Shiny Eyes tube amps appreciation thread

[ardbeg1975]

I am creating this thread to consolidate discussion of the custom built headphone tube amps by designer Radu Tarta of https://simplepleasuretubeamps.com/. Radu makes a number of different amps under the “Shiny Eyes” moniker centered on DHT and related designs (e.g. 45, 300B, 4P1L in triode mode, et al.).

I will be providing impressions in the next few weeks of the following inbound Shiny Eyes 45 DHT SET amp.

 

[Wes S]

That's a really good looking tube amp! Looks like it means business, with a classic look.

I looking forward to your impressions.

 

[geoffalter11]

Hi all, time for me to write about my Shiny Eyes. I have a unique version... A 4P1L Pentode amp with a Quad 4P1L's, a 6H30P-DR, and 2 6CJ3 Rectifiers. I have put inverted c cup pentodes cryo'd, the holy grail DR in the driver slot and a pair of Sylvania NOS 6CJ3's. This amp is very unique in that Radu designed it to only use 3 of the 5 electrodes in the pentodes in triad mode, thus creating the sound of a DHT triode amp. It is a very unique amp, with a heavenly sound. The amp has incredible spatial properties, sets a gigantic pocket and then all of the midrange instruments float above the pocket like a halo circling the pocket with perfect tone and timbre. The amp is incredibly natural, transparent, fast and full of life. It is a genius design and is 50lbs of beauty. The amp is biased at 170 milliamps and is consistent as the day is long. The driver and rectifiers last up to 10,000 hrs, but the pentodes are pushed pretty hard and will only get 3,000 or so hrs from them. Fortunately, they are not an expensive tube, but finding a really good pair is not easy as the new Sovtek 4P1L's do not sound as good as their older versions, which are almost all inverted and have a very unique sound to them.

Buying this amp was one of the best audio decisions I have made. It is an amp that I will never sell. It is irreplaceable and sounds more like a DHT amp than my EC Aficionado 2A3 DHT amp, which sounds amazing, but EC amps are their own thing with the tertiary windings in the transformers.

This amp has a TKD volume pot, and Lundahl Amorphous Core Transformers and is 2/3rds power supply and puts out a healthy 3 watts into 32ohms; more than enough headroom for any headphone I have thrown at it. I am not using a Susvara or HE-6 with it, but it powers beautifully my Code X at 87.5 spl, and my HEKv2 Non-Stealth as well as anything else I have thrown its way. It sounds amazing with everything and I highly recommend a Radu amp. The Shiny Eyes platform has many different designs and tube configurations, but no matter the amp you get, you will get something of the highest quality with incredible sonics. If you like a holographic sound that is 2nd order dominant while keeping the 3rd order and other harmonics as far away as possible from the 2nd order harmonics then you have found the right amp. This is the key to the sound of his amps and what keeps the sound so clean, natural and transparent.

Highly recommended....

 

[ardbeg1975]

Background: I’ve owned several DHT amps over the years (2A3, 300B, and 205D) but I’ve been desirous of a full-sized 45-based amp since I (briefly) owned a Lampizator Big7 Mk3 DAC with a 45 tube output stage. So, ultimately I sold my Eddie Current Studio B 300B amp and ordered the Shiny Eyes 45 DHT SET amp to supplant it.

Build: The amp is the physical manifestation of the common wisdom that the sound of a great SET amp is 80% the transformers / power implementation and 20% the actual tubes. As you can see, the Shiny Eyes presents a literal cityscape in miniature of Hashimoto iron rising like skyscrapers from the top plate. Specifications from the manual for the technically inclined are as follows:

“This is a high end, low power headphone/speaker amplifier with a 16 ohms HP output and 8 ohms speaker output at max 2W. The amplifier uses all Hashimoto transformers and chokes, and it is assembled on a sturdy 1/8" aluminum chassis made by LandFallSystems, and wrapped in Peruvian walnut front and sides…

The power supply has a powerful 5AR4 or GZ34 tube rectifier, followed by a CLCLC filtering using two Hashimoto chokes, and two 4 poles Mundorf HV+ high fidelity capacitors.

