[jambaj0e]

Question: when rolling a set 6SN7GT tubes, do you guys find that when top plate flexes a bit as you push down on the tubes into the socket?

 

[jambaj0e]

Ever since I heard my first 300b tube amp, I knew I was hooked and that I have to have one. After much research, I took my chance and bought the Cayin HA-300 from Musicteck. I am definitely not disappointed with this amp. If you read the handful of reviews out there, they are all pretty much true.

On my system with the Chord Qutest DAC and Audeze LCD-3 Fazor (all cables from Morrow Audio), I am hearing a lot more dynamic musicality than ever before. There is a heightened sense of realness and presence that elevates the Audeze LCD-3 from what I thought was possible without having to upgrade to the LCD-4.

In addition to the music being more visceral, the soundstage and treble extension have opened up. The mids are still nice and lush, but vocals are no longer as veiled as my previous amp can sometimes exhibit.

The bass is still quite good. About the same amount of slam as before, but there's more tightness and articulation. Overall, instrumentation separation, resolution, and transients have improved. Another thing I notice is that with a highly resolving combo like what I have now, poorly mastered music sticks out like a sore thumb, while beautifully mastered tracks becomes even more enjoyable.

Interestingly, even though my Qutest outputs RCAs into the HA-300, when I switch over from Single Ended 6.3mm to 4-pin balanced XLR, I get even clearer mid-treble and treble, with just a slight loss of bass, which also came in tighter than before.

I would say that this tube amp is just left of neutral, but not overly buttery warm as some tube amps can be. Of course, all you need to do is roll some tubes to change the sound signature. These stock Shuguang WE6SN7 and JJ Full Music 300b tubes work very well with this amp, and I can't to explore other sound by rolling my tubes.

 

[dadracer2]

Ever since I heard my first 300b tube amp, I knew I was hooked and that I have to have one. After much research, I took my chance and bought the Cayin HA-300 from Musicteck. I am definitely not disappointed with this amp. If you read the handful of reviews out there, they are all pretty much true.

On my system with the Chord Qutest DAC and Audeze LCD-3 Fazor (all cables from Morrow Audio), I am hearing a lot more dynamic musicality than ever before. There is a heightened sense of realness and presence that elevates the Audeze LCD-3 from what I thought was possible without having to upgrade to the LCD-4.

In addition to the music being more visceral, the soundstage and treble extension have opened up. The mids are still nice and lush, but vocals are no longer as veiled as my previous amp can sometimes exhibit.

The bass is still quite good. About the same amount of slam as before, but there's more tightness and articulation. Overall, instrumentation separation, resolution, and transients have improved. Another thing I notice is that with a highly resolving combo like what I have now, poorly mastered music sticks out like a sore thumb, while beautifully mastered tracks becomes even more enjoyable.

Interestingly, even though my Qutest outputs RCAs into the HA-300, when I switch over from Single Ended 6.3mm to 4-pin balanced XLR, I get even clearer mid-treble and treble, with just a slight loss of bass, which also came in tighter than before.

I would say that this tube amp is just left of neutral, but not overly buttery warm as some tube amps can be. Of course, all you need to do is roll some tubes to change the sound signature. These stock Shuguang WE6SN7 and JJ Full Music 300b tubes work very well with this amp, and I can't to explore other sound by rolling my tubes.

Congratulations on your new amp. I have had mine for about 6 months and it is still delightful. Most recently I have been tracking down speakers that would work well with it and haven't yet given any time to tube rolling but there are a numbers of folks on here who have. I was told early on that changing the 6SN7 would yield bigger results than the 300B and certainly would be cheaper. Enjoy!

 

[jambaj0e]

Congratulations on your new amp. I have had mine for about 6 months and it is still delightful. Most recently I have been tracking down speakers that would work well with it and haven't yet given any time to tube rolling but there are a numbers of folks on here who have. I was told early on that changing the 6SN7 would yield bigger results than the 300B and certainly would be cheaper. Enjoy!

