REVIEW: Yarland P100 tube headphone amp (pics)

[Stevesebastianb]

Thanks Skylab for the review. As for my side I received the Cryoset EL-84's:

Cyroset Electro Harmonix EL-84 Matched Pairs:

I had decided to get a set of Cryoset Electro Harmonix E-84 matched pairs. These are a matched pair of EL-84 tubes which have been cryo treated at -300 deg. F for 24 hours using nitrogen and slowly brought back up to room temperature. The treatment is said to be ever lasting and will yield great benefits to the sonic values of the tubes. Well my Cryoset EL-84's arrived on 22nd April, 2009 and I will roll them into the P-100 over the weekend for burning in before final evaluation and listening.

 

[fhuang]

i just found out that my p100 is really different than what you guys have. the power tube, 6p1, is not equal to el84. i checked with two tube shops here in Hong Kong.....ugh

 

[Skylab]

Are you SURE??? The Chinese 6P1 is equal to the 6AQ5, which is definitely different from the 6BQ5/EL84 - but the Chinese equivalent to the 6BQ5 is the 6P14 - that is what my Yarland sample used. Are you certain yours is using 6P1 and not 6P14?

 

[Stevesebastianb]

Below the new Cryoset Electro Harmonix EL-84 matched pairs rolled into the P-100 on 25th April, 2009. Initial impressions are that the resolution is higher and more refined then the stock Shuguang Chinese EL-84, but it is still early and need some time for the Cryoset matched pairs to burn in before making a proper evaluation. They do sound promising, transients appear to have improved quite a bit and the sound stage is somewhat deeper and wider then before. I also noted the the lowe frequencies do not appear as pronounced, but are in no way lean, bass is better controlled and tighter then before. It appears that the Sino tubes were a bit more bloated in the bass end.

Burning in using specialist burn in CD from Ayre: Irrational, But Efficacious System Enhancement Disc. More later!

 

[fhuang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are you SURE??? The Chinese 6P1 is equal to the 6AQ5, which is definitely different from the 6BQ5/EL84 - but the Chinese equivalent to the 6BQ5 is the 6P14 - that is what my Yarland sample used. Are you certain yours is using 6P1 and not 6P14?

yep

 

[Stevesebastianb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevesebastianb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Below the new Cryoset Electro Harmonix EL-84 matched pairs rolled into the P-100 on 25th April, 2009. Initial impressions are that the resolution is higher and more refined then the stock Shuguang Chinese EL-84, but it is still early and need some time for the Cryoset matched pairs to burn in before making a proper evaluation. They do sound promising, transients appear to have improved quite a bit and the sound stage is somewhat deeper and wider then before. I also noted the the lowe frequencies do not appear as pronounced, but are in no way lean, bass is better controlled and tighter then before. It appears that the Sino tubes were a bit more bloated in the bass end. Burning in using specialist burn in CD from Ayre: Irrational, But Efficacious System Enhancement Disc. More later!

^^^ This is a follow up note on the Cryoset Electro Harmonix EL84 matched tubes, although the burn in period is somewhat short (< 100 hours), I am pleased to report that the money was well spent on these tubes. At first I was wondering whether cryogenically treated matched pair tubes really made much difference. I am glad to advise it is not hype, there are real world differences and I have made some real cross reviews with other NOS tubes such as Siemens and found that the Cryosets were better in smaller details and were refined in overall character. The dynamics, bass impact, balance of the audio SQ range are all top notch and have done good justice to improving the overall performance of my P100.

I was so impressed that I ordered a matched pair of Cryoset Tung Sol 6SL7GT's for my Little Dot Mk VI and have found equally satisfying results on that amp.

 

[Oskari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevesebastianb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Cryoset Electro Harmonix EL84 matched tubes

Have you compared them with non-cryoed EH EL84s?

 

[Stevesebastianb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oskari /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you compared them with non-cryoed EH EL84s?

^^^ Yes indeed, although I do not have a set of non-cryoed EH EL-84 another friend of mind has a matched pair and these were borrowed along with his ears to compare the two sets of tubes.

As an experiment I subjected him to a blind test, first to the un-cryoed and then to the cryoed set and he choose the Cryoset EL84's as being much more involving, musical and far more detailed.

My friend then subjected to me to a blind test and without telling me tried the Cryoset EL84's first and then the non-cryoed. I was able to easily pick the first set as sounding much better, much more appealing musically, open and detailed.

 

[Fairbanks]

I have around 120 hours on the Yarland and the beast is starting to stir in the cage.I"ll report back at the 200 hour mark.I'll just say this that the Yarland is a very promising amp.No hum at all with the Grado GS1000 in the 32ohm jack.

 

[Adu]

Great match with Beyerdynamic DT990 (250 Ohmi) 2005 version,fantastic headphones.

 

[Fairbanks]

The Yarland is opening up quite nicely.I'm using some 1958 Austria made Philips D getter EL84's with some GE JG 5670's.Another good combo is the 1959 Amperex D getter EL84's with the RCA Command Series 5670's.With these tubes in place the Yarland is wonderful sounding amp.

 

[Stevesebastianb]

I have now over 130 hours burn in time on the P-100 and have found it blooming quite nicely, the bass is tighter, mids and highs are very well balanced with no coarse edges. Resolution is great and overall cohearance is very good, it is very engaging and the soundstage is very wide with my Darth Beyers. Bass impact and dynamics are very good and overall I would say that the amp is really now begining to show it's glory. The burn in wait is worth it.

I had been asked by Fairbanks how I would rate the P-100 against the other amps I own. This is particularly interesting since I have just taken stock of a Audio Space Acoustic Laboratory AS-2.8i tube intergrated headphone amp which comprises of 4 x 6V6, 2 x 12AU7 (rolled with NOS Tungsram) and 1 x 12AX7 (rolled with a TFK smooth plate). The AS-2.8i is not brand new and has been burned in for a while.

Well unfortunately for finese and detail, the P-100 is just slightly behind the AS-2.8i in terms of performance but not by much. It is just that the AS-2.8i seems to be a little bit more refined in all areas and presentation. The spatial impression of the music is better.

As for rankings against my other tube gear, here are the current standings:-

1. Little Dot, MK VI
2. Close tie - AudioTailor "Jade" & Audio Space AS-2.8i
3. Yarland P-100
4. Darkvoice 336SE
5. Oumeidanji KT-88
6. Ella W6
7. Little Dot, Mk III

 

[Skylab]

Good stuff, Steve. I would like to review an LD mk IV, but I asked AudiophileChina to send me one to review and they declined (although they did send some other stuff), so I don't think it;s going to happen.

 

[Fairbanks]

Nice write up Steve.Your impressions mimic mine.I'm at the 200 hour mark and it's still changing.Also you really need to put some good NOS EL84/6BQ5's and some good 5670's in the amp.The Yarland's performace is bumped up a notch with the right tube combinations.

 

[Stevesebastianb]

I think I will also need to evaluate when I reach the 200 hour mark again against the others to see if there are any significant changes.