Schiit Happened: The Story of the World's Most Improbable Start-Up

[AudioGal]

What does either the Reflektor or BRIMAR do more / better different from what I have?

For me, "rolling tubes" in my MJ2 has been all about tonal balance, detail and presentation. I ended up with a pair of Raytheon 6BQ7A tubes that gave me a slightly forward mid bass/upper mid and pulled out the bit of congestion in the same area that I was hearing with the stock 6n1p tubes. This has been with Schitt DACs (Modi Multibit replaced by a Bifrost 2) and driving DCA Ether C and Audeze LCD-3 'phones. There are a lot of really great tubes that will fit into the 9AJ pin out and for a lot less money than the insanity that is beginning to overwhelm the 6SN7 world. Just be careful about the required filament current - per Jason, the MJ2 has a regulated DC filament power supply that could go into overcurrent protection mode due to the cold start current of the tube filaments. I did try a pair of 6CG7 tubes and had no issue with start up, even though the filaments needed 600ma instead of the 450ma of the 6BQ7 family, but your mileage may vary.

 

[Pondoro]

As an update on this project...I wasn't comfortable with the operating temps (in 72F ambient, case temp for Mimby was 110F, and 120F for Vali 2+), so put it on the shelf until I got my MakerBeam kit.

Took me a couple revs, but was able to wrap this up tonight:

That looks nice. The plexiglass looks like it might make the tube run hotter. Is it to stop kids from touching it? Edit: Sorry, read your very first post, the plexiglass is for dust then?

 

[Paladin79]

Just wondering in the general sense. You said the Gatters were a good tube, but recommended the BRIMAR and the Reflektor. Just wondering what they bring to the party? Are they more dynamic, offer a different sound signature - warmer, cleaner? I will ask around as well. I do appreciate your recommendations. I have the adapters already as well.

I must have scored the Reflektor high in most areas at the time, it is more like in which areas did other tubes rate higher or lower or the same. It is more about accurately covering the entire audio spectrum and not lacking in bass mids and highs, separation, soundstage, etc. We use music especially recorded to show off the traits we are looking for and at times we use the same system with a group of fifty. When all is done a tube might rate as much as 100, (it has not happened yet) but scores in the high nineties have been recorded. I believe all three types scored well and maybe you like more bass, or airiness, or advanced mids so it still boils down to what you like with your music. I have a hard time finding tubes that match up well with Focal Utopias, often the high frequencies are lacking, not so much with Reflektors IMHO.

Someone else mentioned Brimars, I merely said my favorite was the 1975 silver shields.

 

[KoshNaranek]

That is a good one. I was going to use this:

I approve. Go with it

 

[KoshNaranek]

What's number one? Some good choices available. I'd vote for Princess Mononoke. One of my favorites.

Omoide no Marnie

 

[jcflox]

That looks nice. The plexiglass looks like it might make the tube run hotter. Is it to stop kids from touching it? Edit: Sorry, read your very first post, the plexiglass is for dust then?

Yeah, a little dust protection, but also trying for some "cool factor"...its easily removable if temps make me nervous!

 

[Stevko]

Tried my hel 2 with usb input today for first time. Don’t sound so good. To much noises and pops.
Iphone and std camera adapter. Should i use a pc instead for usb?
Optical and chromecast sound better. No noises/pops there

 

[Paladin79]

For me, "rolling tubes" in my MJ2 has been all about tonal balance, detail and presentation. I ended up with a pair of Raytheon 6BQ7A tubes that gave me a slightly forward mid bass/upper mid and pulled out the bit of congestion in the same area that I was hearing with the stock 6n1p tubes. This has been with Schitt DACs (Modi Multibit replaced by a Bifrost 2) and driving DCA Ether C and Audeze LCD-3 'phones. There are a lot of really great tubes that will fit into the 9AJ pin out and for a lot less money than the insanity that is beginning to overwhelm the 6SN7 world. Just be careful about the required filament current - per Jason, the MJ2 has a regulated DC filament power supply that could go into overcurrent protection mode due to the cold start current of the tube filaments. I did try a pair of 6CG7 tubes and had no issue with start up, even though the filaments needed 600ma instead of the 450ma of the 6BQ7 family, but your mileage may vary.

I may have to try the Raytheons sometime. You have a pretty good idea of the type sound I seek I do believe.

Pardon me for a moment, Finnegan needs a drink. He tends to get my attention by grabbing my glass.

 

[jcflox]

Holy carp! Was this your own creation?

Yes, as in, I wasn't following a plan. Someone shared a post on here a while back to something similar on Reddit, so thats how I learned about MakerBeam. The system is quite flexible, but still has its limitations...I had to cut a couple beams down, and bend nearly all the brackets at least once to get my desired look!

 

[bcowen]

I may have to try the Raytheons sometime. You have a pretty good idea of the type sound I seek I do believe.

Pardon me for a moment, Finnegan needs a drink. He tends to get my attention by grabbing my glass.

Is that what you were drinking your Belvedere from? Horrors.

 

[Paladin79]

Is that what you were drinking your Belvedere from? Horrors.

Balvenie you human paraquat. He was not drinking it, just offering to break the glass if I did not check his water dish. Besides his head would not fit to the bottom.

 

[tincanear]

Tried my hel 2 with usb input today for first time. Don’t sound so good. To much noises and pops.
Iphone and std camera adapter. Should i use a pc instead for usb?
Optical and chromecast sound better. No noises/pops there

did you try closing other apps and/or wifi, LTE/5G wireless connection, etc. on the phone?

are the noises & pops still present when connected but music is stopped, or only when playing?

 

[Stevko]

did you try closing other apps and/or wifi, LTE/5G wireless connection, etc. on the phone?

are the noises & pops still present when connected but music is stopped, or only when playing?

Plane mode. Only apple music running. Only pops when playing.
Music stored on phone

 

[tincanear]

Plane mode. Only apple music running. Only pops when playing.
Music stored on phone

might be that the USB camera adapter and or phone are older versions. look into the later versions of Camera / USB connection kit (there is at least one version that supports USB2.0 and has an extra port for an external power supply adapter).

 

[macdonjh]

What's number one? Some good choices available. I'd vote for Princess Mononoke. One of my favorites.

For me, Howl's Moving Castle. The art in Princess Mononoke is wonderful, but it's such a serious movie, no breaks for levity. My son and I have a soft spot for Castle of Cagliostro as well.

I think the movies sound especially good through head phones with a Schiit front end.