[Strayngs]

Oh yeah! A lot more expensive! But I'm not a tube roller. At least not yet, haha..

The Upcoming KT170 will fit in the 300 but not the 400. Not sure how it will sound but it will give more power.

 

[Zurv]

oh man i'm Jelly. I really want a Rockna. (I'm using the yggy A2)

You changed to KT150s but left the stock 12AU7s? I replaced mine with Brimar CV4003 - but i'm still on the hunt for something "warmer"

I'm looking for the 12AU7 version of the 6SN7 CBS 5692. (which i'm guessing is some old Mullard... )
I just ordered 6 golden lions to see how they sound. I'm old with the brimar, but at $80 a pop x6 to replace.. it should find a backup.

Note for KT150 in a PL (this is from Kevin at upscale) - because the PL doesn't push the tubes super hard, the KT150s could last years. (assume you got good binned KT150s)

 

[Zurv]

Hey Guys,
I'm on the verge to buy an EVO 300 integrated but I wanted to know if any of you have tried to use it in HT (home theater) mode?
Also, does it really take about 1 minute to have the system ready, or should I could on more than that?
Looking at all the reviews, I have no doubts listening to some music with an EVO will be incredible, I was wondering if watching a movie would give the same kind of feeling.
Thanks a lot for your help!
Cheers,
Anthony

I was great in HT mode. I sadly just replaced it with a NAD Master M28 because of wife drama. She was sick of turning on a off the tubes.. blah.
It was kinda amazing how normal TV or movies music became so magical.
In defense of the M28, darn is it super clean and clear. No more "what the hell are people saying" (middle channel dialog) - great for gaming too. (it is a 7 channel amp.)

... i guess i'll be saving some money now with a class-D. tubes and class-A/B amps are gone... (the PL is at my desk now.. and god damn it is a great HP amp)

 

[Strayngs]

oh man i'm Jelly. I really want a Rockna. (I'm using the yggy A2)

You changed to KT150s but left the stock 12AU7s? I replaced mine with Brimar CV4003 - but i'm still on the hunt for something "warmer"

I'm looking for the 12AU7 version of the 6SN7 CBS 5692. (which i'm guessing is some old Mullard... )

I changed the 2 center 12AU7s to Mullard 10M Gold Pin

 

[Zurv]

I changed the 2 center 12AU7s to Mullard 10M Gold Pin

Where did you get them? (cost?) Do you think they would help tame the Utopia?

 

[Strayngs]

I paid $300 from a guy here on head-fi. Honestly I liked what the stock tubes did with the Utopia. They did warm it up a bit. But I wasn't Blown Away by them.

 

[Zurv]

hrmm.. i seemed to have bought some costly RCA blackplate 12AU7s a while back, i guess i should give them a try.

 

[whiteretro]

I am a budding headphone enthusiast
Trying to figure out exactly how good the headphone amplifier is on the EVO 400

What stand alone tube headphone amplifier(s) does the EVO 400 headphone amplifier equal/exceed performance wise?
Any major headphone amplifier problems on the EVO 400?

 

[ThanatosVI]

I am a budding headphone enthusiast
Trying to figure out exactly how good the headphone amplifier is on the EVO 400

What stand alone tube headphone amplifier(s) does the EVO 400 headphone amplifier equal/exceed performance wise?
Any major headphone amplifier problems on the EVO 400?

I didn't hear of any problems on the evo 400 (or others in that series)

For headphone only the evo 300 is basically just as good but costs less and needs less tubes.

The most similar headamp is the Cayin HA-6A, which is significantly cheaper.
Both have a lot of Features in common (triode and Ultralinear mode, same tube types)
The Cayin has more versatility with impedance Switches, but can't use KT120 and KT150 tubes.
Not sure if the Evo400 can use the new KT170s.

Amps like the Woo Wa 5Le and Cayin Ha-300 are similar in performance but with 300B tubes. (Therefore a matter of taste)

Some say it's on the level of the Viva Egoista and Woo Wa33 but then there are others claiming it's not.
After a certain point it's often a pure matter of taste.

 

[Zurv]

ah, the RCA blackplate 12AU7 (1960s) in the 2 center slots cleared up my issues. Of course not before i went crazy town and also order a new DAC too.
I'd suggest them for people that are having problem hunting down the magical Mullards.

 

[Zurv]

Ordered some Radiotechnique (1960s) 12AU7 (only for the 2 driver gain tubes) Sean at Upscale Audio suggested that i might like the sound. (I did point out that I didn't like the Brimar CV4003)

For the last week i've been using the Golden Lion (new issues) in all the 12au7 slots. I'm digging them and they will be my baseline. Not very coloring and neutral.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Ordered some Radiotechnique 12AU7 (only for the 2 driver tubes) Sean at Upscale Audio suggested that i might like the sound. (I did point out that I didn't like the Brimar CV4003)

For the last week i've been using the Golden Lion in all the 12au7 slots. I'm digging them and they will be my baseline. Not very coloring and neutral.

I used Electro Harmonix Gold Pins, but am also interested in Gold lions and mullard reissues

Did they say a little more abouz the sound character of the Radiotechnique

 

[Zurv]

hmm.. i've never tried any of the Electro stuff. In general i'm been impressed with the Gold Lions. Not just for the 12au7, but also with 6992. They are a really good bet for anyone non-NOS tubes.
(of course people should get tubes for places your trust that TEST the tubes and pair patch. Upscale Audio is good. So is tubedepot. I'd never trust some reason person on ebay. tubemonger seems ok too, but they will sell you crappy sounding tubes.. not broken.. just bad choices. Like Anything Tesla yucky)

 

[ThanatosVI]

hmm.. i've never tried any of the Electro stuff. In general i'm been impressed with the Gold Lions. Not just for the 12au7, but also with 6992. They are a really good bet for anyone non-NOS tubes.
(of course people should get tubes for places your trust that TEST the tubes and pair patch. Upscale Audio is good. So is tubedepot. I'd never trust some reason person on ebay. tubemonger seems ok too, but they will sell you crappy sounding tubes.. not broken.. just bad choices. Like Anything Tesla yucky)

Yeah Gold Lion KT88 and KT77 are also great reissues.

Keep us posted on the Radiotechnique

 

[ThanatosVI]

@Zurv do you know of the Evo 400 can use KT170?

And if so, will you try them?