Interesting posts! I'll have to check out the malvalve amplifier. Interesting that you prefer the SR007ii to the SR007i - I've read many that prefer the 007i. Have you heard anything about the new iFI iEnergizer Pro for the Stax? I'm hoping it has more juice than the Stax 727ii amplifier. Still looking for a budget friendly solution to power my SR007's.
Mal Valve Headphone amp III
Does anyone have any tube recommendations for this amp?
I'm running mine off of a DCS Debussy and Oppo 95 for discs.
I was getting some breakup on loud or complex passages. A slight lack of guts with the Stax 007 headphones but the break up occurs with both the LCD-3 and 007.
I replaced the 4 EF184 tubes with some generic tubes(only ones available), WOW was that awful! Huge amount of noise and ringing from the relay volume board. Replaced them back with the Mal Valve EF184's and everything was good again.
I replaced the 2 ECC81 with some gold Lion tubes and this did ramp up the resolution and transparency (we are talking MAC DADDY, best in the world transparency here!). This was definitely an improvement and the breakup issue seems to be gone now.
I replaced the 4 6V6 tubes with some JJ tubes and that does not work. the sound is OK not great but the gain is too low for the Stax 007 headphones. Turned up to -0db (the Max) the level is audible but very low. I ordered some (4) Telefunken Black Diamond 6V6 and (4) Genalex Gold Lion 6V6GT so I will get back when I get some time here to check them out.
I have several headphone set-ups, 1 with a supped up Schiit Audio Valhalla 2 with some great tubes and I love the sound of it. I could live happily ever after with this amp. The Mal Valve is obviously a step up but the Valhalla is very close and always musical and fun to listen to.
The other setup I use is with a real Krell KSA-5 that has some better caps in it. This is very dynamic and powerful and it does not care what headphones it is hooked to; it makes all headphones sound there best. The effortless power and grace is addictive. The Nichicon Muse caps were a step up and pumped up the dynamics and detail but there can be sometimes a slight harshness but I replaced the the main board caps again with Elna Silmic II caps which do not easily fit in the case but wow the resolution might even be slightly better but the sound is as transparent as can be and very powerful meaning absolutely effortless regardless of the headphone or volume and no harshness at all.
The Mal Valve is getting there now I may try some big buck tubes soon and see what is possible here? I wish to god the Krell amp was fully balanced and set up for the Stax Headphones, that combo would be incredibly transparent. Most detail I've ever heard so far? the MalValve Stax 007 combo, most musical body is a draw between the Mal Valve and Krell. Although the Mal Valve is rated at 12 watts I think and the Krell at 10 the Krell has the most overall power, like screw the headphones lets just hook up some speakers kind of power. I have always thought of selling the Krell, but then I listen to it and jeez it's good, musical nirvana, I still love it.
Funny thing is how good the Valhalla is and how close it gets to the two 45 pound amps.
The little Valhalla is a giant killer with the right tubes. It's hard to get analytical about the Valhalla it's just so damn transparent and musical, it forces you to relax and enjoy.
Rob
I'm running mine off of a DCS Debussy and Oppo 95 for discs.
I was getting some breakup on loud or complex passages. A slight lack of guts with the Stax 007 headphones but the break up occurs with both the LCD-3 and 007.
I replaced the 4 EF184 tubes with some generic tubes(only ones available), WOW was that awful! Huge amount of noise and ringing from the relay volume board. Replaced them back with the Mal Valve EF184's and everything was good again.
I replaced the 2 ECC81 with some gold Lion tubes and this did ramp up the resolution and transparency (we are talking MAC DADDY, best in the world transparency here!). This was definitely an improvement and the breakup issue seems to be gone now.
I replaced the 4 6V6 tubes with some JJ tubes and that does not work. the sound is OK not great but the gain is too low for the Stax 007 headphones. Turned up to -0db (the Max) the level is audible but very low. I ordered some (4) Telefunken Black Diamond 6V6 and (4) Genalex Gold Lion 6V6GT so I will get back when I get some time here to check them out.
I have several headphone set-ups, 1 with a supped up Schiit Audio Valhalla 2 with some great tubes and I love the sound of it. I could live happily ever after with this amp. The Mal Valve is obviously a step up but the Valhalla is very close and always musical and fun to listen to.
The other setup I use is with a real Krell KSA-5 that has some better caps in it. This is very dynamic and powerful and it does not care what headphones it is hooked to; it makes all headphones sound there best. The effortless power and grace is addictive. The Nichicon Muse caps were a step up and pumped up the dynamics and detail but there can be sometimes a slight harshness but I replaced the the main board caps again with Elna Silmic II caps which do not easily fit in the case but wow the resolution might even be slightly better but the sound is as transparent as can be and very powerful meaning absolutely effortless regardless of the headphone or volume and no harshness at all.
The Mal Valve is getting there now I may try some big buck tubes soon and see what is possible here? I wish to god the Krell amp was fully balanced and set up for the Stax Headphones, that combo would be incredibly transparent. Most detail I've ever heard so far? the MalValve Stax 007 combo, most musical body is a draw between the Mal Valve and Krell. Although the Mal Valve is rated at 12 watts I think and the Krell at 10 the Krell has the most overall power, like screw the headphones lets just hook up some speakers kind of power. I have always thought of selling the Krell, but then I listen to it and jeez it's good, musical nirvana, I still love it.
Funny thing is how good the Valhalla is and how close it gets to the two 45 pound amps.
The little Valhalla is a giant killer with the right tubes. It's hard to get analytical about the Valhalla it's just so damn transparent and musical, it forces you to relax and enjoy.
Rob