Thanks! What headphones and DAC are you using on it?

I do have the Matched Pair Psvane CV181-T Mark II Vacuum Tube New Premium Grade Treasure Tube on the way from Amazon. Heard some good things with these tubes that compete well to NOS and vintage tubes.



Otherwise, I'm also waiting for a good deal on a pair of 6F8G Tungsol Black Glass Round Plate, hopefully under $400



My real goal, however is to get the pair of Psvane ACME 300B, though. At close to $1000, it'll hopefully be as amazing as I've been reading

 

[dadracer2]

Thanks! What headphones and DAC are you using on it?

I do have the Matched Pair Psvane CV181-T Mark II Vacuum Tube New Premium Grade Treasure Tube on the way from Amazon. Heard some good things with these tubes that compete well to NOS and vintage tubes.



Otherwise, I'm also waiting for a good deal on a pair of 6F8G Tungsol Black Glass Round Plate, hopefully under $400



My real goal, however is to get the pair of Psvane ACME 300B, though. At close to $1000, it'll hopefully be as amazing as I've been reading

I have Sennheiser HD800S headphones which I think pair beautifully with the Cayin. i have a penchant for stereo imaging and neutrality. The bonus is a midrange that is one of the best I have heard on anything ever. i have an Auralic Vega DAC and Aries G1 streamer. The speakers I finally settled on are Horning Perikles.

 

[dadracer2]

Oh I forgot too say let me know how you get on with PSVanes please. They would be my pick when I heard Peter Quortrup is big fan and has got them to make his new 4300E valve which is a molybdenum plate 300B and allegedly outstanding.

 

[jambaj0e]

And there I did it, I just bought a pair of Psvane ACME 300B! I will let you know how they'll sound, along with the Psvane CV181-T Mark II

 

[dadracer2]

And there I did it, I just bought a pair of Psvane ACME 300B! I will let you know how they'll sound, along with the Psvane CV181-T Mark II
[/QUOTE
Yes please that would be of considerable interest.

 

[Relaxasaurus]

Probably a silly question but how much of a change in the sound signature do you get when changing the 6SN7 tubes vs the 300B?

 

[jambaj0e]

Probably a silly question but how much of a change in the sound signature do you get when changing the 6SN7 tubes vs the 300B?

You're supposed to be getting a lot more change with the 6SN7, but I think the 300B will help expand the boundaries more

 

[dadracer2]

Probably a silly question but how much of a change in the sound signature do you get when changing the 6SN7 tubes vs the 300B?

I don't know the metrics but it was Andy Kong himself who said changing the 6SN7 made a bigger difference than with the 300B. It may be of course that Cayin think the choice of stock 300B is a bit higher standard than the stock 6SN7? Also you should bear in mind the difference you obtain may not be one you prefer in your system.....

 

[GU1DO]

Guys is this amp is more toward Dark or Warm sound signature ?

 

[dadracer2]

Guys is this amp is more toward Dark or Warm sound signature ?

Not dark at all and only very slightly on the warm side of neutral. It does not have that warm sloppy tube sound. It is neutral at the top and through the mids only in the bass is there that slight warmth. That’s why I think it is such a perfect amp for the HD800S for me anyway.

 

[jambaj0e]

I don't know the metrics but it was Andy Kong himself who said changing the 6SN7 made a bigger difference than with the 300B. It may be of course that Cayin think the choice of stock 300B is a bit higher standard than the stock 6SN7? Also you should bear in mind the difference you obtain may not be one you prefer in your system.....

OH I know it'll change more for the 6SN7. I already tried my 1952 Sylvania 3-hole Bad Boys, and thought it dampened too much of the treble and mid-treble presence to make it worth while. I like the openness of the stock Shuguangs

 

[jambaj0e]

Guys is this amp is more toward Dark or Warm sound signature ?

Definitely just slight warm past neutral, and with my even more airy when using the balanced XLR on my lcd-3 Fazor