[trollbearpig]

Someone might have gotten a bunch rejects for next to nothing. Too bad. Always good that they show them as tested and then show the results because even if they are good, it is better to have fairly closely matched tubes in most circumstances for the best performance/sound.

Yup lessons to be learned when buying tubes on ebay

 

[jamato8]

Yup lessons to be learned when buying tubes on ebay

Or, know your seller and look at feedback, if they have it.

 

[paradoxper]

Ya oliver generally hates doing anything headphone wise. If you come across a 45 amp let me know please. I'm also open to diy 45 amp just as long as I have some instructions.

It's understandable as he builds to a niche.

What you really need to do is set a budget.

A build from Thomas Mayer will be significantly more expensive than your Cayin, for example.

 

[Wes S]

Or, know your seller and look at feedback, if they have it.

Exactly, I have been buying tubes off ebay for years with great success doing as you suggested.

 

[Wes S]

So, I am over the 200 hour mark with my WE300B's, and they are still getting better. I know everyone has said they take a long time, and they were right. The change that is most apparent for me right now is the staging, and it has exploded outward and is so expansive and holographic it's nuts. The WE's paired up with a really neutral/clean sounding driver tube such as the Russian 6S5S or 6S2S is where it's at for me.

 

[Wes S]

That's two lots of unobtainium LOL! Sicte ... NOPE. 6S5S ... NOPE. How many spares do you have?

Where does that leave the 6S2S ?

I'm still marvelling at any CV6 / 2C22 / 7193 / CV1135 / DET20 - I dont think I have found a bad quad set yet. I wont ever go back to 6SN7.

The 6S2S is a close second for me, and if I hadn't heard or didn't own the 6S5S, it would be my number one.

I am with ya on the 6SN7, and they are a thing of the past for me.

 

[Wes S]

VC's are on my head, and the music is alive! I wish other VC owners could hear what I am hearing right now. The synergy is flat out magical.

I love this hobby, and love tubes. The WE300B is my all time favorite tube, and has taken my listening experience to a level I never thought was possible. It really is quite an experience listening to this setup, and it's so addictive it's insane. I know I am going to be late to work today, as I just can't stop listening.

 

[jamato8]

I continue to be surprised at the outcome of using the E 1148 tubes for an extended time. They really need the hours on them to fully open up and the frequency range to even out. I was listening with other good tubes for a few days and then put these back in with the WE 300Bs and Japanese grey plate rectifiers and the clarity/transparency and layering is obvious.

 

[Wes S]

I continue to be surprised at the outcome of using the E 1148 tubes for an extended time. They really need the hours on them to fully open up and the frequency range to even out. I was listening with other good tubes for a few days and then put these back in with the WE 300Bs and Japanese grey plate rectifiers and the clarity/transparency and layering is obvious.

What year are your Hytrons? Do they have an inverted pan getter or square?

 

[jamato8]

What year are your Hytrons? Do they have an inverted pan getter or square?

Square getter. 4-1944.

 

[Wes S]

Square getter. 4-1944.

Cool, thanks.

 

[smodtactical]

Duelund copper caps are great. Very transparent and keep a very good timbre. The stock caps are fine. I replaced 4 caps. I also did a bypass for the power section cap, which pulls off any upper frequency garbage. I also checked the connections of all the inserted wires, as two were a little loose. But Cayin has done some nice work and you get a lot for the price.

The transformers have to be good, or it wouldn't matter what is up front. A good buy for the money.

Nice man. Having looked inside any thoughts on other mods that could be done?

Also how good are the duelund caps vs the stock performance ?

 

[smodtactical]

Yeah I also find WE a little dull in the treble (its all in context, its still one of the best sounding pieces of gear in existence), apparently they sharpen up with more hours on them but to be honest I spend most time with EML XLS, they have more treble energy and walk the line just shy of being fatiguing which I really appreciate. Their party trick is note density tho, especially in the bass. They sound thundering yet tight and punchy.

I know the emission labs are different than most 300b, its good to know they work in the HA300.

 

[DrDen]

Nice man. Having looked inside any thoughts on other mods that could be done?

I think it’s too delicate question.
Unlikely the manufacturer would appreciate it. The parts inside are already of very high quality, so there is no need to upgrade them right after purchasing the amp. I personally have upgraded the interstage caps in my much less expensive amp to Mundorf Supreme Silver Gold Oil and got significantly better clarity and resolution (the stock caps were noname)

 

[krude]

Ladies and gentlemen ... new DAC reveal : ) https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ferrum-wandla-impressions-thread.967678/post-18067906