I auditioned a Concept before getting my Sapphire, and felt the latter was clearly superior. Haven't heard the Performance DC, but you could reasonably expect it to be a better performer than the Concept - are you able to audition? A couple of other points: - how your Sapphire stacks up may (or...

That's pretty much where I got to as well, although (contrary to my normal approach) I did my research after ordering them...  Oh well, we live and learn.   And Dr J, you never know, you might love them - or at least not be disappointed - good luck.  

Quote:   I've used the Herbies dampers on both the driver and power tubes - separately and together (but not the rectifiers), and did not like the results at all.  From what I can tell, the use of tube dampers / coolers generally seems if not a polarizing topic, then at least very much a...

Quote   There are these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-EY500A-EY500-VALVO-Tube-Rohre-Lampe-TSF-Valvola-NOS-/250744531367?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a6189e9a7 .  I have a few somewhere with a bunch of Siemens (haven't tried either of them), but didn't pay anything like that price. ...

A few thoughts for you. First - nice work, and good on you for putting the effort in. :cool: Secondly, sound-wise I think it is pretty decent; certainly a significant improvement on iTunes and Enqueue (the latter sounds 'thick' and slightly dull to my ears). I am using Fidelia currently - not...

Quote:   It doesn't - it has 10 lines, in fact.  That connector was used, I believe, because it is more or less a drop in replacement (chassis-hole size wise) for the previously used plastic version.  Even the plastic plug had / has room for more lines than are actually utilized.

Quote:   Well, I imagine there may be some connection, but as I say, I don't want to claim credit - Craig does seem to be open to suggestions across the board, and that has to be a good thing.   Let's try again with that pic, so you can see the connector from another angle.  Fingers...

Just underneath in fact - thanks for the pointer!   Serves me right for not looking...

Quote:   I don't want to claim any 'credit' for this development, but after several umbilical-related failures on my ZD SE (the last specific to the plastic plugs / sockets) I specifically asked Craig to replace them with non-flexing metal alternatives.  Below is a snap of my amp, at...

Quote:   Sorry, I was referring to the Bolder quote above, where Wayne says the BNC circuit has an attenuator built in - was really wondering (1) why that would be and (2) why it wasn't mirrored in the RCA circuit.  No biggie, just one of those details that strikes me as interesting.... ...

As it happens, I also use a black cat veloce cable, which I have had on BNC from kick off on the assumption it was the better connection.  Anyway, having spent the best part of a day with it on RCA, it seems to me that it is indeed preferable, sound-wise, and noticeably so.  I'm not able to...

Quote: Pretty much what I did. Wasn't too adventurous though, and just swapped out the stock opamps for OPA627s and LM4562s - made all the difference to my ears though, and I don't fancy going under the bonnet too often.  As for tubes, well, I honestly can't recall which one I have in...

Quote: Unclench those fists, and flex the fingers first.   What tube did you manage to send into the next life?  I have a few spares kicking around if you want to have another go; just drop me a PM.    

Quote:   Bailterspace!   Keen to see some pics of the install if you can manage those, as I've had the bursons under consideration but concerns about fit have put me off...