I am currently using a David Yee output transformerless single ended dual triode headphone amp, with an early 70's TOTL Bugle Boy 6DJ8, and an RCA grey-plate 6080. I also have an RCA black-plate 6AS7GA that I found fatiguing in the early stages of using this amp.
The sound of this setup is clean, neutral and balanced. But I am looking for a bigger, more powerful (but controlled) bass, full, natural and lifelike timber and harmonics (like a good DH SET), great soundstage and imaging, and (especially) zero fatigue!
My headphones are the somewhat bass-light, but otherwise completely neutral and transparent JVC HA-D990.
My sources are a Micro Seiki BL51, with a Grace 707 II tonearm, and a Signet TK7e cartridge feeding the world-class phonostage of my Accuphase E-202. A Philips Little Giant DAC + triple filtered LPS being fed by my Carver MV-5 which is serving as a transport.
All of my cables are neutral and transparent hi-end designs (pure copper).
The sound of this setup is clean, neutral and balanced. But I am looking for a bigger, more powerful (but controlled) bass, full, natural and lifelike timber and harmonics (like a good DH SET), great soundstage and imaging, and (especially) zero fatigue!
My headphones are the somewhat bass-light, but otherwise completely neutral and transparent JVC HA-D990.
My sources are a Micro Seiki BL51, with a Grace 707 II tonearm, and a Signet TK7e cartridge feeding the world-class phonostage of my Accuphase E-202. A Philips Little Giant DAC + triple filtered LPS being fed by my Carver MV-5 which is serving as a transport.
All of my cables are neutral and transparent hi-end designs (pure copper).
It appears that the Bugle Boy is the root cause of my dissatisfaction. It sounds like an overly analytical microscope!
Well, maybe try some 6922's or E88CC's or even some 6N1Ps in place of the 6DJ8 if your filament supply can handle twice the current. Compared to the rest of your system, it's a cheap experiment.
I'm using some NOS JAN Philips 6922's and JJ E88CCs, obtained from Tube Depot, in a Noval socketed preamp.
I'm using some NOS JAN Philips 6922's and JJ E88CCs, obtained from Tube Depot, in a Noval socketed preamp.
I know about the JJ's, but am concerned about their current reliability.
I am also looking at Mullard 6DJ8's. How do the different versions of these sound. The affordable ones are made for Knight or RCA.
I am also looking at Mullard 6DJ8's. How do the different versions of these sound. The affordable ones are made for Knight or RCA.
My friend bought a full suite of Mullards for his monoblock EL34 PP amps, and he used to sell this kind of gear retail, so? His system is amazing to my ears.
Never heard of reliability issues with JJ 9-pin tubes, just some of the octal tubes, and of course the GZ34 is notorious.
jeff
I just bought a very strong testing Mullard o-getter 6DJ8 (labeled for Knight). I will use it first with my black-plate RCA 6AS7GA.
Hopefully it will live up to its reputation.
Hopefully it will live up to its reputation.
I am currently running my RCA Black Plate 6AS7GA with the Mullard 6DJ8. The Mullard is definitely not warm and cuddly. If anything, its completely transparent!
Try some Russian 6n23p-EV for some well balanced sound. You can get them out of Ukraine still. Some old Sylvania 6922 aren’t bad either.
I am getting a good balanced sound from the Mullard. But I wonder if there is an affordable 6AS7/6080 that is warmer and smoother than my RCA Black Plate, but still transparent?