[Toonartist]

I can say nothing can replace the fun of experimenting with different sounds for yourself. It's the best part of the journey

Exactly... life is about experiences so getting out and trying different systems is all part of the fun!

 

[devilboy]

I've recently gone through this process although, rather than replace my solid state amp, it's being used as a preamp as it's also my streamer / DAC (Naim Atom HE). While I really enjoy the Atom HE as an all in one box, great sound and features, I also wanted to add the option of some tube goodness. As it had RCA & XLR preamp out it serves well in that regard.

I spent a load of time looking at various options from Auris, Feliks & Cayin over the past year. Came very close to buying the Envy twice, first time I was somewhat mucked around and just before pulling the trigger the second time round, I seen an Ex Demo Auris Nirvana at a very competitive price. Knowing I'd want to roll tubes and the price of high end 300b tubes certainly made me check out the Nirvana closely. As it happens, the EL34 is a great tube in it's own right.

What's it given me? I'd say improved soundstage and imaging. Layering is exceptional. Extended bass and highs but never fatiguing. Imagining feels more precise. Great sense of space and being, as in being amongst the artists. Texture. When a bow is drawn across the strings you can almost feel the micro vibrations. It has a smooth and effortless sound. The Nirvana also has great PRaT and feels very agile and expressive with plenty of power.

Also, the ability to tweak how the amp sounds depending on mood / genre. By changing the 12au7 input tube I can change how the amp sounds. It's almost like changing headphones but cheaper!

This next perk has nothing to do with sound but more to do with soul. I love the visual aspect of it all. The setting and how something looks and how it creates a relaxing atmosphere. This is something I actively look for as part of the process of enjoying music. Think looking at an open fire vs watching a radiator from a gas central heating system. The glowing tubes and adds to the ambience if you see what I mean.

It all comes down to what you're looking for & I know I could buy a very good solid state amp for the same money but I'd miss the visual and sonic character of the Nirvana and it's ability to connect me to the music. Would I give it up? No Way

Very well written and informed post. Like I said, I've owned many tube amplifiers in loudspeaker systems over the years and I can attest to the layering effect with the warm, holographic sound. And to your last point, understand completely what you meant about the visual appeal as well. I, like most of you, am not just a music lover but I am an enthusiast as well. Meaning, I love the look of audio pornography and the warm glow of a sexy tube amplifier really puts me in a nice state of mind. Music doesn't even have to play at the moment, I just enjoy looking at a tube amplifier in the room.

 

[Toonartist]

I have to admit, I like to have the option of SS and tubes rather than one or the other. That said, a quick change of tubes and I can go from warmer tones of Mullard tubes to more analytical, neutral sound from a Telefunken tube. Like headphones, it's what works for you!

 

[sacguy231]

Still enjoying my Elite, though I've not entirely settled on pad preferences. The hybrid pads are too shallow for my ears and get uncomfortable after about 30 min for me. The alcantara solves comfort 100%. I find the alcantara a brighter sounding pad which I like, but at the expense of some sub-bass. This can largely be fixed by EQ, so not a deal breaker. I also purchased the Empyrean vegan pads to try. They are the same thickness/shape as the alcantara so the comfort is great, and it does not lose the sub-bass like the alcantara pads do. But, soundstage suffers a little bit compared to the stock hybrid pads, and I miss the extra sparkle the alcantara pads add. In a perfect world I'd have wanted the hybrids pads to just have those few MM of extra pad depth. I suppose I'd pick the alcantara if I could only have one since I can largely remedy the sonics with minor EQ since comfort is paramount for me; it's one of the main reasons I got the Elite in the first place.

 

[devilboy]

Still enjoying my Elite, though I've not entirely settled on pad preferences. The hybrid pads are too shallow for my ears and get uncomfortable after about 30 min for me. The alcantara solves comfort 100%. I find the alcantara a brighter sounding pad which I like, but at the expense of some sub-bass. This can largely be fixed by EQ, so not a deal breaker. I also purchased the Empyrean vegan pads to try. They are the same thickness/shape as the alcantara so the comfort is great, and it does not lose the sub-bass like the alcantara pads do. But, soundstage suffers a little bit compared to the stock hybrid pads, and I miss the extra sparkle the alcantara pads add. In a perfect world I'd have wanted the hybrids pads to just have those few MM of extra pad depth. I suppose I'd pick the alcantara if I could only have one since I can largely remedy the sonics with minor EQ since comfort is paramount for me; it's one of the main reasons I got the Elite in the first place.

The hybrid pad gave me more of an expansive sound but my left ear was ever so slightly touching the driver panel. I switched pads from left to right and vice versa but the problem stayed on the left ear. Maybe my left ear is larger than my right? Lol. Because of the amount of classical I listen to I want that more airy sound and expansive sound. It was nice to have the alcantara pad make the driver so far from my ear though. More comfortable.

 

[hristo]

Maybe my left ear is larger than my right?

Same here

When I use the hybrid pads my left ear touches the back grill ever so slightly.

The Alcantara pads solve comfort for me as well. Maybe the only issue there is the clamp force gets increased by a small amount because of the thickness of the Alcantara pads (they're 10 mm thicker if I'm not mistaken) but it's not really a problem tbh I expect it to loosen up over time.

