One of the dealers I had an email exchange with trying to verify I was getting what they were advertising, mentioned this thread. 

I took some tubes to test at this year's Decfest.  Those in the original box tested NOS.  Those not in a box, did not.  I only paid top dollar for the boxed ones.  The others, I kind of figured they would not really be NOS given their price.   I am not seeing any 6n23p SSSWG deals out there...

I have Steve Deckert test them for me. I don't recall what he has. I go there at least once a year and he tests whatever I bring.

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend.  I've had good conversations with them over such things.  They were always straight forward with me.

I would have never trusted that price.   Also, don't say single wire getter.  I always ask questions before buying. 

I have rolled the 6n23ps and the Mullards and have the same observations as above.  I am mostly a speaker listener though.   I prefer the Mullards in my primary systems only because I am currently running full range drivers which are bright.   I run 6n23p's in a second system that is more...

I have had good luck with that seller ('74s).  I bought from another Ukraine dealer and one of my '75s arrived DOA.  It took him some time to find a match, but he replaced it, no questions asked.    All in all, I have had good luck with the Russian/Urkaine sellers.  I'd contact them if it...

Thanks for the work on this thread.   I just stumbled across your work here seeking reinforcement for a recent tube purchase.  1974 6n23P single wire silver shields from that seller in Ukraine.  Seems I may have made a bad purchase decision.  BTW, when I inquired about 1975's, an auction...

I had the (non-USB) non-uber for more than a year, then installed the uber.  For me, it was not a subtle difference.  One of the best bang for buck upgrades I've done in audio.

I have to admit, I thought people were going a little overboard with their praise of the upgrade and prepared to do an "objective" quasi-scientific assessment after installing.   Well, that lasted maybe all of 30 seconds.  I did go through my test playlist, but only to hear how good each song...

BTW, I want to thank Sceleratus for his upgrade instructions.  Putting the board in and re-attaching it with the center screws made lining up the LEDs a snap.  It didn't take 10 seconds to get them to pop back in the holes.   I did have one additional instruction and that is to make sure...

I think you nailed it with the 20% sq increase.  That is exactly where I would put it.   I put together a list of about 18 songs to test the upgrade looking for some very specific things in treble, bass, piano, live recordings, complex passages, vocals, etc.  All songs I know very well and I...

Nice, thanks.  Yeah, pretty tough to A/B.  I do think you'd remember decay rates impressions on things like cymbals.    I am primarily a speaker listener.

Too soon for impressions?  I'm thinking about giving this a go.

I have experience with the DM945s, but with the SE34i.3.  Great value in a speaker in my opinion.  They image very well and go low enough for me, but I have heard others run them with a sub.  My sub is cheap so I run without and don't miss it all that much.  Nice defined bass.  I also like the...

From the Decware Forum:   Some of the revisions of the new Taboo MK III that can be applied to existing white Taboo's are: New Input Stage to increase the amplifiers gain to be closer to other Decware amplifiers eliminating the need for a preamp. Mod - $100 Changed the input tube...

I think this just came out today.  My appologies if it is not new news.   Its a redesign of the Taboo specifically for planars.  Dual lucid mode...   http://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1356975326

I picked up an i-20 for a secondary system in a summer cottage.  I compared the stock i-20 to the Onkyo ND-S1 with an upgraded power supply.  Very different sound even though both units tout direct digital signal to the dac.   I kept everything the same (interconnects, dac, amp) and everything...

I'd agree it chain dependent.  I listen to speakers the majority of time.  I liked the bass from Bifrost, but after I upgraded my amp power cord from a Crump Asylum DIY to the Belden 83803 DIY, I really liked it.  Better definition, deeper more powerful etc. etc.  I feel I have both quantity and...

No issues with Bifrost.  It provided the biggest improvement in sound to my system since I got back into this hobby.   For now, I'll be sticking with the dock and coax, but as I get more hi-res, I'll try the mini again.  I will at least look to upgrading my optical cable any try some of the...

I'd also agree.  Coax out of the ND-S1 (with upgraded power supply) is much better than optical.   However, I have had better luck experimenting with optical out of a mac mini running Audirvana plus.  Very close to the sound I get from the dock and maybe better.  Leaves me wondering if the...

This linear power supply was recommended to me and works really well.  The power cord that goes from the PSU to the Onkyo ND-S1 has the right connector as well.  Search Teralink on ebay: $43 USD + shipping ($13 to the US)   IMPORTANT NOTE:  You have to open it up and adjust the trim pot to...

Judmarc,   I downloaded and used Audirvana over the holidays and have to agree with you.  It is a nice improvement over iTunes.  One question though.  Have you noted that 16/44.1 seems to be read into Bifrost at 24/44.1.  At least that is what the Audirvana DAC readout is showing.  Is there...

Got back from my trip and listened again with about 72 hours of burn-in.  This dac really seems to benefit from burn in as has been pointed out.   I think someone else said "smoother but no loss in the details," to which I have to agree.    I have also done more headphone listening rather...

I find people's reviews to be very helpful in general (your's especially) but tend to read them all and look for themes.  We don't have a common basis for comparison but if enough people cite a given theme compared to their existing equipment, I give it some credence.   All in all, I find the...