Feliks Audio Elise Impressions Thread – a New Start (please read first post for summary)

[vl4dimir]

Now that I swap my HD650 for a HD800, I was wondering if there is a consensus about which tubes sounds best with the HD800 SDR/HD800S ? Currently running EL12N+EL3N  

 

 

[pctazhp]

  Now that I swap my HD650 for a HD800, I was wondering if there is a consensus about which tubes sounds best with the HD800 SDR/HD800S ? Currently running EL12N+EL3N  

 

I think there may be somewhat different recommendations for HD800 Classic and HD800S. I've never heard the Classic. For my S I have found many combinations that I really have liked. The S can probably handle tubes tilted toward treble maybe a little better than the Classic. Thus some of the straight bottle power tubes such as GEC 6080 and Bendix 6080 have worked well for me, running with Sylvania Gold Brand 6SN7WGT. But with the Sylvania drivers the bottle shaped TS5998 and GEC 6AS7G also sound good as powers.
 
I have come to the conclusion over the past month or so that a combination of the EL11 and EL12 tubes that have gained prominence here recently are probably the best for a broad range of different headphones and personal preferences. They are not always easy to find and it does require some in depth study of recent posts to make good purchasing decisions, but I think it is worth the effort rather than going through what, at least I have, in buying a lot of expensive tubes that I will probably never use again now that I've acquired some 2 really nice EL12 pairs and a very nice EL11 pair.
 
I know this is pretty general. I'm sure many of us will be happy to answer any specific questions. And the above is just my personal opinion, but I did want to provide you some answer since you were asking about HD800.
 
Oh, I guess I should say that the combination you are currently running is probably a very good combination for the Classic. If you find a German, round plate EL11 driver it is probably be a little less warm and perhaps slightly more detailed than the EL3N driver you are now using. But you may already have your holy grail )))))

 

[connieflyer]

Well spoken PCT, very good english on this post. Easy to understand without any inflection, you are learning real well. Almost as good as the King's English!

 

[pctazhp]

  Well spoken PCT, very good english on this post. Easy to understand without any inflection, you are learning real well. Almost as good as the King's English!

So I done good????  

 

[connieflyer]

You have got a handle on it now, you have been there , done that!

 

[UntilThen]

Guys please stay on topic. Let me show you how it's done.
 

 

[connieflyer]

I still am not clear on how it is done, do you have anymore of these "instructional videos"?

 

[UntilThen]

  I still am not clear on how it is done, do you have anymore of these "instructional videos"?

 
CF just follow the movements in the video. Get Conner in the groove too.

 

[pctazhp]

   
CF just follow the movements in the video. Get Conner in the groove too.

OK UT. I think this is on topic. I am hoping you fully appreciate the responsibility that will be on your shoulders when you audition the Elear and Utopia. If you report that Utopia is the Sir Edmund Hillary Summit of all headphones, I won't know peace until I have one. And unfortunately I won't be able to get one until the $4,000 price drops to $375.50 (((((

 

[UntilThen]

 
OK UT. I think this is on topic. I am hoping you fully appreciate the responsibility that will be on your shoulders when you audition the Elear and Utopia. If you report that Utopia is the Sir Edmund Hillary Summit of all headphones, I won't know peace until I have one. And unfortunately I won't be able to get one until the $4,000 price drops to $375.50 (((((

 
I'm bias. I chose Dynaudio over Focals for my car audio. So it's unlikely I'll endorse Utopia.
 
Unless they let me take a pair home for keeps.

 

[connieflyer]

If they do you will have to share among the group we will pay shipping you know back and forth

 

[UntilThen]

If they do you will have to share among the group we will pay shipping you know back and forth

 
I'll share the V-Monk Plus. It can get shipped around the world.

 

[hypnos1]

  OMG- tidal waves, spotify, dsd.dsf, bits and other stuff.  I just use CD and occasional FLAC.  Life's complicated enough with tubes without all this. 
 

 and too old, and lazy, to learn any more.

 
Y'know, H13...folks sometimes forget the simple fact that the final result will always come down to the sort of job the recording engineer performed in the first place lol! I have some standard CD quality fare (especially such as the "Enhanced" discs of Loreena McKennitt, for example) that sounds much better than some 'hi-res'. And I'm not the only one to say this...by far!!!  Things are by no means "cut and dried" still in this debate LOL!

 

 
So I done good????  

 
You dun' real good, man!!!

...
 

   
I'm bias. I chose Dynaudio over Focals for my car audio. So it's unlikely I'll endorse Utopia.
 
Unless they let me take a pair home for keeps.

 
I like your "unlikely", UT...

...now go get Dynaudio to make some nice cans lol...there's a good boy!!

...either that, or I'll have to bolt together my own Dynaudios a la Abyss!!

...Dang, I've mislaid my hoist!

...

...

 

[UntilThen]

Ummm EF80 has an amplification of 50 and EF86 has 38 in triode mode. 
 
C3g has 40?
 
Straight off wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EF86
 
ah ha...
 
Unlike many pentodes it was designed specifically for audio applications, low noise and low microphony being claimed advantages

 

[aqsw]

After all the T1 hype, I have decided to try them again. I did have a used set for a day or two and sent them back as I was very unhappy with the condition of them.
I just bought another used pair here on head fi. I will try  the T1s again. I'm hoping the Euforia will love them!!!