 3:35pm
Thread Starter 
Mine is an older EF1 without the opamp socket, and there is no print on the tube to tell me it is not the earlier chinese tube. I'll be trying an Amperex Bugle Boy later today.
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post #22 of 59
11/5/08 at 12:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict View Post
Mine is an older EF1 without the opamp socket, and there is no print on the tube to tell me it is not the earlier chinese tube. I'll be trying an Amperex Bugle Boy later today.
Your tube is cleartop RCA 12au7
head-direct: The Web Store of HiFiMAN
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post #23 of 59
11/5/08 at 1:29am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nankai View Post
Your tube is cleartop RCA 12au7
Thanks for letting me know - I still haven't changed the tube to the Amperex Bugle Boy yet because it sounds so good as it is with the stock tube.

I am just grateful to have the EF1 here, enough that I'm not worried about the lack of socketed opamp either. I do have a pair of AD743 on a 2:1 left over from my iBasso D1, but no socket to try them in. Nevertheless, at the Colorado head-fi meet last weekend everyone agreed the stock EF1 beat the Dark Voice 336i (with $100 tubes) with every headphone we threw at it. At that meet 4 out of 5 of us felt the EF1 also beat the Millett Hybrid Starving Student.
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post #24 of 59
11/6/08 at 3:51pm
FWIW, I feel that the my EF1 as currently configured with the AD743 and JJ ECC82, outperformed my considerably more expensive Earmax Pro.

The only other tube amp I currently own is a recently acquired SOHA (JISBO, Blackgates, Amperex)
I will be trying to run some comparisons between it and my EF1 when I get some more playtime.
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post #25 of 59
11/6/08 at 5:04pm
Ron you need to score a NOS Tung-Sol black-glass 12AU7
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post #26 of 59
11/6/08 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
I'm warming it up with the Bugle Boy AU7 right now. Too bad I can't use my extra pair of AD743 in it. I'll listen to it in about 1-2 hours after picking up kids from school.

I can also try a Cryo'd Mullard re-issue 12AX7 that is intended for my Woo WA6, as well as a 12BZ7 that is an upgrade over the Woo GES Electro Harmonix 12AX7.
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post #27 of 59
11/6/08 at 11:30pm
pictures pictures!
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post #28 of 59
11/7/08 at 2:12am
Thread Starter 
I'm not very excited about the sound of the Amperex Bugle Boy but haven't had much time to listen tonight. I have a matched pair, and might sell it to someone who has an amp that needs two tubes. So far the RCA clear top seems like a better choice for the stock EF1.

I'll see about trying to get some pictures too.
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post #29 of 59
11/7/08 at 3:54am
no pictures?
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post #30 of 59
11/8/08 at 4:26pm
Hey Larry,

I am about to purchase a desktop amp and I believe you are best qualified to help me with my concern but of course anyone else's opinion would be appreciated. I currently use the Apogee Duet which your review helped convince me to get and I am very happy I did. Now, do you feel the EF1 or Novo will give me as noticeable of a difference upgrading from the Duet's headphone out(really similar to Apogee Mini Dac) as moving from the Corda Move to Duet did or should I save a bit more to get something with more juice?
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