Aune T1 USB Tube DAC+ SS Amp Discussion Thread ***See first post for FAQ--Updated on 02/14/15***

[mbohupa]

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Awesome, I wonder how a driver grade tube will fare in this application though?   Hope it works out for you.   Cryo isn't really needed here either, but it certainly won't hurt anything.

 
According to Upscale Audio, the Driver Grade has enough quality for the output/buffer stage of a DAC or CD Player. http://www.upscaleaudio.com/pages/Testing-Small-Signal-Tubes.html 
 
" DAC/Driver grade
Tubes that are low in noise, but not lowest in microphony. There are some tubes that will never be low in microphonics... this is by design. Usually these tubes are used in a circuit where they don't need to be low in microphony, such as the driver stage of an amplifier, or an output buffer in a DAC or CD player. In these circuits, purchasing a low microphony tube will not yield any performance benefits, so take advantage of the lower price, and take your sweety out for a nice meal."
 
So, I hope they're right, so I can have the great Amperex 7308 for an excellent price (USD 70 incl. shipping).

 

[Salvatore]

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Schiit Lyr will be here on Wednesday, can't wait to see how matched Amperex 7308s & Telefunken CCa tubes do in a gain stage rather than a buffer.   One of these days I'm going to find me some Lorenz 6922's, I've read a lot of gushing on these in the Lyr Tube Rolling thread - http://www.head-fi.org/t/549508/schiit-lyr-the-tube-rolling-thread (which by the way is a great resource for T1 owners since the Lyr uses the same tubes.)

 
Thx for the link I'll start digging into that. Oh and btw the link doesn't work unless the last empty space is removed.

 

[toschek]

Quote:

 
Thx for the link I'll start digging into that. Oh and btw the link doesn't work unless the last empty space is removed.

 
Thanks for letting me know, link is fixed on the original post, and here it is again:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/549508/schiit-lyr-the-tube-rolling-thread

 

[CoiL]

Bought these ones: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251202501143?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
 
Still waiting for my other NOS PCC189 tubes (2x Mullard-Mazda & 1 Philips Heerlen). I think Philips and those Lorenz`s might be actually same but different branded. Haven`t done research but we`ll see (hear). Hope they sound great, then I`ll have nice backup  
 
e: It`s offtopic but Volor Flex released new album - Unlit. Listen/buy here: store.darkclover.ro/album/unlit or main page: http://store.darkclover.ro/
I don`t know the name of style but its atmospheric-minimalistic-melodic-electronic kind of music. Sounds like Burial. With 6922EH - eargasm!
Of course if you tolerate this kind of music. Anyway it`s not like typical dull techno-beat music... if you bother to listen littlebit, it might get addictive  

 

[dcfis]

Nobody gotten the jj yet?

 

[CoiL]

Not yet. If I find EU seller (with ok price) then maybe going to buy it. Lots of tubes coming soon for me and don`t want to buy any more atm.

 

[dcfis]

OK Moving up a tier in the tube stash. So far the ranking in  terms of the first tier to my ears and tastes are- AKG 702 is better with this amp than the HD650. The HD650 has textured mids and layered bass but I hate the right on your nose presentation. Ive heard them sound much better with other amps. It can change a bit with the tube used but not drastically so far.
 
This application is nearly 180 degrees from my impressions of each tube in the other applications I have them for. Both in pre amps, and as buffers for dacs. Its kinda perplexing but at the same time a blessing in disguise as some of the tubes I would have thrown away sometimes sound best in this application
 
JJ-$- Pulled out my notes, this is an early production of the modern JJ which is a Tesla copy. Should pick up the real NOS with these being such a good all around tube. So far as I know the very current ones havent changed much and should produce similar results which is decent soundstaging and some depth, though its a bit shallow, punchy bass with just a nice bit of bloom. The mids and voices are well presented but a touch hard. This might be too much for some. The highs especially top hats and snare strikes can be eye blinking. The neutral fiends will like this tube from top to bottom. Able to provide some air to the 702 instruments.
 
Amperex PQ orange 6922/ Amperex 6dj8 Bugle boy--$$$$/$$Second best is a brighter and more spacious presentation with the PQ and a warmer and more congested presentation with the bugle boy. I spent the least time with these as I plan to do a Amprerex roundup later. Honestly I thought this was going to be about just a couple of tubes and the Amperex would wipe the floor with everything except the rare exotics such as pinched waists (wasnt even going to try as this is a budget little amp and I didnt think they were worth the price is my home Dac which is worth 8x this thing) Its perplexing as they have some flaws so far such as sloppy bass, too extreme or too congested presentations and those super sweet mids havent been present. I will return to these.
 
