Thanks! It's like I suspected. In the ideal world I could have tested both the Callisto and the MP-1. Would have been interesting. Well, anyway, I will have to start saving. |
I have ended up with a used Einstein The Tube mk2 preamp, since I could get it for a good price (in Europe). It may not be ideal (compared to Callisto or Mp-1) but is what I could afford right now. The Io/The Tube combo sounds very good, clear, quite 'muscular', and even if I perhaps don't get 100 percent from the Io, it beats every other combination I have tried (including Io direct to the amps). Perhaps I get the chance to try a Callisto later. (I have the heat allready, the Einstein contributes by running hot.) I agree with the NOS comments. Selected Telefunken ax7s work very well in the gain stages of the Io, notably better than the stock tubes, and I plan to get some (2 6922s and 1 au7) for the Einstein also. |
Clearly, a listening test would be interesting! That's my summary of comments so far. The Callisto, the MP-1 and Einstein The Tube all sound very good - but which is best, using the Io Eclipse as input, and Atma amps as output? There are two potential synnergies here, both with the phono (get the Callisto) and with the amps (get the MP-1). Or The Tube is actually right there up front. Who knows? Comparisons would be useful. |
So far, the verdict has been in the direction of Callisto, but I like the OTL sound (or lack of it) so I am open to the MP-1 also. For now, for a lower price, the Einstein serves me well, also in the sense that I hear more of my phono and amp upgrades. The grip on the speakers is excellent. Perhaps a bit too muscular, not as refined as some preamps, can't judge, but a big step up for me. Budget did not allow the others (or, ideally, comparing all three). Albert, you are right that I am drawn to the Io Eclipse sound, all the more so since I changed from a worn Lyra Titan to a new Atlas nine months ago. This really sounds excellent. For some reason (German engineering?), with the new preamp, I have especially loved the sound with new elektro music like the "Vermont" LP. BTW I thought that a one-box solution would give less heat, but that is not the case, The Tube runs very hot, perhaps the equal to a Callisto with one power supply. I measure 75 degrees Celsius at the top of the transformers, but Einstein support says don't worry. The preamp can be improved by a pair of NOS 6922 tubes for the relevant input, in my case, the Io phono stage, and perhaps a NOS au7. I will order some tubes, to try. For now, this is clearly the best I have heard, from my system as a whole. |
Thanks. You need fork, knife and spoon to enjoy the meal. For a long time I used only knife and spoon. Phono preamp direct to amps. No preamp. So I am happy with this investment, and the somewhat muscular effect of the Einstein, being "half-blood" solid-state (in the power supplies), is interesting and perhaps quite a good thing in my context. Although the Callisto or MP-1 might give an even more refined sonic picture. |
Cerrot; yes its a tough life - glad to hear you found a way.
Nkj: I certainly recognize what you are describing. The Io Eclipse with dual power can sound breathtaking direct to the amps. Dynamics. Clarity. I used it with a Krell FPB600 to great effect, and later the Atma MA-1s. It was only gradually that I came to realize something was missing, especially after a friend who works with recording / pro audio had visited and said "something is wrong - the system doesn't grab the speaker drivers in the right way". I gradually understood that problems attributed to other causes had to do with the lack of a preamp. So I tested with some pro preamps borrowed from my friend, and went up the line, ending with the Einstein for now. It is hard for me to put the finger on it, exactly. I can only say, the music feels more "right". I know that Aesthetix uses the term "headroom" to describe the difference by adding a preamp - they say it will be better, provided that the pre is absolutely top class (think of a Jupiter moon). |
Thanks, Albert, for interesting advice, which I will follow. You probably mean the one 12AU7 tube (only one in The Tube mk2). Do you remember the type of 5814 CBS Hytron? There are some at Ebay, some with orange and some with blue letters. Some are called "CBS Hytron 5814 A Black Plates D-Getter". These may be the same tube, not sure. |
I did some more listening with the Einstein at low-moderate levels (since the family protested last night). It doesn't evoke the grand passions of the higher level but it still sounds very good.
I wonder, would it sound even better if I turned the amp gain a bit down. If I remember right, it is possible to do this in the MA-1, simply by taking out a pair of output tubes. |
I have ordered a pair of Siemens Halske 6922 gold pins from the 1960s for the phono input + 1 Telefunken 12AU7, from Brent Jessee. Quite expensive but I know he delivers quality (last year I bought Telefunken 12ax7s for the Io from BJ, working great, very low noise). Also, based on Albert Porter's advice, I have ordered a Hytron from ebay seller Greengirl613: "Vintage CBS Hytron 5814 A Black Plates D-Getter Stereo Tube 1959". It may not be the exact same, but seems close. Will be interesting to try the Tele vs the Hytron. |
Hi - thanks for informed responses!