The amplifier was designed to use the 5AR4 rectifier (or equivalent). Using other 5V rectifiers that have the same pin out is possible. However, they will have an effect on the sound by changing the operating points of the 45 tubes, and therefore the power output. The 5AR4 has a nice 10-12 seconds soft start. Using other rectifiers with shorter ramp up will slightly affect the longevity of the audio tubes. Other possible rectifiers are 5U4, 422A.

There are 3 separate DC regulated supplies for the 45s and C3g tubes, an excellent choice for zero hum. The audio section of the amplifier uses the C3g pentodes in triode mode loaded on a Hashimoto interstage transformer and powered by cascade CCS for minimal distortions. The final/power stage is using the 45 self-biased using Mills resistors and Mundorf Mcaps capacitors. The 45 is loaded on a Hashimoto output transformer.
All the small parts are audio grade and tested for the best sound. I used Audio Note Tantalum, Takman Rey, Mills, AMRG, Vishay Milspec and 5W Kiwame for the supply bleeders.

The amplifier is integrated with one RCA input, and the volume control is a stepped attenuator Elma 47 positions by Goldpoint.

The amplifier delivers 2W maximum on 16 ohms, 1W on 32 ohms, and 100mW on 300 ohms headphones.

The amplifier will also deliver maximum 2W on 8 ohms speakers.”

Sonics: The 45 arrived Thursday so I’m only on day 2 of listening and she is still breaking-in sonically, but, similar to Geoff’s statements in an earliest post about the sound signature of his Shiny Eyes 4P1L, the 45 SET presents the most “holographic”, curved soundscape I’ve heard to date. While the 2A3 may have more texture and splash in the treble and the 300B certainly delivers more power and is nominally more linear, there is some (I hate to use such vague terms) musical realism and sweetness across the frequency range to this 45 implementation that resonates with me. I also feel that while other DHTs may deliver more power in the bass, the 45 achieves a perfect balance of power and texture in the sub- and mid-bass for most headphone power needs. I do understand 2-channel listeners may need the added wattage of a 300B or bigger triode implementation like 211s or 845s, but, for headphones, the 2W 45 (and the 1.5W 205D for that matter) is all most head-fiers will ever need. Back to sonics, I was primarily pairing the amp this week with a Raal Immanis combined with 8-ohm ribbon drive interface connected to the 2W speaker taps of the 45. Stage width, depth, imaging, and detail were top tier even by Immanis standards (my baseline being the Immanis driven by the also excellent Raal VM-1a in triode mode). The amp is very clear and clean but has a noticeable second order harmonics emphasis and a slightly laid back feel conducive to long, fatigue-free listening sessions.

Early days, but the Shiny Eyes is so far proving to be a superb headamp.

 

[geoffalter11]

Background: I’ve owned several DHT amps over the years (2A3, 300B, and 205D) but I’ve always been desirous of a full-sized 45-based amp since I (briefly) owned a Lampizator Big7 Mk3 DAC with a 45 tube output stage. So, ultimately I sold my Eddie Current Studio B 300B amp and ordered the Shiny Eyes 45 DHT SET amp to supplant it.

Build: The amp is the physical manifestation of the common wisdom that the sound of a great SET amp is 80% the transformers / power implementation and 20% the actual tubes. As you can see, the Shiny Eyes presents a literal cityscape in miniature of Hashimoto iron rising like skyscrapers from the top plate. Specifications from the manual for the technically inclined are as follows:

“This is a high end, low power headphone/speaker amplifier with a 16 ohms HP output and 8 ohms speaker output at max 2W. The amplifier uses all Hashimoto transformers and chokes, and it is assembled on a sturdy 1/8" aluminum chassis made by LandFallSystems, and wrapped in Peruvian walnut front and sides…

The power supply has a powerful 5AR4 or GZ34 tube rectifier, followed by a CLCLC filtering using two Hashimoto chokes, and two 4 poles Mundorf HV+ high fidelity capacitors.

The amplifier was designed to use the 5AR4 rectifier (or equivalent). Using other 5V rectifiers that have the same pin out is possible. However, they will have an effect on the sound by changing the operating points of the 45 tubes, and therefore the power output. The 5AR4 has a nice 10-12 seconds soft start. Using other rectifiers with shorter ramp up will slightly affect the longevity of the audio tubes. Other possible rectifiers are 5U4, 422A.

