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

[DecentLevi]

Interesting upgraded cable impressions here with my Elise / LC amp using three heapdhones:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/197776/sennheiser-hd650-impressions-thread/38130#post_13345128

 

[Wreckgar7]

Hi guys, need some help here, ive asked the swedish radiomuseum if they have any EL11 tubes for sale, and the reply was that they have 2 different kinds: 6V DC and 6.3V AC, which one is correct?

Anyone?

 

[UntilThen]

Wreckgar it's 6.3v

 

[UntilThen]

DL you won't find a dark sound signature with EF86.

 

[Wreckgar7]

Wreckgar it's 6.3v

Great thanks btw, has anyone tried The tung sol 6080? I got them cheap and really loving them, i like The El12N also but the 6080 paired with EL11 got a really special depth to them

 

[UntilThen]

Great thanks

btw, has anyone tried The tung sol 6080? I got them cheap and really loving them, i like The El12N also but the 6080 paired with EL11 got a really special depth to them

 
Wreck, I have tried EL11 with most power tubes and it's a good tone. The 6080 that I tried with - Mullard and RCA - both are pretty interesting tones with EL11. Glad you're enjoying your Elise and the EL tubes.
 
Your feedback is always welcome.

 

[richdytch]

I ordered two Valvo EL12 tubes from different suppliers in Germany on Friday and both arrived this morning. Obviously it's very early days, but at the moment I'd say they sound slightly fuller than the EL12N. No doubt they'll develop for a long time, but at the moment they're sounding very nice with plenty of bass weight - making my little 25 watts of speaker amp sound very meaty. Pleasant detail although at this point not as much air... not as extended into the treble, as the EL12N. I wonder if they'll head a little more in that direction. Still waiting really for the sense of fluidity and depth I'm sure they'll have, to develop. Interesting that at the moment, I still experience a dissonance between female voices on Philippe Hereweghe's Mass in B minor (the third version) which was something I always wanted to get rid of - it was my benchmark for the eradication of distortion. The EL12N managed it straight out of the box, and I'm sure the EL12s will once they've woken up. 
 
Got another pair of adapters coming from Mrs X, so soon I should be running the RFT EL12Ns as drivers, with the Valvo EL12s as powers. Quite excited to hear how that sounds. Then, I'll just live with the combo for a few weeks and see how I get on. 

 

[UntilThen]

Rich, EL12N is more sparkling than EL12. Together they make for a very interesting lively tone. I love it and so does Howie. Just listening to your descriptions, I think you will like it too. 
 
Now this is again different. More sparkling, the EF86 will make any power tube come alive. Paired here with the cheap GE 6AS7GA, quality sound has never been more affordable in Elise. As I said before, treble extensions on the EF86 is superb and now with more burn in, it's taken on a more meaty tone too. Not as meaty as EL12 but a nice good weight. Who knows what will happen when the tube has more hours in it. I sure hope it doesn't become King Kong.
 

 

[Frederick Rea]

For turntable fans:
https://www.facebook.com/sempre.audio.at/photos/a.10150171533072110.341825.94997772109/10154915245167110/?type=3&theater

 

[HOWIE13]

   
Wreck, I have tried EL11 with most power tubes and it's a good tone. The 6080 that I tried with - Mullard and RCA - both are pretty interesting tones with EL11. Glad you're enjoying your Elise and the EL tubes.
 
Your feedback is always welcome.

Great work discovering and describing the new EF80/86 tubes-sounds like they will have a place in our collection of recomendables, especially EF86. 

 
I've bought a couple of EF86 RFT's and will also purchase a pair of so called 'mesh plate' ones too, maybe Mullards. They mostly look like mesh shields though.
 
Will have a good look once I have them in my hands.

 

[HOWIE13]

Great thanks

btw, has anyone tried The tung sol 6080? I got them cheap and really loving them, i like The El12N also but the 6080 paired with EL11 got a really special depth to them

 
Yep, those Tung-Sol's are my favourite 6068 of all the ones I've tried. They for me combine clarity of tone with warmth and richness. They are generally very quiet too.
 
I have not yet tried them with EL11 tubes yet though.
 
Have fun experimenting.

 

[UntilThen]

  Great work discovering and describing the new EF80/86 tubes-sounds like they will have a place in our collection of recomendables, especially EF86. 

 
I've bought a couple of EF86 RFT's and will also purchase a pair of so called 'mesh plate' ones too, maybe Mullards. They mostly look like mesh shields though.
 
Will have a good look once I have them in my hands.

 
Read this for best EF86 manufacturer's recommendation. Guy name Oliver seems to know what he's talking about. 
http://prorecordingworkshop.lefora.com/topic/3849602/EF86-manufacturer-recommendations#.WMrDRjuGObg
 
However I wouldn't worry too much about the expensive NOS brands first. Try the EF86 first and see if you like the tone. The Svetlana and RFT EF86 that I have sounds just so good to me. Going through my repertorie of songs and the rich and detailed sound is a joy to listen to.
 
A word of caution. The EF86 tubes on the 1st 2 days sounded bright and Elise's auto bias was working overtime to settle it. 

 There were moments in those early listening sessions where I thought I heard slight distortions and at times low volume even with 6as7g power tubes. This has vanished now and all I get is a glorious tone. I'm still rolling with EF86 and GE 6as7ga. 

 
This will be the last few days of tube rolling on Elise for me before Euforia lands. Anticipation, anticipations......

 

[richdytch]

  Rich, EL12N is more sparkling than EL12. Together they make for a very interesting lively tone. I love it and so does Howie. Just listening to your descriptions, I think you will like it too. 
 
Now this is again different. More sparkling, the EF86 will make any power tube come alive. Paired here with the cheap GE 6AS7GA, quality sound has never been more affordable in Elise. As I said before, treble extensions on the EF86 is superb and now with more burn in, it's taken on a more meaty tone too. Not as meaty as EL12 but a nice good weight. Who knows what will happen when the tube has more hours in it. I sure hope it doesn't become King Kong.
 

 
Hi UT, very interesting. I'm always up for affordable ways to get good results. Right now, seriously enjoying the Valvo EL12 with EL3N... and for the money it's cost it's quite amazing. I'll definitely be acquiring another few pairs of EL12/EL12N over the coming months, as a stash for future-protection. Might even try some EF86 along the way, but for this month, I am spent up. 

 

[Frederick Rea]

A little out of the current context but of equal interest for those who demand very good music: referring to MQA in CD format:
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/03/16/mqa-to-be-released-on-cd/

 

[UntilThen]

   
Hi UT, very interesting. I'm always up for affordable ways to get good results. Right now, seriously enjoying the Valvo EL12 with EL3N... and for the money it's cost it's quite amazing. I'll definitely be acquiring another few pairs of EL12/EL12N over the coming months, as a stash for future-protection. Might even try some EF86 along the way, but for this month, I am spent up. 

 
I'll be doing a glorious review of light bulbs soon. To steer others away from EL and EF tubes so as to preserve the dwindling supply of those tubes. 

 
Glad you're enjoying EL3N and EL12 but you'll find the EL12N and EL12 more than a subtle change.