ZMF Aegis Official Thread

[theveterans]

How (where) are the mids?

Thick and Juicy on Susvara. With Bokeh Open, I prefer the TAD KT66 since KT88 can be overly contrasty with it while TAD KT66 is more subdued in the upper mids than KT88. Susvara is more laid back by default than the Bokeh Open (fun sound)

 

[tholt]

I upgraded my Rogue Cronus Magnum to the Dark model and upgraded power tubes to Psvane Acme KT-88. Acme is Psvane's high end series but priced much better than some of the high end tubes like Apos Ray (less than half the price).
I'm extremely happy with the Psvane Acme KT-88, they sound incredible and have performed flawlessly for over eight months. Can be ordered from Amazon. Make sure you select the Psvane Direct store on Amazon as opposed to other vendors that also sell there.

Quick follow up on this, you can also order from Psvane direct at https://psvane.co/. Currently they have a discount on Acme KT88s and also another 5% sitewide discount and offer free shipping (at least to the US, unsure of other countries) and no sales tax. I've always been curious about them so I ordered a pair for a grand total of $178.60 out the door. Amazon would have been ~$50 more. Excited to try them

 

[IvanE92]

Have some Raytheon 5751 with Deyan-made adapters if anyone is looking to trade. Cash works too. My setup is pretty much dialed in, but a better KT-88 may serve me well.

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds...tter-3x-mica-vacuum-tubes-matched-pair.86561/

 

[Toonartist]

How (where) are the mids?

@Toonartist tist how would you say the GEC KT88 Black Plates compare to the 4654 Red Paint? I am trying to get some kind of idea of the KT88 sound. . .

I would say their quality is equal but their sound is quite different. The GEC KT88 black plate / top getter are like a SS amp with a liquid sound, spherical stage... dynamic, clean sort of perfect sound. Just enough tube sound to them, very organic but great energy and attack but more character than a SS.

The 4654 Red Paint have a bigger stage, great depth and more air. They present a very lifelike sound which may not be as perfect, pure and clean as the KT88 but it results in a sound that is musical and seems to detach itself from the headphones to create the feeling the sound is in the room rather than coming from the headphones. They have a texture, character that sounds very real.... very open, very natural.

I love both as they excel with different genres and are very different. While the 4654 can do EDM they're not as dynamic as the KT88. This is why the Aegis is so good. You can have the best of all worlds with a quick change of tubes. I don't think there is a tube I have that I don't really enjoy... they all get used and I couldn't bring myself to sacrifice any of them. Enjoying the 4654 with the U52 at the moment...giving the TA274b a rest. Might have to roll the KT88 in again with the ZMF AC very soon... great combo!

 

[Wes S]

I would say their quality is equal but their sound is quite different. The GEC KT88 black plate / top getter are like a SS amp with a liquid sound, spherical stage... dynamic, clean sort of perfect sound. Just enough tube sound to them, very organic but great energy and attack but more character than a SS.

The 4654 Red Paint have a bigger stage, great depth and more air. They present a very lifelike sound which may not be as perfect, pure and clean as the KT88 but it results in a sound that is musical and seems to detach itself from the headphones to create the feeling the sound is in the room rather than coming from the headphones. They have a texture, character that sounds very real.... very open, very natural.

I love both as they excel with different genres and are very different. While the 4654 can do EDM they're not as dynamic as the KT88. This is why the Aegis is so good. You can have the best of all worlds with a quick change of tubes. I don't think there is a tube I have that I don't really enjoy... they all get used and I couldn't bring myself to sacrifice any of them. Enjoying the 4654 with the U52 at the moment...giving the TA274b a rest. Might have to roll the KT88 in again with the ZMF AC very soon... great combo!

Dude! Thanks for the detailed response.

 

[theveterans]

You nailed it right @Toonartist . I really like how planars sound with the KT88 because of the "liquid, clean, dynamic, pure and perfect" descriptions. The holographic spherical imaging is icing on the cake but what stands out to me is the lack of distortion in the notes yet it's far from being sterile unlike SS sound.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

I wound up with one random Raytheon 5X4G rectifier, and from what I’ve gathered
they are equivalent to the 5U4G except for the base and pinout. If I get a 5U4G-to-5X4G adapter, is there any reason I couldn’t use it in the Aegis? It’s not listed on the tube compatibility spreadsheet, so I wanted to make sure it was ok to try.

 

[JTbbb]

I wound up with one random Raytheon 5X4G rectifier, and from what I’ve gathered
they are equivalent to the 5U4G except for the base and pinout. If I get a 5U4G-to-5X4G adapter, is there any reason I couldn’t use it in the Aegis? It’s not listed on the tube compatibility spreadsheet, so I wanted to make sure it was ok to try.

If this tube is the equivalent…I believe you would need to order a 5X4G-to-5U4G adapter. Please check with others though.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

I wound up with one random Raytheon 5X4G rectifier, and from what I’ve gathered
they are equivalent to the 5U4G except for the base and pinout. If I get a 5U4G-to-5X4G adapter, is there any reason I couldn’t use it in the Aegis? It’s not listed on the tube compatibility spreadsheet, so I wanted to make sure it was ok to try.

Yes, it is a 5U4 equivalent, so you could use it with an adapter.

