Shaffer, Renderman, gibosi - and anyone else interested in the ECC31 - an update.
Encouraged by a past indication we should be OK with 1A heater drivers, I have taken the plunge and paired my Mullard with the now adapted QTL (another Mullard, which I believe they all are, regardless of brand) and have to admit they have knocked my favourite tube - the Siemens C3g'S' - off its perch. Something I never thought would happen, lol! (but with certain reservations).
With just 20+ hours on them (but only 5 on the adapted section of the QTL), I think I can honestly confirm what others with much more expensive equipment have already stated (with the basically same ECC32)...ie this tube is probably better than ANY 6SN7 on the planet (subject to personal preference of course).
The first main impression is just how SMOOTH and effortless is its presentation. And this is across the entire frequency range. Balance, harmonious integration and perfect control are immediately apparent - you know straight away you are in the presence of something very special indeed.
Clarity, detail, instrument separation are on a par with the C3g (which I personally believe is bettered by VERY few tubes, at ANY cost). Soundstage is wide, with great imaging, and plenty of 'air'. A word that keeps popping into the mind is (tremendous) CONTROL, but not in any kind of cold, clinical sense...rather a wonderful NATURAL way. Nothing tries to dominate...and even the deep, strong bass doesn't impinge in any way at all. The mids give a very seductive 'sheen' to the whole sound, which is where it does have the edge over the C3g. Coupled with a detailed, smoother treble, it handles much better any recording's tendency to sibilance, which can sometimes be the C3g's achilles heel depending on the rest of one's gear...and ears!
The overall presentation is very dynamic and 'full', which the Elise can handle supremely well, so as not to be too overwhelming/tiring. Once again, CONTROLled power is evident here.
In conclusion, I suspect (IMHO) there is no other driver that the Elise can handle - with certain provisos - to match this ECC31/32/CV181.
And the reservations/provisos? :
Sound wise... at the moment, the C3g's greater treble
extension and decay do bring an extra 'sparkle' to the sound, which helps provide slightly more air and openness. But for some, this can appear a negative 'sharpness'. Or a 'lightness' as opposed to 'fullness'. Different cans will of course accentuate or diminish such aspects.
Price wise...with the ECC31 going for MUCH less than the 32/CV181 - even with the necessary adapters - I personally think they are tremendous value-for-money, even at about $200 a pair. I would honestly advise to forego any extensive tube 'rolling' and just seek out a pair of these. And as I am getting stellar performance from a '40s tube paired with a '50s one - no untoward anomalies whatsoever - I don't believe you need to worry at all about 'matched' tubes. After all, I have been getting fabulous results when paired with a C3g!!...
However, so long as the Lorenz C3gs (gold pins) are available from german ebayer omesa-electronics at 19 Euros plus 9 shipping each... (for how long who knows, with just 4 released at a time)...these must actually be a better buy, if the 31s are in fact a bit too pricey. But, of course, C3g adapters for the Elise are not commercially available...
Compatibility wise...although the Feliks-Audio guys can't officially sanction use of the ECC31, as yet I have encountered no problems whatsoever. The higher heater current draw does have the transformer running a good bit hotter - the 31/C3g combo is not too bad at all, and with 2x 31s I can still just about keep my hand on the top of the transformer housing - a measured 42C, with 25C ambient temp. - (the case stays just warm). And this is at 4.5 hours' running.
So now I'm in somewhat of a dilemna. The two 31s sound so SWEET, and as gibosi hinted to me,SEDUCTIVE! Whether I can live without the C3g's extra sparkle and air, only time will tell. But of course, it's easy enough to swap them around as the mood takes...which I most probably will do, lol! (Who says you can't have TWO loves?!
).
Hope this has given a little food for thought...and of course thanks must go to gibosi for introducing this wonderful tube to us (especially as I had discounted the CV181 a long time ago in the LD days due to its prohibitive cost, even though recommended by guys at the top of their game). CHEERS, g!
ps. A pair of NOS Mullards have just gone on ebay for $115...an absolute steal!!
pps. Another pic :
Great time to relax and just listen to the music.
