In theory all amps should sound the same, in reality there is head-fi.
and guess what, there is one more variable. Source. My experience is that a lot of things have very tiny differences that our sonic memory then blows out of proportion as blind tests show.
However, amps do color the sound, everyone who tried more than one knows that or at least they make my headphones sound different, whichever way you want to put it, DACs sound differently too...should they? No. But they do.
I'll have to try the HD650s with the new tube tomorrow. I've never liked them with the T1, but I'm 2 for 2 with the miniwatt so far. All the ingredients for success are there - warm, punchy, spacious and detailed. Did you try the 650s with the miniwatt before & after the cap upgrade? Or just after?
Before and after - I actually thought the Miniwatt sounded almost identical to the Amperex 7308 I had before the cap upgrade. After the upgrade, I noticed the top end and imaging of the Miniwatt were superior to the 7308, then after listening closer, I noticed the bass and soundstaging were better... they were made side by side at the same factory, however I haven't yet found an Amperex branded 7308 that sounds better to me than the best Miniwatt I own.
I am on the search for something though and I will post impressions as I get to know the tubes intimately.
In theory all amps should sound the same, in reality there is head-fi.
and guess what, there is one more variable. Source. My experience is that a lot of things have very tiny differences that our sonic memory then blows out of proportion as blind tests show.
However, amps do color the sound, everyone who tried more than one knows that or at least they make my headphones sound different, whichever way you want to put it, DACs sound differently too...should they? No. But they do.
I agree with all of that, but the thing here is we are all using the same amplifier in regards to the stock amp and only the signal it receives differs.
Which is why I think it must favor certain bands in terms of amplification if a tube can make such a dramatic difference to a person vs. another high end tube. This is why I asked the user to do testing with other tubes and without the DAC to confirm it.
Before and after - I actually thought the Miniwatt sounded almost identical to the Amperex 7308 I had before the cap upgrade. After the upgrade, I noticed the top end and imaging of the Miniwatt were superior to the 7308, then after listening closer, I noticed the bass and soundstaging were better... they were made side by side at the same factory, however I haven't yet found an Amperex branded 7308 that sounds better than the best Miniwatt I own.
Did you give the amperexes time to burn in? I found they get noticeably better with some hours on them. Pretty much everything you just said about the miniwatts I experienced with the amperex after maybe 20-50 hours. Mine are American JAN from 1966 if that matters
Did you give the amperexes time to burn in? I found they get noticeably better with some hours on them. Pretty much everything you just said about the miniwatts I experienced with the amperex after maybe 20-50 hours
Yes, I definitely let tubes burn in as I am a huge believer in burn in, especially of tubes.
I actually really enjoy it when tubes sound dull or tonally off balance (exaggerated frequencies) at first listen/first 20 hours... this is magic to me because then I'm almost certain the tube is truly NOS.
I really wish the 7308's sounded as good as the Miniwatts, but I have noticed differences mainly in the upper extension, bass, and imaging. I bought a bunch more 7308s, so I'll see how they compare and post honest impressions as well.
Well bad news, my Siemens CCa isn't giving any sound output tonight (just switched over from loudspeakers), no glow is emitting from the filaments...
So looks like I'll be sending it back
Good thing I have my other Siemens (which works great, as always), but it still sucks because I was just starting to really like the CCa. One other upside is it could have done this outside the return window and I'd just be stuck with a rare piece of glass to put on a shelf.
Think I'm done, I have the eh 6922, a gold lion and 2 amperex 7308's. All I use is my amperex and I'm happy with it. I have a spare for if it goes bad, so hopefully I'm covered for 20,000 hours. I've been dumping money into my turntable rig, and quite frankly it kicks the digital rigs ass lol, so my moneys going there for a while
That sucks but I guess it's a blessing that you can send it back under return.
I was watching and bidding on a bunch of CCa's tonight and I'm sad to say I just couldn't keep pushing the limit... I would really like to eventually hear these tubes.