 

[Toonartist]

Today’s pairing after a very enjoyable day with the U52… the ER274b comes in for a bit of play. For those with the DIY version and the first cap mod to 4uF, this is a great combo.

The U52 is smooth and refined with good detail… the ER274b is just mass drama, texture and weight. It’s showy and big with more decay than either the TA274b and U52. If your listening to sound tracks or anything atmospheric, live gigs etc, it is a standout rectifier and sounds brilliant with the 4654 Mesh Plate… as do most tubes to be fair.

Listening to Dalia Stasevska, BBC Symphony Orchestra - Dalia’s Mixtape… and this combo handles the dramatic swings in tempo really well. The texture and air are incredible.

 

[DACattack]

Well, I'm about to join the Aegis club. Order has been placed. I skimmed this thread before ordering, but now I'm ready to delve into this long thread this weekend and learn as much as possible. I typically keep the stock tubes in place for a good month to get a good impression of the 'default' sound in any tube amp, but I do intend to roll, though I'm typically very deliberate when I do.

Two quick questions if anyone feels like helping a newbie so I have some guideposts to focus upon as I read: (1) Which of the three tube types--input, output or rectifier--are most impacted by rolling (i.e., which type should I roll first)? (2) and is there a recommended first roll for that type?

As for headphones I'm starting out with the Bokeh (Closed now and Open is ordered and being built), and will add a 300 ohm ZMF in November. I'll see what my HD800 and Elex are like as well. Excited to hear what all the hubbub is about.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[mattiastomas]

Well, I'm about to join the Aegis club. Order has been placed. I skimmed this thread before ordering, but now I'm ready to delve into this long thread this weekend and learn as much as possible. I typically keep the stock tubes in place for a good month to get a good impression of the 'default' sound in any tube amp, but I do intend to roll, though I'm typically very deliberate when I do.

Two quick questions if anyone feels like helping a newbie so I have some guideposts to focus upon as I read: (1) Which of the three tube types--input, output or rectifier--are most impacted by rolling (i.e., which type should I roll first)? (2) and is there a recommended first roll for that type?

As for headphones I'm starting out with the Bokeh (Closed now and Open is ordered and being built), and will add a 300 ohm ZMF in November. I'll see what my HD800 and Elex are like as well. Excited to hear what all the hubbub is about.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Congrats! I really enjoyed building the Aegis. It was a very fun build and L0rdgwyn's instructions are top notch.

Out of the 3, output tubes have the most impact. So I would recommend rolling those first. There is a dizzying array of recommended output tubes. Read through this thread and the ZMF Aegis thread for recommendations.

A good budget NOS output tube I would recommend is the Tung Sol 5881. It sounds great for such an inexpensive tube.

 

[DACattack]

@mattiastomas How cool that you were able to build it. Personally, I know my limitations, and don't mind paying extra especially for that ZMF aesthetic and quality.

Thanks again for the input; I really do appreciate the guidance. I just looked at pricing of the Tung Sol 5881 on eBay. Surprisingly affordable for a NOS tube. I know those are a vanishing breed these days, but it's refreshing to see there are still some to be had.

I have tomorrow off work and am looking forward to reading through the thread over the next three days and taking lots of notes.

 

[mattiastomas]

@mattiastomas How cool that you were able to build it. Personally, I know my limitations, and don't mind paying extra especially for that ZMF aesthetic and quality.

Thanks again for the input; I really do appreciate the guidance. I just looked at pricing of the Tung Sol 5881 on eBay. Surprisingly affordable for a NOS tube. I know those are a vanishing breed these days, but it's refreshing to see there are still some to be had.

I have tomorrow off work and am looking forward to reading through the thread over the next three days and taking lots of notes.

Sorry I misunderstood. I thought this was the DIY thread and thought that you were saying that you were gonna build one .

Yeah the Tung Sol 5881 are definitely affordable.

My favourite combo for an affordable NOS set is RCA 5R4GY rectifier (DD getter), Sylvania 7F7 input tubes (this needs adapters. Deyan here on headfi makes wonderful adapters) and the Tung Sol 5881 output tubes.

There's definitely a lot of tube impressions here on the thread. There's a lot of users who are doing the Lord's work testing different tubes and even different variants of the same tubes and giving their impressions here.

 

[Hickory Deadglove]

Well, I'm about to join the Aegis club. Order has been placed. I skimmed this thread before ordering, but now I'm ready to delve into this long thread this weekend and learn as much as possible. I typically keep the stock tubes in place for a good month to get a good impression of the 'default' sound in any tube amp, but I do intend to roll, though I'm typically very deliberate when I do.

Two quick questions if anyone feels like helping a newbie so I have some guideposts to focus upon as I read: (1) Which of the three tube types--input, output or rectifier--are most impacted by rolling (i.e., which type should I roll first)? (2) and is there a recommended first roll for that type?

As for headphones I'm starting out with the Bokeh (Closed now and Open is ordered and being built), and will add a 300 ohm ZMF in November. I'll see what my HD800 and Elex are like as well. Excited to hear what all the hubbub is about.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

You can check this spreadsheet, it give you an idea about some of the tubes you can use; I learn the possibility of using 7F7 and 807 there. I like these, as a lot of folks on this thread.