There are 3 separate DC regulated supplies for the 45s and C3g tubes, an excellent choice for zero hum. The audio section of the amplifier uses the C3g pentodes in triode mode loaded on a Hashimoto interstage transformer and powered by cascade CCS for minimal distortions. The final/power stage is using the 45 self-biased using Mills resistors and Mundorf Mcaps capacitors. The 45 is loaded on a Hashimoto output transformer.
All the small parts are audio grade and tested for the best sound. I used Audio Note Tantalum, Takman Rey, Mills, AMRG, Vishay Milspec and 5W Kiwame for the supply bleeders.

The amplifier is integrated with one RCA input, and the volume control is a stepped attenuator Elma 47 positions by Goldpoint.

The amplifier delivers 2W maximum on 16 ohms, 1W on 32 ohms, and 100mW on 300 ohms headphones.

The amplifier will also deliver maximum 2W on 8 ohms speakers.”

Sonics: The 45 arrived Thursday so I’m only on day 2 of listening and she is still breaking-in sonically, but, similar to Geoff’s statements in an earliest post about the sound signature of his Shiny Eyes 4P1L, the 45 SET presents the most “holographic”, curved soundscape I’ve heard to date. While the 2A3 may have more texture and splash in the treble and the 300B certainly delivers more power and is nominally more linear, there is some (I hate to use such vague terms) musical realism and sweetness across the frequency range to this 45 implementation that resonates with me. I also feel that while other DHTs may deliver more power in the bass, the 45 achieves a perfect balance of power and texture in the sub- and mid-bass for most headphone power needs. I do understand 2-channel listeners may need the added wattage of a 300B or bigger triode implementation like 211s or 845s, but, for headphones, the 2W 45 (and the 1.5W 205D for that matter) is all most head-fiers will ever need. Back to sonics, I was primarily pairing the amp this week with a Raal Immanis combined with 8-ohm ribbon drive interface connected to the 2W speaker taps of the 45. Stage width, depth, imaging, and detail were top tier even by Immanis standards (my baseline being the Immanis driving by the also excellent Raal VM-1a in triode mode). The amp is very clear and clean but has a noticeable second order harmonics emphasis and a slightly laid back feel conducive to long, fatigue-free listening sessions.

Early days, but the Shiny Eyes is so far proving to be a superb headamp.

That is one beautiful amp. Congratulations my friend! Between the Icon 205D and the Shiny 45 you are hard pressed to find better amplification and you are so right about how the soundscape almost curves and bends to the music. It comes at you from all angles while imaging beautifully. I think Radu has a house sound changed by the configuration of transformers and tubes he uses, but there seems to be a similarity in tone to all of his amps and he is definitely someone who really likes a 2nd order dominant sound where he keeps all other harmonics as far away as possible lending to a very clean, natural and organic sound. That is one really beautiful amp that after the 300 hrs of burn in will just keep getting better. While I bought mine used, it only had 10-20 hrs on it, so mine isn't quite to 300 hrs yet. I am close and it just keeps getting better. I love the meter and the way he has biased it, and that because of the high quality transformers, power supplies and volume attenuators he uses you get an amp for the most exigent of audio lovers. The Hashimoto is one of the best transformers on the planet. Mine has Lundahl Amorphous Core transformers that are nothing to snooze at, but they are probably half the cost of a Hashimoto transformer and yours has 4. I know with my amp that it is 2/3rds power supply, which I assume yours to be as well, and I like that he used a gold point attenuator as most of his amps get TKD pots. Also wonderful volume pots, so you definitely got every bit what you paid for. I look forward to more impressions as the amp continues to open up. I am finding with mine that top end resolution continues to improve, giving the amp even more balance and stability to the sound. Mine has a bit more power, but not sure it needs it. As headphones continue to become more and more efficient, amps are going the opposite direction and getting more and more powerful. A waste of superfluous power when the headphone doesn't need more than 1.5 watts. Most not even that... I never found the 700mw of the HP8 to be too little power for any headphone I threw at it, and I always felt that it gripped the drivers, the Shiny has that same grip and complete control of the headphone. More importantly, the stability of the drift on his amps is so acute that the headphone gets power at the right moments in the Frequency. Something I am finding to be a lost art in amp building and more important than most other attributes of a well made amp. My AO sounds like a $5000 headphone on the Shiny. I have never heard that headphone sound better and I already find it to be such an enjoyable listen and just so easy on the ears.