Audiolabyrinth: I ordered ultra low noise Telefunken NOS ax7 tubes from Brent Jessee. Smooth plate from the 60s I think. They were costly but elevated the Io to a new level. I can turn up the volume to four o'clock before hearing any noise problems and the sound is marvellous. They totally smash the stock tubes, especially after I replaced the secondary gain stage too. Right now I cant remember what is in the third gain stage and 6922 positions but it is American NOS and helps too. I could probably go on and change tubes in the power supplies but have not done so yet.
Syntax: I have no special preference, Aesthetix or Atma-sphere, I own both, and have no commercial interests. Both the Aesthetix Io Eclipse and the Atma-sphere MA-1 are on the top, from what my ears have heard, so far. It may be, I give a little nod to the Io. But then i have not heard the MP-1.
The "dark horse" that I brought into this, Einstein's The tube, surely does not sound washed-out or no bite. Rather, it is very dynamic, perhaps a bit flat. I will find out more, with better tubes.
For the interest of all - I will report back, since direct comparison is so difficult for most of us. |
Hi Albert Porter - you wrote "the Einstein gets a massive upgrade when you remove the 12AU7 tubes and replace with 5814 CBS Hytron" - do you remember, what 12AU7? I got the Hytron today, and have tried a few hours. Promising. It turned out, there was a Sylvania 5963 (green label) sitting in the 12AU7 position.
Thanks Oystein |
Apropos tube rolling: in this case I got a preamp that according to the seller was bought new in 2011 or so, has been left on mostly, and has not had any tube change. So that is 3-4 years of running. Is "best practice" in this case, take out all the tubes, clean sockets and pins, and put them back? Or leave them be? |
Thanks Atmasphere. With so may tubes in my system I should probably have gotten a tube tester long ago. I will check possibilities. |
Again, many thanks! I agree about testing, going slow, and taking time. I will compare the Sylvania, the Hytron and soon also a Telefunken 12au7. |
CBS Hytron - Albert, I think you are right. I just listened, quite loud, to Chicago Transit Authority: Poem 58. Utterly amazing. Right there. The tube stays. |
As well as other tests:
Deep Purple, Shield (from Book of Taliesyn LP) - wow!
New Vermont LP - same - best sound so far
Diana Krall and various jazz - also very good
The Einstein The Tube preamp perhaps excels even more in the "energetic" than in the "refined" area, but this can be modded with tubes etc.
Albert, when you tested the preamps, you obviously found them all good, but they brought some different plusses and minuses to the table. Could you tell a bit more, regarding The Tube? |
Experiences from other Audiogon members regarding The Tube, especially in combination with good tube phono stages and amps, are of course very welcome too. |
Ditto HMS Donovan, the original Dawn double LP - amazing, an overlooked gem. This preamp makes Donovan a folk singer, quite rightly, but I can hear him rock out too, no problem. Donovan took the consequence of "the youth revolution" and created a double album partly to children, and with children's music, but it seems, this was too much at the time, it was ignored. His guitar work is rich, melodic and unique, especially on his 'adult' songs. This is his Sgt Pepper - taken to a different place. |
Thanks Jafox - I will try. I also have a Tele au7 and a pair of Siemens 6922 coming. Will be interesting. Did you try the Hytron? Are you saying, you preferred the Einstein to the Callisto Sig?
Albert - thanks, very interesting. If I had known that The Tube sounded s-state, I might have reconsidered. Before I got into tubes I went up the whole Krell line. However, like you say, these preamps have personality, and I think a good idea, whatever choice we make, is to listen for what is good, and not so much, what is bad or missing. "Smell the roses". For example, I imagine that the bass handling of the Einstein compared to the Callisto would show some of the typical traits of good s-state, like iron fist on the bass, no softness or bloat, and similar. Although I might in the end prefer the benefits of an all-tube design. Don't know, since I have never heard the Callisto (or the Atma MP1). |
An A-B test
Playing Ane Brun: These days (from the It all starts with one LP)
(System: Lyra Atlas / SME V / Hanss T30 / Io Eclipse / Einstein The Tube / Atma-sphere MA-1 / Audiokinesis Dream Makers)
A - direct from Io Eclipse to MA-1 amps
B - through Einstein The Tube
The song is a good test case, an upfront but intimate and partly subdued female singer, plus heavy drums and bass work. It is the balance of these elements that make out the song.
