[Alexnova]

How about an insane 10-tube all-tube headphone amp? It's something I'm playing around with. Of course, it would be about 10x the price of a Vali 2+. And it currently isn't ready for prime time (too much hummmmmmmmm...but fixable.) Still not sure I want to bring it to production.

Inject this straight into my veins!

 

[Ripper2860]

so the rumor that the combined inventory of tubes, stacked end to end, that you and @bcowen own would stretch from NC to TX is true?

That depends. Are you talking about a route from NC that initially travels northward and includes crossing both polar regions before getting to Texas?

 

[RickB]

I may eventually get a Vali 2+, but I am so happy with the sound of my Vali 2 (bought only 68 days ago!) that I feel no rush at all.

Just read the review from the head honcho on the site that shall not be named. Apparently the Vali 2+ loses the laid-back/dark character of the Vali 2, so it's a pass for me.

 

[imackler]

Just read the review from the head honcho on the site that shall not be named. Apparently the Vali 2+ loses the laid-back/dark character of the Vali 2, so it's a pass for me.

Sounds like that may actually be better with the HD 650.

 

[AudioGal]

I'd be interested in an all-tube amp that could drive the RAAL, but maybe that's too much current to ask a tube for.

You'd need to use several 6336 or 6528 dual triodes for the outputs for that. Or several of the Soviet 6C33 triodes. All of these are designed to be the series pass device in a regulated power supply. The 6336/6528 tubes need 30 watts for the heaters, the 6C33 needs 42 watts just for the heaters. You're getting into space heater territory.

 

[r2muchstuff]

Will the Vali 2+ support an adapted 6SN7 tube?

 

[rdaneel]

Tired: a four-tube headphone amp.
Wired: a ten-tube headphone amp.
Inspired: an ELEVEN-tube headphone amp.

If it doesn't go to 11, no sale.

 

[Gazny]

Sounds like that may actually be better with the HD 650.

Tired: a four-tube headphone amp.
Wired: a ten-tube headphone amp.
Inspired: an ELEVEN-tube headphone amp.

If it doesn't go to 11, no sale.

Add the tube rectifier and you got it

 

[bcowen]

That depends. Are you talking about a route from NC that initially travels northward and includes crossing both polar regions before getting to Texas?

I'm pretty sure that's what he meant. Sadly though, even our two hoards collections combined are still outnumbered by the GE's @Paladin79 has. We need to step up our game.

 

[bcowen]

Tired: a four-tube headphone amp.
Wired: a ten-tube headphone amp.
Inspired: an ELEVEN-tube headphone amp.

If it doesn't go to 11, no sale.

ROFL!

 

[Paladin79]

I'm pretty sure that's what he meant. Sadly though, even our two hoards collections combined are still outnumbered by the GE's @Paladin79 has. We need to step up our game.

My GE’s were acquired only to win a bet, I only listened to enough to fool a guy named Cowen. It had to be the best of the lot.

 

[bcowen]

My GE’s were acquired only to win a bet, I only listened to enough to fool a guy named Cowen. It had to be the best of the lot.

So what did you do with the other 3600 you went through to find a good one?

 

[darkarn]

speaking of b-stock, just noticed a few Eitr & Freya S in both 115V & 230V versions

Argh I just saw this, would be nice to be able to try an Eitr

 

[Brubacca]

Make it 2 matched quads (per channel)....with KT-150's.

Could we get a Tube Headphone amp with a Single KT150? Maybe a set speaker amp with a pair of KT150?

There was this time I ordered a matched quad of kt120 on Amazon... Received quad of KT150 (with a sticker on it that said KT120). I returned them, but had to point out to customer service multiple times that they were mislabelled.

Ugh. Still wish I could have tried those in my amp. I hear they sound better than kt120.

 

[Paladin79]

So what did you do with the other 3600 you went through to find a good one?

3600 or 10, same thing right?

Many tubes I acquired turned out to be GE, even tubes labeled Marconi or Eico etc.

Anyway a current wager requires me to use Russian GU50 power tubes in a speaker amp. The wager with @bcowen took a lot more time and led me into a blind test involving what are considered to be the top 52 6sn7 equivalents local friends and I could find. Final testing will involve a large group; unfortunately the virus is worse than ever where I live. And so it goes.