I also share the same experience as the rest of you -- the Hybrid pads give you 2~ dB extra sub/bass and soften the highs just a little bit, whereas with the Alcantara pads the sub gets reduced by those 2 dB but the highs become slightly more sparkly.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Haha... I get your point.
I thought more of a DAC/amp combo in the $2000-$4000 price range.
Although the Dave suddenly becomes 'more affordable' compared to the Lina stack.

Hehe.
How far we've come. ^^

Average human in on sentence with "a DAC in the 2k to 4k price range".

Thing of sub 500 to max 1k is more in line with "average human", if any.

But I know what you're after.
We're all freaks in here.

 

[betula]

Hehe.
How far we've come. ^^

Average human in on sentence with "a DAC in the 2k to 4k price range".

Thing of sub 500 to max 1k is more in line with "average human", if any.

But I know what you're after.
We're all freaks in here.

I meant DAC and amp within that price category. But the majority of Elite owners seem to play in higher leagues than that. Some spending 4 grand on cables only.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Yeah.
But I don't think it's the majority, except here.

I'd happily give it a shot with something like A-GD R27(HE) or Cayin 6A in the future.

But first the Caldera has to arrive, Empy and Elite takes the (very close) 2nd row for me.

 

[Arcamera]

Curious how we can have different reactions to the sound of the different pads. I find the Alcantara to make the sound a little warmer, more easy-going, more laid back, smoother. It's brighter though, you say? I'm pretty sensitive to upper mid/top end energy, yet I prefer the Alcantara. It might be brighter, but to my ears it's not as 'in your face,' so to speak. Or 'in your ears.' It might be that it relaxes the upper mids perhaps? I don't know. I hear a smidgeon less detail from the Alcantara, but it's a trade-off I'm fine with. It's also physically a better fit for me.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

@devilboy I can’t compare to any high-end SS amps, but I have been totally satisfied with my Quicksilver Headphone Amp driving the Elite. Once I switched to tube amps a few years ago, I haven’t really looked back.

That being said, I’ll admit that when Nitsch eventually releases their version of the ECP DSHA-3F, I will be sorely tempted!

 

[commtrd]

Hmmm I suppose I should try the alcantara pads. The hybrids on there are sounding so darn beautiful i really see no need to swap 'em out though. Maybe someday I will get around to it...

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Hmmm I suppose I should try the alcantara pads. The hybrids on there are sounding so darn beautiful i really see no need to swap 'em out though. Maybe someday I will get around to it...

With the magnet system, it only takes a few seconds to swap the pads. It only took me one or two songs to realize I definitely preferred the hybrid pads. They would be perfect for me if they were just a little bit thicker, as I am blessed with large ears as well.

 

[Arcamera]

Yeah, I can hear the appeal of the hybrid pads-- they are pretty nice. I do hear the soundstage advantage there too.

 

[Newsee]

Nice! Would you care to elaborate a bit on the components in comparison to the Elite? What were your impressions on the Expanse and the 109Pro?
And the dCS Lina stack compared to something more average humans can buy too?
Thanks!

It was planned as a short visit in my favourite HP shop for maintenance reasons, when saw what they have there. The Lina! Plans changed immediately. I thought I have to get to know this, with something I have experienced already on other systems, and had the ability to show high end features. So I had chosen Elite to partner the Lina. I spent almos two hours with the combo on various tracks. After the initial OhMG! just went through the different settings, changed to NOS, external clock (audible difference compared to the internal) , no crossfeed, etc. Interesting was how much influence had the output voltage 2V/6V switch, changing the mids presentation completely, which I found strange.
My conclusion: for me, the most obvious difference on these high-end dacs is the way how the highs are rendered. Cymbals, hi-hats, and dozens of strings - just resolved effortlessly in a smooth life-like way. I have not heard many of them, I can name the Dave, the Rockna Wawelight - maybe that's it. Perhaps the T+A HA200 and Bartok.
I cannot tell the difference between them, because I did not do A/B-ing, and memory is a fading thing. The Lina is definitely out of range for me, but it was a nice experience.

There were a heap of interesting HPs that I have read about on the Head-fi pages, and I wanted to get some impressions. I picked the following ones:

Elite: you know it. Worthy partner for the Lina.

Zmf Atrium: nice warm sounding. Reminds me a lot to the Empyrean. I could love it.

109 pro: colder than the Atrium. Clean and "fast". I hate this word to read in sound impressions, perhaps because I did not really know what it describes, but very probably I started to get the feeling. I was impressed, till I came to a track well known for me where I missed the body and warmth. Perhaps ears conditioned on Epyrean would need some more accomodation time.

Kennerton Magni: mentioned on the Kennerton thread as bass wonder. I guess I am in another genre, another world.

Hifiman HE-R10P: nice highs, but everything below is not my cup of tee.

Expanse: I had the feeling it is either leaner than I like, or the Lina amp is not strong enough to bring out what is in it.

The last five got considerable less time than the first, but enough for me to still my curiosity.

Those who can make a trip to Zürich, it is definitely worth to try the Lina experience at k55.ch. Perhaps it is not there forever.