[schwallman]

What do those dampners do for you? any noticable difference?
Quote:

Originally Posted by Aynjell /img/forum/go_quote.gif I need some more op amp suggestions. Ideas, guys? So far I have: Mullard EF92 M8161 Mullard EF91 Sylvania 408A Stock 6JI for Opa's: LM4562 LT1364 OPA2132 OPA2227 Stock I want a few more options, and wanna get a few on my list to order. On the list already is: LME49720 Any others that are really nuetral, but with a bit of warmth in the middle? I want something that has bass, controlled, but with depth, warm spacious mids with fairly nuetral highs. Also, sound stage would be nice as I'd like to have the same config for gaming as I have for music. Suggestions? Ideas?

 

[Aynjell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by schwallman /img/forum/go_quote.gif What do those dampners do for you? any noticable difference?

Sound wise, not much. The different too subtle for me to nail down... nothing I've noticed to be honest. One thing though, they look nice.

Downsides: it rubs the markings off the tubes. Short tubes don't notice a change at all (sylvania 408A, stock 6JI)

Upside: tall tubes the microphonics almost disappear (read: mullards).

Anyway, back to my origional question: need some op amp suggestions!

 

[V3ng3anc3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aynjell /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just ordered some EF91. We'll see what I think!

How are the EF91? Was waiting for your impression.

 

[Aynjell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by V3ng3anc3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif How are the EF91? Was waiting for your impression.

Not earth shattering for me. I haven't' had much time with them, but extremely prominent lows. That's all I've got from it thus far.

 

[V3ng3anc3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aynjell /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not earth shattering for me. I haven't' had much time with them, but extremely prominent lows. That's all I've got from it thus far.

That's kind of disappointing to hear considering I bought one myself, though I bought the one that's printed M8083. Please post an update if it turns out sounding better after burn-in, thanks!

 

[Aynjell]

Not earth shattering, but one of the least fatiguing tubes I've heard. That's all I'm noticing for now. I think it's paired poorly. A different and slightly more revealing op amp would do wonders next to this tube I bet.

 

[lescanard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by V3ng3anc3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's kind of disappointing to hear considering I bought one myself, though I bought the one that's printed M8083. Please post an update if it turns out sounding better after burn-in, thanks!

Don't be disappointed in your purchase. I have a boatload of tubes - and can honestly say the EF91s are easily my favorites in both my LD amps with Grados, Denons and AKGs. Great thing about this hobby - we all have different ears and preferences. I'm not always right and you're not always wrong - it's personal.

 

[Aynjell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lescanard /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't be disappointed in your purchase. I have a boatload of tubes - and can honestly say the EF91s are easily my favorites in both my LD amps with Grados, Denons and AKGs. Great thing about this hobby - we all have different ears and preferences. I'm not always right and you're not always wrong - it's personal.

Exactly. I say take a few chances, figure it out for yourself, and find people who like what you like on the forums and follow a few of their buying decisions.

Edit I rescind my last two comments primarily because my sound card was configured poorly. I didn't notice because today and yesterday (when I got the tubes) I was too tired to pay much attention to the idea. Basically... had the gaming related features on my x-fi on and it makes all the difference in the world, I tell you.

I'll offer some insight tommorrow.

I know one thing for a fact though:

Ef91's are the brightest and most beautiful tube I own.

 

[Aynjell]

Another note: Very microphonic, dampers or not, they don't respond to dampers as well as EF92.

 

[lescanard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aynjell /img/forum/go_quote.gif Another note: Very microphonic, dampers or not, they don't respond to dampers as well as EF92.

Agreed - although microphonic tubes don't bother me as much as it seems to others. Once the music starts flowing I'm all in I guess.

I agree with one other point as made by Aynjell - experimentation is awesome. I've found tubes I didn't quite care for at first have later become top 5s for me. For example - GE 5stars which everyone raves about on the LD MKIII rolling thread quickly were average for me on first listen when I found them. 6 months later, I rolled them back into my amp and now I can't stop listening to them. It's not just "burn-in"...it's mood, source, artist, song - everything. Try them all within your limit!

 

[V3ng3anc3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lescanard /img/forum/go_quote.gif we all have different ears and preferences. I'm not always right and you're not always wrong - it's personal.

True, I don't regret making that purchase at all. Especially if it's at least aesthetically pleasing with the brightest glow.

Quote:

Edit I rescind my last two comments primarily because my sound card was configured poorly. I didn't notice because today and yesterday (when I got the tubes) I was too tired to pay much attention to the idea. Basically... had the gaming related features on my x-fi on and it makes all the difference in the world, I tell you.

That's good to hear. Yeah I remember for my desktop when I had my x-fi on gaming it sounds quite different than when it's on music mode.

Quote:

Another note: Very microphonic, dampers or not, they don't respond to dampers as well as EF92.

Should I even bother getting dampers? I mean even for my other tubes? Or should I just wait and see how bad the microphonics are before I decide.

 

[lescanard]

Should I even bother getting dampers? I mean even for my other tubes? Or should I just wait and see how bad the microphonics are before I decide.[/QUOTE]

I've thought about it but really when the music starts flowing I just don't notice it. Other than the fact they look cool I just don't see why.

 

[PatOMalley]

You may need em and will have them when you do.

I am not sure which tubes they may make a difference with - I just put them on as standard and never think about it after.

and for the 91's what other revealing opamp is there but the LM4562?

They combine to make a solid tone/timbre with extension and lots of inner detail.

 

[Aynjell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by V3ng3anc3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif True, I don't regret making that purchase at all. Especially if it's at least aesthetically pleasing with the brightest glow. That's good to hear. Yeah I remember for my desktop when I had my x-fi on gaming it sounds quite different than when it's on music mode. Should I even bother getting dampers? I mean even for my other tubes? Or should I just wait and see how bad the microphonics are before I decide.

Microphonics aren't something terribly intrusive. You hear it when you tap on the tubes or touch the amp or rub your finger on it. If you don't mess with it, it's all fine. Just keep your cell away from it.

That being said:

tube dampers help, but they're a bandaid. They aren't somethign that will improve your hi-fi setup drastically. I got my Peek Halo's for 25$ or so shipped. You can't get 1 at that price anymore... it's a different story when they're twice as much. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't buy them unless it was proven to really help with a certain type of tube.

Basically: I wouldn't. Go buy those rubber o-rings that work about as well if not better. I forget which part number it is, but most autozone's have them for a small fraction of what a single high end damper might cost.

 

[V3ng3anc3]

I think I'll hold off on the dampers unless things go terribly wrong.

Aren't rubber o-rings a bad idea because they might melt from the high temp of the tubes? Reminds me of what happens to the o-rings that I use in rocket motors, they turn into crisps after launch.