The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[Paladin79]

This is what I PM'd @Paladin79 after I'd listened to the '58 Melz:

1) As I mentioned previously (and my thoughts haven't changed), this tube extracts low-level detail better than most anything I've heard. I don't mean in-your-face hyped up treble, I'm talking about the longer fade into complete silence of a note. The multiples of harmonics that accompany a note. The more individualized voices in the audience of a live recording. All those 'background' type things that happen and that you can hear in live music, but too often go missing in an audio system reproduction. Makes things more real, if you will.
2) Treble is extended and airy without ever being fatiguing or out of proportion.
3) Nice depth to the soundstage, especially compared to the Foton. Width is about the same, but the Melz is deeper and there is better imaging of performers in their own space.
4) Bass is nicely extended and has exceedingly good definition. It's missing that little bump in the upper bass that the Foton has. That may be a coloration of the Foton -- who knows -- but I like it as it seems to add a nice rhythmic quality to the music. Not that the Melz is necessarily deficient in this area, just that it's an area the Foton excels in and scores highly for my personal preferences.

I get a very slight hum in the Incubus with no signal and the volume control in the 2:00 - 4:00 position. Below 2:00 and above 4:00, totally silent. I still don't understand that 2:00 - 4:00 (minor) hum and then no hum from 4:00 to 5:00, but the Melz is not the only tube that does that. I don't listen above 12:00 on anything so it's irrelevant musically -- just a test observation.

The Melz is awesome with a TS 5998, Chatham 6AS7, RCA 6AS7GA, and the Mullard 6080. It's not the best combo with the Cetron 7236...that tube needs a really warm driver tube (the GEC L63's are heavenly with it). The Melz is more neutral to my ears -- slightly to the warm side of neutral, but just slightly.

So in all, nice find! I'd put this Melz in my (personal) top 5. I like it better than the holey plate Melz -- it's just more musical to my ears.

Now that many have spoken, the Incubus amp I designed does show a slight hum with no signal with the perforated plate Melz but not the solid plate. Bill's reactions are slightly different but this man hears things in tubes like no other person I know of so I certainly respect his opinion. I get no hum with other tubes and with the perforated plates it is slight. Oh yeah and I should mention Bills Incubus has some solid silver wire he donated to be used in his amp as well as some other parts I used in my vary own amp but few others.

Ripper may give his impressions later after he watches the Cowboys and Washington slug it out for bottom place in their division.

 

[highstream]

@bcowen In the process of burning in the 1578, I’ve now tried eight rectifiers and have two more on the way, with the goal of finding a mesh that allows the Melz to shine rather than compete, and to give it more warmth. I’ve most often felt like I’m watching music rather than feeling it so far.

@JKDJedi I’ve found that no matter how much time a cable spends on the developer’s Dharma, the result don’t compare with time spent plugged to actual components.

 

[sam6550a]

Now that many have spoken, the Incubus amp I designed does show a slight hum with no signal with the perforated plate Melz but not the solid plate. Bill's reactions are slightly different but this man hears things in tubes like no other person I know of so I certainly respect his opinion. I get no hum with other tubes and with the perforated plates it is slight. Oh yeah and I should mention Bills Incubus has some solid silver wire he donated to be used in his amp as well as some other parts I used in my vary own amp but few others.

Ripper may give his impressions later after he watches the Cowboys and Washington slug it out for bottom place in their division.

Well, here are my quick observations. I would like to try one in a Saga sometime, or I could ship you my Saga.

 

[Paladin79]

Now that looks like an outcome of a Melz 1578 & Foton unwanted child from a wild orgy... Woodstock?

Shhh this is a special tube aimed for @bcowen only, I know his tastes or lack there of. I really think it is going to sound like your 71 Melz and that is not a bad thing. I will have to think of a special name for it since Cowen likes tubes with special names. Maybe the Felz, or the Moton.

 

[Paladin79]

Well, here are my quick observations. I would like to try one in a Saga sometime, or I could ship you my Saga.

Very good observations Sam, I have never experienced a treble roll off with my setup. Hang onto the tube and try it in your Saga sometime, I have so much going on that it could be a while before I tried it. I generally just run two Melz 1578's or two of the solid plate Melz in a Freya plus, a quad is just too much of a good thing and probably overkill.

 

[sam6550a]

Shhh this is a special tube aimed for @bcowen only, I know his tastes or lack there of. I really think it is going to sound like your 71 Melz and that is not a bad thing. I will have to think of a special name for it since Cowen likes tubes with special names. Maybe the Felz, or the Moton.

Or a Woodmelz?

 

[Paladin79]

Or a Woodmelz?

Woodstock happens to be my dogs name. Here is Finnegan reacting to something @bcowen said. He can't exactly cover his face with his paws. Woodstock is trying to pretend he does not know of Bill.

 

[bcowen]

Shhh this is a special tube aimed for @bcowen only, I know his tastes or lack there of. I really think it is going to sound like your 71 Melz and that is not a bad thing. I will have to think of a special name for it since Cowen likes tubes with special names. Maybe the Felz, or the Moton.

Oh geeez, do I have to do everything around here? The Melzoton. There. But that's assuming the tube is respectable and not just a mutation of leftover parts.

 

[bcowen]

Well, here are my quick observations. I would like to try one in a Saga sometime, or I could ship you my Saga.

Thanks for sharing, Sam!!

 

[sam6550a]

Thanks for sharing, Sam!!

At my age, there is not a lot to share!

 

[bcowen]

At my age, there is not a lot to share!

LOL! Wisdom. At least that's what I tell my teenage son, but he doesn't seem to know what it is.

 

[bcowen]

Woodstock happens to be my dogs name. Here is Finnegan reacting to something @bcowen said. He can't exactly cover his face with his paws. Woodstock is trying to pretend he does not know of Bill.

ROFL!

But please -- Finnegan is just smelling Woodstock's butt. That, or he already passed out.

 

[sam6550a]

ROFL!

But please -- Finnegan is just smelling Woodstock's butt. That, or he already passed out.

He probably ate some Texas barbecue.

 

[bcowen]

He probably ate some Texas barbecue.

LOL! Then he's passed out for sure.

 

[JKDJedi]

At my age, there is not a lot to share!

Like never waste a ------ oops.. (too much tequila last night).