1) I wouldn’t say better, but different. Worth having to experiment with? I’d say yes, especially as you could probably try it out and sell it without much of a loss if not your flavor. Compared to the Chatham (which is my favorite lately) I’d say the 5998 is more energetic/forward/brighter and the Chatham more relaxed/more euphonic decay. I would make a rough comparison the GEC 6080 is somewhere in between the two.
Nice! What custom wood is that?1) I wouldn’t say better, but different. Worth having to experiment with? I’d say yes, especially as you could probably try it out and sell it without much of a loss if not your flavor. Compared to the Chatham (which is my favorite lately) I’d say the 5998 is more energetic/forward/brighter and the Chatham more relaxed/more euphonic decay. I would make a rough comparison the GEC 6080 is somewhere in between the two.
2) +1 for PartsConnexion. I highly recommend the AudioNote knobs. Pricey but very high quality and heavy/smooth feel. Fits perfectly on Alps Blue Velvet (I think the same as the stock pot but you should double check the shaft diameter/length works). Here is the 25mm gloss black AudioNote knob currently in my BHC:
Thanks - wood is ziricote. Inspired by the ziricote wood ZMF Aeolus I got a few years back. One of my first woodworking projects, Zach helped me out with tips on the finish process as I wanted them to match the ear cups as closely as possible. Didn’t turn out perfect, but I’m happy with it
. I posted a bunch of pics in this gallery a while back: https://imgur.com/a/uATdg3g
Lol! So you're saying my incredibly in depth review with multiple comparisons was helpful?Thanks to another Head-Fier, I have a nice NOS Chatham 5998!!
I’ve only had a short time with it tonight, but I immediately hear very clear upper midrange, airy and crisp highs, and a nice push to vocals. Very, very smooth on the bass frequencies. I’m most impressed with the clarity in the treble frequencies. Some of the above descriptions were spot-on.
I’ll give it many days if listening coming up, but I feel so far this has taken my BHC up a notch!
. Glad you like the tube! Now...time to tempt you with the 421A.
Oh the proverbial rabbit hole...let's not forget the Bendix 6080WB slotted...
Yeah- got that one already! It's a good one, as well. I'll post a nice family photo later on, but having fun with different tubes in the power section. Oddly, I've been totally satisfied with the clear top RCA in the input position. I've felt no need to touch that one!Oh the proverbial rabbit hole...let's not forget the Bendix 6080WB slotted...
Congrats to you on scoring a great tube!Thanks to another Head-Fier, I have a nice NOS Chatham 5998!!
I’ve only had a short time with it tonight, but I immediately hear very clear upper midrange, airy and crisp highs, and a nice push to vocals. Very, very smooth on the bass frequencies. I’m most impressed with the clarity in the treble frequencies. Some of the above descriptions were spot-on.
I’ll give it many days if listening coming up, but I feel so far this has taken my BHC up a notch!
Thanks- It's hard to know so soon, but I plan on clocking a lot of hours listening this weekend. My quick observation after < 24 hours with it, is that I'm very impressed with the clarity. There is less pronounced bass, which is fine with me, as I'm mostly focused on details in the treble frequencies, such as cymbals, snare, snap of rack toms, keyboards, strings, etc. This tube, so far, sounds the most accurate and "solid state" of any other tubes I've used, meaning that it does not soften the frequencies. Thus, less warmth (in a good way) and less blending of sounds. Better separation, in other words.
