Aune T1 USB Tube DAC+ SS Amp Discussion Thread ***See first post for FAQ--Updated on 02/14/15***

[G600]

I'm waiting some 6n23p and 6n27p for this nice amp.
Can't stand the wait !!!
 
Thanks guys for the detailed reviews of tubes association.

 

[CoiL]

Quote:
 

 

  Well, actually it is normal that they don't work with the Aune T1 (and the seller explicitly wrote it in the tubes' page) because of their different working tension (they are 6N1P not 6N23P; I own a pair of reflektor 6N23P and they work fine with T1).

 
We should probably mention this in the list of supported tubes.

Removed 6N1P from you linked post (I edited my post), just in case, but if I recall correctly, I`ve read ok-working-status about 6N1P tubes with T1. 

  I'm waiting some 6n23p and 6n27p for this nice amp.
Can't stand the wait !!!
 
Thanks guys for the detailed reviews of tubes association.

 
Interested about 6N27P impressions. It`s quite getting-rare & expensive tube.

 

[G600]

No problem.
 
It's a 6n27p From Reflektor, 1971.
 
Please allow 1 month for shipping delay, plus some hours of breaking in...

 

[CoiL]

Then it should be quite similiar sounding to 6N23P reflector but you can enlighten us if your 6N23P is also reflector. 6N27P are one of the most appreciated russian tubes as I know. Really intresting would be comparing them both against 6N23P rocket.
Personally, I only have 6N23P reflector, 6922EH and 2x 6922 Sovtek`s. I prefer 6922`s to 6N23P reflector due to "muffled" sound latter has imho.

 

[hojomojo96]

   
Amperex Orange Globe (6DJ8, US$15) sounds good to me in terms of separation and soundstage, but not sure how wide the soundstage you want. Comparing with Tungsram PCC189, Amperex is wider IMO. Also I just bought a piece of Telefunken PCC189 and pair of Bugle Boy this morning, might share some impression once they arrive

.

 
I've read that the Orange Globe's color the sound though, I'm looking for something as flat as possible Thank you!

 

[G600]

@ CoiL, my 6n23p is a rocket one, not a reflektor.

 

[Salvatore]

  if I recall correctly, I`ve read ok-working-status about 6N1P tubes with T1.

 
I think it was tommo. He had some distortion in the beginning, but it disappeared after some burn in.

 

[Mannythebearpig]

I have Sennheiser 600HD in the mail and need a decient amp/dac. This one in particular seems promising but i know nothing about the tubes. Is the tube it comes with decent or do i need to upgrade the tube out of the box. Is there a better option for the 600s in the 200 price range. 

 

[Sarurururu]

  I have Sennheiser 600HD in the mail and need a decient amp/dac. This one in particular seems promising but i know nothing about the tubes. Is the tube it comes with decent or do i need to upgrade the tube out of the box. Is there a better option for the 600s in the 200 price range. 

 
Hi mate,
 
Mine came with a EH6922 which is a contemporary made tube I believe and it's actually reasonably good in terms of overall performance (At least it's better than my Tungsram PCC189 IMHO

). I've paired my Senn HD25 II with the T1 and the result is very satisfying as HD25 is not that easy to drive. Although HD600 is even harder, but the T1 does have gain control so it might help with that. Another advantage of T1 is it requires only one single tube to be installed so you don't have to worry about paired tubes, especially if you're new to tubes like myself. Regardless of performance of the stock tube, I find rolling tubes is always enjoyable whilst there are tons of affordable options over ebay or the internet. And I do recommend T1 since I can hear a lot of details coming out from my Philips X1 which I never heard before

.

 

[CoiL]

 

  I have Sennheiser 600HD in the mail and need a decient amp/dac. This one in particular seems promising but i know nothing about the tubes. Is the tube it comes with decent or do i need to upgrade the tube out of the box. Is there a better option for the 600s in the 200 price range. 

 
Hi mate,
 
Mine came with a EH6922 which is a contemporary made tube I believe and it's actually reasonably good in terms of overall performance (At least it's better than my Tungsram PCC189 IMHO

).
 

Glad I didn´t buy PCC189 Tungsram. But Tungsram PCC88 is definitely better than 6922EH - tighter & punchier bass and better mids. Soundstage is same or very littlebit larger. 
Separation is also littlebit better. What`s bad about your PCC189 Tungsram compared against 6922EH?

 

[Sarurururu]

  Glad I didn´t buy PCC189 Tungsram. But Tungsram PCC88 is definitely better than 6922EH - tighter & punchier bass and better mids. Soundstage is same or very littlebit larger. 
Separation is also littlebit better. What`s bad about your PCC189 Tungsram compared against 6922EH?