For myself, getting this amp was due to me selling my review gear since I can no longer write effectively and so the amp cost me shipping. Fortunately, I don't see myself ever selling it. I am not going to find something better for the cost of shipping. EVER! Although, I sure do miss being the owner of an Icon amp, and one of these days I will make that a reality. While I made the right decision to get a truly unique amp 2 yrs ago in the ECAF, there is a sound to an Icon amp and that gorgeous copper plate that is just so attractive and I definitely miss owning one. You will be hard pressed to find better tube amps if you are a tube lover than what you have in your stable and I am so happy for you.

Congrats on your Shiny 45. That is one absolutely drool worthy amp. Enjoy it in good health.

 

[F208Frank]

Deleted.

 

[NickMimi]

I had Radu’s 300B End Game DHT Shiny Eye’s, w/ HP output and it’s the ONLY Amplifier i dreadfully regret allowing out of my hands, No matter the HP i used on it the sound character was genuinely hands down more interesting and bold than anything else i have experienced to date and I’ve had the pleasure at minimum of trying multiple top quality pieces from others. Not “better” but absolutely a more unique and enjoyable character than anything else. Radu’s pieces are built in his unique style and fall within a niche clientele, they are not for everyone.

 

[normie610]

I had Radu’s 300B End Game DHT Shiny Eye’s, w/ HP output and it’s the ONLY Amplifier i dreadfully regret allowing out of my hands, No matter the HP i used on it the sound character was genuinely hands down more interesting and bold than anything else i have experienced to date and I’ve had the pleasure at minimum of trying multiple top quality pieces from others. Not “better” but absolutely a more unique and enjoyable character than anything else. Radu’s pieces are built in his unique style and fall within a niche clientele, they are not for everyone.

If you don’t mind, can you please elaborate more on what HPs that you’ve tried with the amp? And what’s the amp’s general sound charasteristics? (Is it something that’s more neutral or warm, etc.). Thanks!

 

[CharetteHugh]

Radu’s amps are always intriguing

 

[ardbeg1975]

If you don’t mind, can you please elaborate more on what HPs that you’ve tried with the amp? And what’s the amp’s general sound charasteristics? (Is it something that’s more neutral or warm, etc.). Thanks!

Also, I’d like to know what prompted the now regretted sale and what amp(s) you’ve had the opportunity to compare to the 300B End Game.

 

[FrancoeurRichard]

That tube amp looks amazing

 

[ardbeg1975]

For those interested, I can provide some random thoughts on how I think the 45 SET compares to the following DHT head amps which I’ve heard and/or owned (I don’t go on hearsay and only ever comment on gear I’ve put ears on): Eddie Current Studio B 300B (stock version and custom modded to run off a type 83 Hg vapor rectifier), DNA Stratus v4 2A3, Icon Audio HP205D (running in WE205D and WE300B configurations), Felix Envy (don’t remember the exact variant), and an Andix Audio HPA-45 DHT.

1) EC Studio B (stock and Hg rectifier modded) — the fastest (solid state fast), driest amp you will probably ever hear. The staging is huge, the detail is very apparent, the transients are crisp, there is some tube-induced mid-range sweetness and warmth, and lack of any fatigue in the highs but this is not a typical syrupy, wet, etc. 300B sound signature amp. It is its own thing. The Hg rectified unicorn I owned sounds better than stock by a bit as it maintains all of the best qualities of the stock but is somehow slightly less dry. The stock version can be “persuaded” through rectifier rolling to slow down a hair but not by much.

2) DNA Stratus v4 — very detailed and balanced across the whole frequency range with truly excellent treble. Wet. I mean really wet like walking outside on a high humidity day where the air is so thick you can almost cut through it like warm butter. If a thick but still very high detail sound signature is your jam, this is a great amp. Personally, it is not what I am looking for.

3) Icon Audio HP205D — This versatile amp can run 300Bs or WE205Ds and strikes a very balanced middle ground between fast/slow and wet/dry while again being very detailed. It is a very good 300B amp but hits truly revelatory levels with rare as hen’s teeth NOS WE205Ds (the modern Psvane replicas are very, very close to the originals). Beautiful and energetic treble comparable to a 2A3 but never fatiguing, kicks like a mule in the sub-bass but is more linear in the mid-bass, and has a lot of the mid sweetness of a 300B. Suffice to say I love this amp.

