[Nuge]

Ya man, the H5M paired with ZMF headphones is a phenomenal match. I used to play the violin quite a bit and the way the strings are reproduced through the Geshelli J2 -> H5M -> ZMF Atrium open is nearly perfect. I am sure this goes for most/all instruments, but when listening through my SS THX 789, it loses that authenticity that the H5M brings out impeccably well. Not to say the THX 789 is a bad amp, because it is not, but ZMF headphones deserve nothing less than that sweet sweet tube sound!

Enjoy, and welcome to the 1950s

Thank you! Out of curiosity, are you using the stock tubes with your Atrium?

 

[g0ldl10n]

Thank you! Out of curiosity, are you using the stock tubes with your Atrium?

Nah, I am not.

That said, the list of different tubes I use, especially for the input (6SN7 socket) is quite extensive which require adapters and in many cases, require external power supply. I enjoy the stock 6AS7 power tube that comes with the H5M, Svetlana Winged-C.

But, since you are new to the world of tubes, I am going to keep my current recommendations to you very simple and on the more affordable/available side of things, but all of these except the 6SN7 ill recommend, I actually use all the time despite having many of the highly sought after and much more expensive tubes out there.

Imo, after literally rolling and ungodly number of tube types, ranging from 2V-50V heater voltages, and an even more unspeakable amount of different brands within each of those types of tubes; Price of a tube != Sound Quality of said tube (in the overwhelming majority of cases).

1st for power tube, id recommend GE 6AS7GA, taller straight bottle, triple mica with copper rods (one of my favorites that I am using right now, and have actually been using for the past couple weeks) -> here is example https://www.ebay.com/itm/354742170501?

The stock Svetlana Winged-C that comes with the amp is my 2nd recommendation, so not a bad idea to look for more of those at decent prices.

There are other GE 6080 power tubes id recommend like these (dual halo getters with copper rods) -> https://www.ebay.com/itm/374300602636?

Now, to driver tubes.

Staying in the 6SN7 family, easily one of my favorites to run in the H5M is a shorter bottle Sylvania 6SN7GT, with rectangle bottom mica and parallel T plates - her is an example.

Then the final driver tubes I will recommend this time require an adapter, need to be ran in pairs but they are very good with the H5M and don't cost an arm and a leg.

Chinese 6C8P

Here is the adapter you'd need, or others similar to it you can find on ebay

6C8P -> 6SN7 Adapter

Here are the tubes -> https://www.ebay.com/itm/195345261830?

 

[andrewchoppa]

I like the way those heat sinks are worked into the chassis. Interested to hear your listening impressions!

So far I’ve had two hybrids: an Xduoo TA-20 which I thought was terrible, and the Massdrop Cavalli Tube Hybrid which I love and use often. I have been contemplating getting a Eufonika hybrid but I like my MCTH too much to replace it.

Yes - should have in a couple of weeks. Funny about the XDuoo. I had a MT602 which was ok. I was looking ata 2nd hand TA10r as an all in one for another room but I stumbled ona Kennerton Atlas going cheap so got that instead. I've the Cavalli is good too.

 

[andrewchoppa]

Yes - should have in a couple of weeks. Funny about the XDuoo. I had a MT602 which was ok. I was looking ata 2nd hand TA10r as an all in one for another room but I stumbled ona Kennerton Atlas going cheap so got that instead. I've the Cavalli is good too.

 

[andrewchoppa]

Wow, that amp is badass! Reminds me of some of the BHC amps I've seen.

As the H5 miflex has been burned in, I'm really enjoying it! I"ve never heard jazz sound better than it does with my OG Auteur. A good amount of body and warmth and dynamics, much better match with the Auteur than the Jotunheim 2. I will say the Auteur is pretty revealing. Badly recorded tracks sound thin and weak while good or great ones sound amazing. I'm very happy with my purchase and I can't wait to pair it with my Bifrost 2 and see how the sound improves.

Wow - now I/m even more excited!!! Enjoy!!!

 

[andrewchoppa]

Nah, I am not.

That said, the list of different tubes I use, especially for the input (6SN7 socket) is quite extensive which require adapters and in many cases, require external power supply. I enjoy the stock 6AS7 power tube that comes with the H5M, Svetlana Winged-C.

But, since you are new to the world of tubes, I am going to keep my current recommendations to you very simple and on the more affordable/available side of things, but all of these except the 6SN7 ill recommend, I actually use all the time despite having many of the highly sought after and much more expensive tubes out there.

Imo, after literally rolling and ungodly number of tube types, ranging from 2V-50V heater voltages, and an even more unspeakable amount of different brands within each of those types of tubes; Price of a tube != Sound Quality of said tube (in the overwhelming majority of cases).

1st for power tube, id recommend GE 6AS7GA, taller straight bottle, triple mica with copper rods (one of my favorites that I am using right now, and have actually been using for the past couple weeks) -> here is example https://www.ebay.com/itm/354742170501?

The stock Svetlana Winged-C that comes with the amp is my 2nd recommendation, so not a bad idea to look for more of those at decent prices.

There are other GE 6080 power tubes id recommend like these (dual halo getters with copper rods) -> https://www.ebay.com/itm/374300602636?

Now, to driver tubes.

Staying in the 6SN7 family, easily one of my favorites to run in the H5M is a shorter bottle Sylvania 6SN7GT, with rectangle bottom mica and parallel T plates - her is an example.



