[Green Golden Retriver]

Ok I will stick with N3Pro for now ^^

 

[emilsoft]

Seems like I am also hearing some tube noise/distortion. For example if there's a low level recorded solo bass on moderate-loud listening level, with every bass note played there seems to be added noise like dirt/modulation - it's definitely tube related as on non-tube mode the bass notes are very clear without any added distortion. I know with tubes we are meant to get some added, but this seems a bit much.. I'm guessing this is a design flaw, I get it on both tube modes..
Once all the instruments come in and the song kicks off the distortion is masked, but I can almost feel it's still there dirtying things up a bit.

I'd be interested to know how many of us have this..the way to test for this would be to have a low level recorded solo instrument - guitar or bass, and raise the volume on your player- compare solid state vs tube.

Update: I tested the same file but through USB Dac mode from my computer, and it didn't have this issue. It's a DSD file, so I thought to check the player settings - i had Native DSD set, for some reason this causes the added audio pollution when in tube mode. Using DoP mode does not have this problem anymore which is a relief. There's some background hiss which is acceptable but no other funny stuff going on from what I can hear

 

[Baten]

Not sure I can accept this flaw. Just because it's tube doesn't mean it should obviously pollute the audio like this.

lol

 

[Green Golden Retriver]

What music genre is best with tube amp? Is it vocal and jazz?

 

[Mudbone79]

What music genre is best with tube amp? Is it vocal and jazz?

Jazz does sound good on the tubes... Certain classical pieces as well... Especially if it's something quite bare like a piano piece... It's also the quality of the recording that plays its part... Vinyl rips sound good on tubes and also... If you have bright headphones then it can take the edge off the treble... The one genre that almost never sounds good on tubes (at least with n3 pro) is edm

 

[Green Golden Retriver]

Jazz does sound good on the tubes... Certain classical pieces as well... Especially if it's something quite bare like a piano piece... It's also the quality of the recording that plays its part... Vinyl rips sound good on tubes and also... If you have bright headphones then it can take the edge off the treble... The one genre that almost never sounds good on tubes (at least with n3 pro) is edm

Thanks
Do you prefer the UL or Triode ?

 

[Zambu]

Jazz does sound good on the tubes... Certain classical pieces as well... Especially if it's something quite bare like a piano piece... It's also the quality of the recording that plays its part... Vinyl rips sound good on tubes and also... If you have bright headphones then it can take the edge off the treble... The one genre that almost never sounds good on tubes (at least with n3 pro) is edm

I actually like electronic music with tubes (N3Pro or Oriolus BA300s from Ibasso DX160 4.4mm) and it's my preference but I switch around. Though it's obviously subjective and I mostly listen to 90s Goa trance, 90s underground techno/house and psybient (psychedelic ambient) so it might be related to production techniques. But check for instance Carbon Based Lifeforms (Derelicts album for instance) on tubes, the "warm cocoon" fits it perfectly.

 

[Green Golden Retriver]

I actually like electronic music with tubes (N3Pro or Oriolus BA300s from Ibasso DX160 4.4mm) and it's my preference but I switch around. Though it's obviously subjective and I mostly listen to 90s Goa trance, 90s underground techno/house and psybient (psychedelic ambient) so it might be related to production techniques. But check for instance Carbon Based Lifeforms (Derelicts album for instance) on tubes, the "warm cocoon" fits it perfectly.

Nice I will see if I can find it on tidal or Spotify

 

[onedvt]

I actually like electronic music with tubes (N3Pro or Oriolus BA300s from Ibasso DX160 4.4mm) and it's my preference but I switch around. Though it's obviously subjective and I mostly listen to 90s Goa trance, 90s underground techno/house and psybient (psychedelic ambient) so it might be related to production techniques. But check for instance Carbon Based Lifeforms (Derelicts album for instance) on tubes, the "warm cocoon" fits it perfectly.

Agree with this. 90s techno/house hits different with tubes. Much smoother and more musical to my ears. Sounds expansive in UL mode, almost 3D-like, though I mostly use triode for relaxed listening sessions. Can't speak for EDM though as I don't have the tracks in my library.

 

[Green Golden Retriver]

Female vocals triode or UL which do you guys prefer ?

 

[Zambu]

And I just tested with some Goa trance from mid 90s (with BPM around 140 I guess) that I most certainly prefer it with tubes (N3Pro with with 3.5mm UL --> then to 4.4mm for comparison --> then back to 3.5mm UL). This with Thieaudio Clairvoyance IEM, 4.4mm cable with adapter to 3.5 when needed.

I actually said a week ago or so (before I got the Clairvoyance) that I preferred the triode more for pretty much everything, but with Clair it's different and I use UL for everything (so far) with it. So seems to be IEM dependent for sure + other factors of your subjective preference.

 

[max1967]

What about fast heavy music with these tubes? I mean speed, thrash and death metal. Can anyone try to play for example Protector - The Heritage for testing? Thanks.

 

[morndewey]

What music genre is best with tube amp? Is it vocal and jazz?

I listen to a lot of jazz on N3pro. I think it depends most on mastering or mix of a recording. Appears to me that well mastered jazz benefits most by UL mode

 

[Cheaplad]

Female vocals triode or UL which do you guys prefer ?

Triode for female vocals.

 

[Mudbone79]

Thanks
Do you prefer the UL or Triode ?

As a rule.. UL... I like the wider soundstage and out of the two, I generally use that more but sometimes I like the closeness of triode and it is a more authentic tube sound whereas UL is kind of a hybrid