MIKELAP
Headphoneus Supremus
Well guys, it would appear it's time I tried to give a clearer, more 'objective' overview of my and JV's experience with the rather unconventional mix of driver tubes - viz ECC31/FDD20 - for those who may be interested in going off mainstream.
It is, of course, self-evident that in the main, mixing of non-identical tubes is fraught with possible problems and probably not even worth bothering with. However, an important lesson I learned from my time over at the Little Dot thread (and with the Elise!) was that sometimes it can pay dividends to experiment, even in the face of friendly scepticism - the sort I had hoped would migrate over to things Elise.
Despite approaching such a project with a healthy doubt, the lengthy burn-in necessary for our NOS tubes has shown a very clear similarity between them...much more so even than often between other tubes of the same type. And has been tested over a wide range of genres - no overnight quickies here, lol!
At first it appears they may not merge properly, but gradually any disparities do indeed fade and a synergy develops that is actually most unexpected...and I use the word advisedly here - "expectation" has been removed from the equation as much as possible, as has wishful thinking.
And so we have both come to this conclusion through careful, prolonged scrutiny...neither of us has only just started out in this area. And most importantly...through actual personal trial and assessment, not supposition. This, of course, can be the only way to gain any kind of meaningful impression as to what is being delivered by the tubes...and everything else!
Which does actually bring me to the rather tricky subject of hearing. I suspect there are in fact very few (lucky) people with precisely the same range of frequency response in both ears, let alone volume levels. This will, naturally, impact upon the balance of sound we experience - our entire perception in fact. And must therefore differ from one person to the next...for better or worse! Which is just one reason why music appreciation especially is such a personal experience, of course.
And then there's the question of just how well balanced the drivers and powers are in toto!
In other words, there are a good many things that will influence anyone's experience in such an undertaking...and requires an open, unprejudiced mind; a willingness to try things new and/or unconventional...plus the patience not to judge by initial impressions, but give a fair trial. Only from such personal involvement and experience can a truly valid opinion be given.
And so, folks, I look forward to the honest findings of others prepared to fly in the face of convention, and take risks in the pursuit of "that extra mile"...which is also part of the fun to be had in this (mad?!) hobby of ours. Not everything suits everyone, but if at least a few discover something unexpected that they can enjoy/appreciate, then the quest must surely be worthwhile?...
So HAPPY LISTENING!
ps. Neither I nor JV will be in the slightest upset if your findings don't exactly match our own...given fair trial, lol!
Like gibosi says ears and gear i posted in another thread regarding some owners having a hard time with Senns HD800 upper end, i said that the Senns upper end wasnt a problem for me and that i had decades in a noisy Machine Shop and loud music in between to thank for that so no anax mod for me lol. So that's why we have to experiment for ourselves one solution doesnt necessarely fit everybody Happy Listening indeed.
Make sure the neighbors enjoy it as much as you do ;->
