[krelianx]

Hey guys, I need a bit of help. I've actually searched on this thread and google, but came up with very diffuse responses and nothing very clear. I am the owner of a Sennheiser hd-600. I was wondering what you guys think the MK1 it pairs up with the hd-600 as an amp-dac combo. I ask because I can get one for quite cheap now, though it's the MK1 model.

Is it an appropriate set up? What would be good tubes to roll with it? Anything for a similar price that would be preferable? Thanks guys! 

 

 

[ppdv]

  Hey guys, I need a bit of help. I've actually searched on this thread and google, but came up with very diffuse responses and nothing very clear. I am the owner of a Sennheiser hd-600. I was wondering what you guys think the MK1 it pairs up with the hd-600 as an amp-dac combo. I ask because I can get one for quite cheap now, though it's the MK1 model.

Is it an appropriate set up? What would be good tubes to roll with it? Anything for a similar price that would be preferable? Thanks guys! 

 

 
Krelianx,
 
Yes, you can pair the MK1 with your HD600. the only limitation would be that you cant play the High resolution files (192 or 384). Experts can correct me if i am wrong.
 
I too use the MK1 with HD700 and have the Amperex orange globe, russian voshkod, and also the stock Electro harmonix. What type of tubes is best decided after you list your listening habits.. since some tubes are better for some genres and do not perform at the same level for other genres as well.
 
I listen mainly to rock, hard rock, metal, progressive, alternate and some world music as well. i find that Russian voshkod does good justice, though i must say that its not beeen too long that i have had these tubes with me.
 
in short, yes it is a good setup, depending on your source and listening preferences.
 
Cheers.

 

[mikoss]

Correct, you won't be able to play files greater than 24/96 natively, also including 88.1kHz material. The T1 also will not play DSD files natively, however you can use a player plugin to send them as PCM.

You can simply use a resampler in your player to send higher resolution files to the DAC at something the T1 will play... Eg 16 bit / 44.1kHz.

The T1 works very well with HD-650's and HD-600's in my opinion. They have great synergy with tube buffers.

 

[ppdv]

  Sounds like you would enjoy the Telefunken tubes... they are the quickest sounding tubes to my ears. The NOS Telefunkens are expensive, but JJ is currently making rebranded tubes which are supposed to be decent. I would imagine that they do not compare with the original Telefunkens, but it's worth a shot. 
 
To give you an idea on cost, here are some links...
 
Original Telefunken tubes - very fast, quick decay, "solid state" sounding, with a very natural sounding tube infused sound... not particularly warm or bloomy... good for faster genres like metal/jazz:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Telefunken-E88cc-NOS-tube-/201388070918?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee3aa1806
 
(Note the getter and the support, with the dimple in the middle and the angle on it. Also note the number code vertically on the side, and the gold pins. Also note the dual supported stage, beneath the getter, and the shape of the grid. The ones made in Ulm, Germany have a diamond imprinted on the bottom... these are the most sought after).
 
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/TELEFUNKEN-E88CC-ECC88-CCa-6DJ8-6922-ULM-GERMANY-1968-GOLD-PIN-SINGLE-TUBE-/400959682714?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d5b0f389a
 
(Another auction with good pictures, note how everything checks out as per above)
 
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1x-TELEFUNKEN-tube-E88CC-E88-CC-NOS-NIB-6L6-300B-AD1-Eb-AD1-350-380-CCA-/261963352743?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cfe3b8aa7
 
(And another)
 
 
Here are the new production tubes, made by JJ in Chekoslovakia. The black label ones are apparently hand selected.
http://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.com/products/tubes/black-diamond-tubes/e88cc-tk.php
 
 
I would also recommend a Russian tube; the Voskhod rocket style actually does quite well with faster genres, such as metal. Instead of buying off eBay, you may want to contact @rb2013 as he has a selection of tested tubes. He is also a great resource for 6DJ8 tubes, as he put up a fairly comprehensive review. He rates the Russian tubes as #1... I do not. He has a lot of believers in the tubes, and I personally found they worked best for fast genres, myself. The Russian tubes are a crapshoot on eBay, and I would strongly urge to consult rb. They are also fairly cheap, although he probably sells the most highly rated ones for more. I haven't heard any of his "holy grail" rated tubes, so I can't comment on them.
 
PS. The model numbers and price of headphones doesn't dictate quality... (eg. the Beyer DT-880's imo are much better sounding headphones than some of their newer models.) Just food for thought. Price does not always equal listening pleasure. 

