Eddie Current Zana Deux owners
Sep 29, 2016 at 1:49 AM Post #2,296 of 2,605
  Got the Sophia vacuum tube today & it is excellent.  It's simply incredible how great a $300 headphone, the HD600, can sound w/ this amplifier & a tube like the Sophia.  I never could have imagined this happening.  

 
Indeed a nice combo, I have the HD650.
The HD6X line are high-end cans in my book, good sound isn't necessarily price related.
 
Sep 29, 2016 at 1:54 AM Post #2,297 of 2,605
HD650/600 are truly end-game marvels and scale insanely high. This is one of the best amps for them. I similarly enjoy the Sophia Electric Grade A with this headphone.

As I type, I am using a Tungsol 6SL7GT clear glass, which I have not used in awhile, with the Utopia. It is a detailed, slightly bright, but sweet sounding tube. I have been using the RCA 5691 Red Base for the past several days.
 
Sep 29, 2016 at 3:11 AM Post #2,298 of 2,605
HD650/600 are truly end-game marvels and scale insanely high. This is one of the best amps for them. I similarly enjoy the Sophia Electric Grade A with this headphone.

As I type, I am using a Tungsol 6SL7GT clear glass, which I have not used in awhile, with the Utopia. It is a detailed, slightly bright, but sweet sounding tube. I have been using the RCA 5691 Red Base for the past several days.

 
I second that. The scalability of my modded HD650 is just insane. My Studio/HD650 went toe-to-to with ZDS/Utopia and did not embarrass itself at all, even beat the latter in many important areas.
 
Sep 29, 2016 at 2:33 PM Post #2,299 of 2,605
I'm sick, I got a TAS virus.
I have all the important and really good tubes, in multiples in case the Apocalypse comes, but there is one more thing I need to try (again).
 
Would anyone have a nice warm Brimar for me to get me a really tubey sound from my Zana?
I forgot which Brimar I had before and which one I should be looking for if warm and tubey is what I'm after so if you have any advice that would be much appreciated.
 
If you have a nice one you want to sell please send me a PM.
 
Sep 29, 2016 at 9:12 PM Post #2,301 of 2,605
  A proud new owner of ZDS and Senn HD650 combo.
 

 

 

 
 
What is the consensus on replacing the stock fuse? Does it really improve the sound quality?


​menieres, congratulations on being a new owner of this fabulous headphone amplifier.  You, my friend, are in for quite a musical listening experience.   In my case it's the best headphone amplifier I've owned.  
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Sep 29, 2016 at 9:25 PM Post #2,302 of 2,605
Thank you BobG55, for the very warm welcome.
 
RCA 5691 Red Base is on the way and will probably get it next week.
Will order a Sophia Electric Grade A 6SL7 in the next couple of weeks.
 
 
My question is on the fuse.
 
Sep 29, 2016 at 9:33 PM Post #2,303 of 2,605
  Thank you BobG55, for the very warm welcome.
 
RCA 5691 Red Base is on the way and will probably get it next week.
Will order a Sophia Electric Grade A 6SL7 in the next couple of weeks.
 
 
My question is on the fuse.


Oh !  
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 Don't know anything about that.  Hopefully some else can help you out. 
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Sep 30, 2016 at 2:39 AM Post #2,304 of 2,605
After days of listening to the RCA 5691 and most recently Tung-sol 6SU7WGT (clear glass), I put in the Mullard ECC35. Definitely a league above the latter with the Utopia and comes out ahead slightly above the outstanding RCA; everything is more spacious, bottom end is tighter, vocals are more lifelike, highs more sparkling. The Tung-sol works better with the HD650 for some reason. The RCA has a more layered, darker tonality that is competitive with the Mullard, though I now think I prefer the Mullard with Utopia. For the HD800, the RCA Is definitely king.
 
Sep 30, 2016 at 3:04 AM Post #2,305 of 2,605
  A proud new owner of ZDS and Senn HD650 combo.
 

 

 

 
 
What is the consensus on replacing the stock fuse? Does it really improve the sound quality?

 
Congrats on your purchase! Now go get a Focal Utopia and be done with your headphone journey. 
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Sep 30, 2016 at 11:27 AM Post #2,306 of 2,605
After days of listening to the RCA 5691 and most recently Tung-sol 6SU7WGT (clear glass), I put in the Mullard ECC35. Definitely a league above the latter with the Utopia and comes out ahead slightly above the outstanding RCA; everything is more spacious, bottom end is tighter, vocals are more lifelike, highs more sparkling. The Tung-sol works better with the HD650 for some reason. The RCA has a more layered, darker tonality that is competitive with the Mullard, though I now think I prefer the Mullard with Utopia. For the HD800, the RCA Is definitely king.


I agree with your sentiments of the RCA and HD800.

It's a nice ride to ethereal-town
 
Sep 30, 2016 at 12:51 PM Post #2,307 of 2,605
I strapped on the HD650 with the Sophia tube. This amp and these headphones are made for each other. I am struck by the extended and solid bass impact, uncanny resolution of microdetails, and deep soundstage (deeper than Utopia). Slightly more grainy treble than the Utopia, but who cares at this price? Wow, this pairing is so good.
 
Sep 30, 2016 at 2:27 PM Post #2,309 of 2,605
Thank you Lin Junyuan

Is this the Tung-sol 6SU7WGT (clear glass) and is the price reasonable?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tung-Sol-6188-6SU7WGT-Vintage-Tube-Pair-Gray-Plates-Round-Getter-Test-102-/191916348286


Thank you songmic


Those are interesting and different than mine. Mine did not have the gray plate and round getter. But those are definitely the clear glass. I am very intrigued by those actually but must resist.

Also, the same model but Round Black Plate may be preferable for you, so if you want to buy two, maybe one of each? Since you already have the Sophia and RCA incoming, it may also be wise to wait and see.

Do not let me push you away from those as it is possible they are good. Just trying to save you money.

The one I have is here:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/The-Tung-Sol-6188-6SU7GTY-1950s-/271410157629?hash=item3f314e583d%3Am%3AmaafilloyNhoLvd5ElznPpw&_trkparms=pageci%253A2d7fc545-873a-11e6-b300-74dbd180efa7%257Cparentrq%253A7c50f2631570a60cc97d1f0ffffd3f60%257Ciid%253A2
 

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