4) Felix Envy — The less I say about this amp, the less trouble I will get into as I know it is well loved but not by me. If the Stratus v4 above is thick but still somehow hyper-detailed and clean, the Envy in comparison (to me) sounds thick and muddy.

5) Andix HPA-45 DHT — A diminutive Japanese import amp which was my first inexpensive (~$750) exposure to a 45 amp. It is not the last word in detail, soundstage, imaging, etc. but when I first heard it (and later the Lampi Big7 Mk3 DAC equipped with 45s), I knew I would eventually acquire a full-sized 45 amp. Everything I like about 300Bs (especially the vocal mids) was there but somehow even better (albeit with lower max power output).

6) Shiny Eyes 45 DHT SET amp — See earlier post for my initial thoughts. The staging, clarity, and “ease” of presentation are particular highlights from the first few listening sessions. As the amp breaks-in, I’ll post some more impressions. I’m also going to roll in some NOS globe 45s and a NOS Mullard metal-base 5AR4 to see how the amp responds to different tube complements. That said, I really like this 45 DHT implementation and prefer it to the more powerful 300B amps I’ve heard. What it lacks in power it compensates with nuance / finesse and some intangible musical engagement factor.

 

[NickMimi]

If you don’t mind, can you please elaborate more on what HPs that you’ve tried with the amp? And what’s the amp’s general sound charasteristics? (Is it something that’s more neutral or warm, etc.). Thanks!

I have written as much as i am capable of over in the Sonus Apparatus forum, I enjoy my equipment but I’m no well educated or experienced writer or reviewer so my opinions and experiences are simply my own. Lastly HP’s are a side hobby simply because i enjoy the equipment not because i have a great need for them, i have 2 proper 2 channel systems w/ multiple smaller less expensive set-ups all in 2channel. I have 2 HP stations which i randomly and often swap equipment in.
Specifically to answer your question i used Audeze pre-fazor LCD 2 and 3, Kennerton GH50 (both stock and JM edition), Sennheiser HD800 & 600, and ATH-AWAS & AWKT.

I also posted some thoughts in the Sonus Apparatus forum if you want to read some details;
https://www.sonusapparatus.com/2023...-shiny-eyes-end-game-dht-headphone-amplifier/

‘Also, I’d like to know what prompted the now regretted sale and what amp(s) you’ve had the opportunity to compare to the 300B End Game“
I desperately needed a used car and i sold off my Radu, a pair of Decware’s (Taboo Mk4 & SE84UFO25) and my EC Studio B to have enough cash on hand to purchase a decent used vehicle).

Happy listening and please remember i’m no reviewer, i just enjoy my gear.

 

[ThorstenJunker907]

That tube amp looks fantastic

 

[ardbeg1975]

…I’m also going to roll in some NOS globe 45s and a NOS Mullard metal-base 5AR4 to see how the amp responds to different tube complements…

As promised, yesterday I rolled in a pair of NOS Rogers AC-245 globes and a metal-base Mullard GZ34 rectifier to see how the amp’s sound would change. It may be placebo, bias for that which is antique, call it what you will, but I still contend that the oldest DHT tubes bring something special to the mix. To my ears, there is an added expansiveness, finesse, and crispness most noticeable in the treble of (to list a few personal examples) a single-plate 2A3, an original WE205D, and, yes now, a globe 45 compared to their later NOS or new issue brethren in a well implemented SET amp. Suffice to say, I prefer the globes in the Shiny Eyes over the bundled ST 45s. But there is always a price, either in actual cost or reliability particularly with 45 globes due to less internal structural support compared to the ST bottle. For my particular pair, they sound divine driving an Immanis via the speaker taps into the 8 ohm Raal ribbon drive transformer stand. Equally excellent paired with a 20 ohm Quad ERA-1 planar. However, I can hear a quite noisy tube hum on one channel with the HD800S. Rolling in the sturdier, “newer” NOS 45 STs and all is well again. Oh well, the Immanis sounds better than it ever has so it was worth the gamble on the globes.

As to the metal-base rectifier, harder to say. In other amps I’ve owned which took 5AR4s, the metal-base has always imparted a bit of added quickness of attack to my ears. Less so on this amp. But again, the 45 SET is still far from Radu’s recommended 300 hours before she really opens up.