Feliks Audio Elise Impressions Thread – a New Start (please read first post for summary)
Jul 7, 2016 at 8:01 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 11,833

pctazhp

Headphoneus Supremus
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Posts
3,045
Likes
717
Location
Arizona
I’m trying this new Elise thread as an experiment to see if there are those interested in a basic Elise thread. Of course, I can’t dictate the rules for this or any thread and would not presume to try. But I am suggesting the following guidelines for those who might be interested in this type of thread:
:

  • This is intended as a thread for those who are primarily interested in the 1-tube-per-socket (with or without single-tube adapters) approach to the Elise – for both current owners of the magnificent Feliks Audio Elise and those who are considering a purchase.
  • Discussion of different tube combinations we have tried or are considering is encouraged, but discussion of external power and multi-tube adapters is discouraged.
  • Discussion of compatible DACs, headphones or other related gear is encouraged.
  • Photos of our setups are highly encouraged, as are examples of music we enjoy with our Elises.
  • Helpful information for those who are thinking about buying an Elise is highly encouraged
  • A true sense of community, mutual respect and courtesy is the goal.

I am not trying to start this thread in competition with the other currently active Elise thread. Rather it is for those who love the Elise or are interested in it, share a belief in the above-guidelines and want a nice, comfortable place to hang out.

Hope there will be those interested in joining me )))

Edit: This is list of posts from @UntilThen describing different tubes he uses with Elise. I will update list as he posts more impressions. I will also try to include below the list other summary posts regarding tube rolling with Elise. I know it is not easy to go through entire thread seeking good information of Elise and tubes.

UT Summaries

C3G/s and Tung Sol 5998: http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7050#post_13300690

Mullard ECC31 and Tung Sol 5998: http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7080#post_13303582

Fivre 6N7G brown base and Tung Sol 5998 http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7110#post_13306395

Philips Miniwatt EL3N and Tung 5998http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7170#post_13310833

Sylvania 6sn7gtb chrome top and Svetlana 6h13c http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7185#post_13311072

Mazda 6N7G and Svetlana 6h13chttp://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7200#post_13311846

EL12N and EL12 http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7260#post_13314594

Summary findings on EF80 and EF86 used as drivers in Elise. http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7605#post_13342627

Other Elise-Tubes Relevant Posts:

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TO BEGIN WITH TUBE ROLLING: Learn Specifications From @Frederick Rea: http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7215#post_13312198

@HOWIE13 on EL12: http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7275#post_13315267

@angpsi report on Svetlana/Psvane (upgraded combo from FA) - Minority Report on EL11/12 Family. http://www.head-fi.org/t/813488/fel...ead-first-post-for-summary/7335#post_13320344

UT on Power Tubes:

Next I like to address is Tim's request for power tubes < $50.

First of all, at this price range, we are looking at farmers tubes. No schiit, I'm telling you. You get what you pay for. Decades of usage and users opinions have drawn a line in the sand. Believe me, shrewd sellers and buyers determine the price on ebay. The expensive tubes are expensive for a reason. People know they are good and their price will be set by consumer demands. Cheap tubes are cheap because they are less desirable.

Does that mean cheap tubes are not worth torturing your ears? Nah... believe me, our ears are very tolerable. Likewise audio enthusiasts are very practical. They are not going to deny their child a toy just because they need to buy expensive tubes.

At the cheap end of the market, the tubes sound coarse, unrefined but hey if you're going to listen to Johnny Lee Hooker, whose voice is harden from years of whisky and cigars, why do you need a refined sounding tube? Likewise if you're going to watch Youtube 90% of the time, why would you complain about farmers tubes?

Alright, now we have that sorted out, let's look at the tubes under $50.

RCA 6080 - great for Johnny Lee Hooker, Jimmy Hendrick, Tupac, 50cents and all metal bands. Can't go wrong here. Strong bass, sand paper roughness to give Johnny's voice more credence.

GE 6AS7GA - For $10 a tube, don't ask me to do a one page review. It will produce tube warm and is quite engaging if you don't care too much about hearing everything... because you won't hear everything.

RCA 6AS7G - these aren't cheap anymore. I'm actually quite intrigued by these again. I think there's some use for these. They are probably the warmest, baddest ass bass producers. They will probably turn your HD800 into a LCD2.2. Amazing right. So get a pair and thank me later.

Svetlana 6H13C - this is the standard power tubes that comes with Elise and Euforia. I actually think they are not bad at all. Of course they are no where near the premium tubes but for the price, the enjoyment factor is quite high. Feliks Audio chose them for a reason. So before you dash out and buy the above, know that these tubes can hold a candle to the others tiny flame.

There might be other farmers power tubes but I won't list more because I'm getting a headache.

Next I'll talk about the middle class workers... I mean middle class tubes. :ksc75smile:

Middle class tubes

These are the workers who gets tax the most but who has a voice that the government need to take heed. They are middle class America and that's about 80% we're talking. They work hard, pay more taxes, own more head-fis, vote when they are supposed to work and fight in the Vietnam wars. In other words, they are fair dinkum.

That's what these tubes are. Good value, pretty to take home as your wife. Do everything you want and more. Without further ado, here they are:-

Chatham 6AS7G - airy, breezy, fresh as morning sunshine. How could you not love this pretty girl next door?

Mullard 6080 - sweet Caroline, they are more sharp and energetic compared to the 'rounder' GEC 6080 but in my opinion, more fatiguing in long term listening. Alright before I rubbish this tube further, let me say that I actually like the Mullard 6080 very much. All tubes in this class have some class. They are that good.

