[KingStyles]

Just wait till you get different tubes in that amp. I didnt like it with the stock tubes.

 

[Radio_head]

Quote:

I was about to make the plunge for a headAmp Blue AiwaII (BHSE) + Stax SR009, but... I came across this thread !  

 
 So now I am quite embarassed... which one to chose.

  
 
The head hamp Blue Hawaii (BHSE) has a very very good track record & reviews, so what could be the reason to motivate to buy the Electra instead ?  
 
Any help will be appreciated...

The Electra is 2K less to start.  Craig's track record also goes back further in the headphone hobby than just about anyone's (including his Moth days) and for those who like his dynamic amps and want something similar in an electrostatic amp, its kind of a no-brainer to at least give a try.  Andy's stat design experience also goes back like 30 years.  These guys really know how to design something that measures well, sounds good, and doesn't break the bank.  If you're looking for something with cachet just get a BHSE.
 
Oh, and I second the notion to buy everything, its how I was able to separate the game of headphone perception from my own preferences.  

 

[purrin]

Quote:

I was about to make the plunge for a headAmp Blue AiwaII (BHSE) + Stax SR009, but... I came across this thread !  

 
 So now I am quite embarassed... which one to chose.

  
 
The head hamp Blue Hawaii (BHSE) has a very very good track record & reviews, so what could be the reason to motivate to buy the Electra instead ?  
 
Any help will be appreciated...

 
A few reasons / comparisons:
 

• Personally, I don't like the SR009 from the BHSE. The BHSE is probably the brightest sound stat amp out there. It's a great combo with the SR007mk1 (which is laid-back sounding). The technicalities of the BHSE and 009 are awesome, but those two just don't gel well together. Again just my opinion.
• The Electra is all tubes, the BHSE is a hybrid. If you are familiar with the EC amps, the Electra has a sound in the EC mold: not quite tubey, not quite solid-state. The Electra exhibits more micro-dynamics and extracts more micro-detail. The BHSE is more precise, has more control, has a blacker background.
• The BHSE build quality is amazing. Nothing quite touches it. Justin goes OCD over the chassis, etc. willing to throw away anything which is not perfect just to start over.
• The Electra costs less, although I think the price will be slowing increasing over time.
• If you are into tube rolling, the Electra will also take 6L6s, which do sound different from the EL34s.
• The BHSE wait times are excruciating. It often takes much longer than initially "promised" to receive it, often over a year or sometimes almost two. Those who have it do think it's very much worth the wait. The Electra wait times are also long, but given that they are in production, you can expect a few months.

 
But yeah, order both. Keep both or sell one.
 
 

Just wait till you get different tubes in that amp. I didnt like it with the stock tubes.

 
Stock tubes are horrible. Can't emphasize this enough.
 

 

[Trident900fi]

Craig can only test 3 amp per week, so it take some time to get one !

 

[driver 8]

Mine's testing right now.
 
So far I've ordered the Psvane EL34ph's and a couple of different 6SN7 pairs including Sylvania chrome tops, Sylvania 6SN7GT's (the ones people keep calling "the bad boys"), and some CBS/Hytrons.  I also ordered a Ken Rad VT231 to try with my Balancing Act and might consider getting some more for the Electra is I like it. 

 

[KingStyles]

I like the hytron/badboy combo, but have switched to the tungsol bgrp/badboy combo with cryoed gl kt77. Tried the sed winged el34 but they were too rolled off in the highs to make the cymbols and highhats shimmer the way I want. If i want that type of sound i will use the lcd3. The cryoed kt77 have more extension in the highs and better detail and dynamics than the non cryoed. Just some of my obesrvations so far.

 

[purrin]

Let us know about the Psvanes and any comparisons to other tubes. I've heard good things about Psvane's latest tubes. Does anyone know the proper way to pronounce Psvane?

 

[driver 8]

As far as the EL34's go I'll probably just have stock and the Psvane's for awhile, but I'll tell you how those compare, at least. 
 
I plan on using stock for a week or so then switching stuff up.

 

[rubenpp]

Let us know about the Psvanes and any comparisons to other tubes. I've heard good things about Psvane's latest tubes. Does anyone know the proper way to pronounce Psvane?

I tried the Psvanes with the stock 1st & 2nd stage tubes last night  , and like them quite a bit ...in fact they allowed me to listen for more than 2 hours straight w/out having to look for music that would sound ok with the 009 (not so with stock output tubes) . In comparison the KGSS DX+009 had a more balanced presentation , air and mid bass, while the Electra had better mids, fuller bass and sweeter highs. Replacing the 2nd stage tubes with RCA's provided better separation and air , at the expense of even lesser mid-bass......testing out more stuff

 

[Trident900fi]

I will give a try to Genalex Gold Lion KT77 and Sophia Princess 6SN7...

 

[customcoco]

Quote:

Does anyone know the proper way to pronounce Psvane?

It's pronounced "pavane".
 
It's funny that there is a word in French (spelled exactly like that) that basically means "to show off".

 

[wuwhere]

It was suppose to be Pavane but the manufacturer in China misspelled it to Psvane.

 

[acantor]

can someone tell me what bgrp means with regards to tungsol 6sn7 tubes.
also, is there a preference for 3 vs 2 hole badboys?
finally, I know the pairs of 6sn7 tubes need to be matched, but is it safe to use different pairs for the input and second stage tubes?
thanks

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

can someone tell me what bgrp means with regards to tungsol 6sn7 tubes.
also, is there a preference for 3 vs 2 hole badboys?
finally, I know the pairs of 6sn7 tubes need to be matched, but is it safe to use different pairs for the input and second stage tubes?
thanks

Black Glass Round Plates.
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/tung-sol-round-plate

 

[KingStyles]

The 3hole badboys are considered the true badboys. There is a little difference between the 2hole and the 3hole badboys. I dont know how much of a difference if any sonically that makes. I have never taken the time to compare them. Yes you can use different sets of 6sn7 for the input and second stage tubes.