Tube suggestion for Melos SHA-1?

[darkclouds]

I'd like to know what tubes y'all are using and any suggestions.
By the way, I'm using Mullards gold pins.


Thanks

 

[MirandaX]

I'm using new JJ/Teslas. They're pretty solid; no noise, good highs, solid crisp bass. Midrange is sweet, but not not syrupy. (Could be a smidgen bit sweeter, though.)

I've heard great things about the Mullard gold pins and the Melos. How do yours sound? Problem is, they're about $80 each these days.

 

[aeberbach]

The Tesla JJs sure are good, I have them.

My question about gold pin mullards is where do you even get them? I tried to buy some at Upscale Audio but sales are restricted to people who bought their gear there now they are so rare.

 

[MirandaX]

You can buy them at Vacuum Tube Valley. (They actually have pretty harsh words for Upscale Audio's frustrating "cookie jar" policy on their site.)

Does anyone know if the Melos requires matched tubes? It sure would make buying NOS tubes a lot cheaper if we didn't have to buy matched tubes.

 

[KShaft]

I put some siemens gold pins in mine. ya know, i didnt notice a huge difference. i was surprised.

with my ha-2, i heard substantial differences with changes of power and line stage tubes especially. even the rectifier could make some differences.

im just not hearing the same differences with the melos.

 

[darkclouds]

The Mullards came with the amp. As of now, I have nothing to compare the Mullards to.

 

[dngl]

The JJs are perfect tubes for me because they are clean and accurate- big soundstage, very little distortioin, yet they still have that touch of tubey goodness. I think too much of a tube sound, just like too much of a solid state sound, is a bad thing.

 

[Tomo]

Hello,

Sometimes, pursuing the brand name products are not necessarily the best choice since the cost of the tubes far exceed their worth, electronically.

Some tubes are simply too expensive such as Siemens 6922, Mullard E88CC-01, Telefunken 6922, and Brimar E88CC-01. These tubes are known to be the best. However, in my experience, they are not particularly different. Only slightly better, either more air or warmth.

Especially, with SHA-1, tubes does not effect much of the amplifier operations. SHA-1 is a hybrid amp and tube only serves as input stage. Theoretically, tube gain stages are nicer sounding. But I have rolled some tubes, and I have not hear anything out of ordinary with any expensive tubes. Only difference I hear is the difference from Sovtek 6922 which tend to sound very bright and uncomfy.

In my opinions, SHA-1 should be used with high grade tubes. Solid stage elements in the amp does not like tubes to fail while in operation. Low failure tubes is recommendable. I personally use 6H23N's Russian military tubes. Extremely low noise and low microphonics. I found them very reliable in the past. Do not use tubes which are very old or non-graded. You do not want to have tubes fail while using.

Tomo

 

[darkclouds]

This may sound odd, but which set of tubes would make the SHA
sound more "tubey"?

 

[Tomo]

Hello,

SHA-1 is not the best choice while you look for "tubey" sound. Its solid state output stage makes the amp less tubey. SHA-1 sounds like solid state yet like tubey. It is in the middle. I believe if you are looking for tubey sound you should go with EarMax or Cary.

SHA-1's sound is accuracy and sweetness and a bit of warmth which is associated with tubey sound. Because of that the amp is "all around" headphone amp. It is not specilized in warmth or accuracy or sweetness. But it does very well with everything with all kinds of music. That is precisely the best thing about the SHA-1.

TOmo

 

[darkclouds]

Thanks for the reply Tomo, much appreciated.
I do understand that it's a hybrid, but was thinking there may be some tube out there that would make the Melos sound a bit more "tubey" than the Mullards I'm using. It seems that I'm starting to miss my MG Head.
And yes, my eyes have been wandering toward the Zolt and Earmax pro. But as I understand it, these two units are not as versatile as the Melos.

Also, Tomo, from what I've gathered from your previous post, there is not much of a benefit in tube rolling with the Melos. Is this correct?

Thanks

 

[darkclouds]

By the way,
Saw this on ebay: 5 Siemens & Halske Gold Pin E88CC 6922 for
$100 buy it now.

Anyone wanna split?

 

[markl]

My results tube-rolling the Melos Gold are somewhat different. I found that changing tubes made a rather large difference, much to my surprise. The stock tubes were awful Sovteks. I had another better pair of Sovteks on hand that smoothed the sound out considerably. Then I invested in some of upscale audio's best Russian military 6922s and they sounded quite different from both the other Sovteks-- much more open, substantial and detailed.

Of course, my results were obtained by listening through Sony R10s which are very transparent and can highlight even small changes to signal path.

markl

 

[dhwilkin]

darkclouds, sounds like you're starting to want a more tubey amp. A noble goal, one well worth pursuing. The appropriate response in this situation is to go for your dreams, and sell me your Melos.

 

[darkclouds]

dhwilkin,

I knew I came to the right place here at headfi anonymous. Thanks for the support in enabling my obsession.