[warp2600]

Just testing with the Schiit Magni 3+. Surprisingly good!

You put that schiit on top of this piece of art? Sacrilege.

 

[adydula]

You put that schiit on top of this piece of art? Sacrilege

Ha!

Yes Sir I certainly did!

I have had 30+ amps here over the past few years....many good, some mediocre IMO.
I have only about 10 amps here now...

My favorites are the HPA-1 from PassLabs.
The iFi ICAN Pro
Schiit Magni 3+

Believe it or not this little Magni 3+ is a really decent amp, and for the price its a ridiculously potent performer...

But yeah its funny, I get that!!

:>)

 

[adydula]

Today I am doing some critical listening between the Orchid and the Soekris 2541...

Setup with Foobar 2000 feeding into my PassLabs HPA-1 which has 2 RCA inputs makes switching between the two dacs
really simple, quick and easy...

All it takes is a selection on Foobar in the preferences and voila ....easy change over almost instantaneously.

So far both are great, very similar...

Ordered a new switch so I can change thru 3 dacs easily.

 

[adydula]

I removed the $100 Ericsson CV4013 and put in the Raytheon "stock" tube which is still a NOS tube.
At first its indeed different and I think I like it better!!
LMAO!

This part so sooooo subjective its not funny!!

:>)

Trying it out into a Schiit Vali 2+

 

[Dawgfish]

I removed the $100 Ericsson CV4013 and put in the Raytheon "stock" tube which is still a NOS tube.
At first its indeed different and I think I like it better!!
LMAO!

This part so sooooo subjective its not funny!!

:>)

Trying it out into a Schiit Vali 2+

Which Raytheon tube is it? The windmill getter versions are one of my very favorite tubes for MHDT dacs. I like them just as good if not better than the WE 396A and Bendix 6385.

 

[adydula]

Which Raytheon tube is it? The windmill getter versions are one of my very favorite tubes for MHDT dacs. I like them just as good if not better than the WE 396A and Bendix 6385.

As far as I can tell the getter is a round halo type in shape.
I understand the fanaticism in looking for certain tubes that provide many with magical properties....
But for the life of me all things being equal in the same tube if the getter shape is changed I honestly do not understand how this would make any "sonic" difference at all.
The getter just does the "getting" to remove moisture and impurities.
But each to their own....I would not pay the high prices for just a tube for a small delta that subjectively some can and some can not perceive a real discernible differnence.

I am willing to play around up to a point with tube variations, but the circuit the tube is in is way more important to me.

Anyhow...the Orchid is really a great dac!

Alex

 

[David222]

Just testing with the Schiit Magni 3+. Surprisingly good!

Congrats on the new DAC Alex! The Orchid is a phenomenal piece of gear.

The S1/S2 TDA hunt is exhausting...it took me nearly 6 months to acquire a legit S1 Crown. Lot of junk out there. I secured mine from a Canadian headfier.

If/when you feel like tinkering more -- two thoughts for your consideration:

1. Mullard CV4108/7308 has been tremendous to my ear.

2. Swapping the fuse to Synergistic Research was an improvement across micro-detail, dynamics and stage. This fuse has a long burn-in, so it was not instant and took time to fully present.

Enjoy!

 

[adydula]

Thanks David,

I have been hunting for a S1 and S2. I do know of a person that has a virgin S1 and am hoping he will part with it.
Cant see spending $500 for one off of Ebay etc....just not worth it IMO.

Also searching thru a list of older CD's to find one etc...

Thanks for the tube recommendation, I will take a look for sure!!
Alex

 

[adydula]

Orchid is center stage, With the switch I can connect 3 dacs to 2 amps and do easy comparisons.
Life is good here!
:>)

 

[adydula]

Changing out tubes here are the guts:

 

[adydula]

After swapping out some tubes my preference is the stock Raytheon tube into the HPA-1 amp with my D8000 Pros...
Holistic, 3 dimensionsal, very very realistic.
Tonaility is up there TOTL IMO.
Just a very wonderful listen!

 

[JacobLTA]

Pretty cool of MHDT to upgrade their stock tube in recent builds. I'm not sure if they're doing that for every order or if it's just some dealers.

Recently picked up a stash of sealed, new in box, Ericsson 2C51/396a. I wanted to see how these compare to the later production 5670/CV4013. I don't need all of them so if anyone wants one, shoot me a message.

 

[adydula]

Just got a nice new NOS Tungsol 2C51 and its in right now warming up....
Will listen after an hour or so...

 

[adydula]

Well its pretty sweet!
Listening via the HPA-1 and Schiit Vali 2 +
ADX 5000's...
Three's Company...Album We'll Be Together Again!
3D Holographic good.

Ah Life is good...
I prefer the little Schiit Vali 2 +here over the HPA-1...yes I do,

With the D8000 Pros its the HPA-a that I prefer...
Subjective for sure...

Alex

 

[paradoxper]

Curious if there are any comparisons to other tube DACs? I use a quad 300B/45 DAC and my interest and belief with tubes is piqued.