[Triode User]

Buy a tube amp

+1
 

 

[ubs28]

You can try the iCan Pro which has a tube amplifier inside and also a SS in case you change your mind.

 

[Allanmarcus]

The tube section of the ican pro is really very subtle. I would recommend looking at a liquid carbon if you want to stay solid state but get a warmer, lusher sound. For tubes there is no shortage of options. Anything for Eddie current or cavalli is good. If you want to start small, an ember or a little dot.

 

[Lavakugel]

Buy a tube amp

Yes but which one is matching good? Maybe only woo wa8 as there is a dac inside...

 

[Allanmarcus]

Buy a tube amp

Yes but which one is matching good? Maybe only woo wa8 as there is a dac inside...

I try to avoid DAC amp combos. Much less control over the sound with a combo. If you can get to a meet or a can jam or a local deal, you can experiment. Or if a friend has a tube amp.

 

[Lavakugel]

I love / hate auralics. Cold if powered on they sound not good but after 1 hour of listening they begin to sing...

 

[CoLdAsSauLt]

What upgrade routes are there after Taurus Mk2?
I'm mainly thinking solid state, as there is a DNA Stratus in the making

 

[ubs28]

What upgrade routes are there after Taurus Mk2?
I'm mainly thinking solid state, as there is a DNA Stratus in the making

I guess it depends on what kind of flavor of sound you want.

 

[Allanmarcus]

What upgrade routes are there after Taurus Mk2?
I'm mainly thinking solid state, as there is a DNA Stratus in the making

Schiit Rag.
Headroom GS-X MkII
Moon Neo 430HA
Violectric V281
McIntosh MHA150
Pass Labs HPA-1
 
There are probably more.

 

[Dadracer]

What upgrade routes are there after Taurus Mk2?
I'm mainly thinking solid state, as there is a DNA Stratus in the making

How about the ifi iCAN Pro then you can choose between Valve and SS depending on your mood...........

 

[CoLdAsSauLt]

How about the ifi iCAN Pro then you can choose between Valve and SS depending on your mood...........

I suspect I'll go for the DNA Stratus if I want a tube sound, or - given I don't sell any of those off - to a lesser extent to the Icon Audio HP8 Mk2 Signature edition or the Feliks Audio Elise which I already own...

I know ifi is loved for their extraordinary bang for the buck... but are you saying now that the iCAN pro betters the Taurus in pure SS mode? How does it stack up to competent tube amps in tube mode?

Schiit Rag.
Headroom GS-X MkII
Moon Neo 430HA
Violectric V281
McIntosh MHA150
Pass Labs HPA-1

There are probably more.

Where do you think the Moon and the Violectric better the Taurus?
I'm undecided whether I find the V281 not rather a sidegrade than an upgrade, so I'm interested in your take on it.
If sidegrade, as I'll loose money letting my Taurus go, it will probably be an expensive route for some small improvements or a mere change in tonal character.

 

[Allanmarcus]

The Pro iCan as a SS amp is good, possibly as good as the Taurus, but not better. The tube stage is very subtle. As a tube amp it doesn't compare to high end tube amps.

That said, if you turn the volume down, the sound stops. Something the Taurus has yet to master.

 

[CoLdAsSauLt]

That said, if you turn the volume down, the sound stops. Something the Taurus has yet to master.

True, always found that strange... however not a dealbreaker to me. Way easier to mute the Vega using the remote. Especially since I have 2 or 3 amps playing at the same time, it's a 1-press mute without loosing the volume settings. (Vega balanced out to Taurus; Vega SE out to Icon Audio HP8 Mk2, then the Feliks Audio Elise connected to the loop through of the Icon)

Besides, I find myself rather pausing my music than muting my system - otherwise I feel like missing out on stuff

So this is not even very inconvenient for me. It's SQ that I'm after.

 

[daltonlanny]

So overall, how does the Auralic Taurus MK.II, and the Schiit Ragnarok compare head to head when driving various headphones such as the:
HD650, HD800/800S, Hifiman HE-6, HE1000 mk2, etc?
They both can be had for nearly the same price.

 

[Allanmarcus]

  Own Vega and Taurus. Want to replace Taurus with a more musical and analogue, tube sound. 
 
Any good replacements out there?

OK, I gave a cheeky response to this before, but now I find that I'm in the same boat. One friend recommended getting a Schiit Saga and decent tube. Anyone try this? Or anyone using any other tube preamp or buffer? I tried the iFi tube buffer, and it was way too subtle, and you cannot roll the tube.