Telefunken CCa's: $245 for a pair ($123/tube on two separate auctions)
Siemens grey shield CCa's: $246 for a pair ($123/tube on two separate auctions)
Valvo yellow CCa's: $251 for four ($63/tube)
Siemens silver shield CCa's: $241 for four ($60/tube)
That sucks but I guess it's a blessing that you can send it back under return.
I was watching and bidding on a bunch of CCa's tonight and I'm sad to say I just couldn't keep pushing the limit... I would really like to eventually hear these tubes.
Telefunken CCa's: $245 for a pair ($123/tube on two separate auctions)
Siemens grey shield CCa's: $246 for a pair ($123/tube on two separate auctions)
Valvo yellow CCa's: $251 for four ($63/tube)
Siemens silver shield CCa's: $241 for four ($60/tube)
That sucks but I guess it's a blessing that you can send it back under return.
I was watching and bidding on a bunch of CCa's tonight and I'm sad to say I just couldn't keep pushing the limit... I would really like to eventually hear these tubes.
Telefunken CCa's: $245 for a pair ($123/tube on two separate auctions)
Siemens grey shield CCa's: $246 for a pair ($123/tube on two separate auctions)
Valvo yellow CCa's: $251 for four ($63/tube)
Siemens silver shield CCa's: $241 for four ($60/tube)
Yea that sounds like normal prices for pro tested CCa's.
He has actually already refunded me and told me not to worry about sending back the dead tube. It is nice to deal with sellers on Ebay that are not only fair, but put your interest above profit.
So I will get to have an ultra rare tube to put somewhere at least. Do they make tube cases I can put on a shelf?
Yeah, the problem with me is I'm not in the States, so shipping kills me. I will send you one of those Holland 6922 PQ's I just bought if you cover shipping. I want to hear your impressions.
IMO:
The Holland 7308's are well worth the money... go for as low VR# batch code as you can. I prefer the 7308 tubes to the E88CC Holland's I've heard.. but I'm sure there are great sounding E88CC's as well. The RTC branded Mullard E188CC tubes are super cheap compared to other 7308s, but I didn't find them to be anything special. To me, they sound more like a Siemens tube than an Amperex... They are available for about $45/tube on eBay if you make an offer. (I have one I would sell for cheaper than that if you want to try them out... I could ship them with the Holland PQ, just PM me if you want.)
oh... edit added just for clarification about my opinion of Mullard tubes in general... The NOS 12au7 Mullard tubes are spectacular. The mids are liquid and unlike anything I've ever heard, including the infamous Amperex Holland mids. They are pricey though, and can't be used on the T1 without an adapter (as far as information from this thread goes.) I would love to hear anyone who has rolled 12au7 tubes in the T1 though. I love the sound of the Mullard 12au7's... seriously stellar mids. Guitar sounds to me >>>> than any other tube I've heard. (Amperex is a close second).
I love a sound of 12AU7 tubes too but I see no chance to use its in the T1.
ECC88 tubes have 6.3V heater voltage, ECC82(12AU7) tubes have a 12V heater voltage.
You may consider Project Sunrise/Ember for you as headphone amp.
Both can use 12AU7 tubes.
But It is reaaly depend on headphones: my Fostex TH600 sounds better with SS amp but AKG K550 sounds better with T1+Sunrise.
It may be a good idea to combine Miniwatt in T1 and 12AU7 Mullard in the amp.
I have been reading around and haven't really found an answer. I have been using the AUne Tk1 MK2 for a decent while and am vastly underwhelmed. I think I gotexcited by the reviews and just bought a product that does not fit how I listen. First of all, the issues with USB 3.0 are devastating. My computer only has USB 3.0 ports and I don't have an option to switch them. My sound cuts in an out all day. (Anyone have any recommendations?) Overall, I'm not sure why I bought this piece, but I think solid states are just personally more my style. Does anyone have any recommendations of how to fix the USB issue though?
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