Hi Mikoss,
 
Finally got the amperex orange globe from chowmein83 and the Russian Voshkods from RB2013.
 
have listened to them for quite sometime and they sound really good with my HD700. I did like the sound signature of HD700, but i need to listen a lot lot lot more to get fully accustomed with the sound signature.
 
Cheers,
happy weekeend

 

[krelianx]

   
Krelianx,
 
Yes, you can pair the MK1 with your HD600. the only limitation would be that you cant play the High resolution files (192 or 384). Experts can correct me if i am wrong.
 
I too use the MK1 with HD700 and have the Amperex orange globe, russian voshkod, and also the stock Electro harmonix. What type of tubes is best decided after you list your listening habits.. since some tubes are better for some genres and do not perform at the same level for other genres as well.
 
I listen mainly to rock, hard rock, metal, progressive, alternate and some world music as well. i find that Russian voshkod does good justice, though i must say that its not beeen too long that i have had these tubes with me.
 
in short, yes it is a good setup, depending on your source and listening preferences.
 
Cheers.

Thank you for this. My source is the laptop, running Foobar as software, and mostly FLAC and 320kbps...

 

[teb1013]

Hey guys, I need a bit of help. I've actually searched on this thread and google, but came up with very diffuse responses and nothing very clear. I am the owner of a Sennheiser hd-600. I was wondering what you guys think the MK1 it pairs up with the hd-600 as an amp-dac combo. I ask because I can get one for quite cheap now, though it's the MK1 model.


Is it an appropriate set up? What would be good tubes to roll with it? Anything for a similar price that would be preferable? Thanks guys!   

I use the T1 MK 1 with HD600s, I play Tidal hi fi, also 320 and FLAC sounds great.

 

[gopanthersgo1]

I'm selling mine as I got an Asgard 2 and the ODAC strikes my interest with the sound I'm going for (bright, with all the detail I can handle), selling for $145 shipped here.

 

[2Dutch]

A short noob review of the Aune T1 with the EH 6922 tube compared to the Fiio E07K, both with my DT 99'0 pro'saka tube vs regular sound):
The EH tube is a bit too punchy with the bass and a little too bright for me. Not that it sounds akward or anything, but bass heavy songs are fatigueing for me. I could listen to those songs without fatigue with the E07K. But no worries: I'll go tube hunting (on a budget

) and will find the perfect match for my ears. Luckily I also found some Dutch online stores that sell some decent tubes for a reasonable price (ebay is fun, but customs fees and all is such a pain..).
 
Still love the Aune: something about those switches and the glow of the tube makes me travel back in time a bit

 

[Chs177]

It will be good to try Telefunken ECC88 or ECC86 tube for your setup. I hope you can find it in the Dutch.

 

[ppdv]

  A short noob review of the Aune T1 with the EH 6922 tube compared to the Fiio E07K, both with my DT 99'0 pro'saka tube vs regular sound):
The EH tube is a bit too punchy with the bass and a little too bright for me. Not that it sounds akward or anything, but bass heavy songs are fatigueing for me. I could listen to those songs without fatigue with the E07K. But no worries: I'll go tube hunting (on a budget

) and will find the perfect match for my ears. Luckily I also found some Dutch online stores that sell some decent tubes for a reasonable price (ebay is fun, but customs fees and all is such a pain..).
 
Still love the Aune: something about those switches and the glow of the tube makes me travel back in time a bit

Hi 2Dutch,
 
Mind sharing information of dutch online stores that sell tubes ?
 
I am also based in netherlands and yes i have to rely on someone travelling from the states to hand carry the tubes for me.
 
cheers

 

[2Dutch]

  Hi 2Dutch,
 
Mind sharing information of dutch online stores that sell tubes ?
 
I am also based in netherlands and yes i have to rely on someone travelling from the states to hand carry the tubes for me.
 
cheers

Sure! I just bumped into them while searching, but be sure to check for some reviews first, didn't have the time to do some research on all of them yet.
Not a big collection of Aune T1 compatible tubes, but still worth checking imho:
http://www.transformatorspecialist.nl/pd-27033-1-9514/product/buizen  --> warning, 12,10 EUR shipping costs, yikez!
https://www.jukebox-revival.eu/staging/tubes-valves.html > Ordered a Gold Lion:many shipping options, many payment options, quick reply when contacted
http://www.drtube.nl/nl/online-store/buizen/18
http://www.baco-army-goods.nl/radiobuizen-buisvoeten.html?p=1
http://triplemaudioshop.nl/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=category&virtuemart_category_id=76&Itemid=151
http://www.tonefactory.nl/buizen-amp-parts?cat=177
 
If you do decide to purchase something from one of them, let me and others know how it went?
I'll do the same of course

 

 

[Eurobeat]

Hello all!


