Feliks Audio ENVY

[kuttisrank]

After lurking for awhile in this thread, I finally pulled the trigger and got myself an Envy a couple months back. I've been running it exclusively with the stock Full Music tubes for the past months and love the sound so far. But just today I changed the tube to the new production WE300b and boy it was one hell of an upgrade. Immediately everything sounds better; blacker background, more extended highs and lows, and vocals are so lush and seductive. I would say the WE is similar in terms of sound characteristic with the FM, but just better in every aspect.

I believe this amp is the closest thing to a time machine—what started as a 30-minute listening session turned into two hours of pure musical bliss. Where did all the time go?

I finally understand how capable the Envy is and tube rolling is a definitely a must for this amp! The beautiful blue light is definitely a plus, especially as a companion for late-night listening.

What are your driver tubes?

 

[Nielsh82]

Oh dear, the tube rabbit hole is on its way! I had a pair of 1963 Melz 1578’s which were very good but I did eventually move them on. Be interesting to know your thoughts once you have compared your Melz to your Quad of Tungsol 6J5GT VT-94D’s.

The tube virus is real. It caught me quickly and there's no way to hide anymore....

Guess that's what you get when investing in such a capable tube amp and have been programmed to keep chasing better sound

 

[kuttisrank]

The tube virus is real. It caught me quickly and there's no way to hide anymore....

Guess that's what you get when investing in such a capable tube amp and have been programmed to keep chasing better sound

@Nielsh82 Are you the one who bought the last pair of Melz tubes available in Amazon? When I recently checked for my friend, all tubes are sold out. lol

 

[Nielsh82]

@Nielsh82 Are you the one who bought the last pair of Melz tubes available in Amazon? When I recently checked for my friend, all tubes are sold out. lol

I bought the ones from eBay that @turbofeet posted about recently.

 

[BiscuitHammer]

What are your driver tubes?

I am using Wathen Cryotone 6SN7 (https://wathenspeakers.com/store/p10/6SN7-WC.html). Compared to the stock psvane, I think they sound smoother and fuller without losing the transparency and detail on the high notes. The low end sounds deeper with better layering, albeit with a smaller soundstage but more accurate depth.

All in all, the stock psvane tubes sound harsher to me but wins at having a bigger soundstage (although to my ears the soundstage sounds artificial like putting a dolby atmos filter? I can't find the right words to describe it)

 

[kuttisrank]

Today I received an offer for a matched pair of Telefunken G73R tubes-a set that’s been on my wishlist for quite some time. I’m seriously considering going for it, but I’d like to sleep on the decision. In the meantime, I’d really appreciate any insights or advice from the experienced members here. If you have experience with these tubes or thoughts on what to look out for, your input would be invaluable before I make the final call. Thanks in advance!

 

[DeeT79]

Today I received an offer for a matched pair of Telefunken G73R tubes-a set that’s been on my wishlist for quite some time. I’m seriously considering going for it, but I’d like to sleep on the decision. In the meantime, I’d really appreciate any insights or advice from the experienced members here. If you have experience with these tubes or thoughts on what to look out for, your input would be invaluable before I make the final call. Thanks in advance!

The Telefunken G73R are the best set of driver tubes that I have in my collection. They are extremely detailed, transparent with no noise, with pinpoint accuracy in instrument separation on my system. They are the best 12AU7 tubes that I've heard although I have some 1960s Mullard ECC82 and some Brimar CV4003 12AU7 tubes that are very good. Gain is slightly lower than 6SN7 tubes, but not a significant issue.

The most prominent feature to look out for is the diamond. The diamond should be protruding outward from the glass versus a diamond that is engraved in the glass.

What's the asking price? These tubes tend to be very pricey these days.

 

[Doug2507]

Today I received an offer for a matched pair of Telefunken G73R tubes-a set that’s been on my wishlist for quite some time. I’m seriously considering going for it, but I’d like to sleep on the decision. In the meantime, I’d really appreciate any insights or advice from the experienced members here. If you have experience with these tubes or thoughts on what to look out for, your input would be invaluable before I make the final call. Thanks in advance!

Ask for testing measurements and confirm if free from noise.

 

[kuttisrank]

@DeeT79 Thanks for the tip on diamond marking. Asked him to send detailed pictures of it to see if all is good. Asking price is around 600 euro.
@Doug2507 Already pinged him asking for the testing measurements which he will furnish soon.

Thank you.

 

[turbofeet]

These are genuine but very pricey! You also need adapters as well.

 

[Doug2507]

@DeeT79 Thanks for the tip on diamond marking. Asked him to send detailed pictures of it to see if all is good. Asking price is around 600 euro.
@Doug2507 Already pinged him asking for the testing measurements which he will furnish soon.

Thank you.

They're £400/pair on ebay from Hanoi (the only (never-ending) source for them).

 

[Exekuhtor]

Honestly, don't buy BrimarCV1988 for 500€+. Get nice adapters and use JJ E88CC / 6922 Gold JJ Electronic tubes. Love Deyans work.
They slam super hard and are warm without being bloated in the midrange.
Seems like i'll buy a few more 6922's...

 

[Doug2507]

Honestly, don't buy BrimarCV1988 for 500€+. Get nice adapters and use JJ E88CC / 6922 Gold JJ Electronic tubes. Love Deyans work.
They slam super hard and are warm without being bloated in the midrange.
Seems like i'll buy a few more 6922's...

Oh wow, E88CC? Did you speak to Piotr about running those?

 

[Exekuhtor]

Oh wow, E88CC? Did you speak to Piotr about running those?

They run beautifully (up to now, tested for like an hour, hehe) and there were already other people (also in this thread) which uses 6922's (or equivalent tubes) as far as i know.
If my Envy explodes i'm gonna let you know!

This is what google AI says:
To replace an E88CC (or ECC88) tube with a 6SN7, you'll need a socket adapter. The E88CC is a 9-pin Noval base while the 6SN7 is an 8-pin Octal base. Adapters, like the "6SN7 to E88CC" variety, will convert the 9-pin socket to the 8-pin, allowing you to use a 6SN7 where an E88CC was intended. These adapters ensure proper electrical connections and pinouts.

That's the other way around, but yeah, it works, no problems (yet).

 

[Djankie]

Honestly, don't buy BrimarCV1988 for 500€+. Get nice adapters and use JJ E88CC / 6922 Gold JJ Electronic tubes. Love Deyans work.
They slam super hard and are warm without being bloated in the midrange.
Seems like i'll buy a few more 6922's...

Have you compared this with the melz?