Hello everyone, I ordered a Stax combo (L700Mk II + SRM-353X). The earspeakers arrived this week, and the energizer box will arrive next week, meaning that I can't try them out now with my current equipment.
For DAC I have a rather modest Schiit Modi 2 Uber, I also have a 4 tube headphone amp made by a local technician which can be used as pre-amp.
I'm looking to replace the Modi 2U with a DAC (only DAC) with XRL out, but I'm also interested in R2R DACs.
I'm torn between the Denafrips Ares II and one of the multibit DAC from Schiit. Most likely a Bifrost. Gungnir BM is currently way out of my budget.
I can also consider delta-sigma DAC, with XLR outs. I'm kinda interested in what Geshelli Labs is working in to replace their JNOG (they can't make it anymore since AKM factory burned down in November of 2020).
Other headphones that I have are the Senneheiser HD800S and the HD598 (which they need replacement earpads badly).
The tube amp I mentioned before, it came with mismatched 6SN7 pre-amp tubes. I changed them for a matched pair of PSVANE CV181-TII on recommendation of the maker of the amp (he actually recommended the CV-181Z). They made a difference, specially on the HD800S, mostly good, they made these rather sterile headphones to sound more lively and warm, they made the drivers move more air, more punchy bass, but they can also be a bit tiring and slightly harsh at times. It was great for short listening sessions.
Sadly, one of the CV-181 tubes broke while I was storing the amp.
I replaced them with NOS JAN SYLVANIA 6SN7 WGTA, matched pair. They are better than the mismatched pair, they don't sound harsh or tiring, but they lack that "something", that special spicy sauce that the PSVANE tubes had. I really miss that.
The Sylvanias have a black base, I read that the ones with brown base are even better.
A local dealer actually has a pair of the brown based ones, they are not cheap, but less expensive than the chinese tubes.
I still have the remaining CV-181-TII tube. Should I put it on sale? Should I buy an individual tube from PSVANE and have it paired by a local tube dealer (if that can be possible)? Should I go for the brown based Sylvanias or for other chinese tubes (the Shuguang CV181Z, or the natural sound ones, also from Shuguang).
I really have a lot of work ahead. I'm far from settling down. I don't believe in an end-game but I also know my limits.
For DAC I have a rather modest Schiit Modi 2 Uber, I also have a 4 tube headphone amp made by a local technician which can be used as pre-amp.
I'm looking to replace the Modi 2U with a DAC (only DAC) with XRL out, but I'm also interested in R2R DACs.
I'm torn between the Denafrips Ares II and one of the multibit DAC from Schiit. Most likely a Bifrost. Gungnir BM is currently way out of my budget.
I can also consider delta-sigma DAC, with XLR outs. I'm kinda interested in what Geshelli Labs is working in to replace their JNOG (they can't make it anymore since AKM factory burned down in November of 2020).
Other headphones that I have are the Senneheiser HD800S and the HD598 (which they need replacement earpads badly).
The tube amp I mentioned before, it came with mismatched 6SN7 pre-amp tubes. I changed them for a matched pair of PSVANE CV181-TII on recommendation of the maker of the amp (he actually recommended the CV-181Z). They made a difference, specially on the HD800S, mostly good, they made these rather sterile headphones to sound more lively and warm, they made the drivers move more air, more punchy bass, but they can also be a bit tiring and slightly harsh at times. It was great for short listening sessions.
Sadly, one of the CV-181 tubes broke while I was storing the amp.
I replaced them with NOS JAN SYLVANIA 6SN7 WGTA, matched pair. They are better than the mismatched pair, they don't sound harsh or tiring, but they lack that "something", that special spicy sauce that the PSVANE tubes had. I really miss that.
The Sylvanias have a black base, I read that the ones with brown base are even better.
A local dealer actually has a pair of the brown based ones, they are not cheap, but less expensive than the chinese tubes.
I still have the remaining CV-181-TII tube. Should I put it on sale? Should I buy an individual tube from PSVANE and have it paired by a local tube dealer (if that can be possible)? Should I go for the brown based Sylvanias or for other chinese tubes (the Shuguang CV181Z, or the natural sound ones, also from Shuguang).
I really have a lot of work ahead. I'm far from settling down. I don't believe in an end-game but I also know my limits.
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