[Skylab]

There are lots of different Gold Brand Sylvania 5751's. I have some that are 2 mica grey plate, and so e that are 3 mica black plates

 

[cacatalysis]

Any type sonically stands out?

 

[BugleBoy]

Quote:

Raytheon windmill is next on my list to get.  I have the choice to go for 7729 vs 5751 windmiill, decided to go for the 7729 as they are very rare.  Are sylvania triple mica balck plates better than sylvania gold brand 5751? 

I think one of the main reasons for 7729's superlative performance is its vanishingly low noise floor (almost complete black background). To really appreciate what these tubes are capable of you ought to listen to well recorded live music (Roxy Music live at Apollo theater 2001 immediately comes to mind + many others i am sure). That said, in my experience it is never about one tube type...its more about the synergy of different tubes in your audio chain.
 
In my current set-up i have settled for Amperex 7316 foil d-getter (EE Minimax op-amp modified) ---> Raytheon 7729 + NOS Mullard EL84 (Leben CS-300x). But I recall when I was using Pavane 12au7 in my Minimax DAC I preferred Amperex EL84 d-getter to the Mullards. All this might change again when I finish building the Audio Note DAC 4.1 which I currently have on order...as I will then have to deal with 3 more tube types (6X5, ECL82 & 5687).
 

 

[cacatalysis]

I got great results with CBS 7729 and RCA red command 5751 using amperexx EL 84 d-getter.  Is there a big difference between 50s and 60s mullard el84?  Have you tried mullard 12ax7s?  Leben is so transparent, a fantastic amp but sometime will give people very different impressions.  I completely agree with your opinion that with Leben all the components along the audio chain matter. 

 

[BugleBoy]

Now that you have used the 7729 for a few days...would be great to hear your thoughts.

 

[cacatalysis]

After 10 hours, they make my HD800 (driven by Leben) a pair of fantastic speakers.  Big and impactful sound with details and balanced yet full tonality.  Absolutely the best 5751/12ax7 in my collections.  They will save me money, as now I can sell some of my amps and tubes. 

 

[Dr. Roberts]

According to the Price Japan website, the Leben line is due for a 30% price increase on April 23, which pretty much forces the hand of this admirer of Mr. Hyodo's sonic masterpieces to purchase a CS300XS now from Tone Imports. Without wading through the entire thread, I am hoping for some info from the resident experts regarding the synergy of this amp with my current inventory of cans which includes the LCD-3, PS1000, HD800 & 650, ATH-W3000ANV, and the D7000.
 
My main concern is if this little beauty can drive both low as well as high impedance cans equally well. Any thoughts as to how the Leben compares with the EAR HP4 would also be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks in advance for any and all pertinent info.

 

[Skylab]

I like the Leben a great deal with both the LCD-3 and the W3000ANV. Especially the AT - very nice combo there.

 

[Dr. Roberts]

Those two were actually my greatest concern. Thanks Skylab. The HP4 and the Grados are a match made in heaven though some think having an affair between Senns and the EAR is sure divorce material although I have spent many an enjoyable hour with the two and the Grados haven't left me.......yet.

 

[nd4speed]

Quote:

I like the Leben a great deal with both the LCD-3 and the W3000ANV. Especially the AT - very nice combo there.

I agree the Leben is absolutely fabulous with the LCD-3. I'm looking at branching out and was considering an HE-6 (with the speaker adapter), or HD800 for this amp; what do you think has better synergy?

 

[Skylab]

I think if you want something different, the HD-800 will be more different. So I might go that route, although between that and the HE-6, I do prefer the HE-6, personally.

 

[nd4speed]

Quote:

I think if you want something different, the HD-800 will be more different. So I might go that route, although between that and the HE-6, I do prefer the HE-6, personally.

Ah, thanks for info Skylab. Decisions, decisions

. The only think slightly off-putting about the HE-6 adapter to me is that I can't easily switch between speaker and headphone output. I'd be perfect if there were pass-through speaker terminals and a switch to take the adapter in and out of the circuit. If anyone knows of such an animal please chime in.

 

[cacatalysis]

I use my Leben for HD800 and HE6(speaker out via hifiman adapter).  I do not know how to find a device to switch between speakers and headphone from the speaker out.  I am extremely happy with Leben driving both headphones.  The tubes in my Leben are CBS 7729/Amperex EL84 d-getters.  No other combination comes close in my experience.  Finally, my WA22 could not keep up with the Leben with these tubes no matter what tube combo I use for WA22, which I have nearly all the popular tubes for WA22.

 

[Lallas]

I just wonder how it will work with my Audeze-LCD-2.
I've had them for a couple of months now,together with Violectric HPA V200 and the Red Astrachan cable.
I'm very satisfied. But still....
I can't get the LebenCS300XS out of my head. Looks on it and reads about it everyday.
Someone said to me that LebenCS300X has little difficulties to drive HiFiMan HE-6 properly,but he didn't know how it would work with the LCD-2?.
So I wonder what you say about it together with my LCD-2?

 

[dminches]

The Leben and the LCD-2s are a great combination.  I listened to that for a good while until I upgraded to the LCD-3s.