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Post by antonio on Sept 19, 2022 13:23:47 GMT
Interested to hear how you get on with the Feliks, looks very nice, there was a 300B intergrated for sale at the Audio Barn for nearly half price ex demo, I was so tempted, but still a little more than I wanted to spend. It got excellent reviews, so I hope you are happy with yours. What are you doing with your XiangSheng, I've still mine in the system.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 19, 2022 14:01:41 GMT
The Feliks is really good as a headphone amp. Previously I've not been convinced at all by solid state headphone amps, but add valves (even cheap Chifi hybrid amps) and magic starts to happen imo. So I thought I'd try a proper all valve example.
I'm enjoying the taste of valves in the main system using it as a preamp.
I sold the XiangSheng DAC a while back. It couldn't compete with the Theta in my system.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 19, 2022 16:43:27 GMT
Amps are prettier when they glow  |
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 24, 2022 3:51:10 GMT
The JJ ecc99 power tubes didn't work out. Despite ecc99 being generally regarded as "almost equivalent" and a drop in 6n6p replacement for most circuits, the Feliks Echo amp let me know that almost wasn't good enough for it. The Echo manual says the only replacement for the 6n6p is a 6n6pi. Maybe they know what they are talking about.  There is a red tip version of the 6n6p which is said to be an upgrade, I'll keep an eye out for a sensibly priced UK pair. However, Brimar ecc88 valves are now fitted to replace the Soviet valves. Wowzer, major upgrade. They sound freaking magical in there. Especially using the Echo as a preamp into the power amp section of my Ayre solid state integrated. Everything kind of focuses and clicks into place, and I thought the imaging was good before. Also improved are transparency and rez, which doesn't do any harm. |
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Post by firebottle on Sept 24, 2022 6:34:34 GMT
The ECC99 has a split heater the same as ECC81/82/83. The 6N6P and the ECC88 are normal heater on pins 4 and 5.
So definitely not an equivalent. The BB3 phono stage can use split heater or not but there is a link to facilitate with the specified valves.
If you are in doubt I can look up the valves before you buy, no problem.
Glad the ECC88 is sounding so good.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 24, 2022 8:14:58 GMT
Thanks Alan.
Do you know of any genuine drop in equivalents to 6n6p?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2022 8:40:24 GMT
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 24, 2022 11:05:58 GMT
Thanks Kevin, no, I hadn't come across that in my searches. He certainly seems to be strongly enthusiastic about the standard Soviet 6n6p! Fine & dandy, I shall stop fretting about it.  |
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 23, 2022 13:50:30 GMT
There's a new headphone love in my life. 🥰 Bought off eBay a week or so ago. Advertised as Audio Technica MSR7 but also claimed to be Bluetooth. Rubbish photos. But a decently low BIN price at £34 delivered, so I took a punt. It turns out they are ATH SR5BT. On ears. I hate on ears. Earpads in very dilapidated condition. I've ordered a new pair. They get rave reviews online, which cheered me up a bit before I listened to them. Wow. Amazing clarity. Quite stunned, I was. And still am. Quite bright, but that's OK, my favourite Android equaliser app tames them nicely. I dial in a 10db drop from bass to treble, which seems just right. And they still have that clarity even with the frequency flattened. And they are the first on ear headphones I can bear to have on for lengthy sessions. 2 or 3 hours no problem. So, no, they aren't being returned as "not as described". Perfect for my night time insomnia. Their only significant fault is an absence of low bass. 60hz no problem. But 30hz simply isn't there at all, no matter how much I boost it. Very pleased. Another mid / low price headphone trouncing highly regarded higher end competitors. Maybe it's just me. Here they are in all their tatty glory, I hope the new earpads will arrive tomorrow. A headband cover is making its way from China as I couldn't find a local source.  |
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Post by antonio on Oct 23, 2022 17:27:02 GMT
Pleased you picked up a bargain, and just when you said you had too many headphones. |
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 23, 2022 19:10:47 GMT
Ah, but I've got 2 pairs up for sale on ebay atm.  |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,401
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 23, 2022 20:51:22 GMT
Ah, but I've got 2 pairs up for sale on ebay atm. What you selling Jerry? |
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 23, 2022 21:01:26 GMT
Ah, but I've got 2 pairs up for sale on ebay atm. What you selling Jerry? Beyerdynamic DT990 600 Ohm. £75 delivered to you. MrSpeakers Mad Dog £175 ditto. Both VGC and PWO, with nearly new earpads. |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,401
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 23, 2022 21:31:54 GMT
Beyerdynamic DT990 600 Ohm. £75 delivered to you. MrSpeakers Mad Dog £175 ditto. Both VGC and PWO, with nearly new earpads. I don't know if my DAC does Headphone from the AES input .... I'll have a look. EDIT....it does. I've never owned headphones before.....hmmmm |
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 24, 2022 4:55:28 GMT
Whoops.
Beyerdynamics now sold.