Case A:
This is the first time I have tried direct to the amps since I got the new preamp four weeks ago. As often before, at first, I am amazed just how good the Io is direct into the amps. Delicate, intricate, organic, detailed. The vocal is right there. It is only after a while that I recognize the problems. Sound is detailed but not quite right. Body and drive and punch is missing. The voice is a bit ghostly. Turning up the volume doesn't help, it only means more of the same. Almost like a very high-quality photo, that hasn't been fully developed yet.
Case B:
With The Tube into the chain, some detail may be lost, but not much, and the whole thing feels right. Bass, vocal, everything is more filled out, working better together. The drama in her voice and in the band as a whole is better captured, making a more consistent and convincing picture.
My wife was listening during this test. Her verdict was: B is clearly better. So I would say, the Tube passed this test with flying colors. YMMV etc. |
Jafox, do you have more details on the RCA 12BH7 that worked magic - ? These tubes can be found, but I am not sure is it the right one. |
Very interesting!
Albert - I use very low noise Telefunken in the Io, as you've written many times, these tubes are critical, and they help in the second and third gain stages also. The pair of Siemens is for the Einstein phono input, based on advice from Brent Jessee. I am enjoying the Hytron 12au7. Thanks also to Jafox, I've ordered a RCA 12BH7.
Space with aplomb - yes, and momentum, drive. Very engaging. I am playing the Vermont LP, and especially the 45 rpm bonus single. The sound is glorious, a bell strikes forcefully, the sound hangs on in the room. It may be a coincidence but I've found out that this German preamp likes kraut. Especially, ambient kraut. |
Charles1dad - thanks, you make an interesting point, perhaps my preconceptions are wrong. But to my ears, the Io has the highest resolution. With the Einstein, I may not hear all the small sounds in Zappa's orchestra playing Waka Jawaka, but I get an immense sense of drive and purpose. This is information too. So it may be, you are right, with a superior component you stop thinking of details and resolution. It is "hidden" so to speak.
You also say: "the direct route appears to be omitting significant vital details of your recording. The Einstein is presenting the more complete music signal."
Well - not sure if the Einstein is more resolved or complete, they are both high quality. The main case here, rather, is that the Io needs a preamp to do its best. I don't think it is omitting anything, it is just not optimal as a preamp, even if it has volume.
It is like the Io is offering the "dots" but I need a preamp to draw the "lines" between them. There are always some dots lost (and some false lines) with the preamps I've tried so far, although less so with the Einstein. It is a give and take, as others here have commented. |
Charles1dad & Jafox, have you heard the Io Eclipse (not Signature), over a prolonged period of time? I have not heard a better phono stage, although I have not done a lot of comparison. Many reviewers agree. Of course, there are others, newer, better in some respects and so on, but for now, with my tastes, I am satisfied. The fact that it needs a preamp is no mystery. I dont get fifty percent of the signal from Io, fifty from the Einstein I get 100 percent from the Io, or almost 100. A good thing about the Einstein, precisely, is that it doesnt add much on its own. My ears confirm what Fremer and other reviewers of the Tube have written. The question, which is best, is therefore less relevant for me, than: do they fit together? Changing tubes the last days has improved the sound. I am getting more positive. I am now trying Siemens 6922 in the phono inputs and Telefunken 12au7 - perhaps the best so far. I will post more on the Hytron and the RCA later.