Ediswan CV2492- $$$- Nice all arounder and for sure could help some phones with a sloppy bass to tighten up. Has a smoother midrange than the JJ and the highs are sweeter. To me thats not what Im after but for sure some listeners want a smooth and sweet tone with good staging and a little more depth than the JJ. Nothing really wows or stands out and to many thats exactly how it should be. 
 
JAN Phillips Green label- $$- This is a tube I hate in most applications and I preferred it more on the HD650. It livened it up but the HD650 didnt take on the JANs usually dry and clinical tone. A nice analytical tube. Like that smoky jazz bar but with a light turned on. It would be a good tube to start with to get a baseline for other tubes. Its kinda like an EH with a better presented soundstage and character. 
 
EH-$- You all know this one. 
 
Moving UP!
 
Mullard Dimple Discs Gold and regular pins, wire and flat supports- $$$$-$$$- Um, had this on for the last hour. Things are moving along!
 
EI- Yugo NOS-$$
 
Earliest Amperex orange 6dj8s- vairous grades $$$$-$$$$$ - the best of these are really amazing in other applications. Makes me sad for all those 7308 and later Amperex listeners. In this application though so far we see anything can happen. My ACE tube for years
 
Siemens- E88CC gold halo and A frame- $$$$$/$$$$$- http://www.tube-classics.de/TC/Tubes/SieTel%20E88CC/E88CC.htm- Told you we are getting serious. 
 
Overall, having lots of fun and I really feel the Aune offers a ton of bang for the buck. Great product that has lots of drive and a neutral-ish base to start with. Time will tell if its just the right pairings to totally flesh out that midrange and provide real high end smoothness and detail to the top end but it stages like a champ. I want someone to put some nice coupling caps in this thing! Its worth it!
 
$- $10-$30
$$- $30-65
$$$-$65-$100
$$$$- $100-$135
$$$$$-$135+

 

[HolyCheese]

Hey, Anyone know which cheap tube is best with very dark cans? Cans like the x1?

 

[dcfis]

You arent liking the EH? I dont know those cans but the JJ or the JAN Phillips would seem to be good depending on what you needed

 

[HolyCheese]

I don't have my T1 yet
I'm getting way ahead of myself actually.
I don't even have the x1 atm since they broke -.-
 
Is there a full list of every supported tube somewhere? I have seen a HUGE list of possibilities 

 

[dcfis]

6DJ8, ECC88, 6922, E88CC, 7308, 6N23P, 7DJ8, PCC88, 6N27P, E188CC, ECC86, 6GM8, PCC189, 7ES8
 
Courtesy of Coil

 

[HolyCheese]

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6DJ8, ECC88, 6922, E88CC, 7308, 6N23P, 7DJ8, PCC88, 6N27P, E188CC, ECC86, 6GM8, PCC189, 7ES8
 
Courtesy of Coil

Arigato! Might be nice if this list were to be added in the first post.

 

[CoiL]

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Earliest Amperex orange 6dj8s- vairous grades $$$$-$$$$$ - the best of these are really amazing in other applications. Makes me sad for all those 7308 and later Amperex listeners. In this application though so far we see anything can happen. My ACE tube for years

Are those single leg dimple disc? My 1969` should be white labeled (only little white pieces left from logo and seeable delta code) but I`ve seen single leg dimple disc`s with orange logo too. Both are very hard to get hands on.
Anyway, I just won`t get tired saying that this tube is really really good, best I have for every kind of music genre (especially for rock/metal/progressive/jazz).
I hope negura got the same one I have, he grabbed it in front of my nose from ebay but the picture was bad and we don`t know yet if it`s the same tube.

 

[dcfis]

dimple discs were made later so no, they are small and large halos. I have to call my tube guy but Im not so sure some of the mullard and dimple disc Amprerex are getting confused and are the same

 

[CoiL]

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The type GAC has the large dimple disc getter on a single leg support and was made after the Bugle boy O ring getter and before the A frame support large dimpled disc valve type GAE.

My Amperex is GAC delta9F3. Whats written on yours?