[ampsandsound]

@ampsandsound And in specific terms? Doesn't 100% volume drive the tubes harder and shortens their life? Or is it negligible if it's NOS tubes?

Not at all. It’s a Class A amp. It’s burning hot not matter the volume.

 

[ShaolinGrump]

for example, 100% wide open on Mogwai SE (early version) to Pine Tree custom adapter: speaker taps to XLR4 headphones.

This was first run with SJY Starry Night v1. I want to try AKG K1000 soon. Those don’t come out of the OEM storage box much.

The SJY needed all of those Shuguang Treasure KT88. I could’ve enjoyed a little louder even.

 

[MidFi90]

I don’t know it’s the DCA expanse is power hungry or it just simply doesn’t like the 6L6. I swapped 6L6 to KT90 every thing is getting better….. bigger sound stages and better low end and high end extension. The only drawback compared to 6L6 is maybe in the midrange the kt90 is not that warm for some vocals.

I also put the volume of forge on max and use my lamp GG3 DAC’s preamp, it works really good.

 

[theveterans]

I thought you can't run the KT90 on the Forge?? Does Justin recommend that?

Regarding the Expanse, I like them on the 300 ohm taps with the stock JJ KT88 tubes. More PRAT and sweet mids!

 

[MidFi90]

I thought you can't run the KT90 on the Forge?? Does Justin recommend that?

Regarding the Expanse, I like them on the 300 ohm taps with the stock JJ KT88 tubes. More PRAT and sweet mids!

If wanting SuS... its strongly consider 6550, KT88 or KT90. 6550s are magic but I tend to go with KT88s as my go it.
Also might want to get a 6SL7 to 12AX7 adapter... You'll get even more power.

I looked old thread he sad strongly consider KT90 so I tried

 

[tholt]

I don’t know it’s the DCA expanse is power hungry or it just simply doesn’t like the 6L6. I swapped 6L6 to KT90 every thing is getting better….. bigger sound stages and better low end and high end extension. The only drawback compared to 6L6 is maybe in the midrange the kt90 is not that warm for some vocals. I also put the volume of forge on max and use my lamp GG3 DAC’s preamp, it works really good.

Lampi DAC/pre into Forge. I bet that's pretty nice! Any observations on using the Forge with and without Lampi preamp? How does the sonics change?

I'm excited as I await an incoming Pass HPA-1 that I plan on using both as standalone amp and as preamp to my Pendant SE.

 

[MidFi90]

Lampi DAC/pre into Forge. I bet that's pretty nice! Any observations on using the Forge with and without Lampi preamp? How does the sonics change?

I'm excited as I await an incoming Pass HPA-1 that I plan on using both as standalone amp and as preamp to my Pendant SE.

using the forge’s alps alone the sound is very good but for me is less resolving and less transparent than using the lamp’s pre amp. I think you should try yourself to see what you like because every preamp or volume should different

 

[ampsandsound]

The DCA are not efficient and do love power. Changing the front end tube from a 6sl7 to a 12AX7 via adapter (eBay) will also increase power.

Thanks
Justin

 

[Strayngs]

First listen on my brand new Bigger Ben Rev 2. Primarily this will be used as my speaker amp but doesn't hurt to have a great headphone amp either lol. It has half as much power as my last amp but sounds bigger. Maybe I should have listened to the stock too but I went straight to the NOS that I got from Justin lol.

 

[nwavesailor]

BB is a GREAT amp!

 

[MidFi90]

First listen on my brand new Bigger Ben Rev 2. Primarily this will be used as my speaker amp but doesn't hurt to have a great headphone amp either lol. It has half as much power as my last amp but sounds bigger. Maybe I should have listened to the stock too but I went straight to the NOS that I got from Justin lol.

wow Voxativ 9.87 Speakers，I heard them in a audio show couple years ago sounds natural and beautiful. But I don’t know this speaker is that easy to drive ?

 

[Strayngs]

wow Voxativ 9.87 Speakers，I heard them in a audio show couple years ago sounds natural and beautiful. But I don’t know this speaker is that easy to drive ?

They are extremely efficient … 110db 1w 1m

 

[tholt]

First listen on my brand new Bigger Ben Rev 2. Primarily this will be used as my speaker amp but doesn't hurt to have a great headphone amp either lol. It has half as much power as my last amp but sounds bigger. Maybe I should have listened to the stock too but I went straight to the NOS that I got from Justin lol.

Congrats, and nice looking setup!

 

[MidFi90]

They are extremely efficient … 110db 1w 1m

That is very tube friendly 110db sensitivity…… all most horn speakers level.

 

[Strayngs]

Guys, my Fezz amp is going back to TMR and I'm about to have a pretty large credit with them. I just picked up a used 1266 Phi TC. So the question is this. I'm looking at three different headphones to compliment the 1266. I have a couple JM audio XTCs (open and closed) which I love but they are for my portable astell and Kern rig. Has anybody tried the utopia 22, Meze elite, or the LCD 5 With the bigger Ben? I think I'll pick one of those three up. I got to try the Meze and LCD5 at my local audio store but it was in a very noisy environment and it was hard to really judge what I was listening to.