[jsgraha]

I have the SD mode on HD800. I do prefer HE1000 and Utopia over HD800 due to their tonality and bass.

Maybe also try Maxx134 Version 2.5 MODs at the other site, which IMO further improve he1k further. It offer slightly better treble, less laid back, better impact and similar staging. When I compared to he1k v2 at the store, I did prefer modded he1k v1, since v2 staging was still slightly more intimate (vocal seem more forward as well on v2).

 

[auricgoldfinger]

Greetings everyone.  I bought @bigfatpaulie's Stratus over the summer and have done my share of tube rolling to find the best sound for my tastes.  I pair it with an Auralic Vega DAC and the HEK with a 16-wire Echo+ copper cable from plusSound.  The Echo+ cable and tubes had the most profound affect on sound in terms of bang for the buck.
 
Subsequently, I added Marigo Audio Mystery Feet for physical isolation and noticed a marginal improvement in the richness and texture of the sound.  My final tweek was to reduce the electrical noise associated with USB streaming from my NAS.  I bought a microRendu and JS-2 linear power supply, along with Blue Jeans Cable cat 6a and Venom USB cables, expecting only minimal change. 
 
Much to my surprise, the microRendu made a dramatic improvement.  The overall sound is much more transparent and precise with cleaner bass and extended (but not sibilant) treble.  Mids are richer.  I feel like I am listening to a new DAC that is an order of magnitude better than the Vega, which is no slouch.  I believe the microRendu is worthy of your consideration. 

 

[Thenewguy007]

.  I bought a microRendu and JS-2 linear power supply, along with Blue Jeans Cable cat 6a and Venom USB cables, expecting only minimal change. 

Much to my surprise, the microRendu made a dramatic improvement.  The overall sound is much more transparent and precise with cleaner bass and extended (but not sibilant) treble.  Mids are richer.  I feel like I am listening to a new DAC that is an order of magnitude better than the Vega, which is no slouch.  I believe the microRendu is worthy of your consideration. 

How does the JS-2 linear power supply bypass the internal power supply of the Stratus?

 

[auricgoldfinger]

How does the JS-2 linear power supply bypass the internal power supply of the Stratus?

 
The linear power supply is solely for the microRendu.  The internal power supply of the Stratus is unaffected.

 

[Frihed89]

I love my new Wavelength Brick, V2 in my computer audio Stratus system.  It does 44.1/16.  Nothing else.  I'm in heaven.  I am also probably in the minority.

 

[Peter_S]

What is a good source for the natural sound tubes? I have found a good price here, but don't know much about the company:

http://www.tube-sale.com/index.php/tubes/shuguang-nature-sound/shuguang-nature-sound-2a3-t/

Thanks for any advice you can offer. Peter.

 

[stuart1927]

I've bought all my shuguang and psvane tubes from this company. Good service and all tubes have been flawless ...most been using 1 year or more. I haven't specifically bought 2a3's from them, but have bought various el34's and 211's.

Stuart

 

[Bigsecret]

I have always had good luck with this company too. Some problems with Psvane WR2A3 tubes but seller did everything to make things right and I've purchased at least 4 sets of tubes from her. 

 

[froger]

Re: KR tubes. I reported that they were very microphonic in my Stratus and requested a replacement pair. The replacements were slightly less microphonic so I can only conclude this is the nature of these tubes in the Stratus (or maybe just my Stratus). In any event, I have experienced no failure and find them an excellent match with my LCD3s. They are very detailed, open and natural sounding to my ears. 

I have never found my KR audio 2a3 microphonic with HE1000, until I used them with Focal utopia. They can indeed be a little microphonic, I finally hear it as Focal utopia is more sensitive than HE1000.

 

[stuart1927]

I'm on my second pair of KR audio tubes and these are also microphonic. It is very marginal, but distracting and ultimately ruins these tubes for me. I really want to love them, but they are flawed IMHO.
 
I recently got the Sophia meshplate globe 2a3's and I'm extremely please with them. They are dead quiet and to my ears almost match the detail of the KR audio tubes. I find the SQ overall to be slightly better balanced with the Sophia's so I think they are currently my favourite tube with the Stratus. It doesn't hurt that they also look fantastic and are less than 1/2 the price of the KR audio tubes.
 
 
Stuart
 

 

[m17xr2b]

I have never found my KR audio 2a3 microphonic with HE1000, until I used them with Focal utopia. They can indeed be a little microphonic, I finally hear it as Focal utopia is more sensitive than HE1000.

I also didn't have any microphonic issues with the KR with HEK or HD800. The most microphonic tubes I have are a pair of Sylvania 2A3 splate but even those aren't a problem if I don't touch the chassis.

 

[Bigsecret]

The KRs are the only 2A3s I have that are microphonic at all. It is not a problem, however and the longer I run them the microphonic seems to diminish.
 
I only have one pair of headphones - LCD3f. With these headphones, I have landed on two tube combos that I find the most musical and enjoyable - U52/KR2A3/Cryo Pearl Reflektor 6N1P OR - U52/Psvane WE275/Box Plate Novosibirsk 6N1P. The KR2A3 combo is, to my ears, more detailed and dynamic but the WE275 tubes are sooo sweet and smooth (the box plate 6N1P adds a little more detail and edge). I can understand why some like a 6BQ7 instead of 6N1P but, again to my ears, the sound gets too wet and tube, especially with the LCD3s. 
 
Also, I have noticed that my cryo pearl Reflektor tube looks identical to my 60's Novosibirsk 6N1Ps. I purchased another Reflector tube and noticed it looked identical to the Voskhod rocket 6N1P (that I don't like so much). So, my conclusion is that Reflektor tubes were made by more than one plant and my preference is the Novosibirsk version.

 

[auricgoldfinger]

I eliminated the microphonics from my KRs by placing one of my Marigo Audio Mystery Feet underneath the chassis directly below the power tubes.  Now I hear silence unless I touch the chassis.

 

[Bigsecret]

  I eliminated the microphonics from my KRs by placing one of my Marigo Audio Mystery Feet underneath the chassis directly below the power tubes.  Now I hear silence unless I touch the chassis.

Worth a try, I guess. Though I haven't checked the cost of those Mystery feet. They just sound expensive.

 

[bigfatpaulie]

  I'm on my second pair of KR audio tubes and these are also microphonic. It is very marginal, but distracting and ultimately ruins these tubes for me. I really want to love them, but they are flawed IMHO.
 
I recently got the Sophia meshplate globe 2a3's and I'm extremely please with them. They are dead quiet and to my ears almost match the detail of the KR audio tubes. I find the SQ overall to be slightly better balanced with the Sophia's so I think they are currently my favourite tube with the Stratus. It doesn't hurt that they also look fantastic and are less than 1/2 the price of the KR audio tubes.
 
 
Stuart
 
 

 
They make the best looking mesh plates out there.  Just stunning!!