[adeadcrab]

I have also read that unused tubes will leak oxygen very slowly, which may have happened. The amp doesn't itself need some time for internal components to burn in?

 

[xmdkq]

Does the amplifier itself need some time to burn for the internal components?

 

[adeadcrab]

capacitors, resistors, yes?

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/do-capacitors-really-need-to-break-in.738256/
maybe not - and for reference the noise floor is not even louder than 50dB, but over the last few days it has switched sides and volume, from right to left, and now a little louder on the right. I will wait before trying to clean my power line going into the amp.

I'm also using 80ohm Focal headphones, with the DAC at -30 dB, and the 339i volume at 12 o'clock - so maybe this is totally worst case scenario to reveal the natural state of the amp!

 

[adeadcrab]

I can still smell some of the burning in (plastic smell?) even though I have had the amp a couple of months.

that's just the smell of tube magic

 

[xmdkq]

Don't worry about using it.

 

[Galapac]

Oh I don't worry about using my 339i...I use it every day.
I was joking about the heat and you got to love that glow.

I just tube rolled some RCA reds 5693 into the amp instead of the Amperex EF86 I had and the hum was reduced significantly to almost unnoticable levels.
I did like the sound from the Amperex when I was using some Sennheiser cans but now that I acquired a set of Focal Utopias the reds compliment these well and will probably stay with them.

BTW - The 339i pairs well with the Focal Utopias...pure heaven! The Focals provide a type of soundstage that I would call intimate as it is not as wide as my Senns but I like that because it feels as if I am sitting on stage with the music, very holographic I would say. Upscale Audio had a nice deal on a set of used Utopias as the full price is a bit out of my range, and even at the price I paid I had to make monthly payments on it but I think it is my end game...at least for this year, lol.

 

[adeadcrab]

Few pics this morning


Ordered some RCA cables from ShenzenAudio for line out + pre out to the 789. The pre helps give the 789 a little bit of soundstage but it's nowhere close to plugging straight into the tubes.


Bendix 6080WB - I swapped the tubes from right to left and the hum largely swapped with it - probably to be expected with these old tubes


You can see the green caps wired to the tube sockets, unique in this latest 339 revison.


Focal Elex


5693 - one of the best driver tubes for the 339 amps, full stop.


Passive cooling seems much better this time around.

 

[adeadcrab]

You really need a good DAC to get the best out of the 339i - I can really hear into the recordings now - the reverb of the studio walls etc.. The topping D50 just wasn't cutting it last time around.

 

[Galapac]

Nice pics @adeadcrab
I agree with the 5693’s, they pair well with this amp.
i actually didn’t like them at first so not sure if it’s due to burn in or different headphones but I really like them now.

 

[xmdkq]

The longer the use time, the better the performance.

 

[adeadcrab]

early morning listening session with La Figaro 339i + Grado GS10000... a match made in heaven.

 

[adeadcrab]

Internal shots this morning - looks likes you are looking at a mirror... many improvements from earlier revisions...

 

[Mr. Olinad]

Drop is selling it again

 

[Galapac]

^^^
That's a nice price, hopefully Drop doesn't "drop" the orders this time. I highly recommend this amp!

 

[richie60]

When you select the silver version, the photo shows the older amp. I myself prefer the looks of the older one. Don’t like the newer looks.