hmscott
1000+ Head-Fier
From the equipment I have the tube rolling changes the characteristics of what I am hearing through the Ananda's more than some equipment changes. The variations can be small or a bit larger. Each tube pair has some difference in response for Bass, Mid, Treble, and vary the overall pleasantness of the sound - making the sound less/more stressful.Thanks for the advice so far.
I do agree with psycho-acoustics. It’s very likely that there will be perceived benefits from spending that much more.
The trouble is that I actually like the bass of the Ananda but it’s the treble peak which is giving me trouble. I also wonder if I perceive the bass to be lower than expected due to the fit as I have a rather small head.
So far my preference for change seems to be in the following order:
1. Headphone (pity as I really like Ananda)
2. DAC
3. Amp
Moving from the A90 to the TA-20 has made a big difference for the emotional content delivered. So given your equipment is close to what I have, I'd recommend getting a Hybrid Tube AMP with a real power factor improvement - a large power supply to match the watts output. Without spending a bunch of $ the TA-20 is the only choice I can recommend right now. For $399 I don't know of another fully balanced choice to suggest.
The most different for me given I already had the D90 / A90 / TA-20 are the Ananda and HE6SE V2, those really rock with the TA-20 compared to the A90. A90 = analytical sound like the D90 MQA, so the TA-20 gives me the less sterile sound, and I like it.
The stock tubes are fine, if you want to keep costs down stick with the new manufacture tubes like the PSVANE 12AU7T MkII or 12AU7s Art Series, and a JJ Electronic ECC802s, SHUGUANG tubes are also good - that should be enough to start. tubedepot.com is a good store, as is vivatubes.com, tubemaze on ebay - or if you are comfortable with Aliexpress.com then fine the stores that have lots of followers and a good rating. NOS tubes are good but it took me several tries to get a great set - my first order from tubemaze on ebay, and here's a view of the history of the line:
TUNG-SOL 12AU7 USA - 1950's Black Glass
Those are hard to find and apparently usually don't test well, but this pair are golden - less noise than any other recent manufacture or NOS tube I've tried. I'm looking for more of them, none to be found...
For the shear power delivery I can recommend the HE6SE V2 from Adorama @ $699 ($1799), and the TA-20 delivers enough power for me right now, but I know that long term I'm going to want more than 2w to get the best from it so either a speaker AMP tap or the HE-Adapter with a tube speaker amp will be needed to round it out.
I also got an HD660s recently - the day before the Ananda, and for that single day I thought it was the best I'd heard yet, then the HE6SE V2 came the next day - WOW!, then the Ananda - WOW! again in a different way. So right now the Ananda is right up there at the top, you / I would have to spend a lot more to get another jump up in that WOW factor.
I have been talking with Kennerton about a new headphone, and after they heard I'd gotten the Ananda and HE6SE, they suggested the next step up was their Wodan, so maybe that will make you happy? Or, maybe the Thekk / Thror?
Kennerton Audio Equipment
https://kennerton.org/shop/headphones/
Kennerton ODIN, MAGISTER, VALI, Magni, Gjallarhorn, Rögnir, Thridi, Wodan, Thekk, and Thror Discussion.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kennerton-odin-magister-vali-magni-gjallarhorn-rögnir-thridi-wodan-thekk-and-thror-discussion.732814/
I think if you give up the Ananda you'll eventually rebuy it later, at least I've heard of people doing that as many as several times.
Please let us know what you find that gives you what you are looking for in the Ananda's sound.
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