[PhoneLover94]

I just ordered the Aune T1 MK2 with the stock "upgraded" 6922 tubes. Are there any specific aftermarket tubes that would be well suited to my modded AD700? These headphones are pretty balanced and neutral in sound. If I had to be honest, they lack a little in bass and have a well defined soundstage with a slight emphasis on high frequencies. Are there any tubes that will add a little bass and color to the phones?

 

[SpiderNhan]

  I just ordered the Aune T1 MK2 with the stock "upgraded" 6922 tubes. Are there any specific aftermarket tubes that would be well suited to my modded AD700? These headphones are pretty balanced and neutral in sound. If I had to be honest, they lack a little in bass and have a well defined soundstage with a slight emphasis on high frequencies. Are there any tubes that will add a little bass and color to the phones?

The first post in this thread is a good place to look.
 

 
****TUBE IMPRESSIONS****
 
Genalex Gold Lion E88CC:
Given some time with the Genalex and comparing it to my precious Voskhod, I have to say I’m quite impressed and that I think I’ve found a new favorite tube. The Genalex has many of the qualities of the Voskhod I like, such as intimate mids and vocals, but the Genalex is able to deliver this to me with more clarity and soundstage. The extra clarity does make the T1 sound more digital and less analog than the Voskhod, but I still think it is ultimately a superior sound. At first, I thought the Genalex had punchier bass, but after adjusting to the sound, I realized I was mistaken and that the Voskhod was more tactile in this respect.  Then, I thought perhaps a gain adjustment would make a difference, and lo and behold, +8 did just the trick in bringing the Genalex bass up to where I wanted it. Good times!
 
Russian 6n23p Rocket logo
This tube is intimacy to the max. Warm, but not muddy. Forward sounding. Output volume seems higher than the other tubes I’ve tried. Very musical and engaging tube. It’s a fun listen for sure but it comes at the cost of some soundstage. Has a very punchy midbass but doesn’t have as much presence in the lowest bass notes. Has a kind of addictive tube sound.
Purchased here: http://www.boiaudioworks.com/6N23P
 
Russian 6n23p-eb
Very nice detailed sound, great soundstage and imaging. Less aggressive than the rocket logo. Has very, very good lower bass presence. Kind of a U shaped sound signature compared to the rocket logo. Overall, very good. Whether or not I prefer this or the rocket logo depends on my mood.
Purchased here:  http://www.thecableco.com/Product/Russian-Military-6H23N-EB--Single-
 
Matsu****a 7dj8
This tube ended up being a pretty big disappointment. Upscale Audio hyped it up majorly, but I found this tube to sound dark, very dark. Lacks resolution and just sounds a little “off.” I do not recommend it. Sounds like I’m listening to a cheap mp3 player instead of a piece of nice audio equipment.
Purchased here: http://www.upscaleaudio.com/products/Matsu****a-%7B47%7D-National-PCC88-%7B47%7D-7DJ8.html    <------this link won't work because head-fi edits out the s-word...lol
 
RCA labeled Amperex 6dj8/E88cc
This tube is very nice. It’s kind of a middle ground between the two Russian tubes. It’s kind of laid-back in a way that is unlike those tubes, though. This tube is balanced sounding, maybe a little soft in the low end and a tad polite in the treble. It’s pretty natural sounding. Good soundstage and imaging.  Overall a nice tube that maybe doesn’t have the addictive character that the rocket logo does and doesn’t have that ultra controlled low bass of the 6n23p-eb, but it does a lot right and sounds great overall.
Purchased from head-fi for sale forum.
 
Amperex 7308  Gold Pin
Alright guys, I finally got my hands on my Amperex 7308. This tube is the real deal no doubt about it. The first thing that stood out when I popped this tube in was man this thing sounds HOLOGRAPHIC. I've never heard anything have this much soundstage but still retain such smoothness. It's well balanced and dynamic with excellent details in the whole sound spectrum. Despite this, I decided to use the Rocket Logo 6n23p as my primary tube. The Rocket Logo has this addictive aggressive sound that I just can't shake. I believe that out of all of the tube I tried, the vast majority will prefer the Amperex 7308, but for me...Rocket Logo all the way...makes my Magnums rock so, so hard.
Purchased here:http://www.upscaleaudio.com/products/Amperex-7308-vintage-gold-pin%21.html
 
 
ALSO SEE SALVATORE'S HELPFUL LINKS BELOW (VERY INFORMATIVE):
 
 

 

[Illbetheone]

I've had the T1 for only a year and want to try something new. What would be considered an upgrade over this? It makes no difference if it uses tubes or not. Thanks

 

[SpiderNhan]

I've had the T1 for only a year and want to try something new. What would be considered an upgrade over this? It makes no difference if it uses tubes or not. Thanks

Have you played with different tubes? I see that you live in Brooklyn. Me too. I can loan you an Amperex OG if you're interested.