Hi CoiL,
 
Thank you for your message. Personally I think the Tungsram PCC189 is a bit flat in frequency response, in other words it's kind of boring. However, some people might like it since we all hear differently.

I also find in general PCC189 is cheaper than PCC88 on ebay, not sure if there's any relation to it's performance though. And I have a Telefunken PCC189 coming on it's way, hopefully it won't be as flat

. (Additional comments: Just got home and did some more A/B amongst OG, 6922EH & PCC189, turns out the Tungsram PCC189 is quite warm and forward with relatively narrow soundstage).
I do agree with you that the bass in 6922EH is little muffled and loose when I compare with the Orange Globe. Look forward to have more comparison once my other tubes arrive.
I might give the Tungsram PCC88 a try later, but meanwhile I just have to stop myself from buying more tubes since I've already bought 5 this week.

 

 

[CoiL]

Hmmm, if Tungsram PCC189 is flat then it really might fit for many. But let me ask what you exactly expect from tube? I mean Amperex OG is already very very good imho, with middle-sized sweetspot soundstage and warm/smooth but sparkly highs and awesome mids. For me it's one of the best tubes (personally I think Ultron SQ 7ES8/PCC189 (Bharat India, gold label) is littlebit better) out of my collection (alongside with Siemens PCC189, Siemens PCC88, Miniwatt-Dario PCC189 & ECC189) for rock/metal/progressive/jazz genres and is one of the best all-arounders. 
Although Tungsram PCC88 is ok with most genres I can recommend it only for EDM and atmospheric electronic music (note, one with the cuts in the horizontal plate under getter is tinybit better than with flat plate). 
 
So, for what genres you want your tube to fit?
 
If EDM & atmospheric electronic music and prefer large soundstage, then my recommendations are JAN Sylvania 6922 & Tungsram PCC88. And personally I still like 6922EH & Sovtek 6922 too, although their bass is sometimes too loose but then again for some music it`s a "bonus".
 
If you listen basically every genre then my top recommendations are Siemens PCC189, Ultron PCC189 (white label), Miniwatt-Dario PCC189 & ECC189, Amperex OG (GAC coded is with smoother highs and imo better than GAE & GA8), Philips PCC189, Lorenz PCC189, Mullard ECC88.
 
For rock/metal/progressive/jazz (and imo for classics too due to "live warmness") - Ultron SQ 7ES8/PCC189 (Bharat India, gold label), Amperex OG GAC, Siemens PCC189, Siemens PCC88, Mullard ECC88.
 
"Special" range is so called "old-sounding" tubes for old rock styles imo. For this "genre" I can recommend Mazda-Belvu PCC189, Brimar PCC189, Mullard PCC189, Valvo PCC88 (old logo).
 
If I would have to choose only one tube for everything I would probably go for Siemens PCC189 or Ultron PCC189 white label. But thing is, Siemens tends to be pretty expensive (I got mine ridiculously cheap) and Ultron is hard to find but in EU it`s dirt cheap. If you have to exclude those tubes for those reasons, then most widely available and with ok price would be Amperex OG, cheaper option is Philips PCC189. If money isn`t problem - go straight for Amperex 7308 (haven`t heard it yet) or mint condition Amperex OG or Siemens PCC189.
 
Well, consider that this all is only my personal opinion with my rig, my recommendations would not fit for everyone.

 

[G600]

Thanks CoiL for your detailed review.
Very, very useful.

 

[teb1013]

CoiL your knowledge is encyclopedic. Your tube collection must be amazing! This is the first reference to Indian tubes I have seen anywhere! Where did you get them?

 

[Illbetheone]

Got my Philips SQ Miniwatt E88CC in last week. This is by far one of my favorite sounding tubes thus far. It compliments all areas of the spectrum perfectly while expanding the soundstage much more over my Russian Rocket logo tube. EDM sounds blissfull with somewhat forward vocals and it rocks my WS99 so hard. I even listened to a bit of rock and classical and liked what I heard as well. I either go for this tube or the Rocket logo tube depending on what mood I am in and if I want more of a "tube sound" or not.
 
As for PC gaming, I found that this did not impede my ability to hear enviorments within the game at all - unlike my Tungsram tube. If anything, it was able to bring out some of the lesser heard sounds within the game than other tubes. Granted, I was only able to play two games on it; Batman: Arkham Asylum and Medal of Honor, but I still stand by my endorsement. If you can pick one up for a good price then I highly encourage you to do so - 9/10. I wonder how this will sound compared to the Amperex 7308?
 

 
By the way, all tube comparisons will be added to my big Aune T1 review as well, which can be found here.