+1

No, there's no problem leaving them plugged in. The output is disconnected when the amp is turned off and there is a ~30 second time delay on startup before the output is reconnected.

Looks good! I got some Cossor ATS25 tubes today, was eager to try them. Unfortunately, when I put them in and turned on, the amp started smoking :fearful: obviously a short of some kind, turned off immediately, so no permanent damage (hot resistors). Turns out the Xuling adapter had a short...

Yeah I'd definitely call it a warm DAC, although I don't find the bass to be huge necessarily, but it's got a warm tilt no doubt! I'm curious about your Merason DAC, that's on my short list of ones I'd like to take for a spin. Gotta say though, the price hike for the MKII version concerns me...

I have been getting a little bit of DAC envy lately, for no reason in particular. I've been wondering if I should add a non tube DAC to my stable, just for the sake of variety. But unsure of course if that would really be a step in the right direction, sonically speaking. So I decided to do a...

Well given that is an integrated amplifier with a preamp stage, and designed for a 2V input sensitivity, you really shouldn't need the gain of the 6:1 output. But it's your call.

That is more of a question to ask yourself. What kind of power amplifier are you using it with? What is its input sensitivity? How much output voltage do you need? On the 12:1 setting, gain is around 13dB, on 6:1 around 19dB. If you need less voltage, and a lower noise floor, then use 12:1...

I'm not aware that anyone has. Should work well though in theory. Could try either low or medium output setting.

400V would also be fine. But I don't think there is going to be any benefit in using a boutique capacitor brand, probably will just make the likelihood of failure higher. And there is no maximum voltage, can go as high as you'd like.

We put this sticker on specifically for you and you...still screwed up. Unbelievable.

Sounds like a great pairing! Makes me curious what my old Auteur would've sounded like on Aegis :thinking: Nice, I always loved Fivre tubes. I used to have relationships with some tube sellers in Italy he would update me on their Fivre stocks. Not buying as many NOS tubes nowadays (I...

Got some Bendix 6889 tubes in for testing purposes. As I expected from the datasheet, they bias on the hot side, close to 70mA with a GZ34. The output transformers are gapped for 60mA, but going over a little bit isn't a huge problem. I would say this is the absolute maximum bias current I...

No sorry, that tube's heater draws 3.75A!! Aegis is rated for 2A as that is the max most high power pentodes and tetrodes use. That tube is a beast.

Yeah Zach is planning to bring to London.

If a tube is shorted, the fuse should blow. But as @JTbbb said, only ever put tested tubes in the amp. Usually if tubes are going to die, it happens suddenly.

That type of emission on the top of heaters is not uncommon, are you sure it wasn't like that before? Only way to test the tube is to test it...either in a circuit or a tube tester. 600V Jupiter Copper Foil should be fine if you want to keep using them, or go for the V-Cap ODAM. I have a...

I don't think the burning in of tubes is a well enough understood phenomenon to say whether or not playing music is necessary. But probably the most scientific explanation is the getters are collecting stray gas, or the emissive layer of the cathode is burning off impurities in NOS tubes. In...

No, you don't need to do that.

Transformers and chokes were custom wound by Cayin for the project. Don't forget there is a dedicated Aegis thread @meomap if you want to talk Aegis and tubes there. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/zmf-aegis-official-thread.972476/

Wow nice Matt! I've been practicing for about 10 years myself! And my partner is certified, about to pick up her first teaching gig 🧘‍♂️ Cat yoga is highly recommended.

Wow, definitely something I could get into. I've only tried cat yoga because that's all I have on hand around here.

Awesome, glad you like it. Sorry you hurt your back though! I've resorted to yoga + daily stretch routine to keep my own back problems at bay.

I'm definitely open to it! Haven't set aside any PTO, but if I think it could work I'll definitely consider it! @erics75 did you get your Aegis yet?

Just booked flights to CanJam SoCal. Maybe I'll see some of ya there to talk Aegis and tubes :gs1000smile:

I'll add it to the compatibility sheet with the caveat that one has to be mindful of not using very high current output tubes.