[Audio Addict]

FYI

Decware is having a 10% off Black Friday sale. Just go to their website.

 

[Hibuckhobby]

Old thread, I know, but being an owner of a "new to me" Taboo II I have enjoyed reading this a great deal.
Listening to Holly Cole right now with HE500's and loving it.   At times I don't think it is as transparent as
some of the amps I've had, but then I notice how the music engages me and I decide to stop being analytical
and just enjoy.
Hibuck...

 

[Argo Duck]

Not "as transparent" :eek:
What tubes you running? Presumably not stock as this is the deleted model II (which I also own) but FWIW I found stock immediately engaging and surprisingly good performers but did a lot better with modest rolling (rectifier and driver; my power tubes are still original).

And welcome to the club

 

[Hibuckhobby]

Good question. RCA black plate 12au7, stock russian power tubes.
RCA 5u4g rectifier. Just put in a Valve Art 274b, still burning in. A bit
bass light right now compared to the RCA, I think I preferred the more euphonic sound
But want to give the 274b a chance. Also going to try a 5751 or 12at7 driver.
Regards,
Hibuck...

 

[Argo Duck]

Keep us posted.

Tung Sol 5Y3GT and (surprisingly) Brimar CV4033 here. This combination 'just works' with my particular pair of LCD2 rev 1. Generally neutral, the highs seem to extend better and there is tremendous sub-bass impact which other tube combinations didn't bring out. Works well with the LCD3-F too though I'm still looking for the best amp or tube combo in this case.

 

[smitty1110]

Got a Taboo Mk 3 (high gain version) last week, and my HE-6 came in today. Plugged it into the speaker taps, and haven't swapped amps or cans since (which is a miracle, I tend to bounce around a lot). Hats off to Steve and the team, this is truly an amazing amp.

 

[Argo Duck]

^ Wow that's good news. HE-6 was apparently too much for Frank I's Taboo mk 1 a few years ago. Shows how much the product has evolved.

 

[smitty1110]

^ Wow that's good news. HE-6 was apparently too much for Frank I's Taboo mk 1 a few years ago. Shows how much the product has evolved.

I also prefer quieter listening (compared to other head-fiers at meets, at least), and that might help.

 

[Argo Duck]

^ Fair point. I tend to listen quietly too - hence Taboo has gobs of power for Audezes.
Still good to hear it drives your HE-6. In theory it should always have had the potential to drive the HE-6 with its 6 or 4 W into 8 ohms and the slow taper of power delivery with increasing R...

 

[smitty1110]

In theory it should always have had the potential to drive the HE-6 with its 6 or 4 W into 8 ohms and the slow taper of power delivery with increasing R...

 
That's what I figured, and I was a bit leery of plugging the HE-6 into the 10 WPC 6L6 amp. Figured I'd want to start a bit smaller

 

[Hibuckhobby]

I think the consensus was that the Taboo II put out about 2.3w into 50 ohms.  That may
be right on the edge for a HE-6, but the type of music and volume at which you listen is
going to be a deciding factor.  I'm running HE-500's with mine and power is not an issue.
I may get a 12AT7 or 5751 driver at some point for more gain on the front end, but that's
more an issue of curiosity on my part than it is need.
Hibuck....

 

[Argo Duck]

Curiousity can be an expensive thing in this hobby

 

[Hibuckhobby]

Thus my screen name

 

[Argo Duck]

O right I didn't clock that! Good screen name

 

[Audio Addict]

O right I didn't clock that! Good screen name

Less expensive than other hobbies out there