Recent content by smellster
-
Fiio X5 3rd gen || 2x AKM 4490 || Balanced Out || DSD || DXD | DTS | Android || Dual Card Slot
Throw it in the bin (recycle) or sell it on to some unsuspecting soul. It was a clunky POS when it was released, and quickly put in the back of a draw. I recently tried to resurrect it so the kids could listen to Tidal, that was a waste of 6 hours. Custom kernel, fidelizer, rooting etc. The...- smellster
- Post #15,700
- Forum: Portable Source Gear
-
Fiio X5 3rd gen || 2x AKM 4490 || Balanced Out || DSD || DXD | DTS | Android || Dual Card Slot
Great thread, thanks for all the insights. I have one of these coming tomorrow, a couple of places in Switzerland suddenly went from mid March availability to having the titanium version in stock. I was deciding between the Pioneer XDP-300R (similar price from Japan) and the Fiio. The...- smellster
- Post #3,795
- Forum: Portable Source Gear
-
Project Ember Tube Rolling
Thanks so much for the rapid reply. I didn't even realise such adapters with a wire to an external power supply existed. Sounds like an exotic thing to try so I found the required adapters on ebay with XulingMrs, I guess the external wire to a 6 volt 2 amp power supply will do the trick. ...- smellster
- Post #2,404
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
-
Project Ember Tube Rolling
I have a colleague with a couple of EL3N tubes which he rates highly in his DIY projects. Does anyone know if these would these work in my Ember I guess by way of a dual EL3N to 6SN7 adapter? Or is the heater current draw going to be too high for the Ember? Loving the Ember by the way, I...- smellster
- Post #2,401
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
-
Schiit Lyr Tube Rollers
8 % The UK has more expensive VAT but was more hit and miss with charging for import duty, a lot of shipments would get through. Whereas Switzerland will always charge import duty with a declaration of 52 CHF and above (approx 50 dollars). They have previously opened packages and asked...- smellster
- Post #9,323
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
-
Schiit Lyr Tube Rollers
Consider yourself lucky with import charges, I'm currently living and working in SwitzerIand and anything above approx 50 bucks gets import VAT added which is only 8%, however it's the approx $20 admin fee on every shipment that really kicks you. At least it gets delivered unlike my experiences...- smellster
- Post #9,320
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
-
Schiit Lyr Tube Rollers
For what it's worth I've been using the western electric 396a in my Valhalla 2 (via a Bifrost Multibit/HD650s) with the ebay adapters for a month or so now and they're my favourite along with the '59 Dutch white label Amperex ECC88. Excuse my newbie description but to my ears they sound...- smellster
- Post #9,304
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
-
Project Ember Tube Rolling
I am a recent convert to the Ember and had exactly the same problem this evening while testing for the 1st time a recently purchased 1943 Ken Rad and 1951 Sylvania, both 6SN7. I thought I'd been sold duff tubes as both were buzzing loudly, but a Tesla E88cc and Amperex ECC88 (6dj8) were...- smellster
- Post #2,353
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
-
Schiit Lyr Tube Rollers
Thanks for the heads up I just grabbed the 75 swgp silver shield Reflektors for my Valhalla 2. I've been enjoying a pair of 59 white label Heerlen Amperex and early 70s yellow label Teslas up til now so we'll see how the Reflektors compare.- smellster
- Post #8,972
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
-
Schiit Owners Unite
New owner here as well, a young family has forced the move from very loud loudspeakers to very loud headphones. I've had a Valhalla 2 and Bifrost Multibit for about four weeks now, great service form Schiit Europe by the way. Mainly playing flacs through USB the setup has brought my...- smellster
- Post #11,685
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
-
ZMF x Vibro & ZMF Blackwood Discussion Thread.
I also dropped out of the purpleheart to join the Vibro MKII drop which filled up damn quick. The Vibro looks fantastic, really looking forward to hearing it. At the moment I'm mainly using a HD650 through a Schiit Valhalla 2 which sounds pretty special. Any one have any experiences with...- smellster
- Post #1,205
- Forum: Headphones (full-size)
-
Schiit Valhalla Tube Rolling thread.
I picked up a couple of cheap brown socket savers off ebay as well. Unfortunately they produced quite a pronounced audible hum on my Valhalla 2. I have since replaced them with the tubemonger ones with no issues, but they're fairly expensive though.- smellster
- Post #473
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)