Feliks-Audio ELISE...New thread.

[JazzVinyl]

It's good to hear I'm not the only one that thinks the EL3N sounds dull. I had to switch them out for the stock Tung-sols because it was driving me nuts. I'm still burning in though so we will see. I don't know if I can stand them for 30 more hours though. No offense to everyone that loves the EL3N.

JV, I have the T1s so that's not what make them different.

My observation is the EL3N are missing a lot of the midbass sonic range.

Mine are swamped with bass. Too much bass for DT-990 and why they made the thin-SENN's sound good.
But my pair seem to be minus any real anything past midrange. Sounds like there are no cymbals played on any song. Mine also have a TALL soundstage but not a wide one.....

Maybe some that were sold were not up to par?

And the folks reporting great glory from them have better examples?

 

[jerick70]

Mine are swamped with bass. Too much bass for DT-990 and why they made the thin-SENN's sound good.
But my pair seem to be minus any real anything past midrange. Sounds like there are no cymbals played on any song. Mine also have a TALL soundstage but not a wide one.....

Maybe some that were sold were not up to par?

And the folks reporting great glory from them have better examples?

It very well could be that our tubes are diminshed in some way. We would need a tube tester to be sure.

One other thought is we could have malfunctioning adapters.

 

[JazzVinyl]

It very well could be that our tubes are diminshed in some way. We would need a tube tester to be sure.

One other thought is we could have malfunctioning adapters.

If my adapters are bad, they are both bad the exact same way.

Not sure, but my pair are not delivering "holy grail" sound. They do sound great in that low range but no treble and the very odd sound stage...

Wonder what Suuup thinks of his.

 

[jerick70]

The T1 does not have any comfort issues at all! They're almost as comfortable as the 990. They're just a tad bit heavier, and a bit more loose. I'm trying different pads because @jerick70
 asked about leather pads on the T1, and I had a pair laying around (from my 1770). They're not great with the T1 though, neither the leather nor the velour. Stock T1 pads are great though.

Suuup thanks again for testing this for me! I'm a bit bummed though, I really prefer leather pads. I'll have to see if I can find some custom pads that don't change the acoustic properties of the headphone.

 

[hypnos1]

If my adapters are bad, they are both bad the exact same way.

Not sure, but my pair are not delivering "holy grail" sound. They do sound great in that low range but no treble and the very odd sound stage...

Wonder what Suuup thinks of his.

 
Hi JV...strange indeed, your and j70's findings. It's a real shame you don't seem to be getting what I and others have found with these tubes. I doubt Peter's NOS tubes would vary that much, and it's very doubtful both adapters would be below par.
 
I can understand differences in preference, but not the degree of lack that you guys are mentioning. A probable explanation comes down - once again - to the rest of the system : as just an example, I once tried the excellent ibasso DX90 DAP, that has dual ESS Sabre DACs (but only the 'M' version), and it came nowhere near the 'full' Sabre in my Audiolab 8200CD...nor the Wolfson in my Oppo BDP103. The shortfall was very much in line with what you yourself find missing. And then there's the headphones, of course. Plus, some would say cables etc. etc., but these to a lesser degree no doubt, probably.
 
Anyway, we look forward to everyone elses' findings as they come on line with these EL3Ns...at the moment, at least, there seem to be more in favour of them than against. But, of course, the most important thing is that we have a wonderful choice of tubes....something for everyone, lol!! 

 

.....HAPPY LISTENING!

 

[DecentLevi]

So I'm making a down payment for my Eeleslie... uhmm sowy I cULDn't speel it so I orderet an Elsie instead...

Well I'm not sure if it's the Elsie or... Elvira? but hey it leest the color is the same so maybe the sownd won't be to off.
 
 
Then I sought a couple tubez but this is all I coold fined so this conbo will have to do:
  + 
 
 
Finally I set owt for some headcones but this was all I could find:

 
 
 
Is it just me, or does it seem like I've got some wires crossed?

 
 
 
continue reading...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
wait for it...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Early April fools day joke! 

I'm getting the real Elise, and I do have English skills - I used to be a teacher 

 

 

 
PS- @Lorspeaker for some reason I think you may have something to add.
 

 

[Suuup]

I cannot make up my mind about these EL3N...

 

[DecentLevi]

So my only theories on why some aren't enjoying the same EL3N sound others are could be down to hearing (some of you may unknowingly not be able to hear high frequencies so may not notice it being rolled off). Or it seems more likely a fluke pair of tubes or fluke variation in the specific Elise used that doesn't make it sound as good on some amps. Or just more burn in could help.
 
Yup I'll be on board in around 2 months when mine is built, and I already have 2 GE 6AS7GA, 2 EL3N's and 2 FDD20's (thanks to UT  

 )

 

[UntilThen]

I share your sentiments @hypnos1. I find the EL3N nothing short of spectacular. I remember @CITIZENLIN 's reaction when he came online to tell us about the sound he's getting from EL3N. It was quite funny to read his impressions but he was clearly overjoyed.
 
