Feliks Audio ENVY

[jamespitt]

Envy is an OTC, not an OTL. Output Transformer Coupled versus Output Transformer Less.
The difference is that you can drive basically any demanding planar with OTC's, with OTL's you kinda only want dynamic drivers, in the best case high impedance ones. Some easier to drive planars are also ok, but for the harder to drive stuff (problems may start with the Caldera, the 1266TC is too much, not even speaking of Immanis / Susvara and so on) you need a transformer coupled tube amp, and a good transformer is really expensive.
If you don't have demanding planars and only dynamic drivers, an OTL is the way to go.
Also: 300B tubes are seen as the best audiophile tubes in the hobby. They can sound absolutely marvelous.

I feel you. But the sound they produce is just nuts. And i think the vast majority has zero problems with their TM's, me included. But yeah, they are very expensive.

Envy is an OTC, not an OTL. Output Transformer Coupled versus Output Transformer Less.
The difference is that you can drive basically any demanding planar with OTC's, with OTL's you kinda only want dynamic drivers, in the best case high impedance ones. Some easier to drive planars are also ok, but for the harder to drive stuff (problems may start with the Caldera, the 1266TC is too much, not even speaking of Immanis / Susvara and so on) you need a transformer coupled tube amp, and a good transformer is really expensive.
If you don't have demanding planars and only dynamic drivers, an OTL is the way to go.
Also: 300B tubes are seen as the best audiophile tubes in the hobby. They can sound absolutely marvelous.

I feel you. But the sound they produce is just nuts. And i think the vast majority has zero problems with their TM's, me included. But yeah, they are very expensive.

Thanks for your reply. Are there any viable OTC alternatives to the Envy? I have Meze Elite and ZMF Atrium closed, the Meze being the daily driver.

 

[Exekuhtor]

Thanks for your reply. Are there any viable OTC alternatives to the Envy? I have Meze Elite and ZMF Atrium closed, the Meze being the daily driver.

OTC's are very expensive, the Envy was the first readily available OTC in europe well below 10k€, which is why it got its popularity status.
The Meze Elite is very easy to drive, so a good OTL like an Euforia EVO will be enough, despite it being a planar. In this case it surely won't be a problem. The Atrium will love it for sure. Keep in mind that rolling the power tubes of the Evo will be hard since they are not commonly used / readily available tubes, but maybe you don't need / want to roll them. I haven't heard it personally, but it does seem like a very good OTL amp.

 

[MatW]

I had the original Euforia and it paired quite well with the Elite and Atrium. The Envy might be overkill for these headphones.

 

[jamespitt]

OTC's are very expensive, the Envy was the first readily available OTC in europe well below 10k€, which is why it got its popularity status.
The Meze Elite is very easy to drive, so a good OTL like an Euforia EVO will be enough, despite it being a planar. The Atrium will love it for sure. Keep in mind that rolling the power tubes of the Evo will be hard since they are not commonly used / readily available tubes, but maybe you don't need / want to roll t

I had the original Euforia and it paired quite well with the Elite and Atrium. The Envy might be overkill for these headphones.

Many thanks for the feedback! I expect Euforia Evo is the solution. Much appreciated

 

[turbofeet]

Thanks Ike. Not sure if I'll like them or not, I don't think I will but I've no fear of trying something new so we'll see. I still get a buzz form listening to new tubes. (also need to go get a pair of RCA grey glass then that's 6SN7 pretty much done for me)

Using Envy as pre also lessens the effect of driver so I'll hold onto these until the XA comes back from mod before moving on.

From the pic you posted the "holed anodes" look dull in colour rather than shiny.

I am only familiar with the shiny hole anode ones from 1976 and the dull holed anode ones from 1982.

The earlier ones are definitely more extended which potentially is what folks are talking about (potentially too much detail for some) but the 80s ones are also very detailed but a bit less so which may well be preferable. Both are very clean eith great dynamics.

There are apparently ones from 50s and 60s which are also meant to be superb but I've never heard them.

I really hope they are good ones. At least you have the metal mouse ears which is a good sign.

I'm sure you'll share your impressions so looking forward to that

 

[Doug2507]

There are apparently ones from 50s and 60s which are also meant to be superb but I've never heard them.

Yeah, keeping a casual eye out for a good pair. There's not many tubes I've listened to where the later ones sound better so a pair of foil getter 1578 are on the radar, just not easy to find.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Many thanks for the feedback! I expect Euforia Evo is the solution. Much appreciated

A little late to chime in now, but the Euforia EVO is an excellent pairing for Atrium and Elite

 

[jamespitt]

A little late to chime in now, but the Euforia EVO is an excellent pairing for Atrium and Elite

Not late at all - I am looking to push the button very soon but great to hear this feedback. Many thanks

 

[vcoheda]

memorial day sale at upscale audio. buy Envy, get free WE 300Bs.

https://upscaleaudio.com/products/f...KPj_A-N_vZOPhCcyCIkMxhgdZi8GwDoQcEY2F8RmuwMHJ

 

[Somatic]

This is what Felik's camp said about DAC voltage. I am using XLR on my Dave as that cable is much better. I had it at -3db. I believe I was feeding the Envy 6V lol. Switched to -19db xlr on Dave, I think that is 1V. Sounds better. LOL

1V will make it match the sensitivity, so yes - it`s ideal. Nevertheless still using the 2-4V is also a good option.
best regards,
Piotr

I was doing some listening tests and 1V from the Dave seems to be ideal. Also my issue with crescendo passages has gone away.