Then the final driver tubes I will recommend this time require an adapter, need to be ran in pairs but they are very good with the H5M and don't cost an arm and a leg.

Chinese 6C8P

Here is the adapter you'd need, or others similar to it you can find on ebay

6C8P -> 6SN7 Adapter

Here are the tubes -> https://www.ebay.com/itm/195345261830?

 

[andrewchoppa]

Are any of these 3 really good 6sn7 tubes for my hybrid?

 

[LobalWarming]

Those are all new Russian tubes. Pretty meh by old NOS standards. And not cheap!

Some more affordable(ish), vintage options to consider:

Pair of Canadian Marconi 6SN7s (used) $80 AU: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/195803599931

Pair of Sylvania NOS 6SN7GTB $50 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/325714715422

Pair Tungsol 6SN7GT mid-50s $75 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285348521129

Hytron 6SN7GT pair $88 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285097574239

Pair of Raytheon 6SN7WGT $99 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/155639526480

Pair '57 Raytheon NOS 6SN7 $118 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285348522524

Matched Pair JAN CHS 6SN7WGTA Sylvania $120 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/354858003522

Pair of actual Tungsol 6SN7s 129 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/284865472893

Pair of '57 Tungsol tall bottle $179 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285317033642

Pair NOS Radiotron VT-231 (6SN7) RCA Australia $320 AU: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/145052005885

All of these, to my ears, are much better sounding than current production. Not saying you may need to buy them all... but once you've heard vintage glass...

This ebay seller, Beautiful Working Radios has a great collection of 6SN7 pairs.

I understand, it's hard going from zero to 50 6SN7s. But once you've purchased a dozen pairs of them, it gets easier.

 

[mordy]

Are any of these 3 really good 6sn7 tubes for my hybrid?

You are much better off with old production tubes as per the recommendations of LobalWarming. I have the new production Tung Sol 6SN7GTB and they sound slow and surupy in comparison.

 

[andrewchoppa]

You are much better off with old production tubes as per the recommendations of LobalWarming. I have the new production Tung Sol 6SN7GTB and they sound slow and surupy in comparison.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[mordy]

Thanks for the tip!

Good luck! If you shop carefully you can get better prices.

 

[LobalWarming]

Good luck! If you shop carefully you can get better prices.

Agree... and shop patiently. There are still good deals to be found. Just not in 10 minutes of Ebay searches on a Saturday night.

 

[andrewchoppa]

Those are all new Russian tubes. Pretty meh by old NOS standards. And not cheap!

Some more affordable(ish), vintage options to consider:

Pair of Canadian Marconi 6SN7s (used) $80 AU: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/195803599931

Pair of Sylvania NOS 6SN7GTB $50 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/325714715422

Pair Tungsol 6SN7GT mid-50s $75 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285348521129

Hytron 6SN7GT pair $88 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285097574239

Pair of Raytheon 6SN7WGT $99 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/155639526480

Pair '57 Raytheon NOS 6SN7 $118 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285348522524

Matched Pair JAN CHS 6SN7WGTA Sylvania $120 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/354858003522

Pair of actual Tungsol 6SN7s 129 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/284865472893

Pair of '57 Tungsol tall bottle $179 US: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285317033642

Pair NOS Radiotron VT-231 (6SN7) RCA Australia $320 AU: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/145052005885

All of these, to my ears, are much better sounding than current production. Not saying you may need to buy them all... but once you've heard vintage glass...

This ebay seller, Beautiful Working Radios has a great collection of 6SN7 pairs.

I understand, it's hard going from zero to 50 6SN7s. But once you've purchased a dozen pairs of them, it gets easier.

Wow - thnaks heaps for the info - I'll definitely choose at least one of these then. Appreciate it!!!!

Agree... and shop patiently. There are still good deals to be found. Just not in 10 minutes of Ebay searches on a Saturday night.

Haha - yes. It's ok - It's Sunday afternoon here and I'm completely sober (dammit!!!)
Yes will shop around. In no hurry as i haven't even played with the amp in stock form yet......

 

[xanatizer]

Lovely amp!!! Glad it's going well now. What are your thoughts after some use??

I've read every page here with great interest. I commissioned Wieslaw to build a hybrid for me in March and he has just sent mine - it's a prototype hybrid for me using 6sn7 tubes (my 3 headphones are all low impedance). I'm so excited. He just put up a pic on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuFmV0uN9rd/

This is such a beautiful amplifier! I've been waiting so long for my amp! I ordered it in March too. He put a tracking number on it a week ago and hasn't been shipped yet! I can wait, but I'm just in so much anticipation.
I really hope I get cooling fins. It's likely because he told me the amp has like 10 chokes in it. He just kept telling me how heavy it is! lol. Too damned excited.

 

[andrewchoppa]

This is such a beautiful amplifier! I've been waiting so long for my amp! I ordered it in March too. He put a tracking number on it a week ago and hasn't been shipped yet! I can wait, but I'm just in so much anticipation.
I really hope I get cooling fins. It's likely because he told me the amp has like 10 chokes in it. He just kept telling me how heavy it is! lol. Too damned excited.

It sure is and thanks!!!!!
He told me there was good news and bad. He wouldn’t tell me the bad until the next day (and it was every time he makes an amp, and then sends it off, he can’t listen to music until he builds another one…….). What a bugger!!! I laughed but only afterwards haha. He just have a dry sense of humor……anyway, post impressions once you receive, as o will too.