[eric65]

 
Hello bmichels,
 
I see four amps on this photo :
 
Front to rear : Eddie Current 445 amp ; Cypher Labs Prautes amp ; and two AudioValve RKV III amp !
 
If I understood your first listening impressions, the LCD-X sounds best with your EC445 amp (more neutral and accurate) and the Abyss sounds best with the Cypher Lab Prautes amp (sound more "tubey" with this amp).
When is it of the two AudioValve amps also present  ?

 

[bmichels]

 
 
Hello bmichels,
 
I see four amps on this photo :
 
Front to rear : Eddie Current 445 amp ; Cypher Labs Prautes amp ; and two AudioValve RKV III amp !
 
If I understood your first listening impressions, the LCD-X sounds best with your EC445 amp (more neutral and accurate) and the Abyss sounds best with the Cypher Lab Prautes amp (sound more "tubey" with this amp).
When is it of the two AudioValve amps also present  ?

 
I did not take the time to test the AudioValves... sorry...
 
And also unfortunately I could not test the AYON Stealth with my EC445. The AYON Stealth could be the perfect match to compensate a little the "SS type signature" of the 445 ? What do you think  ? 

 

[bmichels]

I am using "EML mesh plate 445 tubes". 
 
I have not tried other tubes, but can recommend  some tubes that will give a "Less SS" sound to my 445 ? A more "soft" but still precise sound ? 
 
(does changing the 2 "small" tubed in front also can modify the sound signature, or only the 4 "big" tubes can be rolled? changing the 2 front small tube will be MUCH cheaper than changing the 4 BIG tubes

 )

 

[purrin]

what tubes you runing for the drivers (the two small ones.)

 

[Ony38]

Size and number never linked to the price for tubes

Change your driver tube by a matched pair of WE417A (adaptor needed), will cost you around 350-400$ from a serious tube website.

A nos quad of bottle shape 45 will be around 250$

 

[bmichels]

Size and number never linked to the price for tubes

Change your driver tube by a matched pair of WE417A (adaptor needed), will cost you around 350-400$ from a serious tube website.

A nos quad of bottle shape 45 will be around 250$

OK, I will try to find a good NEW pair of WE417A and the adaptors.   Any "serious" vendor to recommend ?

 

[Ony38]

I'm use to buying my tube at Brent jessee recording. Send an email, you will have quickly an answer.

 

[bmichels]

I'm use to buying my tube at Brent jessee recording. Send an email, you will have quickly an answer.

 
 thanks.  I just sent a mail to him.  Will see what he reply.

 

[bmichels]

FYI: I just got an interesting answer from Craig confirming the fact that the low 20 ohms of the LCD-X is really not a problem for the 445.
 
Here is his answer : "" The 445 will drive 8 ohm speakers beautifully. The output transformers are custom designed, and use a tertiary winding to control the headphone impedance. All of those headphones will play their best on the 445 amp. Your preference is all that matters. I prefer the LCD2 headphones out of that batch, but that is just my preference"

interesting n'est-il pas ?   

 
 

 

[Rico613]

This is what I got from Brent back in November:
 

I am totally out of WE 417A tubes at this time, sorry.

I can get new old stock matched pairs with nearly identical date codes, test
very strong.  My cost has soared on these recently, and only one of my many
sources has these.  I can sell you a matched pair for $399.00 plus shipping.
Let me know if interested.

Thanks!

Brent Jessee

 
You will need adapters to use 417A in the 445.  The adapters I got from eBay didn't work.  I did have one good adapter and the 417a tubes that were sold as strong on eBay actually tested poorly.  So I gave up on 417A's  Maybe I'll rewire the adapters and give it another try down the road.  

 

[bmichels]

   
 
You will need adapters to use 417A in the 445.  The adapters I got from eBay didn't work.  I did have one good adapter and the 417a tubes that were sold as strong on eBay actually tested poorly.  So I gave up on 417A's  Maybe I'll rewire the adapters and give it another try down the road.  

 
thanks, I will be carefull about buying those on EBay.

 

[bmichels]

Very strange:  when I try to use this EBAY link to get the WE417A adaptor to use a WE417A driver tube in my EC445 instead of the 6C45, I got the following warning from EBAY saying that this item cannot be sold in my country !  Is this adaptor considered as a lethal weapon ? 
 
The strange thing is that this also appear when I use a VPN to pretend I am located in the USA !!  how EBAY can bypass the VPN ??
 

 

[dguitarnut]

I'm in the USA and it doesn't block me. 
I like the 417's in my 445.

 

[bmichels]

  I'm in the USA and it doesn't block me. 
I like the 417's in my 445.

Well my VPN must not be up to the task ! I will have to check !
 
 
Anyway, I ordered the  WE417-to-6C45  adaptors

      So now I need to find a pair of NEW and matched WE417A driver tubes.

 

[bmichels]

Did someone heard this one ? reasonable price...  A tube DAC....may be it will offer a nice synergy with my EC445 ??