Bottom line for me I guess at this point is that this is a Euforia amp thread. Even though I've been the biggest offender in taking it off topic to DACs, I want to get away from that. I'm sure it turns some people off, and there are plenty of DAC threads here on HeadFi for those who are interested.
Right now, I love my system. My favorite driver is Sylvania 6SN7-WTG. My favorite power tubes are GEC 6080 and GEC 6AS7G, but I have not listened to some of the other highly regarded power tubes I have in a while, especially since I got Euforia. I'm planning to upgrade to a Gumby and that I hope will be my endgame for a long time. So I doubt I'll have much new to contribute here, but always enjoy the good company
(...) Alright then, since I do not own the Euforia, I´m going to wrap this post up doing a little tube-small talk:
My favourite power tubes are Mullard 6080 and my favourite drivers probably are Philips Miniwatt EL3N. But since
@UntilThen revealed Lukasz´ statement about utilizing EL-tubes with their amps, the Sylvanias you mentioned are number one priority on my shopping list now...
I can hardly wait for
@angpsi ´s impressions, since I´m pretty convinced that we share the same taste in sound-signature...
Hi guys! Before I bring in the juice, I'd like to say that I don't consider all the talk about DACs etc as derailing the thread at all—in fact, I consider it quite the opposite! Technically speaking, both the Elise thread and the Euforia thread are about developing
general impressions regarding the use of two beautiful pieces of amps, including their peripherals. Quoting
@pctazhp on page 1 of the Elise thread,
I’m trying this new Elise thread as an experiment to see if there are those interested in a basic Elise thread. Of course, I can’t dictate the rules for this or any thread and would not presume to try. But I am suggesting the following guidelines for those who might be interested in this type of thread:
- This is intended as a thread for those who are primarily interested in the 1-tube-per-socket (with or without single-tube adapters) approach to the Elise – for both current owners of the magnificent Feliks Audio Elise and those who are considering a purchase.
- Discussion of different tube combinations we have tried or are considering is encouraged, but discussion of external power and multi-tube adapters is discouraged.
- Discussion of compatible DACs, headphones or other related gear is encouraged.
- Photos of our setups are highly encouraged, as are examples of music we enjoy with our Elises.
- Helpful information for those who are thinking about buying an Elise is highly encouraged
- A true sense of community, mutual respect and courtesy is the goal.
At the same time, it was
@hypnos1 who was the first one to admit that upgrading the audio chain was a far more significant improvement over any sort of tube rolling (and actually, it was he who started all the DAC frenzy
after attending the Milton Keynes head-Fi meet)!
Personally I have always felt, as
@UntilThen has already mentioned, that the question at hand is about
synergy. Not all DACs may work wonders with the sound signature of FA, but could potentially be a beautiful thing with other amps. On the other hand, one great addition in an audio chain containing our beloved Feliks Audio amps may bring benefits worthy enough to share with our comrades in the pursuit of audio bliss! Therefore I find all discussion about such issues as extremely pertinent to enjoying either the Elise or the Euforia.
Having made my position clear, the wgt are indeed "the moon, the stars, and the sun"! Refined and neutral, yet very gutsy and rendering everything with authority; these tubes can actually move air on my HD600! This is
the first time I can admit a clear edge over the Psvane, and actually
see what all the fuss about NOS tubes is about! This is also the first time I witnessed the HD600 scale to the point that I feel there may be need to upgrade them! (Plus, omg the head clamp! But that's a different story...)
@HPLobster if you're online as I post this don't even wait for my impressions, just go out and get them before they go away!
Disclaimer: these are of course early impressions but if they sound so good out of the box, I honestly wouldn't expect them to deteriorate over the days to come! Just to add some context, these days I've been marvelling on how wonderful my new pair of Etymotic HF3 sound on the Meridian Explorer2—true details galore... This even made me question the quality of the sound I was receiving out of the Elise / HD600 setup; obviously very good, but I had indeed found some details missing, or rather being somewhat set less pronounced in a dark background (e.g. in my beloved Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys). Well, thank God for the WGTs, the details are back in a wide and airy soundscape, rendered with such punchy bass that I caught myself crazy tapping my foot as I listened (wasn't this UT's mark of excellence?). These tubes can also obviously do great jazz—e.g. JVC's "Boss Tenor" by Gene Ammons—but as I write these lines, Solti's Beethoven 9th (DECCA, 1987) is blowing my mind with detail, volume, and decay!
I will move the rest of this report plus pics over to the Elise thread. After all, as the newer generation of Elise owners, we do have to keep the flame burning!