So by having my Dac output voltage so high before, what was I actually doing compared to feeding it 1V? Thanks

*Side note, this is using the DCA Stealths, I may need to feed the Envy more juice when using the Susvara.

 

[MatW]

This is what Felik's camp said about DAC voltage. I am using XLR on my Dave as that cable is much better. I had it at -3db. I believe I was feeding the Envy 6V lol. Switched to -19db xlr on Dave, I think that is 1V. Sounds better. LOL

1V will make it match the sensitivity, so yes - it`s ideal. Nevertheless still using the 2-4V is also a good option.
best regards,
Piotr

They are far from clear on this. When I asked Feliks about the 1V mentioned in the manual they told me that 1V is the minimum incoming voltage. And that it should be perfectly fine to pair the Envy with the Holo May, which puts out 2.9V in SE. But that turned out to be way too hot, with very little room on the volume wheel. Fortunately I had the Bliss which I now use as a preamp.

Let’s just say that Feliks were quite “optimistic” in their answer to my query. Also what they’re stating above - that 2-4V should be fine - is not the case in my view.

Regarding your point about the Susvara. I put the Envy in medium gain for Susvara, with considerable attenuation of the incoming signal through the preamp. I don’t think I’ll ever have to put the Envy in high gain.

 

[Doug2507]

This is what Felik's camp said about DAC voltage. I am using XLR on my Dave as that cable is much better. I had it at -3db. I believe I was feeding the Envy 6V lol. Switched to -19db xlr on Dave, I think that is 1V. Sounds better. LOL

1V will make it match the sensitivity, so yes - it`s ideal. Nevertheless still using the 2-4V is also a good option.
best regards,
Piotr

I was doing some listening tests and 1V from the Dave seems to be ideal. Also my issue with crescendo passages has gone away.

So by having my Dac output voltage so high before, what was I actually doing compared to feeding it 1V? Thanks

*Side note, this is using the DCA Stealths, I may need to feed the Envy more juice when using the Susvara.

Somebody like @BassicScience or @KaiSc might be able to answer that accurately for you...

From chat with Piotr previously, I think the ideal input voltage is 1.2v but as he says, it will take up to 4v. Something to give serious consideration to when using a DAC with digital attenuation, even WDRS which Nicolae mentioned in interview that - 20-30dB drop is about as much as you want to go with it. Think I had it at - 36dB to keep Envy volume at 12 o'clock (optimal operating range being 9-1 o'clock, so confirmed by Piotr previously).

 

[turbofeet]

This is what Felik's camp said about DAC voltage. I am using XLR on my Dave as that cable is much better. I had it at -3db. I believe I was feeding the Envy 6V lol. Switched to -19db xlr on Dave, I think that is 1V. Sounds better. LOL

1V will make it match the sensitivity, so yes - it`s ideal. Nevertheless still using the 2-4V is also a good option.
best regards,
Piotr

I was doing some listening tests and 1V from the Dave seems to be ideal. Also my issue with crescendo passages has gone away.

So by having my Dac output voltage so high before, what was I actually doing compared to feeding it 1V? Thanks

*Side note, this is using the DCA Stealths, I may need to feed the Envy more juice when using the Susvara.

Hmm a fair point my Grimm was at almost 0db and the Envy is only not even dialled a quarter of the way up and it's quite loud even on medium gain.

I've asked Grimm what voltage that actually is. I suspect it's pretty high.

 

[Frankie D]

They are far from clear on this. When I asked Feliks about the 1V mentioned in the manual they told me that 1V is the minimum incoming voltage. And that it should be perfectly fine to pair the Envy with the Holo May, which puts out 2.9V in SE. But that turned out to be way too hot, with very little room on the volume wheel. Fortunately I had the Bliss which I now use as a preamp.

Let’s just say that Feliks were quite “optimistic” in their answer to my query. Also what they’re stating above - that 2-4V should be fine - is not the case in my view.

Regarding your point about the Susvara. I put the Envy in medium gain for Susvara, with considerable attenuation of the incoming signal through the preamp. I don’t think I’ll ever have to put the Envy in high gain.

I use the Holo May with my AE, and yes, position 2 sounds best to me for the Susvara. I basically use the first 25% and at times higher, but not past 10:00 on the volume control. Thankfully the volume control is excellent and there is no sound imbalance between left and right channels. So I find no issue with the 2.9V signal other then using only 25% of its range. I can also see why Feliks Audio might say 1V is better to have more control.

When you use the Bliss as a preamp do you then use the Bliss as the volume control or do you set it at a specific value and use the Envy’s control? I have not tried it and was curious how to best do it. Tks.

 

[MatW]

So I find no issue with the 2.9V signal other then using only 25% of its range.

That is with Susvara though, Frankie. I also use the Envy with lots of less demanding headphones, e.g. Meze or ZMF headphones, and with those I really cannot use the Envy without a preamp. This is with the 2.9V SE coming in from the May, rather than the 5.8V balanced.

When you use the Bliss as a preamp do you then use the Bliss as the volume control or do you set it at a specific value and use the Envy’s control? I have not tried it and was curious how to best do it. Tks.

I put the Bliss at the volume required to maintain the Envy volume knob at around noon, which works out to -15 to -25, depending on the headphones. This is with the Envy in low gain for most headphones (except Susvara). For minor volume adjustments I find myself adjusting the preamp volume rather than the Envy volume control. Either works fine though.