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 31, 2022 15:44:08 GMT
Who needs valves?.... when you can have meters that glow! 10 lovely class A wpc.  |
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Post by antonio on Oct 31, 2022 15:49:58 GMT
The BRZHIFI is back in the system, how do you find it compared the Ayre. I see the volume would appear to be nearly on full, do you need that to drive your MBL's? The Feliks looks classy.
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 31, 2022 16:12:09 GMT
The volume is maxed out on the BRZ. I use the SMSL SU-9 to control the volume.
The BRZ and the Ayre do sound different.
I like both.
I've another amp arriving in the next couple of days. A little class D affair.
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 4, 2022 16:27:33 GMT
I'm feeling moderately excited about a new amp purchase.
A John Shearne Phase 3.5 power amplifier.
I've never knowingly heard a Shearne amp but they've been on my hifi bucket list for decades.
Should arrive early next week.
I'm a bit overflowing with amps atm, but I couldn't resist this when it popped up on t'Bay for £200.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,401
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 4, 2022 18:40:27 GMT
I'm feeling moderately excited about a new amp purchase. A John Shearne Phase 3.5 power amplifier. I've never knowingly heard a Shearne amp but they've been on my hifi bucket list for decades. Should arrive early next week. I'm a bit overflowing with amps atm, but I couldn't resist this when it popped up on t'Bay for £200. That's a good price Jerry. Pics please! |
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Post by macca on Nov 5, 2022 9:47:10 GMT
always lumped JS in with brands like Naim where you are paying a lot of money without getting anything tangible in return. Does not have lots of power, does not deal well with difficult loads, does not have exemplary noise and distortion figures.
Can't go wrong at £200 though.
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 5, 2022 10:47:55 GMT
Well, I can't say that high power, difficult load capability or ultra low noise and distortion are of any interest or relevance to me.
50wpc or so is fine. My speakers are an easy load and I've used several 10wpc amps with complete success. My speakers are not very efficient so low amplifier noise isn't an issue. If I hear any sound from my listening chair when no music is playing the gear gets moved on, that seldom happens.
I've read interesting and intriguing things about how John Shearne amps sound and I'd like to try one out.
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 8, 2022 11:23:18 GMT
The John Shearne 3.5 power amp is in the building!  Dang, look at that dust on the shelves! Black brushed aluminium fascia, not the blue marble that Shearne gear is infamous for. Most gear that arrives here gets the "oh sh#t, why did I buy this?" response in the first 20 seconds. The 3.5 is staying plumbed in a while longer than that. Immediate impression is of transparency and transient speed. This sucker is fast. Not really what I was expecting, I was thinking warmer, fuller, slower. Sort of half way towards the Quad kind of sound, but it isn't that at all. A happy grin and a thumbs up so far. |
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Post by stryder5 on Nov 8, 2022 12:16:32 GMT
Thanks for the update on your latest kit. Excuse my ignorance, but what does the buffer actually do. Stops the train at the end of the line....puffa to buffa. |
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Post by antonio on Nov 8, 2022 14:03:53 GMT
Thanks for the update on your latest kit. Excuse my ignorance, but what does the buffer actually do. Stops the train at the end of the line....puffa to buffa. Are you really 3 years behind on this forum. |
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Post by Pigmy Pony on Nov 8, 2022 16:24:50 GMT
Going back to the age of steam - not many puffer trains these days |
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 8, 2022 18:57:46 GMT
I have an ongoing war with headphone jack plugs and adapters. It's been going on for years.
You might think that 3.5mm and 6.35mm would be an easy standard to maintain manufacturing consistency for.
But nope, all too often I get a loose fit and intermittent contact.
Drives me a bit crazy actually.
Trying today to use my Feliks Echo OTL valve headphone amp with my current favourite headphones, the Mad Dogs.
The Echo only has a 6.35mm output socket and the Mad Dogs have a 3.5mm jack plug.
I've a whole bunch of adapters, but none of them work properly with the Echo.
Grrrrrr.
I'm giving it one more go, ordered a single cable with 6.35mm jack at one end, and a 3.5mm at the other to plug into the headphones.
If that doesn't work the Feliks Echo will be up for sale, I think. Just too frustrating.
Why headphone amp makers can't include both size sockets is a bit beyond me.
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Post by antonio on Nov 8, 2022 19:04:04 GMT
I thought you didn't like the Mad Dogs, sounding too much like AKG 701's and you sold them. I can't say I've had a problem with the 6.35 - 3.5 connectors although I very rarely use headphones at the moment.
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 8, 2022 19:21:08 GMT
Yes, I hated the Mad Dogs to start with. Instant dislike.
Put them up for sale but no takers.
Thought I would try them again, and somehow the AKG702-Grain that I hate so much had disappeared leaving a silky smooth, full tonality backed up by a very open spaciousness that shouldn't be happening with a mostly closed back headphone.
Many happy hours spent with them now, I love them to bits and want to try them with the Feliks Echo amp.
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Post by firebottle on Nov 8, 2022 20:10:25 GMT
I can commiserate even with limited exposure to 6.3 to 3.5 adapters.
Some work OK but I think it is the majority which require fiddling with.
Most unsatisfactory.
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