[joespride]

Thanks for the impressions, I am truly enjoying my stock havana I would be afraid to full out mod mine as I really like the sound signature, my only complaint would be a tad of grain when the pace fets fast and complicated it is like the dac cant keep up, Tube selection and chip burn in solved most of this and it is to a level I believe I could live with
 
I may look at better output caps in the future
 
Congrats on the unit

 

[Stillhart]

Hi all,
 
I'm considering picking one of these up as it's one of the cheapest R2R DAC's around.  I have been looking at a bunch of other "modern" DAC's and I was wondering if anyone here who has the Havana can speak to how it compares to some of the other DAC's in the price range, e.g. the Gungnir, X-sabre, NFB-1, etc.
 
For the record, I'll be using this with my LCD-2f and I listen to a lot of electronic, trip hop, metal and prog rock.  And I may or may not be upgrading to an LCD-X or HE-1000 (price-depending) as soon as I can afford them!  lol
 
Thanks!

 

[joespride]

I have not heard any other R2R dacs, but compared to my previous, AudioGd 11:32, BiFrost Uber, Centrance DacMiNi, Modi,&47labs I can tell you the Havana sounds better
 
More analog like, with superb inner detail and bass, nice extension as well

 

[joespride]

Weird phenom with Havana today
 
I sourced a 1951 WE JW 2C51, plugged it in and it took like 45 seconds and some pecking on the top of the glass before it would light, after initial startup it now powers normally with turn on of dac
 
Only thing I can think of is oxidation or ?? for the tubes delayed response, anyone else have an opinion or experience with this phenom
 
The tube sounds fine, its just weird  

 

[Amish]

Not sure but did you sand the pins? I clean the pins on all the old tubes I buy. I use a fine grit sandpaper and then clean them afterwards. Never had any issues with tubes.

 

[joespride]

No sanding or cleaning of any kind, which is why I thought maybe oxidation, Whats weird is the tubes were tested by the seller and you would think they would test off if it were a connection oxidation issue 
 
getting some deoxit shortly

 

[LjF]

Stillhart - I've had an almost stock Havan for a number of years now -- also have a Metrum Octave. The Havana is nice, but gets fuzzy in the treble compared to the Octave. I had a Burson somnething or other for a month before I got the Octave and sold it because I preferred the Havana - more musical, better prat. Hope this helps!

 

[s1rrah]

Just a heads up to any Havana users ...
 
I'm selling a NOS/NIB 1964 Bendix 6385 if anyone is interested.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/755669/nos-nib-bendix-6385-tube-1964
 
...
 
I'll do $110 (+PayPal fee) for anybody from this thread ...
 
International is fine, but you'll need to pay shipping (US shipping is free).
 
Best ...
 

 

[Amish]

  Just a heads up to any Havana users ...
 
I'm selling a NOS/NIB 1964 Bendix 6385 if anyone is interested.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/755669/nos-nib-bendix-6385-tube-1964
 
...
 
I'll do $110 (+PayPal fee) for anybody from this thread ...
 
International is fine, but you'll need to pay shipping (US shipping is free).
 
Best ...
 

 
 
I own that very same tube. I can attest it's a fine one.

 

[weitn]

  Just a heads up to any Havana users ...
 
I'm selling a NOS/NIB 1964 Bendix 6385 if anyone is interested.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/755669/nos-nib-bendix-6385-tube-1964
 
...
 
I'll do $110 (+PayPal fee) for anybody from this thread ...
 
International is fine, but you'll need to pay shipping (US shipping is free).
 
Best ...
 

 
I'll take it. I bought a Pagoda a month ago and very pleased with it. I'll PM you.

 

[che15]

Gotta say that's the first time I've heard that before, lol.  I do think the 6N3P-DR is underrated though and it is up there on my list.

I rotate b/w AEG, Bendix 6385, and Bendix 2c51 depending on music and mood.  AEG I think is the most well-defined with good tonal balance but a little thin by comparison, 6385 (overall favorite) big deep sound with great bass but not as rich and warm as 2c51, 2c51 richest but can be a little closed in by comparison with a little less detail than the other 2.





What is it about the 55 6385 that you like over the 64?  


Quote:

Try flipping L/R RCA outputs and see if the hiss moves to the left channel.

Can you test SPDIF or TOSlink interfaces for the same problem?

Do you have another tube you can try?

Any idea where I can find an AEG

 

[brodacz]

Here you have
http://allegro.pl/podwojna-trioda-m-cz-5670-i5140674501.html
 
I have one from this seller and everything is ok

 

[s1rrah]

The AEG 5670 has got to be the best tube value ever for these MHDT DACs ... didn't even know about it till I got one from Robeert a while back ... super good tube and in some ways just as good or better than the very expensive Bendix 6385 ...

 

[brodacz]

I have for sale few tubes:
1. Bendix JAN-CEA 2C51
2. Philips JAN 2C51
3. Sylvania 2C51
4. Tung-Sol (pair) 2C51
5. Aeg 5670 
 
Black Gate F 1000uF 16V 
 
If somebody needs something please PM me 

 

[weitn]

 
I have received the Bendix tubes which I bought from s1rrah and it has gone through break in for several days. It is a very good tube. The most important improvement for me is the naturalness and smoothness.