I am looking for my first set of gear, and I was recommended this amp for the headphone choices I have picked.

Here is the thread I posted discussing what kind of sound I like http://www.head-fi.org/t/779971/need-help-finding-a-great-pair-of-headphones-please-details-inside

and this is the thread I posted asking for amp/dac recommendations http://www.head-fi.org/t/780299/amp-dac-recommendations-for-newbies

I was told originally to check out the Modi/Magni combo from Schiit, but I heard this is cheaper, and better than that combo ( by some), but I also here that the amp in this unit is not good, and that we should get another amp?  I've also heard the amp is very good, so it's hard to know what's what.

I've also heard that there is an issue with batches.  One user, in this thread, http://www.head-fi.org/t/722389/aune-t1-mk2-vs-mk1/15  claimed

 

 Aune T1 has very different capacitors in it as stock configuration and some of them are really poor quality ones. Those capacitors in headphone amp circuit and secondary power supply filter stage DO make difference! And quite a lot imho. I have changed and tested many caps on my T1 and stopped on ELNA SilmiII`s + Panasonic FR as main pwr supply caps - just amazing sound they give! Large airy soundstage with better imaging and separation plus harsh highs are gone and everything is just so "smooth and tubey" sounding. I think the difference You hear is due to different capacitors in those units.

So i'm curious if people have actually modded the capacitors on this?


I'm also curious if there are tubes people would recommend based on genre or sound signature we like?

It seems the Amperex 7308  Gold Pin is highly recommended...

I also see "diamond" pinned Apmerex 7308's (from the link posted in the OP) so would diamond pins be better than gold ones?


I also want to know what people think about the newer units, as I hear there is a ton of QC issues, and that aune, as a company, is very bad with CS.


Any advice is appreciated, this looks really cool, but don't want to waste money if it's going to not be worth it in the end....


Thanks

 

[mikoss]

Oh wow... here is some advice:
 
#1 - try not to buy any headphones you haven't had a chance to listen to.
 
#2 - try to at least audition similar headphones to the ones you're eager to buy... if you can't actually audition the ones you plan to buy. For example, if you are thinking of buying the AKG K702 headphones, maybe listen to a pair of AKG open style headphones first. Generally, you can get a feel for the manufacturers sound. Same thing with say Beyer DT880's... say you can't listen to them, try the Beyer T1's, or the Beyer DT990 and see how you like the Beyer sound. 
 
#3 - there is a big difference generally between open and closed headphones. Try a bunch and see what you prefer. I would recommend only buying open ones if you can wear them in a quiet, secluded location. For example, not on a bus going home from school or work.
 
#4 - try to buy a pair of headphones that sound good from an amplifier you can afford. Be aware that headphones impedances can make or break how they sound with different gear. For example, dynamic driver headphones with high impedances (eg. HD-600/650) go well with a low or high impedance source, but generally do best with large voltage swings from amplifiers. Headphones with low impedances will generally not sound their best from tube gear... eg. Planar style headphones. These headphones generally do best with large current swings.
 
From what I quickly read in your headphone thread, you would probably enjoy a planar headphone... they can have a lot of dynamic punch. The older HE series from HiFiMan, or the HE-400S might be found within your budget. I don't know about dynamic headphones because I am tend to like other presentations. I can tell you that AKG's are probably not up your alley, unless you're considering maybe the AKG K550 closed headphones, or perhaps the AKG K7XX. I don't think either are particularly punchy. Sennheiser HD-600/650 would be highly recommended by me for others, but they are also not the most dynamic/punchy sounding headphones.
 
My advice- wait until you find something you like to get a DAC/amp. I wrote a guide with the help of a lot of people in this thread on replacing the capacitors in the Aune T1, but I wouldn't even worry about that until you have your headphones. The T1 is not the most punchy sounding amp either. You may like something made from FiiO, perhaps.

 

[Eurobeat]

  Oh wow... here is some advice:
 
#1 - try not to buy any headphones you haven't had a chance to listen to.
 
#2 - try to at least audition similar headphones to the ones you're eager to buy... if you can't actually audition the ones you plan to buy. For example, if you are thinking of buying the AKG K702 headphones, maybe listen to a pair of AKG open style headphones first. Generally, you can get a feel for the manufacturers sound. Same thing with say Beyer DT880's... say you can't listen to them, try the Beyer T1's, or the Beyer DT990 and see how you like the Beyer sound. 
 
