[angpsi]

Thanks for your kind words UT, looks like you and all of the original crowd in this thread have been waiting more than patiently for all us newbies to catch up!

In the meantime I felt so sad realizing that I hadn't even tried my Tung-Sol 5998 that I just went ahead and switched them in, and coupled them with my Tung-Sol 6sn7gt. As always, they probably need to get some room to stretch. But right out of the box, so to speak, they sound very good indeed! It's like if the GEC 6080 / Sylvania 6sn7w were the refined European in the group, this all-TS combo would be the lively, energetic, and fun American! So good, especially with the Konitz - Solal "Impressive Rome" album!!! Could be my go–to set for smokey tunes, as I remember you once asked for that specific tone!... These are late-hours tubes.

That said, I'm also just starting to understand how different tube combos may be more appealing for specific genres of music. Right now I'm just glad I spent money on these TOTL tubes, albeit I may not have been able to appreciate them if I hadn't strayed so far with my previous acquisitions!

 

[angpsi]

Wanna dance to this? Sounds so good, both with the GES/Sylvania, but especially with the all–TS combo! Who knew... I hope I'm not offending your musical tastes here but at least I'm offering a pretty 21-yo face in return!

 

[angpsi]

Ok, these are definitely jazz tubes! Clubhouse fun all the way, listening to this!

 

[mordy]

Interesting that the HD650 came up in these recent posts. Massdrop has them available for three days now for the price of $250 including free shipping worldwide. Out of 7500 units close to 2800 have been purchased on the first day.
If I have the T1, should I get these? Or rather hold out for a good deal on the HD800?

 

[angpsi]

Interesting that the HD650 came up in these recent posts. Massdrop has them available for three days now for the price of $250 including free shipping worldwide. Out of 7500 units close to 2800 have been purchased on the first day.
If I have the T1, should I get these? Or rather hold out for a good deal on the HD800?

I think you can find the HD600 / HD650 / HD6xx on the second hand market at this price or less anytime. As I listen to the HD600 I feel only a significant turn in the audio chain may satisfy my curiosity. Oddly, common consensus is that few cans can compare to the HD600 etc at the price, and not necessarily favorably. Therefore I'd say if you wanted to give it a go as a complement to your collection then yes, I'd be all for it. Btw do these come with customs or not? If yes, that would also be something to consider because I've seen many hd650 go for around €180-200 on EU eBay private auctions.

 

[Tim Le]

While I don't have UT's experience on tubes, for me the first time I got a sound such as you are describing was when I paired the Mullard 6080 with the Tung-Sol 6sn7gt. But I quickly moved to the GEC 6080 and the Sylvania 6sn7wgt followed by the Sylvania 6sn7w. I like them so much I haven't yet tried my newly acquired Tung-Sol 5998!

On the same note, today I'm replicating my experiment: one day off and then change back to Sylvania 6sn7wgt. The latter are still really good and of the same kin: as far as I can discern the differences, the 'w' is more resolving while the 'wgt' gives me a more coherent whole. I imagine the differences as the Sennheiser HD600 and HD650—although I haven't actually heard the HD650: the Sylvania 6sn7w is the HD600 and the Sylvania 6sn7wgt is the HD650. I think there's a reason why I own the HD600, but I can definitely see a lot of people (including myself) enjoying the—thankfully cheaper—6sn7wgt!

Well that makes my decision much easier, I'd take the HD650 any day of the week.

 

[Tim Le]

Has anyone got the chance to compare the Sylvania 6sn7wgt vs RCA 6sn7gt? They look to be around the same price, and both are described with as "lush and midcentric".

 

[UntilThen]

It's like if the GEC 6080 / Sylvania 6sn7w were the refined European in the group, this all-TS combo would be the lively, energetic, and fun American! So good, especially with the Konitz - Solal "Impressive Rome" album!!! Could be my go–to set for smokey tunes, as I remember you once asked for that specific tone!... These are late-hours tubes.

You have nail it again with the 1st sentence. At this rate, you'll be very good with the nails.

I don't quite agree with the last sentence though, unless you want to keep awake at the late hours.

 

[UntilThen]

Has anyone got the chance to compare the Sylvania 6sn7wgt vs RCA 6sn7gt? They look to be around the same price, and both are described with as "lush and midcentric".

I'm not sure if you are referring to a different RCA 6sn7gt but if you're referring to the RCA 6sn7gt vt231 smoke glass, then it's quite different tone from the Sylvania 6sn7wgt.

The RCA is warmer, darker... could be too much for some but I like it when trying to tame a bright setup.

Both could be classify as midcentric but they excel in bass too. The Sylvania is much clearer though compared to the RCA. Clearer in the sense that it is not as dense in texture as the RCA.

 

[UntilThen]

If I have the T1, should I get these? Or rather hold out for a good deal on the HD800?

At the expense of over simplifying, HD800, T1, HE560 and HD600 are residents of the North Pole. They just have different Eskimos feathers.

HD650, Focal Elear, HE500, LCD2.2 and a particular ZMF Atticucs (I'm sure I have the spelling wrong here) are residents of the South Pole. They are not call Eskimos. I don't know what they are call but don't you ever challenge them on their bass. They will boom you.

So if you only want 2 headphones, which I think is a very wise move, you should marry a North Pole and a South Pole...... to get a Mid Pole.

Just remember UT tell you so in his own words on the above ......

 

[UntilThen]

I've talked further about

I hope I'm not offending your musical tastes here but at least I'm offering a pretty 21-yo face in return!

You nail it again with that pretty face. You sure you're not a carpenter.... instead of an architect?

 

[UntilThen]

This is my place holder for a chart of 6as7 / 6080 power tubes and all recommended power tubes for Elise / Euforia.

Sadly the chart tool isn't available anymore with this new Head-Fi layout. So I'll have to use bullet points......

 

[angpsi]

I've talked further about


You nail it again with that pretty face. You sure you're not a carpenter.... instead of an architect?

Looks like I'm on a roll; I'll quit while I'm ahead and wait for your pending masterpiece on bullet points!

 

[UntilThen]

Thanks for your kind words UT, looks like you and all of the original crowd in this thread have been waiting more than patiently for all us newbies to catch up!

I just want you to know that no one is born an expert in tubes. They learn the trade from personal experience. Nothing like hearing it for yourself.

So anyone here can be an 'expert' with tubes if they sink their hours and wallet in it. However it's a heavy price, let me warn you. You might end up being a seller !!!

 

[angpsi]

You sure you're not a carpenter.... instead of an architect?

Or, I'll do your deck for a whiff of the Yggy and a ride with your specialist bike!