[Baten]

To me Ares II is not smooth. Depending on the system. With my Exposure integrated amp and Graham Audio speakers...the sound is neutral with a hint of warmth.

So..... smooth?

 

[simon740]

So..... smooth?

too smooth

 

[Halam]

That stack looks awesome! I've long considered an Ares II to replace my Bifrost 2. But I've heard people say they sound very similar. I have the Echo Mk2 myself with the ZMF Aeolus. I'm looking at and Atticus right now for $1,200 used (Canadian). What tubes/risers are you using in that photo and what is the headphone cable?

Sorry for late reply, I was out of this forum for a while.
Rizer: simple Chinese Gold plated 5670 6n3 WE396A instead ECC88 6922 6DJ8 tube adapter from eBay
Tube: 5670 RCA COMMAND SERIES NOS "O" getter halo 1968. 5670 family is good alternative to expensive 6922.
Headphone cable: Noir Hybrid HPC. Good quality inexpensive cables from Poland.

 

[MacMan31]

Sorry for late reply, I was out of this forum for a while.
Rizer: simple Chinese Gold plated 5670 6n3 WE396A instead ECC88 6922 6DJ8 tube adapter from eBay
Tube: 5670 RCA COMMAND SERIES NOS "O" getter halo 1968. 5670 family is good alternative to expensive 6922.
Headphone cable: Noir Hybrid HPC. Good quality inexpensive cables from Poland.

This headphone cable? https://forzaaudioworks.com/en/product.php?id_product=72 Seems those tubes can be found on eBay though I've never bought from there as I don't have PayPal.

 

[Halam]

This headphone cable? https://forzaaudioworks.com/en/product.php?id_product=72 Seems those tubes can be found on eBay though I've never bought from there as I don't have PayPal.

Exactly, good-looking, flexible and good sounding cable. There is a nice thread here on head-fi about forza cables.
I purchased these tubes In tubeworldexpress.

 

[MacMan31]

Exactly, good-looking, flexible and good sounding cable. There is a nice thread here on head-fi about forza cables.
I purchased these tubes In tubeworldexpress.

Thanks. I'm checking out that website now. I don't see the exact tubes you are using though.

 

[Halam]

Thanks. I'm checking out that website now. I don't see the exact tubes you are using though.

Yes, this 5670 6n3 WE396A tube family definitely worth the attention. They need adapters, but sound amazing.

 

[MacMan31]

Yes, this 5670 6n3 WE396A tube family definitely worth the attention. They need adapters, but sound amazing.

So which one is it? https://tubeworldexpress.com/search?q=5670+6N3

 

[Halam]

So which one is it? https://tubeworldexpress.com/search?q=5670+6N3

Probably the older the better, matched and having good measurements)) There's thread here:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/5670-w396a-2c51-6n3p-tube-thread.680910/

 

[George Hincapie]

Probably the older the better, matched and having good measurements)) There's thread here:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/5670-w396a-2c51-6n3p-tube-thread.680910/

Forgive the newbie question, but how exactly are the tubes matched?

 

[Halam]

Forgive the newbie question, but how exactly are the tubes matched?

No problem, I'm newbie myself)) Measurements between 2 tubes must be as close as possible to have similar sounding..

 

[George Hincapie]

No problem, I'm newbie myself)) Measurements between 2 tubes must be as close as possible to have similar sounding..

I wondered if that's how it's done. What is it they are measuring, do you know?

 

[Halam]

I wondered if that's how it's done. What is it they are measuring, do you know?

From tubeworldexpress:
Audio power tubes are tested for: good idle current, linear and evenly spaced plate curve traces, transconductance (Gm) within specifications, gas, shorts, leakages, and instabilities
Preamp tubes are tested for; (Gm) Transconductance, shorts, gas, leakages and manufacturers defects.

 

[George Hincapie]

From tubeworldexpress:
Audio power tubes are tested for: good idle current, linear and evenly spaced plate curve traces, transconductance (Gm) within specifications, gas, shorts, leakages, and instabilities
Preamp tubes are tested for; (Gm) Transconductance, shorts, gas, leakages and manufacturers defects.

It's a completely new rabbit hole isn't it? Thanks very much.

 

[keenerz]

i highly recommend those WE396 JW 2C51 tubes. Currently my favorites