Chatham 6520 - similar to the Chatham 6AS7G.

Tung Sol 7236 - this is a very interesting tube. It is the leaner brother of the Tung Sol 5998. Now you're stepping into classier territory and more damaging to your wallet. So beware....


Aristocratic tubes aka Bill Gates tubes aka The Emperor's new clothes.

Rather than the same old boring tubes reviews, I'm presenting it in a new light. These tubes will make Thomas Edison proud. He wouldn't have dream that his light bulbs became sweet sounding valve - holy jupiters.

These tubes have an air about them. Literally. When you owned them, you have entry to Trumps's golf course resort. It's a free pass for sure. Membership is super expensive here. They are the bringer of joy as well as the bringer of doom. So beware..... Look, calculate, consider before you buy. However once you do, you will feel like the Emperor.... happy being naked and still sounding good.

Alright this review is getting out of hand and I think I have just forfeit my reviewer's paycheck.

Now for the truth and nothing but the truth. The truth shall set you free.

The tubes are :-

GEC 6as7g - Holy grail. Need I say more. When you have this, your only regret is you have only one pair. You are not going to worry that your bank manager has turn to whisky in the morning. You are not going to worry that the sun don't shine because the GEC 6as7g will shine brighter than the sun.

Bendix 6080wb - If I need a Chief of Staff for my tube kingdom, this would be it. He will be my Secretary of State, Vice- President and everything except remember that the GEC 6as7g is the President. Don't you forget that.

Tung Sol 5998 - this is the jack of all trades and master of nearly all. They call him the benchmark but he's more useful off the bench believe me.

GEC 6080 - ha a pretender to the throne, he almost succeeded but not quite. Might have the same GEC name but not really there compared to big brother GEC 6as7g. However at this level, you're comparing Lamborghini and Ferrari. For layman like me, I'll drive either one without complaining. Unfortunately I'm not a layman, so my vote is the GEC 6as7g.

There you go. Buy these tubes and live happily ever after.
 
Last edited:
Jul 7, 2016 at 8:47 PM Post #3 of 11,833
Just wanted to post a quick reply, I hope that this thread will continue to inspire those that have the Elise and those folks that are considering it.
I have had mine for several months now and enjoy it, the music comes alive whether I use it with headphones ( Sennheiser 800) or as a preamp, to my Haman-Kardan 7200.  I have found the preamp out definetly makes a good bit of difference. Hopefully the neighbors will continue to work the day shift so I can unleash this at a decent volumne!
 
Jul 7, 2016 at 9:07 PM Post #4 of 11,833
A little something to sing you to sleep, don't worry @UntilThen it is not me..
 
 
 

 
Jul 8, 2016 at 3:20 AM Post #7 of 11,833
Congrats @pctazhp ... a welcome addition indeed to Elise land.
Will be showing my final setup in due course...for those who may not have been bored to death with it already, lol
wink_face.gif

 
My best wishes to you and all who join in this thread...WELL DONE!
 
Best
CJ
 
Jul 8, 2016 at 6:31 AM Post #9 of 11,833
Great guitarist, 5 a.m. this morning when I first heard this great stuff, but need more than one cup of coffee for this. Turned on news and saw the attack on Dallas Texas police, 5 dead officers,11 wounded,country is tearing itself apart think I better grab some high price y ubes will I can. Hate trying to type on this phone,should have waited changed my profile from 6 pack one socket to reflect values set down. Hope this thread takes off,thanks for starting this.
 
Jul 8, 2016 at 6:36 AM Post #10 of 11,833
Get this. They are reasonably priced and 7236 are great sounding tubes.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/7236-Cetron-NOS-Balance-6520-5998-421A-2399-6AS7G-Buy-it-Now-Little-Bear-P8/172264591861?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D35389%26meid%3Db2e90faa615d46f8a12be4b404e37f2b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D172262170880
 
Now these 5998A are supposed to be similar sounding to the 7236. I'm really curious at the brand. Looks good.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5998-5998A-NOS-Gold-Aero-Premium-Series-7236-6080-421A-little-bear-P8-3-Day/172262170880?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D35389%26meid%3De92374a7db7944f6afac8aa5e24df2ff%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D172264591861
 
Jul 8, 2016 at 7:22 AM Post #11 of 11,833
On the 5998's have not seen that tube brand before (not that that makes much difference) but curios if it would be that different (read better) than the new Tung Sol I have.  Cetron I am familiar with as a brand, don't remember if they are rebranded or not.  In your opinion how do the 7236 compare to the 5998"s?  Don't expect a detailed compare, just in general.  Thanks
 
Jul 8, 2016 at 7:26 AM Post #13 of 11,833
7236 has a leaner tone, tighter bass compared to 5998. As I said, the 5998A is not the same as 5998. It's supposed to be similar to 7236. I haven't tried 5998A though, so I can't be sure.
 
Jul 8, 2016 at 7:31 AM Post #15 of 11,833
Thanks for the reply, may give them a try.  Have to straighten out some bank accounts first.  Did the right thing and tried to put my sister on one of my accounts as a benificiary said I could not because it was a joint account, showed her death certificate, after an hour she did paper work and said she would hold it for a month, I asked about the present account status, bill pay and what not, she said it would remain the same. This morning, two days later got email from main bank addressed to my wife, (deceased) to let her know that the account had been frozen and bill pay cancelled.  Advice is never try to do the right thing with banks.  Glad I have more than one bank
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top