I bought a pair of Melz 6N9S. Luckily they are not noisy. This combo (with Nevz 6F6M1) sounds more like solid state to me. I was using 807 ( red print ) and Sylvania VT-229 tubes before.
ZMF Aegis Official Thread
- Thread starter AnyDave
- Start date
idairyou
1000+ Head-Fier
Yes, one of the reasons I purchased them because they were so cheap because I also spent $285 for a pair of GEC KT66.RCA 4R4GY + RCA 5691 Red Base + Reflektor 6П3С-Е = sublime for my ears. Moreover, the Reflektor tubes are very easy on my wallet at just USD 35.5 per pair
I asked ChatGPT since I ended up with so many tubes 
the result:
This is fun! I guess I have to try the combinations myself to prove it.
Nice, what rectifier are you using?I bought a pair of Melz 6N9S. Luckily they are not noisy. This combo (with Nevz 6F6M1) sounds more like solid state to me. I was using 807 ( red print ) and Sylvania VT-229 tubes before.
I asked ChatGPT since I ended up with so many tubes
the result:
This is fun! I guess I have to try the combinations myself to prove it.
My tube combo is definitely closest to #3 from ChatGPT in order to mesh with Susvara OG extremely well
Input: TJ Full Music 6SL7
Output: TAD KT66
Rectification: Mullard GZ32 D getter
Last edited:
I was kind of surprised by this purchase. Only $35 for the pair of output tubes: 6P3S Foton. Think these were from the ‘60s, so not the 50’s mentioned in past threads. But I can’t hear anything wrong with these combined with GZ34 and RCA 5691red base. It’s a very precise, controlled, dynamic sound, with decent sized soundstage with exact placement. Works perfect for the Caldera Open. Kind of the precision of solid state with the richness of tubes.
I didn’t want to spent the crazy money of El KT90 but have a pair of new Electro-Harmonix KT90EH coming tomorrow. If they sound better than the Foton, great, otherwise, think I’m done tube rolling and completely happy where I’m at for a while.
Also gave my Caldera Open a pad roll just to see if my preferences changed with the Aegis but back with the stock pads. The Aegis did make the soundstage of the thick pads more impressive and the suede pads sounded tighter and closer to stock but a hint less air.
I didn’t want to spent the crazy money of El KT90 but have a pair of new Electro-Harmonix KT90EH coming tomorrow. If they sound better than the Foton, great, otherwise, think I’m done tube rolling and completely happy where I’m at for a while.
Also gave my Caldera Open a pad roll just to see if my preferences changed with the Aegis but back with the stock pads. The Aegis did make the soundstage of the thick pads more impressive and the suede pads sounded tighter and closer to stock but a hint less air.
I asked ChatGPT since I ended up with so many tubes
the result:
This is fun! I guess I have to try the combinations myself to prove it.
Really excited for your thoughts and how the combo you have stacks with 5 different sound characters you and AI defined
jonathan c
Headphoneus Supremus
A fully-NOS armament for the USS Aegis 
:
Brimar CV1863 (5Z4G), pair Fivre CV509 (6V6G), pair Ken-Rad VT-229 (6SL7). 
. Thank you so! @L0rdGwyn for the compatibility table.
:
. Thank you so! @L0rdGwyn for the compatibility table.
The variety of tubes you can roll in the Aegis is incredible. There are endless number of good combinations, depending on your DAC, headphones and taste. I am only at the beginning of this journey, tried 5 rectifiers, 5 output tubes and 3 input tubes so far (including all their combinations). A few more tubes coming in shortly.
So far with my Cyan 2 and Caldera open I tend to gravitate back to this combination: RCA 5R4GY, Tung Sol 6SL7GT and Gold Lion KT66. KT66 has better depth than EL34 and sounds smoother. Can be too warm with the wrong rectifier, but the RCA brings great dynamics that these output tubes need. KT88 is more balanced and more neutral, with very nice space but not quite as engaging as the smooth warmth of KT66. I am really curious to hear the EL38s, my next outputs.
