[LoryWiv]

The first Ultimate to roll off the McChanson’s bench for 2024 is Hai’s Super Gold Ultimate. It has the same specs and parts as mine, Cracker and Albert’s Super Ultimate.

I believe you can add mine to that list as I followed Matt's guidance for the build and am VERY happy that I did.

 

[UntilThen]

I believe you can add mine to that list as I followed Matt's guidance for the build and am VERY happy that I did.

Oh yes I knew I miss out one but yours is one silver against 3 gold.

Same specs nevertheless.

I’m so glad that you are VERY happy.

 

[mordy]

Always interesting to try other people's favorite combinations. Read about the EL11 and decided to try them. Discovered that one of my TFK EL11 had a loose base and glued it in place. While I was waiting for it to dry I realized that I now have the adapters to try the Melz 6N12S as outputs. Said and done:

The MELZ 6N12S is my favorite in my Glenn amp, used as a sixpack. However, every amp is different and in the Ultimate it imparted a nasal quality and even though it was good sounding it was not what I wanted. Next:

The glue had dried and I put in my pair of 1941/1942 Telefunken EL11. Why the tower like structure?
First the octal socket savers to save wear and tear, then the 6SN7 to 6Y6G adapters and finally the German Steel to 6SN7 bathtub adapters.
Finally, quietly glowing brightly, the Tung Sol 6BW4 rectifier doing it's job:

The driver is a 12AV7 variant.
With the EL11 the sound is very good.
All in all, I am extremely happy with the Ultimate. It is a masterpiece of old school design.

 

[UntilThen]

During Euforia days I gave away a NOS pair of that TFK EL11 to @hypnos1 because it was humming but he couldn’t rescue it.

EL11 as power tubes in Ultimate does sound louder that other power tubes.

I was very IMPRESSED very I first heard it. Check back on my 1st impressions.

 

[UntilThen]

There it is. Impressions on June 2023.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/eric-mcchanson-headphone-amp.718350/post-17596427

 

[LoryWiv]

Always interesting to try other people's favorite combinations. Read about the EL11 and decided to try them. Discovered that one of my TFK EL11 had a loose base and glued it in place. While I was waiting for it to dry I realized that I now have the adapters to try the Melz 6N12S as outputs. Said and done:

The MELZ 6N12S is my favorite in my Glenn amp, used as a sixpack. However, every amp is different and in the Ultimate it imparted a nasal quality and even though it was good sounding it was not what I wanted. Next:

The glue had dried and I put in my pair of 1941/1942 Telefunken EL11. Why the tower like structure?
First the octal socket savers to save wear and tear, then the 6SN7 to 6Y6G adapters and finally the German Steel to 6SN7 bathtub adapters.
Finally, quietly glowing brightly, the Tung Sol 6BW4 rectifier doing it's job:

The driver is a 12AV7 variant.
With the EL11 the sound is very good.
All in all, I am extremely happy with the Ultimate. It is a masterpiece of old school design.

Nice @mordy. Couldn't you simplify by just using EL11 to 6V6 / 6Y6 adapter directly? I'm not certain what the other components add except height.

 

[LoryWiv]

Mullard EZ80, Visseaux 6F6GT, Brimar 6060-12AT7, Sylvania VT115A-6L6G:

 

[UntilThen]

Mullard EZ80, Visseaux 6F6GT, Brimar 6060-12AT7, Sylvania VT115A-6L6G:

How do you like the 6L6G black glass. They have a lovely texture and clarity from the Brimar 6L6GA I’ve heard.

 

[LoryWiv]

How do you like the 6L6G black glass. They have a lovely texture and clarity from the Brimar 6L6GA I’ve heard.

The treble is top quality, extended and sparkling with brilliance and air, yet somehow not fatiguing. Best paired with a warm-leaning driver. So, so many wonderful combinations in UltimatE! Good to hear from you, Matt.

 

[mordy]

Nice @mordy. Couldn't you simplify by just using EL11 to 6V6 / 6Y6 adapter directly? I'm not certain what the other components add except height.

Of course I could! But that would entail spending more money on adapters... Unfortunately I have developed an allergy to adapters. For some reason it bothers me to spend $30-40 on adapters when the tubes I buy usually cost much less.
Doesn't seem like all those adapters degrade the sound.

 

[UntilThen]

Without adapters many tubes would not have been possible in Ultimate. I am done with adapters though. I think I have more than anyone else.

 

[UntilThen]

Beautiful Tungsram EL12. 4 available. Good tubes are never cheap and these will sound gorgeous.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2666685...s-50b4rTC-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[UntilThen]

I went back on my words after many drinks and bought EL38 to EL34 adapters and a pair Philips by Mullard brown base EL38.

 

[mordy]

I went back on my words after many drinks and bought EL38 to EL34 adapters and a pair Philips by Mullard brown base EL38.

Don’t drink and buy!

 

[UntilThen]

Don’t drink and buy!

I did buy the right tubes and adapters.

Bryant wrote to me sometime ago and said he bought EL38 and said it sounded better than EL39. I said Oh Really? You sure you’re not intoxicated?

So I have to find out for myself.