[Blueshound24]

   
No problem. I have purchased a bunch of different tunes from these folks (6SN7/CV181s/300Bs/274Bs). Found them quite good.
 
http://stores.ebay.com/hsaliencehifiaudio/

 
Thanks! I think I'll email Icon Audio and see where they source their David Shaw CV181's that ship with the HP8. A few posts above, Balanceator said they are Psvanes.

 

[Lorspeaker]

since your David SHaw is waking up...just be patient, give it another 50hours n decide again.

 

[naimless]

The Icon Audio website has a section selling tubes for all their amps.Also I think the David Shaw psvane tubes are the upgraded ones for the Signature Edition of the HP8 amp,I'm not sure what the standard ones are.

 

[SpudHarris]

I bought the PSVANE's from a UK supplier but can't recall who :rolleyes: will look it up though....

The stock HP8 comes with Shuguang 6SN7's which are not too bad if you are starting out but they are way below the PSVANE's.

 

[Xcalibur255]

The best upgrade for the HP8 is dropping a Genalex B759 in the driver socket.  The David Shaw 6SN7s are fine as they are.
 
http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/12AX7-ECC83-Tube-Types/Genalex-Gold-Lion-ECC83-B759
 
This tube was a clear step up in resolution and tonal balance from every NOS 12AX7 and 5751 tube I have heard.  For 6SN7s I think the journey is not over, the NOS tubes have a lot to offer that isn't captured by new production tubes, but if you need a 12AX7 IMO your journey can end with this tube.

 

[SpudHarris]

The best upgrade for the HP8 is dropping a Genalex B759 in the driver socket.  The David Shaw 6SN7s are fine as they are.

http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/12AX7-ECC83-Tube-Types/Genalex-Gold-Lion-ECC83-B759

This tube was a clear step up in resolution and tonal balance from every NOS 12AX7 and 5751 tube I have heard.  For 6SN7s I think the journey is not over, the NOS tubes have a lot to offer that isn't captured by new production tubes, but if you need a 12AX7 IMO your journey can end with this tube.

I have a couple of those from early experimenting but always favoured the smooth plate Telefunken ECC83, these are quite rare but remakes are available. I will give the Genalex another listen tonight.....

 

[Xcalibur255]

They take an unusually long time to settle in I have found.

 

[SpudHarris]

I have always valued your opinion as you know and I have left a Genalex playing for a few hours. My initial view was that there was an immense amount of treble glare but this seems to have subsided and I have been listening for about 3 hours with no fatigue... This was possibly compounded by the HD 800. Which is picky anyway but generally sounds good with the HP8.

I will leave the HP8 playing again tomorrow for a few hours with the same tubes and report back. The Genalex are sounding good after about 5 hours this evening though...

 

[Xcalibur255]

Mine took a good 40-50 hours to truly settle in.  It's odd you got treble glare, I found my tube to have a creamy/dark sound for the first 20 hours.  It was actually very pleasant to listen to that way because resolution was still good, I wouldn't have minded if it stayed that way.  It made the Sylvania 5751 triple mica black plate I had in before seem very tonally uneven by comparison with multiple treble spotlights.  Eventually the Genelex came out of it and settled into a very neutral tone.  This is with TS BGRP in as output.
 
Running an all Sylvania combo works pretty well too, with "bad boy" GTs paired with the 5751.  It has some of that "sweet/hot" sylvania treble but isn't sibilant or prone to glare and really highlights vocals.

 

[SpudHarris]

Well I had a most enjoyable listening session last night with the Genalex still in place and have to say I was not tempted to swap it out again. I did drop the PSVANE's in favour of the TS BGRP, they really are the finest sounding tubes to my ears, just about perfect. I'm glad I grabbed a spare pair when I had the chance....

 

[Silent One]

I just sold my TS-BGRPs VT-231...I'm going to miss them. 

 

[TonyNewman]

  I just sold my TS-BGRPs VT-231...I'm going to miss them. 

 
I hope this isn't a rude question - but I am curious - how much did the set of TS-BGRPs go for?

 

[Badas]

I thought I might give a modern tube a go. You know the Shuguang, Psvane or the TJ Full Music.
I remember some comments about one of these having a rolled off treble or lazy treble. That's what I like.
 
Can someone tell me what is was?
 
Thanks.

 

[TonyNewman]

  I thought I might give a modern tube a go. You know the Shuguang, Psvane or the TJ Full Music.
I remember some comments about one of these having a rolled off treble or lazy treble. That's what I like.
 
Can someone tell me what is was?
 
Thanks.

 
 
I use, and like, both the Psvane T2 CV-181 (really a 6SN7) and the TJ 6SN7 (identical tube to the Sophia 6SN7).
 
Out of 6 T2s I have had one blow in the first 50 hours. Other than that, all good.
 
The Psvanes need a full 300 burn in to get to their best. The TJ/Sophia appears to not need so much.
 
To my ears the TJ is a tad warmer and the T2 a tad more detailed and extended. Take your pick.
 
Pictures below shows the TJ and the Sophia side by side - same damn tube.
 

 

 

[Badas]

   
 
I use, and like, both the Psvane T2 CV-181 (really a 6SN7) and the TJ 6SN7 (identical tube to the Sophia 6SN7).
 
Out of 6 T2s I have had one blow in the first 50 hours. Other than that, all good.
 
The Psvanes need a full 300 burn in to get to their best. The TJ/Sophia appears to not need so much.
 
To my ears the TJ is a tad warmer and the T2 a tad more detailed and extended. Take your pick.
 
Pictures below shows the TJ and the Sophia side by side - same damn tube.
 

 

 
Are you not in Auckland? Have you changed your Avatar?
 
Do you want to sell me a set of the TJ or Sophia?