There were some other nice combinations, like GZ32 with KT88, depending on what sound someone is looking for. I like a smooth and warm sound but with as much details and clarity as possible with great dynamics. Neither of my previous tube combinations were bad, I could be happy with many of them, but it is great to have the option of tuning into your personal preference even more. I am also curious to try a good NOS KT66 to see how much more I'd like that over the GLs. Plus, I'd like to try the Brimar version of the 5R4GY and perhaps the highly regarded 5691 to see if they add anything over my Tung Sols.
So far with my Cyan 2 and Caldera open I tend to gravitate back to this combination: RCA 5R4GY, Tung Sol 6SL7GT and Gold Lion KT66. KT66 has better depth than EL34 and sounds smoother. Can be too warm with the wrong rectifier, but the RCA brings great dynamics that these output tubes need. KT88 is more balanced and more neutral, with very nice space but not quite as engaging as the smooth warmth of KT66. I am really curious to hear the EL38s, my next outputs.
There were some other nice combinations, like GZ32 with KT88, depending on what sound someone is looking for. I like a smooth and warm sound but with as much details and clarity as possible with great dynamics. Neither of my previous tube combinations were bad, I could be happy with many of them, but it is great to have the option of tuning into your personal preference even more. I am also curious to try a good NOS KT66 to see how much more I'd like that over the GLs. Plus, I'd like to try the Brimar version of the 5R4GY and perhaps the highly regarded 5691 to see if they add anything over my Tung Sols.
Louisiana
500+ Head-Fier
Does this rectifier work in the Aegis?
Is it already a U50 or not?
Is it already a U50 or not?
Does this rectifier work in the Aegis?
Is it already a U50 or not?
That's a type 80, close to a 5Y3, but has a UX4 base, so you would need an adapter.
The variety of tubes you can roll in the Aegis is incredible. There are endless number of good combinations, depending on your DAC, headphones and taste. I am only at the beginning of this journey, tried 5 rectifiers, 5 output tubes and 3 input tubes so far (including all their combinations). A few more tubes coming in shortly.
So far with my Cyan 2 and Caldera open I tend to gravitate back to this combination: RCA 5R4GY, Tung Sol 6SL7GT and Gold Lion KT66. KT66 has better depth than EL34 and sounds smoother. Can be too warm with the wrong rectifier, but the RCA brings great dynamics that these output tubes need. KT88 is more balanced and more neutral, with very nice space but not quite as engaging as the smooth warmth of KT66. I am really curious to hear the EL38s, my next outputs.
There were some other nice combinations, like GZ32 with KT88, depending on what sound someone is looking for. I like a smooth and warm sound but with as much details and clarity as possible with great dynamics. Neither of my previous tube combinations were bad, I could be happy with many of them, but it is great to have the option of tuning into your personal preference even more. I am also curious to try a good NOS KT66 to see how much more I'd like that over the GLs. Plus, I'd like to try the Brimar version of the 5R4GY and perhaps the highly regarded 5691 to see if they add anything over my Tung Sols.
Nice photo editing! Curious what app you use to get that kind of photo highlight?
Anyways, KT66 will always have a more spherical approach to soundstage rather than wide expansive. You can still roll input and rectifier tubes to increase the soundstage and such. For me, the TAD KT66 (which is compressed sounding when completely new) has opened up that I do not miss any microdetails at all relative to the KT88 presentation. Also, the staging has increased in all directions yet still retains the spherical imaging that it has which to me is the more preferred presentation since it allows the energy of music to flow easier especially on super demanding headphones like the Tunsgten and Susvara OG. The TAD KT66 might be too thick with ZMF Calderas and as such, EL38s and 807s/ATS25 can be the golden ticket for those headphones. The GEC could be your ticket too for maximizing the detail for KT66 on your current input and rectifier tubes.
Your comments sound good and align with my findings and preference so far.
Photo edit was just the built in AI app in my Pixel 9.
Your comments sound good and align with my findings and preference so far.
Photo edit was just the built in AI app in my Pixel 9.
That's some nice app indeed! I have to get my phone photo editing game up so I can make awesome studio looking shots indeed
Glad you find my impressions helpful since that's how I've also heard some of the tubes behave the same way when I was using the ampsandsound Forge prior to upgrading to the Aegis. The tubes more or less retain their character on both amps indeed
Users who are viewing this thread