 

[Illbetheone]

  Have you played with different tubes? I see that you live in Brooklyn. Me too. I can loan you an Amperex OG if you're interested.

 
Yeah, I own about 5 tubes. Just want to try something else, you know how it goes lol.

 

[Hansotek]

 
Have you played with different tubes? I see that you live in Brooklyn. Me too. I can loan you an Amperex OG if you're interested.

Yeah, I own about 5 tubes. Just want to try something else, you know how it goes lol.

You could always try a DIY project like a bottlehead crack if you're just trying to scratch an itch. Or you could try amp rolling with your T1 (using the dac only and running the RCA line out to another amp).

 

[SpiderNhan]

For fun I run my T1 through my FiiO E9, E17 and JDSLabs cMoyBb v.2.03.

Each gives me a slightly different experience but it's mainly run though the E9 for easy gain switching when I want to use my headphones as desktop speakers. The cMoy has its awesome bass boost and E17 gives me treble and bass controls.

 

[Hansotek]

For fun I run my T1 through my FiiO E9, E17 and JDSLabs cMoyBb v.2.03.

Each gives me a slightly different experience but it's mainly run though the E9 for easy gain switching when I want to use my headphones as desktop speakers. The cMoy has its awesome bass boost and E17 gives me treble and bass controls.

I also love the CMoyBB paired with the Aune T1.

I still haven't managed to haul in my E09K to work since we were talking about this the other day, but I did manage to score an outstanding deal on some open box V-Moda M100s. It's only been a couple of days, but wow, I am loving these!

 

[Levaix]

  I just ordered the Aune T1 MK2 with the stock "upgraded" 6922 tubes. Are there any specific aftermarket tubes that would be well suited to my modded AD700? These headphones are pretty balanced and neutral in sound. If I had to be honest, they lack a little in bass and have a well defined soundstage with a slight emphasis on high frequencies. Are there any tubes that will add a little bass and color to the phones?

If you don't want to mess around, Amperex 7308. Added some pretty solid bass and gave it more of an analog sound, as well as just about better everything. I've never put the EH 6922 back in after getting mine.
 

I've had the T1 for only a year and want to try something new. What would be considered an upgrade over this? It makes no difference if it uses tubes or not. Thanks

I think the DAC is pretty solid in the Aune. If you want something relatively cheap and good to use as a separate amp maybe try an O2, or keep an eye on the classifieds. I just picked up a KICAS amp for less than an O2, definitely a different beast than the Aune's built in amp.

Otherwise, I haven't actually heard this, but this seems like a pretty cool piece: http://www.head-fi.org/products/audio-gd-nfb-11-32/reviews/11389

Or just skip a few steps and get a WA7...

 

[Illbetheone]

  If you don't want to mess around, Amperex 7308. Added some pretty solid bass and gave it more of an analog sound, as well as just about better everything. I've never put the EH 6922 back in after getting mine.
 
I think the DAC is pretty solid in the Aune. If you want something relatively cheap and good to use as a separate amp maybe try an O2, or keep an eye on the classifieds. I just picked up a KICAS amp for less than an O2, definitely a different beast than the Aune's built in amp.

Otherwise, I haven't actually heard this, but this seems like a pretty cool piece: http://www.head-fi.org/products/audio-gd-nfb-11-32/reviews/11389

Or just skip a few steps and get a WA7...

Well, here's the deal. I recently bought JBL LSR 305 monitors. I really thought they would have sounded much better than they were hyped up to be. I tweaked the LF/HF switches, messed around with placement, and even bought isolation pads; yet I still feel that they are subpar, considering what I spent for them. So I figured maybe the Aune T1 was not up to the task of sourcing these. That's why I'm looking for a better DAC. 

