[Digital-Pride]

Quote:

So far I've been really impressed with the Yulong A800 mini Class A headphone amp paired with my HD650. For $180, this amp has pretty much everything I need from a budget amp: clarity, neutrality and power. The dynamics are excellent. Good soundstage, too. So far, I've owned the E9, P4, Asgard, O2 and the AHA-120. I previously held the AHA-120 as the best of the lot. I think the A800 is at least as good and beats the other amps. Its a really clean amp. Yeah, its still a budget amp but I think it performs better than its price tag with the HD650.

 
Thanks for the impressions.  I was curious about Yulong's new class A mini amp myself.  Do you find it works better with high impedance headphones than low impedance headphones?  Or does it not matter?

 

[imackler]

Quote:

 
Thanks for the impressions.  I was curious about Yulong's new class A mini amp myself.  Do you find it works better with high impedance headphones than low impedance headphones?  Or does it not matter?

All I've got is the HD650 now. I don't know I've listened past 11 o'clock on classical stuff; it has lots of power I'll never use. But no idea about how it does with low impedance.

 

[Digital-Pride]

Quote:

All I've got is the HD650 now. I don't know I've listened past 11 o'clock on classical stuff; it has lots of power I'll never use. But no idea about how it does with low impedance.

 
Okay, I see.  Thanks.  I tell ya, there's lots of quality chinese made audio gear out there.  It's a good time to be an audiophile on a budget.

 

[Hibuckhobby]

I'm using the PS Audio DLIII with a Lyr amp and Lorenz tubes (60's yugo versions) and after about
a half hour of warm up...it sounds great with the 650's.  They have a bit more of a mid-centric presentation, but there is a near holographic sound the instruments (especially) such as acoustic guitar (Nils Lofgren) that I don't get even with my more expensive cans.
Hibuck....

 

[Baten]

I totally retract saying the HD650's sound relatively awesome unamped or through a pathetic excuse of an amp like whatever logitech speakers come with. Great to fall asleep with, but far from awesome sounding. If you want enjoyable music, you need an amp. Solid state is more than good enough, you just need some body with those beats.

 

[amandarae]

Just wanna contribute that the HD-650 sounds very nice driven by a Lyr with the Lorenz ECC88 tube!  I tried it this morning and after three hours, I would say its great!  Also, the Siemens E88CC Falcon Logo and the JAN Phillips ECG 6922 are equally impressive.
The stock GE 6BZ7 are good sounding too and a little bit different than the E88CC/ECC88 tubes.  I did not like the Telefunken's nor the Tungsram.  
 
 I will try JJ's, RCA's(Holland made but RCA branded 6922), and some Amperex 6922/7308 later as it is time consuming and relatively confusing when comparing several tubes at a time.

 

[MattTCG]

If you mean the Lorenz pcc88, then I agree. Listening to them now. They have a really nice sound with the hd650. On the other hand, I did like the Telefunkens. Waiting on some new tubes to come in now!!

 

[IcedTea]

you tube rolling like a mad man now Matt?! 
 
 

 

[MattTCG]

Well now, like a mad man would be somewhat of an overstatement. I must admit that's it's a good time if you don't let the money get out of control. I bought a very reasonable box of 4 sets to get started. Two days after I got them my stock GE's went down!! I threw in a nice set of Lorenz and bam...back in business. 

 

[olor1n]

Are you guys referring to generic Lorenz tubes, or the ones that were/are actually sought after, i.e. made in Stuttgart Germany? Have a batch of Stuttgarts surfaced? If so, bag those babies and profit! 

 

[MattTCG]

I did have one of the original sets of Lorenz on loan from another member here. Had to mail them back to him today. I cried at the post office. 

 

[IcedTea]

Oh nooo
 
are my stock GE gonna die too?!  

 

[amandarae]

Quote:

If you mean the Lorenz pcc88, then I agree. Listening to them now. They have a really nice sound with the hd650. On the other hand, I did like the Telefunkens. Waiting on some new tubes to come in now!!

Hello Matt,
 
No, mine is only an E88CC(6922).  Just thinking aloud here and nothing more but I always wonder how a PCC88 works and sound good when use in a circuit designed for 6922/6DJ8 with an operating heater voltage 10% less than it should be getting?  But, you have a pair and you mentioned it's great so that's good enough for me.  I guess I will never know in person as I cannot justify paying the current market price for those tubes.
 
Try the JAN Phillips ECG 6922.  Maybe you like it and it does not cost an arm and a leg.
 
Regards!

 

[jtaylor991]

On all this tube stuff, it looks like these are gonna be old stock tubes from way back when that just happen to still work (hopefully). Does anyone manufacture tubes anymore? What will happen when our stock of tubes completely runs out and we have these expensive amazing tube amps left? Someone will have to start making tubes soon if they aren't already. Just my 2c...
P.S. Are the stock tubes in the Lyr modern manufactured?

 

[Ultrainferno]

Still lots of tubes being made in China and maybe Russia. You won't run out but the quality will never be the same. Although some Russian and Chinese tubes are quit good