[ctaxxxx]

What's a good shielded cable to reduce noise/EMI? My source will be from a dap - FiiO M17.

I have the following, but I got a lot of noise on my previous tube amp.
https://a.co/d/82bFu7T

Would this be a better option?
https://hartaudiocables.com/products/tc-3-4-4mm-pentaconn-to-dual-3-pin-xlr

 

[Daiyama]

To my understanding a DAP shouldn‘t introduce noise as it is battery driven and not connected to wall power outlet.

 

[domiji]

To my understanding a DAP shouldn‘t introduce noise as it is battery driven and not connected to wall power outlet.

The M17 is usable as a kind of „desktop device“ with a small switching power supply. So maybe it could be relevant.

@ctaxxxx
I would recommend a cable from „Worlds Best Cables“. You can get them pretty cheap from Amazon. Mogami 2497 is exceptionally good

 

[Bkido]

What's the ideal input? It looks like the Balanced input gets converted to SE via transformer. Does this get bypassed if we use the balanced out?

My favorite combination currently is to feed a signal slightly above line level XLR into it via my Spring 3 with integrated pre. 92/100 is line level and currently I'm at 95/100. Makes everything snappier with a bit more impact. I think @zach915m also prefers a hotter signal? And Justin from ampsandsound also likes to use an active pre to push slightly higher levels into his SET amps afaik.
Balanced DACs in most cases also have the best output via XLR since it uses the full output stage which also plays a role.

Concerning your question balanced in and out: the input/output combination on HA-3A doesn't play a role concerning balanced since the amp itself is always single ended.

 

[zach915m]

My favorite combination currently is to feed a signal slightly above line level XLR into it via my Spring 3 with integrated pre. 92/100 is line level and currently I'm at 95/100. Makes everything snappier with a bit more impact. I think @zach915m also prefers a hotter signal? And Justin from ampsandsound also likes to use an active pre to push slightly higher levels into his SET amps afaik.
Balanced DACs in most cases also have the best output via XLR since it uses the full output stage which also plays a role.

Concerning your question balanced in and out: the input/output combination on HA-3A doesn't play a role concerning balanced since the amp itself is always single ended.

Yeha I agree, whatever the source output sounds best will be the best input to the 3A.

I usually do push things a little above 2v into the amp via a preamp, but typically I will alter that based on the headphone used so I can keep the amp, in this case the 3a, around 10am to 1pm when listening. Something sensitive I will lower the preamp.

 

[ic257]

took the plunge and will be my first venture into tube land! any recommendations for alternatives to the stock tubes (as well as trusty worthy sources)?

 

[zach915m]

took the plunge and will be my first venture into tube land! any recommendations for alternatives to the stock tubes (as well as trusty worthy sources)?

I really like the Fivre 6V6 tubes they have at Langrex, you can get them on ebay. Not a bad price either. I've been using baldwin 12au7's, but there's tons of options for 12au7.

 

[Rowethren]

I really like the Fivre 6V6 tubes they have at Langrex, you can get them on ebay. Not a bad price either. I've been using baldwin 12au7's, but there's tons of options for 12au7.

I'm in the UK so Langrex is quite convenient for me. How do the Fivre 6V6 compare sound wise to the stock tubes? Also, do they fit under the cage?

 

[tameral]

Anyone have a chance to try LCD-X on these (I have 2021)? I EQ it to a slightly less treble Oratory 1990 about 50% of the time and 50% of the time without EQ.

I know my other headphones would do great on this (Atticus, 6xx, 8xx).

Regards

 

[Daiyama]

I'm in the UK so Langrex is quite convenient for me. How do the Fivre 6V6 compare sound wise to the stock tubes? Also, do they fit under the cage?

It looks like Fivre 6V6G won't fit, 6V6GT should fit under the Edit: original cage.

 

[domiji]

It looks like Fivre 6V6G won't fit, 6V6GT should fit under the cage.

@Bkido had a solution for this problem

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...d-tube-amplifier.963983/page-20#post-17177040

 

[mfgillia]

@Bkido had a solution for this problem

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...d-tube-amplifier.963983/page-20#post-17177040

A great solution actually - just using ordinary banana speaker connectors as standoffs.

 

[Bkido]

Changed to black banana connectors now but it seems to be a quick solution for bigger tubes.
I should have received a pair of Fivre 6V6G today, but the Post messed up delivery. I'll compare them next week to my current favorites - Sylvania 6V6G

 

[Daiyama]

@Bkido had a solution for this problem

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...d-tube-amplifier.963983/page-20#post-17177040

That's right.
I edited my post.

 

[Renexx]

Changed to black banana connectors now but it seems to be a quick solution for bigger tubes.
I should have received a pair of Fivre 6V6G today, but the Post messed up delivery. I'll compare them next week to my current favorites - Sylvania 6V6G

What are those red shields for the 12au7?

I cant find them when searching for it.