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DNA Stratus 2A3 amplifier - first impressions - Page 15

post #211 of 912
10/12/12 at 1:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by third_eye View Post


Any tube recommendations?

I'm using Shuguang Black Treasure 2A3's, old RCA input tube (not 6n1p), and stock rectifier.

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post #212 of 912
10/13/12 at 5:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by third_eye View Post


Any tube recommendations?

 

I've been listening to the EML solidplates for months now. I chose to listen to the "other" 2A3s again before selling them off. I've had the Sophia Princess in for 2 days now, and they just keep growing on me. They've been burned in lots more hours. They have all of the clarity of the EML solid plates, and almost as much magic as the EML meshplates. They reveal all of the rich Stratus presence. And they give a stage perspective that I like very much - somewhere between rows 4 and 12 - whereas the EMLs are right in my face and the EMLm are just slightly veiled.

 

I'll add more in a week. I've been using the T1s, and I want to get the HD800 and the LA7000 out.  And George at tubesusa has promised he'll tell me how the KRs compare in his 2A3 rig soon.

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post #213 of 912
10/13/12 at 8:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by budx3385 View Post

And they give a stage perspective that I like very much - somewhere between rows 4 and 12 - whereas the EMLs are right in my face and the EMLm are just slightly veiled.

 

I didn't realise a tube change would give such a different perspective. I'd like to hear that one.

 

Shouldn't be surprised.

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post #214 of 912
10/14/12 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duckman View Post

 

I didn't realise a tube change would give such a different perspective. I'd like to hear that one.

 

Shouldn't be surprised.

 

I'm surprised. And I don't understand at all how it happens. What is that sets the "depth" of perspective? I've asked several audio guru's and have yet to receive an answer.

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post #215 of 912
10/14/12 at 3:29pm
Thread Starter 

This one surprised me even more.

 

I hooked up the HD800 with the Princess, and I have never heard the Senn's sound better! Instead of being slightly dark or slightly bright, as I usually feel about the HD800, the tonality is spot-on. The stage is wide, in front of me, and well-proportioned, and the music is so liquid smooth -- like analog -- better, like it's live, no headphones at all..

 

Blows me away. Can't explain it at all. It's starting to feel like a dream - I've got new cyborg ears!. But absolutely 2D4. 

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post #216 of 912
10/16/12 at 2:33pm

I've been enjoying the EML meshplates and the EML 5U4G. Also the EML 274B.  I don't have the Sophia 2A3s but I do have the Sophia 274B and there is something like the shift you are talking about with the rectifier switch as well.

 

And the HD800s have been one of my favorite with the Stratus from the get-go.  Like they aren't even there...

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post #217 of 912
10/17/12 at 6:19pm

Thanks for the continued impressions guys, I'm breaking in my new W3000ANV and its making really nice music with the m903; I think the HD800 will be on the sidelines until the Stratus gets in, it just seems a little on the harsh side now.
 

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post #218 of 912
10/17/12 at 6:45pm

Has anyone tried Psvane 2A3T or the new 2A3T mkII? I wonder what is the sound differences between Shuguang 2A3T and Psvane 2A3T? Their body shape seems different, the Shuguang looks like a 2A3C while the Psvane looks like a 2A3B.


Edited by SleepyOne - 10/29/12 at 5:09am
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post #219 of 912
10/17/12 at 6:56pm
I of course will try it stock and allow the tubes and caps to break in before rolling tubes. I am thinking about a NOS RCA 5U4 and some EML 2A3 mesh. Might make a nice Christmas present!
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post #220 of 912
10/20/12 at 7:43am
Thread Starter 

I'm really happy to read the comments and listening impressions of all of the new Stratus owners. Keep it coming, Ppl!

 

I am still entranced by the Sophia Princess / HD800 combo. I've been listening to many of my original showpiece CDs for the Stratus, like Szell/Cleveland/Schubert9th, and they are glorious with this combo. I tried the LCD-2, and it shows a comparable stage, but it doesn't have the liquidity and disappearing act of the HD800.  I still need to swap the EMLsolid back in to verify what I recall. Maybe later today.

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post #221 of 912
10/20/12 at 10:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by budx3385 View Post

I'm really happy to read the comments and listening impressions of all of the new Stratus owners. Keep it coming, Ppl!

I am still entranced by the Sophia Princess / HD800 combo. I've been listening to many of my original showpiece CDs for the Stratus, like Szell/Cleveland/Schubert9th, and they are glorious with this combo. I tried the LCD-2, and it shows a comparable stage, but it doesn't have the liquidity and disappearing act of the HD800.  I still need to swap the EMLsolid back in to verify what I recall. Maybe later today.

What is truly interesting is that there are currently no more than 9 or 10 stratus owners in the World to share tube experiences (#11 and #12 are on order right now) with and most of them probably have read this posting on this website!

Very Small World...

:-)
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post #222 of 912
10/20/12 at 3:29pm

That's what makes this community so great ;)

Looking forrward to more impressions between the Sophia Princess and the EML solids. Bud, did you get swap out the EML meshplates in favor of the solids? Also, what's the advised burn in procedure? I'm guessing I can't run this thing 24/7 like I've done with solid state amps in the past.
 

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post #223 of 912
10/20/12 at 5:35pm

From EML website:

 

"2. Do the tubes need a burn in?

 

Yes they do! Good Burn-in will assure maximum lifetime and develop the final sound. These tubes are burned-in initially. This burn-in process will be extended in the first 50-100 hours under normal (home) use conditions. This means you must switch off the amplifier after each use, and in the beginning not use the tubes longer than 4 hours at one time. Many short use periods have a better result than few long periods. The tubes need the „cold“ periods in between for best formatting of the filament. Some occasional blue glow effects will disappear during burn-in, or may stay. This is not gas, and it is normal. Use different loudness levels from the beginning, and increase the maximum loudness gradually. If tubes with very little use were switched off longer than 12 months, is necessary to repeat the burn in."

 

http://www.emissionlabs.com/diversen/FAQ.htm


Edited by SleepyOne - 10/20/12 at 5:37pm
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post #224 of 912
10/20/12 at 7:08pm
I'll start to audition my new K1000 (serial 39xx) on Monday... And I'm getting ready to order the EML tubes.
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post #225 of 912
10/25/12 at 1:43pm

Actually it's # 29xx (guaranteed bass heavy). Veredict: DNA Stratus + K1000 = WIN.

 

The best bass I ever heard on electronic sound reproduction. Period. 


Edited by madbull - 10/25/12 at 6:46pm
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