Apex Peak/Volcano Review - Page 25

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Originally Posted by TheWuss 

Quote:

my sentiments exactly.

and i own a darkstar, and owned the liquid fire.

and the peak is my personal favorite amp...

I haven't heard your other 2 amps. If you get the chance, could you compare the sounds of these amps? It'd be much appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

 

Uh huh.  Heat cycling is harder on electronics than running is.  When was the last time you blew a light bulb while it was on ;)

Exactly...just google "copper elongation". 

The new Psvane CV-181 is pretty good. I like it better than the previous Shuguang Treasure it replaces. It has become my go-to tube for the HD800s (along with the Russian 6H8C and Bad Boy).

Good to hear, too bad about the price.  At least now they are purchasable in singles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

Good to hear, too bad about the price.  At least now they are purchasable in singles.

Yea, and I would still spend the extra to get their premium grade.

Edit: To clarify my previous post. I like the Psvane better in some ways, and the Shuguang better in others. They're just different. I'll have to put more hours on the Psvane and listen more to determine a preference. Initial impressions? Psvane has a larger soundstage, and is smoother + a bit darker. The Shuguang is more up-front (mainly in the mids) and energetic, a bit brighter and maybe has more impact.

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Originally Posted by Audio-Omega 

Have you tried the mark 2 version of Psvane ?

I'm referring to the Mark 2 whenever I say Psvane. The old one was Shuguang.

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Originally Posted by Shahrose 

 

I'm referring to the Mark 2 whenever I say Psvane. The old one was Shuguang.

Interesting comparison between the Psvane and Treasures Shahrose. Really glad I did't drop some $ and pick up the Psvanes with my WA22 when I had it. Dark tubes + warm amp could = mushy.

Any more thoughts on the Psvane?

I finally settles on the PWD2 as my DAC and have the HeadAmp GS-X and SWA Beta22 incoming to roll in as pre/amps to finally settle down and you know, listen to music instead of critiquing gear ;)

My Sylvania 6SN7W brown base seems to have gotten caught up in the good old xmas mail slow down but that should be interesting as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

Any more thoughts on the Psvane?

 

I finally settles on the PWD2 as my DAC and have the HeadAmp GS-X and SWA Beta22 incoming to roll in as pre/amps to finally settle down and you know, listen to music instead of critiquing gear ;)

 

My Sylvania 6SN7W brown base seems to have gotten caught up in the good old xmas mail slow down but that should be interesting as well.

It is more laid back, smoother and darker than the Treasure it replaces. The soundstage is also a bit larger, and speed + leading edge sharpness are less than the Treasure, which means a slightly softer sound, though not mushy. It's a good tube, but a sidegrade from the Treasure. Different, not better.

In my setup, I end up using the Treasure more often because of its greater speed.

My favourite tube these days is the Russian 6H8C. Its sound is closest to the Dynahi's...(well as close as a tube amp can get to it).

Hmm I might actually like that.  The PWD2 is a lot more focused than the W4S so the BadBoy can come off pretty hot sometimes, definitely not forgiving.

Well I ended up getting Shah's Psvane CV181-T and it is quite good.  But today my Sylvania 6SN7W brown base finally came in and wow, just wow.  One thing I can confidently say is one, tubes do in fact sound different, and two, the Peak sounds like the tube used.  Well mostly.  I haven't found a tube that would put the Peak into the dead, overly laid back group of amps but otherwise very tune-able by rolling the tube.

I really should get to running a tube comparison review now that my rig is 'locked down'.  Well for now anyway :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

Well I ended up getting Shah's Psvane CV181-T and it is quite good.  But today my Sylvania 6SN7W brown base finally came in and wow, just wow.  One thing I can confidently say is one, tubes do in fact sound different, and two, the Peak sounds like the tube used.  Well mostly.  I haven't found a tube that would put the Peak into the dead, overly laid back group of amps but otherwise very tune-able by rolling the tube.

 

I really should get to running a tube comparison review now that my rig is 'locked down'.  Well for now anyway :P

Cool. Your thoughts of the brown bas 6SN7 match mine. Too bad I never got to give the Psvane CV181-T a try.

Oh how times change.  I finally got around to running the comparison of tubes, put it to paper and now... I'm changing directions entirely :O

I was never entirely happy with the LCD-3 despite rolling a few sources and a tons of amps so I'm back to the LCD-2 /blink /blink

Also means saying good-bye to the Peak and my 6SN7 collection.  Is 4 even a collection?  Anyway I'll miss the Peak it's easily my favourite amp to date sitting between neutral and engaging with a tonal balance completely up to the tube used.  If I ever brought the HD800 back, the Syl 6SN7W would be my goto.  For the LCD-2 I like the Hytron 5692 and the LCD-3 and Syl Bad Boy mesh well.  One amp with the ability to play nice with many simply by swapping out a tube.  Add that it's pre-outs are off when headphones are in and... why am I selling it again?

Oh ya, rolling First Watt amps!  Fingers crossed I'm not crying about the decision later ;)

Hi, 

Has anyone an opinion on the apex peak vs spl phonitor/auditor. Of course one is hybrid, and others are SS, but besides this...would the apex be a noticable 

upgrade (with a good tube) for use with HD800?