[RubyTiger]

What dac is everyone using?

 

[vc1187]

  What dac is everyone using?

NAD M51 for me.
 
After about 50-60 hours of burn in, the Shuguang Natural Sounds are sounding a little better, but ironically still not as 'natural' as the stock tubes... something about the presentation is throwing me off
 
Those of you that love the Shuguang natural sounds with your HD800, what rectifier and input tubes are you pairing with it?  
I find it still a little on the bright side.  The stock rectifier and input tube are very bright with the Natural sounds, and an RCA 5U4GB with Sylvania 6BQ7 are less bright (still too bright for me) but seem to cause a weird coloration in the sound.

 

[stuart1927]

Hope this U52 sounds good in the Stratus.....when it finally arrives!

 

[bigfatpaulie]

Haha!  I FINALLY got around to picking a U52 up myself.  Now comes the waiting game...

 

[RubyTiger]

I'm waiting also. I think the Naturals have a fairly long break in. 200-300 hr's?
 

 

[vc1187]

  I'm waiting also. I think the Naturals have a fairly long break in. 200-300 hr's?
 

Nice looking tube! 
 
I believe in burn in, but not to that extent. really? 200-300 hours?
 
I swapped out the 6BQ7 for stock 6N1P and instantly the Natural Sounds are much better.  I sense that Stratus tube rolling is going to burn a large hole in my wallet... but it's so worth it!

 

[Bigsecret]

The Psvane WE275s (replacement for 2A3s) are really growing on me. As they burn in, they are maintaining smoothness and fullness but open up with a little more on the top.
 
My current favorite tube set-up (subject to change at any moment) is U52 rectifier, WE275 power tubes and Novosibirsk box plate 6N1P. That particular 6N1P can be overly detailed with the EML Meshplate 2A3s but with the WE275's it works well. Keep in mind my only headphones are LCD3s - this combo might be too detailed for HD800 from what I read about them.

 

[m17xr2b]

Is there any tube combination that will bring the mids forward? I like the HE1000 but it sounds too distant somehow. I already started to horde tubes but I am determined to find the sound signature I'm looking for. Already have three types of U52 and a Fivre 5U4G grey plate on the way.

 

[Sorrodje]

Sell  the HEK and buy a HE-6 . 

 

[cradon]

  Sell  the HEK and buy a HE-6 . 

Haha...I agree. The HE-6 have beautiful mids.

 

[jelt2359]

Not sure the stratus is the best choice for the he6 though..

 

[Bigsecret]

  Is there any tube combination that will bring the mids forward? I like the HE1000 but it sounds too distant somehow. I already started to horde tubes but I am determined to find the sound signature I'm looking for. Already have three types of U52 and a Fivre 5U4G grey plate on the way.

What driver and power tubes are you using?

 

[cradon]

Not sure the stratus is the best choice for the he6 though..

Have you tried the Ether? Its very easy to drive and has a similarly smooth and balanced sound.

 

[cradon]

I mean similar to the HE1000. It also has great mids. 

 

[jelt2359]

No, but then I use my Hegel h20 on my he6, and don't have any issues with driving it...

Fwiw I'm one of those who prefers my he6 to my he1000