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...    

Quote: I'm with you, but am also holding my breath - 240v Luxman gear is like hen's teeth, especially down this way.  In saying that, I'm also loving my L-505u, which is an absolute treat with the D-06!   May just make inquiries of a friendly local dealer...

Quote:   Here's what Craig told me when I got my SE: "The idea is just to keep the power tubes from drawing too much current: if the rectifier tubes are hot, and the 6SL7 is hot, and the 6C33C-B tubes are cold, that can shock the tubes if the factory did not test them first. If you ever...

Congrats on your order, Clayton, definitely something to look forward to!   I think that the rectifier tube change was due to the fact that matched tubes are needed, and matching the previous tubes was proving more difficult because there was nothing in current production.  The 6D22S tubes...

Quote: No problem.  The middle one is in a sealed bag, purportedly because these tubes can be susceptible to oxidisation on the pins (not something I've seen on any to date, however).    From what I have been able to determine, the 6C33C's have the support rods all the way through the...

Quote: There are (were) only two manufacturers - Ulyanovsk and Svetlana.  As I understand it, the earlier version was the 6C18C but a more robust tube was wanted, so the 6C33C was developed.  I have pairs of each type (hopefully shown below, if the picture loads), and left to right they...

Quote: Originally Posted by dallan ... have to figure out where to get a replacement-6D22S, is that what it is, anyone? Yes, that's the one - plenty on Ebay. Equivalent tubes are EY500A, EY500 and 6EC4A, but the Svetlana 6D22S is the most common variant available. Craig will also...

Quote: Originally Posted by ironbut I posted a guide to doing this in this thread about a gazillion posts ago. This one? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/e...ml#post4703543 Thanks for popping in with the refresher Ironbut - the two main Zana threads are so long that it's...

Thanks for the intel Karo - the delay in responding is no problem, as my Zana SE arrived on (would you believe it) Christmas Eve, so I have been getting to know it before starting the tube rolling. (Plenty of 6SL7 variants ready to go, along with a couple of 6C18Cs, some earlier Sylvania...

Quote: Originally Posted by SteveM324 I'm in on the the next run from Craig. I should be getting my Zana Deux SE in November. .... I'm really looking forward to getting the ZD SE. In the mean time, I've been ordering a few tubes ahead of time to roll. Me too Steve; really looking...

Hi Karo - I don't have my Zana yet (on the current run, so anticipation is building), but have been putting a few tubes aside in advance. Am I right that this pic shows anode caps, with a longer lead because the Ultrons are taller than the Svetlanas? Apologies if I have the precise terminology...