[Br777]

This is a thread solely dedicated to describing different tube sounds available with the HIFIMAN EF- 5 amps via tube rolling
 
I would like to keep this thread simple and clean if there is such a thing on head-fi
 
describe the type of tubes you have ACTUALLY TRIED in your EF5, and describe the way they flavored the sound.
 
Also include the Headphones you use.
 
Thanks
 

 

[faverodefavero]

Would like to see some...

 

[dryvah]

Id also like to see some comments on this. I'd like to try some different tubes out on my EF-5. Just not sure what to get.

 

[captouch]

Not to change the subject, but you can roll the opamp as well.  

 
But back on topic, I have 4 tubes besides the stock Full Music I can roll with (includes 1 12BH7, which I've read work as well).  Will try to spend some time on this and post my impressions within the next few days.

 

[fullyreclined]

     Quote:

Id also like to see some comments on this. I'd like to try some different tubes out on my EF-5. Just not sure what to get.

I'm in the same boat so I'd definitely like to hear others chime in. I found this review over at headfonia where the reviewer did some tube and opamp rolling. Good read.

 

[mike1127]

Hmm, not much activity here.
 
Well I've tried two NOS tubes-- the RCA "clear top" and the German-made RFT. I haven't used the stock tube, so hard to make comparisons to that. The impression I get from the RCA "clear top" is warm and a glowing midrange. With my somewhat dark Audeze LCD-2 (rev 2) headphones, unfortunately it can lack some treble sparkle. The RFT sounds completely different -- a bright and lean tube. Normally I would not like that, but the treble on the RFT is just gorgeous. I can listen forever. (The downsize is lean tonal balance and thin bass.)
 
Neither tube is good enough all-around, so I continue the hunt.
 
Mike

 

[captouch]

I eventually will get around to comparing tubes like I said I would. Will use my 5LE's which are pretty revealing. May not happen for a few weeks though - need a reasonable block of time to do a proper comparison.