after reading all the posts, thank you for all your great insightful observation!
I'm using my MJ2 with the LISSTs and stock tubes, but honestly I didn't buy the MJ2 just to use it as an SS headamp.
I do want to learn how different tubes can enhance/improve the performance.
- I will use my MJ2 mainly with tubes
- I will keep the LISSTs to use as controls and, compare them against my tubes from time to time.
- the LISSTs are faster sounding from the Hi's to the Low's
- the LISSTs are finer, more smooth on the Hi's than the stock tubes
- I don't find the LISSTs noisier or quieter than the stock tubes
- with my Audeze LCD3s , I may want to use high gain with the LISSTs if I find myself going past 12 o'clock on the volume.
- I don't find myself going over 12 o'clock with the stock tubes or, need to use high gain.
- there isn't anything that the other doesn't do well, just kinda opposite but in a good way too.
- where the the stock tubes have a little more "air" and "body" with the instruments, a more visceral interpretation
- the LISSTs have a slightly faster reaction, better transient response, better control
- the tonal character on the stock tubes have more texture, they have more harmonic layers, spatial cues hangs around longer
- the details are still all there with the LISSTs, just a little more transparent (only comparing with the stock tudes) and, starts and stops faster
- the tubes allows the music to exploit the recorded acoustics and ambience
- the LISSTs gives a better accuracy on the where and how things were recorded
so far so good (I only got the MJ2 on Monday)
each mode have their strengths, no real weaknesses and,
with the endless possibilities when applying different tubes.
This is a good Schiit!
please let me know if I have understood everything correctly.