I’m aware I’m in the minority in that assessment. It could also be my inability to properly describe what I’m hearing. But cymbals go shtshhh instead of ting.

On the one tube it says H4E, which I read as an OEM tube from either August 1944 or 1959 - apparently RCA just arbitrarily started repeating date codes after 15 years. ‘Cause why not? The other in the pair is all rubbed off.

Hah! I didn’t notice. And you gots to be careful with tubes, maybe there was a 6NS7 that’s been lost to time.

The difference to my ears is probably not as great as you might expect. I personally prefer the Sylvanias for their more even, neutral and natural sound. The RCA are a touch more "fun" sounding, with more present mid-bass (again, small differences). But I thought the treble with the RCAs was a...

I was...am a thick pad devotee from the moment they got put on the Caldera, about a month after the Caldera themselves arrived. But the thing is, the Caldera have continued to evolve in their sound, and interestingly I only notice the changes when I put on the stock pads. Now, even with the...

Depending on what genres you listen to, there might not currently be an upgrade. Different sound, sure. Had the Utopia OG - maybe more detailed and impactful, but REALLY small soundstage, like sitting 50 rows back in an outdoor venue. Also slightly plasticky sounding. I recently had HE1000se -...

Lucky! It was that blasted HD800S that first jump started my crazy obsession! I mean, I was into headphones before, but that cold rainy March 2016 that I stumbled upon it at my local shop hit a nerve. Made me see the light. Showed me what was possible. I’m not the same person I was! But it’s...

Good point. I have been mostly using my 300b amp so far, so haven’t done too much rolling for synergy yet. I bet the Russians would be too bright, but a lot a times you just gotta roll ‘em in and see what happens. I bet a rectifier change would help too. I’ve basically got a RFT foil getter in...

Bit off topic...maybe not really... I recently got myself a Susvara, and was very curious about whether the Pendant could do it justice. With my normal tube roll, Tungsram WPFG and G-73R, it really didn't sound like it had enough juice, sounding thin and wheezy. So just now I've put in my...

Wow, that’s a very generous asking price for an endgame setup. Someone could buy that package and be set for life. Hopefully you find your endgame with the Aegis…if endgame is what you want!

I remember reading somewhere (so it must be true) that production of metal cans pretty much ceased sometime in the early 50s, because the glass envelopes were cheaper to make. All the later production cans were just old stock relabeled to clear out. In any case there are real advantages to the...

Thanks for the VERY thorough post! I haven’t tried the Mullard white prints yet, but from memory they are quite similar to the GEC. And I did manage to grab a quad of 6S5S, so I’m definitely excited about those. But the GECs just have a way of waking up my so-called “sleepy” planars. I had...

So I've recently found myself in possession of a Susvara, and so far I've really been digging GEC CV6 with them. I tried Mullard Red Prints and Brimar 6J5 as well, but surprisingly I found the warmer tubes to be too smooth with the brighter Susvara. Boy, I hope I'm not becoming one of those...

Candians are the worst! Don’t trust ‘em! (I’m Canadian) …I’ve used CAM a ton and if he has good feedback there it’s probably not a problem.

Hmm…my personal MAXIMUM TUBINESS!! roll might be WE300b and Brimars? I have old 6J5 in particular. But I haven’t actually tried that combo yet, so I’ll have to soon. A lot of internet people say RCA smoked glass 6SN7 are the tubeyist, but I just never caught on with them in the Cayin. My...

If you like the Sylvania house sound, there's A LOT of different variations. But I suggest trying out 6F8G from the early 40's (needs an adapter). They have a leaf on the side, rather than the later "S" branded tubes. Also round plate 6J5 (quad with adapters), another great one. Detailed and...

Very true! Definitely it seems to be a feature of Head-fi (or possibly humanity in general) that new things catch fire and then fade away…except for ZMF things, they always seem to be fire :). Personally I already made the decision to stick with the HA-300 whatever may come.

I was worried that the ZMF Aegis would start to pull people away from the HA-300. Just the hype around that amp is legendary it seems. I've been following even the DIY thread, and everyone universally seems to not only think it's amazing, but that it just may be the best amp period. And now...

I don't really listen to EDM, I just wanted to be balanced in my commentary :)

I had both side by side for almost a year until a week ago (traded in the HE1000SE). If you want wide soundstage and precise imaging, the Senn has it. But the Hifiman does have some pluses. HE1000SE's tonality is better suited to EDM or the like - more tilted to sub bass and upper treble.

Have you heard ZMF Caldera? I might still take HD800S for large orchestral, but for chamber and solo stuff it may be better. It’s surprisingly dynamic and life-like on real instruments. I’d say it’s the 2nd best headphone I’ve heard for classical - dynamic, planar or e-stat. Otherwise I hear...

How have you described me so perfectly? But seriously, it just depends what you listen to. The more genres you listen to the more headphones you need!

That sucks! Probably just return them, no? Does Hifiman sell on Amazon where you are? I don’t think they do where I am. I’ve had nothing but great experiences buying from Hifiman, but Amazon’s ever growing cabal of fly-by-night third party “sellers” on the other hand…🤮🤮

I know this was not the question, but depending what you want out the HE1000se, you may want to look at ampsandsound. I have a Pendant (discontinued, I think it’s sold as a Leeloo now), as well as a Cayin HA-300. I thought the HE1000se really benefitted from the solidity and impact of the...