Hi everybody, I've just updated my Ares II and it is really improving almost all aspects of sound. Resolution, clarity and very enjoyable holographic soundstage are most noticeable. I just can't stop listening my favorite music. I was waiting a few days and in my case it's stated V3.12 | A22E...

From tubeworldexpress: Audio power tubes are tested for: good idle current, linear and evenly spaced plate curve traces, transconductance (Gm) within specifications, gas, shorts, leakages, and instabilities Preamp tubes are tested for; (Gm) Transconductance, shorts, gas, leakages and...

No problem, I'm newbie myself)) Measurements between 2 tubes must be as close as possible to have similar sounding..

Probably the older the better, matched and having good measurements)) There's thread here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/5670-w396a-2c51-6n3p-tube-thread.680910/

Yes, this 5670 6n3 WE396A tube family definitely worth the attention. They need adapters, but sound amazing.

Exactly, good-looking, flexible and good sounding cable. There is a nice thread here on head-fi about forza cables. I purchased these tubes In tubeworldexpress.

Hi guys, I have second hand Falcon Pro and do like them (just worry a little bit about battery life bearing in mind they are not new). Knoble house sound is quite addictive, engaging and resolving at the same time. This is my first TWS and I would say the sound is not far from good IEM, not to...

Sorry for late reply, I was out of this forum for a while. Rizer: simple Chinese Gold plated 5670 6n3 WE396A instead ECC88 6922 6DJ8 tube adapter from eBay Tube: 5670 RCA COMMAND SERIES NOS "O" getter halo 1968. 5670 family is good alternative to expensive 6922. Headphone cable: Noir Hybrid...

Is there any sense to upgrade stock power tubes? One fellow adviced me that power tubes have minimal effect on sound, and better to concentrate on driver tubes...

I would say that stock tubes are good enough, but just to familiarise yourself with amplifier, because there are much better tubes. And Russian tubes in general can be bright if you sensitive to trebles

Thank you @Slade01 and all head-fiers for recommendations. DDC gained some popularity recently and Denafrips produced their own DDC Iris, but I see that Ares USB implementation is good enough to concentrate on something else, although DDC can improve sound. There are many options to remove PC...

I just want to leave it here:) Translation from Russian: "Remember worker, eat Hercules, and listen to superDAC Ares" *Hercules - oatmeal

It is very simple. I have 1 DAC, that is Ares II, and I have 2 headphone amps and 2 headphones . Given that I can not use Ares RCA and XLR outputs simultaneously, I was asking about any device, splitter and the like to share 1 Ares output between 2 amps. I don't want to use another DAC, because...

I see. Can you guys advice some device or splitter to share Ares RCA output between two amps? Thanks.

Alvin explained this before, but just to be shure. If I am going to keep 2 (two) amplifiers connected to Ares RCA and XLR at the same time (but turn on and use only one amp of two at the moment), will this degrade the sound? Thanks for advice, and sorry if this was discussed before :)

Regarding low impedance headphones. I was exploring the Verum 1 planar headphones thread (glowing impressions, but only 8 Ohms impedance!!! And designer of Verum 1 recommended this (though didn't try myself): https://m.it.aliexpress.com/item/32860270299.html?trace=wwwdetail2mobilesitedetail

Sorry for ignorance, what could be the sign of ground loops and how to avoid this problem? Signal from my laptop seems to be clean and silent, but maybe it can be improved further?

Never tried optical myself, it seems to be not very popular, but may be you will find some info in this thread https://www.head-fi.org/threads/what-is-the-best-method-to-get-digital-audio-from-your-pc-to-your-dac.932199/

I agree that another one box in your chain can be redundant, I just wonder if improvement would be big enough to spend 500$ on DDC or I can just keep my laptop as a source and enjoy my music. Majority of head-fiers are confident that PC is not an optimal source. This upgrade itching:)

I pair Ares II with Felix Audio Echo OTL tube headphone amp and ZMF Atticus and sound is fantastic, full and engaging, but this is what I want from my system, just enjoy music and forget about audiphilia :gs1000smile:

Hi everybody, I have upgraded my Mimby 2 with Ares II and would like to say it was substantial step up. I like so much Ares holographic 3D airy soundstage, immersive, rich and full sound. And most of all I like non offensive, non fatigue nature of Ares, which is capable to keep clarity and...

Hi everybody, I found more time for thorough listening to my Meze 99 Classic with Claire HPC Mk2 with multibit Hifiman HM-801 Fullsymmod player and I want to share my impressions. The difference with stock cable is HUGE (though stock cable is not bad). You can believe or not in cables, but Forza...

There is one very interesting option for upgrade in OTL amp territory and to not rob a bank. It's Glenn OTL, some head-fiers say this is a killer amp for adequate money, but it can be tricky to get one.

Echo is also my first OTL amp i bought for my 300 Ohms ZMF Atticus, and it easily beaten my Cavally Liquid Carbon. I think Echo is one of the best price/performance OTL amps, and choice of OTL is not big. And I also tempting to try some better amp, but can easily live with Echo🤔