#3 - there is a big difference generally between open and closed headphones. Try a bunch and see what you prefer. I would recommend only buying open ones if you can wear them in a quiet, secluded location. For example, not on a bus going home from school or work.
 
#4 - try to buy a pair of headphones that sound good from an amplifier you can afford. Be aware that headphones impedances can make or break how they sound with different gear. For example, dynamic driver headphones with high impedances (eg. HD-600/650) go well with a low or high impedance source, but generally do best with large voltage swings from amplifiers. Headphones with low impedances will generally not sound their best from tube gear... eg. Planar style headphones. These headphones generally do best with large current swings.
 
From what I quickly read in your headphone thread, you would probably enjoy a planar headphone... they can have a lot of dynamic punch. The older HE series from HiFiMan, or the HE-400S might be found within your budget. I don't know about dynamic headphones because I am tend to like other presentations. I can tell you that AKG's are probably not up your alley, unless you're considering maybe the AKG K550 closed headphones, or perhaps the AKG K7XX. I don't think either are particularly punchy. Sennheiser HD-600/650 would be highly recommended by me for others, but they are also not the most dynamic/punchy sounding headphones.
 
My advice- wait until you find something you like to get a DAC/amp. I wrote a guide with the help of a lot of people in this thread on replacing the capacitors in the Aune T1, but I wouldn't even worry about that until you have your headphones. The T1 is not the most punchy sounding amp either. You may like something made from FiiO, perhaps.

Sorry, I kind of messed up and I guess didn't mention that I already am purchasing 2 pairs of headphones.  The Yamaha HPH MT220's and the Pioneer HRM-7's.


#1  I've been given this advice a lot, but I don't have any place to listen to headphones, so I bought the 2 pairs that were highly recommended to me, and will see how I like them and what I will do after I've decided if I like them or not.


#2 not sure of similar headphones, but don't think I would find what I'm lookign for either way without tryign to actual model.

#3  A lot of people have recommended open, but then when it comes to actually recommending a piar, I've been given basically open back choices.


#4 thanks for the tips.  I'm not sure what the headphones I posted, or the HE-400S's would be good with this amp/dac?


In the end I'm looking at an Amp/DAC that will work well with both the Yamaha and the Pioneers.

I was recommended this one from one person who had recommended both the Yamahas and the Pioneers (not the only advice I'm taking, but he seems to know what he's talking about for the most part).

Do you think this wouldn't be the amp/dac I'm looking for, since you mention "punchy?"  Would it be good to get an additional amp, with this one?

The user had mentioned that he believed the amp was really good, and better than a lot of others, but a lot of other people mention the amp sucks, but I've heard the MK2 has a better amp than the MK1, but also heard that to be false.....


Maybe it is the capacitors like claimed?  You'll have to link me your guide, I guess it's worth it to change them?

I also was told that the amp also takes advantage of the tube, even though it's a Tube DAC?  The first post mentioned it's not a tube amp, but mentioned something about the "amp taking advantage of the tube" but was extremely vague on it.

Thanks for the tips, hopefully I can find the best setup for myself .

Still not 100% sold on the headphones, but haven't really gotten many other options

 

[Eurobeat]

By the way..  I noptice there are 2 listings.  One is 24/192 and the other is 24/96.  There is really only 24/96, from what I saw earlier in this thread, right?  Just a mistake and it's all the same?

The Us "official" distributor is selling them for 160, while everyone else is selling them for 200$+....  I would assume it's safe to buy it from the official dealer?  They mention it on The description, and I checked them out on Aune's site and it's legit, but that's a nice price difference.  If no one thinks there's something sketchy about that.... I'm going to grab one .  I did hear that there were quality control issues with later models, but I'm not sure if anyone can verify if that's still the case currently?  I think it would be good to buy from this earth audio or w/e since they are the official distributor, and if something goes wrong they should fix it... They also have 100% feedback .

Can anyone help me with Tube recommendations?

Thanks all


EDIT:  SCHIIT.....  I accidentally placed an order for one LOL....  I cancelled it though, as I'm not 100% sure .  Maybe it's a sign I should have just bought it...  More discussion tomorrow then we decide .

I'm going to grab my headphones now though.


EDIT2:  Bought the headphones )))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I also hope the price doesn't go up from 160 when I decide I'm ready LOL.

I'm not sure if I should just buy this straight up, or wait to listen to the headphones first idk....

this seems to be the best choice for me so I should probably just buy it but... Idk..

Figure I should read some more in this thread and talk to peeps more...