 

[Levaix]

  Well, here's the deal. I recently bought JBL LSR 305 monitors. I really thought they would have sounded much better than they were hyped up to be. I tweaked the LF/HF switches, messed around with placement, and even bought isolation pads; yet I still feel that they are subpar, considering what I spent for them. So I figured maybe the Aune T1 was not up to the task of sourcing these. That's why I'm looking for a better DAC. 

Could be. Really depends on what you think is missing from the sound. I'm not big into speakers, but at least for me I've never heard powered speakers completely transform as long as the source is even halfway decent.

 

[PhoneLover94]

  If you don't want to mess around, Amperex 7308. Added some pretty solid bass and gave it more of an analog sound, as well as just about better everything. I've never put the EH 6922 back in after getting mine.
 

I actually just ordered some Voskhod Silver Shield NOS 6n23p. I have heard some people consider them to be at the top of the range and provide a fun listening experience. if they don't do it for me, I'll take a look at the Amperex 7308. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Hansotek]

 
If you don't want to mess around, Amperex 7308. Added some pretty solid bass and gave it more of an analog sound, as well as just about better everything. I've never put the EH 6922 back in after getting mine.

I think the DAC is pretty solid in the Aune. If you want something relatively cheap and good to use as a separate amp maybe try an O2, or keep an eye on the classifieds. I just picked up a KICAS amp for less than an O2, definitely a different beast than the Aune's built in amp.


Otherwise, I haven't actually heard this, but this seems like a pretty cool piece: http://www.head-fi.org/products/audio-gd-nfb-11-32/reviews/11389


Or just skip a few steps and get a WA7...

Well, here's the deal. I recently bought JBL LSR 305 monitors. I really thought they would have sounded much better than they were hyped up to be. I tweaked the LF/HF switches, messed around with placement, and even bought isolation pads; yet I still feel that they are subpar, considering what I spent for them. So I figured maybe the Aune T1 was not up to the task of sourcing these. That's why I'm looking for a better DAC. 

What exactly do you mean when you say you thought they would sound better? Are you using the monitors for mixing or just general listening?

Based on your collection, I'm guessing what you are actually looking for is something that's more "fun" sounding. If that's the case, you're not going to get it from the JBLs no matter what your source is... But I'm making a ton of assumptions here. Could you describe what you feel is missing from the sound? I also use the Aune's DAC section as a buffer for monitors, so maybe I can help you.

 

[Illbetheone]

What exactly do you mean when you say you thought they would sound better? Are you using the monitors for mixing or just general listening?

Based on your collection, I'm guessing what you are actually looking for is something that's more "fun" sounding. If that's the case, you're not going to get it from the JBLs no matter what your source is... But I'm making a ton of assumptions here. Could you describe what you feel is missing from the sound? I also use the Aune's DAC section as a buffer for monitors, so maybe I can help you.

 
General listening going on here, no mixing. My previous speaker set up, a Logitech Z-2300, sounded a lot fuller and not in a bassy sort of way. The size of the JBL's over the Z-2300 is staggering and I simply thought they would have just sounded better in all aspects. I am horrible at describing what I am hearing from an audio standpoint so I really cant elaborate. Aside from that, I am using a TRS to RCA cable for my Aune T1. Maybe they need some sort of burn in, but even my girlfriend said that the Z-2300 sounded better. 

 

[Levaix]

   
General listening going on here, no mixing. My previous speaker set up, a Logitech Z-2300, sounded a lot fuller and not in a bassy sort of way. The size of the JBL's over the Z-2300 is staggering and I simply thought they would have just sounded better in all aspects. I am horrible at describing what I am hearing from an audio standpoint so I really cant elaborate. Aside from that, I am using a TRS to RCA cable for my Aune T1. Maybe they need some sort of burn in, but even my girlfriend said that the Z-2300 sounded better. 

Might just be not quite what you're looking for, honestly. The ones you got are meant to be pretty flat from my understanding. Great for detail and technical stuff, maybe not so much fun to listen to? I just ABed some desktop speakers recently and my favorite was the Creative Gigaworks series. I just wanted something that sounded fun and full, an upgrade from basic speakers. I have my headphones if I want super clarity. I got the T20 for the lower price, but Amazon has the T40 for 99 right now...

I actually have to turn the bass knob down on mine, but definitely a rich sound. I preferred them over any of the Logitechs by a good margin. There was another brand around 150 that got really good reviews, but I can't place my finger on it, and I didn't have anywhere local to hear them.

Otherwise, you might just have to adjust to the new ones to really hear the benefits. Your ears need to figure out what's going on.