This afternoon was very hot. So I move Elise to the lounge for some aircon comfort. I use the Fiio X5 DAP as source to Elise. For tubes, I selected quad EL3N, EL3N and 5998, then later C3G and 5998. I was shocked at the lack of details and clarity. The sound is bassy and very unimpressive. C3G fared a bit better but still seems lacking. It was quite a revelation. This is not the sound I was getting all along.
 
I move Elise back to my listening den. Hook up iMac > NAD d1050 > Elise > T1 and hey presto, the magic's back. Details galore and crystal clear. The whole FR was impressive. Bass no longer dominates. What I'm getting is euphonic sound. 
 
To date, Peter's stock of 80 plus NOS EL3N tubes have been sold out. The seller on eBay have so far sold 40 tubes. It would be interesting to get more feedback.
 
However, it's all about enjoying music with your choice of gear and tubes for Elise. There's lots of tubes combination to suit everyone.
 
Happy listening 

 

 

[UntilThen]

  So my only theories on why some aren't enjoying the same EL3N sound others are could be down to hearing (some of you may unknowingly not be able to hear high frequencies so may not notice it being rolled off). Or it seems more likely a fluke pair of tubes or fluke variation in the specific Elise used that doesn't make it sound as good on some amps. Or just more burn in could help.
 
Yup I'll be on board in around 2 months when mine is built, and I already have 2 GE 6AS7GA, 2 EL3N's and 2 FDD20's (thanks to UT  

 )

You ordered Elise? Congrats lol. If those GE 6AS7GA, EL3N and FDD20 don't impress you, I've gone fishing for good.

 

[pctazhp]

  The link I post earlier from sacdlover gave a brief description of 6BL7GT, 6BL7GTA and 6BX7 and from that I gather there's a difference in tone. Will leave you to explore this Mordy. I've ordered 4 GE 6BL7GTA and will proceed with that first. 

 
pct, it's making my head spin too now. 

 
Dreaming of HD800S? Probably a good thing to do. Looks like your head-fi journey has pick up speed rapidly. Was it you or someone else who said they only wanted to buy a pair of tubes. 

 

Yeah. I think that was me)))
 
My head-fi journey is a lot more dangerous than my past audiophile journey. The internet didn't exist or was in its infancy back then, so I couldn't order something new with just the click of a mouse. Fortunately, headphone stuff is generally a lot less expensive than speaker based systems.
 
I feel like I have kind of hit a plateau with the tubes. I'm pretty happy with the EL3Ns in the drivers seat. The power tubes don't seem as important.
 
I have tried my FDD20s briefly. Unfortunately, I've got a hum problem. I suspect it may be the tubes themselves. The hum is totally independent of the volume level on the Elise. It exists even with the volume at zero. With the Philips miniwatts, the hum is only on one side. The hum with the RVC is less but is on both sides. What is baffling for me is the fact that the hum exists even with the volume on zero. I don't have a lot of time to deal with it today. Maybe the tubes need to burn in. Right now I'm listening to the RVCs and the hum isn't much of a problem.
 
I can see the appeal the FDD20s have for some people. There does seem to be more "sparkle". With the HD700s, it's almost too much treble, but that is a very preliminary impression.
 
I'm really going to have to do more serious listening when I have time to assess FDD20 drivers vs EL3N drivers. It does seem strange that people are having such different experiences with the EL3Ns. I find it hard to believe that is mainly attributable to the DAC. I recognize that DACs can certainly affect the sound, but hardly to the extent that would explain why some love the EL3Ns and other find them very dull.
 
Anyway, I have orders a second pair of EL3N adapters from Mrs. Xuling and will try the quad approach when I get them. I already have a second pair of EL3Ns. And will be anxious to see how you do with 6 (or 8????)

 

[Lorspeaker]

specially for @UntilThen and @hypnos1 
 

 

[hypnos1]

WELL DONE!!, @DecentLevi...glad you've finally jumped on board - not surprising really, given the onslaught from all of us here, lol!

. But I'm quite sure you won't hold that against us, once she is in your eager arms...and ears!!

. And at least you probably won't have to endure too long a period of multiple tube rollings - you've done the sensible thing of letting us find out first!!

...wise fellow, LOL...

...
 
Now the wait begins...

...

 

[hypnos1]

  specially for @UntilThen and @hypnos1 
 

 
You're too kind, L....great song!

...

 

[Fervent]

Estimated shipment in 7 weeks. I'll be an old(er) man by then!
 
 
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by UntilThen /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
ps even with stock tubes, your HD650 will sing like never before. You will love the HD650 like a new toy.
 
pps you don't need fancy RCA cable. Just get plain vanilla ones. If you really must spend then get Audioquest Green RCA interconnects.

 
Decided to go for "performance" RCA plugs anyway and went for the Atlas Element Integra which had recieved favorable reviews.
Found a very interesting article on the topic which didn't seem very biased in any particular direction.
 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10827699/Crossed-wires-are-expensive-cables-a-waste-of-money.html