[eddiek997]

Quote:

 It'd be a compulsive (not impulsive) purchase. I truly love my LCD2.2's out of the Lyr with my Orange Globes. I just want to experience the spaciousness the HD800 offers, whereas the LCD's are a a bit more narrow/forward. I'm just quite worried about the sibilance and harshness I hear about all the time. Input appreciated!

There is an essential mod for the HD800 here.
There is an essential mod for the HE500 here
 
If you own the above cans, do those mods first. Then roll tubes.

 

[NightFlight]

Quote:

Congrats!

A quick question as I am not very familiar with tubes. Are the stock tubes by any chance versatile, or is tube rolling a must to get the best synergy for all your phones?

 
It would be best to investigate options. I've only heard tube sound a few times, but I knew I liked it when I did. Tubes and HP really like each other. However, the stock tubes while good won't provide the best the amp can do. And it doesn't necessarily mean expensive will match your taste. You can spend a fortune on ebay. Expensive tubes mostly mean rare and heavily sought. Which means... in my book their likely sought out for a reason. *grin*  This still doesn't mean that your tastes lie in that direction. Keep an open mind and try out cheap ones too. You never know. From reading this thread I'm getting the impression from the old guard that tube prices have jumped recently.

 

[Sniperbombers]

Quote:

 
It would be best to investigate options. I've only heard tube sound a few times, but I knew I liked it when I did. Tubes and HP really like each other. However, the stock tubes while good won't provide the best the amp can do. And it doesn't necessarily mean expensive will match your taste. You can spend a fortune on ebay. Expensive tubes mostly mean rare and heavily sought. Which means... in my book their likely sought out for a reason. *grin*  This still doesn't mean that your tastes lie in that direction. Keep an open mind and try out cheap ones too. You never know. From reading this thread I'm getting the impression from the old guard that tube prices have jumped recently.

indeed they have, just by a little bit. Sadly i wouldnt have been able to afford them anyways.

 

[gmahler2u]

I just received the pair of Valvo e88cc red label.  I had high expectation because It's my first over $100 tube, but So far it's disappointment.
I'm still burning this tube, not 100+ hour yet.  We'll see throughout this week.

 

[NightFlight]

Quote:

I just received the pair of Valvo e88cc red label.  I had high expectation because It's my first over $100 tube, but So far it's disappointment.
I'm still burning this tube, not 100+ hour yet.  We'll see throughout this week.

 
Given what I heard change out of the 6N23P after ~100hrs.. I wouldn't discount any tube until 150 now. Maybe longer. Thinking longer on military grade. But I don't know. 

 

[TooPoor]

 So I just bought the HD800's... Need tube suggestions. Keep in mind, the new(er) HD800's don't appear to suffer from the harsh 6k treble issue. So I'm looking for a tube that will hit low, extend well, and tame the 'potentially' harsh highs associated with the HD800's. Suggestions? Also not looking to spend $350+ on a pair... Some of us believe we can have our cake and eat it too.

 

[NightFlight]

How are the orange globes? Joes tube lore: http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html
Gives them high praise. I have a couple pair coming to me any time.
 

 

[NightFlight]

Quote:

How are the orange globes? Joes tube lore: http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html
Gives them high praise. I have a couple pair coming to me any time.
 

 
We need a tube wiki.

 

[NightFlight]

Quote:

I just received the pair of Valvo e88cc red label.  I had high expectation because It's my first over $100 tube, but So far it's disappointment.
I'm still burning this tube, not 100+ hour yet.  We'll see throughout this week.

What are you coming from?

 

[NightFlight]

Quote:

There is an essential mod for the HD800 here.
There is an essential mod for the HE500 here
 
If you own the above cans, do those mods first. Then roll tubes.

The mods for the 800s are debatable. There is sibilence in the 800s, but its about where you would expect it. I found my tubes reaching their break in point help that tremendously. There's quite a few people who think that the 20xxxx 800s have been silently changed at the factory. I have a 20xxxx pair and about 200+ hours into its breakin. I've read a couple posts that state 400+hrs were required before the 800s fully clean up on their own.

 

[TooPoor]

 I'm hoping to get a 20### pair myself. We'll see tomorrow. Also picked up some 64' Bugle Boys (non slanted). Excited to see how everything sounds/compares.

 

[gmahler2u]

Quote:

 
Given what I heard change out of the 6N23P after ~100hrs.. I wouldn't discount any tube until 150 now. Maybe longer. Thinking longer on military grade. But I don't know. 

WOw, I should wait patiently.

 

[dailydoseofdaly]

I just received the pair of Valvo e88cc red label.  I had high expectation because It's my first over $100 tube, but So far it's disappointment.
I'm still burning this tube, not 100+ hour yet.  We'll see throughout this week.

Those made mr. scary's top 5 list, so I bet they will sound better with time on them.
I'm not sure if I can find his list with in the whole thread but it should be reposted it was what I went by when I was starting and it helped a lot. Maybe the fellow knows who just read the whole thread will know

 

[dailydoseofdaly]

Updated list 2

Scarys list of the Top 5 and take it for what its worth opinion of tubes to try

1. CCa Siemens & Halske grey plate O Getter -- Very rare, Very expensive 400.00 +
2. CCa Siemens & Halske A Frames --rare, expensive 220.00 +
2. Valvo CCA E88CC 1966-- rare expensive 180.00 +
3. Mullard E88CC 1966-- Can get them from Tubemonger for 120.00
4 Brimar 2492's 60's -- somewhat rare prices can be anywhere between 60.00 and 120.00
5. Valvo Red Label E88CC -- rare around 120.00

3,4,5 are just about a tie


My recommendation for those that have tried the JJ's and the GE's from Schiit is to realize your budget and stick with it. These recommendations are just my opinion on rolling many tubes
there are many tubes that I have omitted from this list as they did not either live up to the performance expected or were a bad price performance tube.

  My recommendations for new Lyr users are as follows
1. Mullard E88CC 120.00  Great sound, Airy full bass beautiful mids, warm
2. Brimar 2492's 60.00 -120.00 Great bass good mids good treble
3. Mullard IEC's around 80-100 Great bass great mids good treble
4. GE 6BZ7  20.00 from Schiit your best bet for the GE's
5. RCA 6BZ7, Sylvania 6BZ7, Great bang for the buck only a couple dollars for each tube via ebay
6. National Mullard/ tooling japanese tubes -- 60.00 Tube monger
7. Cryoset 6N23P's --  80.00 from Cryoset
8. 6N1p's 70's or older -- 20.00 -40.00 ebay or preferably a tube trader

Found it, I think later he commented that the Lorenz from stuttgart would make the top3. If he ever gets on the thread maybe he will comment

 

[nelamvr6]

Oh great!  Now my apartment is full of Schiit!
 
 

 
 
Burning in the stock GEs right now.  I figure I should spend at least some time listening to them before I start rolling...