Audiolabyrinth: it was the Tube (the preamp), not a specific tube, that was solid-state-sounding, according to earlier comments. I agree with what you say about magic, or musicality. All the tubes discussed above are NOS (Siemens, Tele, CBS Hytron, RCA). In general I would say that the best thing you can do is to get rid of the stock Russian or China tubes, and invest in NOS from a serious source, starting with the most sensitive tubes. The biggest change, for me, was going from stock Russian 12ax7 to Telefunken in the Ios gain stages, some years ago. Selecting between NOS is more a matter of taste. What kind of preamp, phono or digital source do you use? Too many 6h30 stock tubes with too much resolution? This sounds like a curable problem, although I have no direct experience with that type of tube. |
Thanks! The enjoyment is mutual. Looking at your system, I feel I might have gone your way too, into SET, after I quit solid-state, but I was sort of hung up by OTL - but enjoying it a lot so far. I guess it is no coincidence that it excels with 'big' type of recordings, like the Pink Floyd: Pulse LP box. I have SET at my cottage, an integrated Ming Da MC34A, modified by Roar Malmim / Musical Innovation here in Norway to great effect, it became much more clear and linear especially in triode mode. Although this is of course "beginner level" compared to your system, it sounds very good. The presentations are different from my home system, but mainly, the best music shines through on both systems. |
"Sort of hung up on OTL" - this could be better explained. I had the Krell FPB600, the Dynaudio Consequence mk2, and should have been happy ever after. Trouble was, I wasn't. A main reason was, the Krell and the Consequence speakers only came into their own on high volume levels - too high for me. The Krell needed juice to get into true class A operation and then the complex 5-way speakers needed a lot of juice too. Fremer commented in a letter "get another Krell", he was right, but the speakers could not take biamping. So I sold the system. I had heard an OTL amp, Italian Graaf, at a friend's place, and liked it. I then got a small OTL amp for my desktop, the Audiotailor Jade. As I have written on the Headfi thread on this preamp, I think it deserves a prize. Listening through AKG 701 headphones and active single-driver Sony desktop speakers, I gradually came to the conclusion that this was really a big step up in musicality, including unrestrained clarity, compared to my big solid state rig. So I bought the Atma-sphere MA-1s even if I had never had the chance to hear them, and for me, this was a good choice, even more so with the 3.2 upgrade. |
Now the Telefunken 12au7 is back in (instead of the RCA 12bh7) and is getting housewarm. I think it will be fine. Very interesting this also. Which one I prefer? Later. Listening to the Dire Straits studio albums box, I bought the last copy in the shop, sounds good, but not sure it was worth it, since the originals sound good too. Also, today, I got the three extra RCA 12bh7s with handwritten measurements from the Ebay seller. Nice. Will try later.
Twb2 - even if I stay "teutonic" for now, and enjoy experimenting with tubes in the preamp I have, I am grateful for suggestions, they can be useful in the future. |
I have still not received the RCA that I ordered due to advice from Jafox. For the last days, I have been listening to Einstein The Tube with the NOS Siemens/Halske 6922 and Telefunken smooth plate 12au7.
Playing the Beach Boys: Pet Sounds LP (DCC Compact classics edition, remastered by Steven Hoffman LPZ 2006) today, I felt it sounded a bit thin, analytical, disembodied. I changed to the CBS Hytron, and felt it was better, at least with this kind of music, on home ground so to speak. This is certainly a good-sounding tube in the Einstein context, also with Siemens in the phono inputs. Perhaps less treble clarity than with the Tele but the whole more like the way it was meant to be heard. +1 to Albert Porter. This is just one test, maybe my experience changes over time. But the Hytron stays for now, until the RCA arrives. Thanks to all for valuable advice.
|
I wonder if Einstein The Tube mk2 would sound even better with a bit less gain (it has no gain adjustment, just 12db). This may be influenced by the tubes I use. Not sure, is the RCA 12bh7 tube equal to other 12au7 variants, regarding gain? I noticed no difference in gain, changing from the Telefunken to the CBS Hytron. Perhaps I could try something else, to check if the less gain hypothesis is true. |
Charles1dad - "true musical emotion and involvement"
Well said. Nothing else matters really. |
Needfreestuff - I was adviced by Brent Jessee (audiotubes.com) that the Siemens 6922s he sells, NOS from the 60s, were almost as good as Telefunken, with a similar sound, for less cost, so I bought them, and use them now for the phono inputs on the Einstein (two tubes). It may be, that Telefunken would have worked better - I don't have them. I followed his advice, since he was right regarding the Io, I got the ultra-low-noise Tele 12ax7s that I asked for. |
|
Re tube matching in Einstein The tube mk2:
Brent Jessee who sold the two Siemens tubes for the phono inputs, and the Telefunken 12au7, has mailed that these are really NOS and need to be broken in. Whereas the CBS Hytron I bought on Ebay has been used,, broken in, "mellowed". Brent suggests: Give them another 50-100 hours to see if they calm down and bloom more.
So, I need more time. |
Audiolabyrinth - CBS Hytron - I have not A/B tested much, but what I can say is, it stays, compared to the stock Jan Philips. Very enjoyable, although perhaps the one I got is a bit used, I dont know. My system now is very chameleon-like, the "sound" changes according to the recording - like it should.
The Hytron that I bought was advertised thus: "Vintage CBS Hytron 5814 A Black Plates D-Getter Stereo Tube 1959" (from Greengirl613 at Ebay). Seller said it measured 3100/3060 on his Hickock 6000a. It sounds very good to my ears. I paid only 37 usd - so it was a great buy for me (btw - ridiculous how the 12ax7 have become uber-expensive, and good that 12au7 can still be more reasonable).
But as noted, the Telefunken 12au7 is probably not broken in yet, so my ranking may change - even if it is a bit hard and harsh for now, it may outperform the Hytron. That has happened with Telefunken tubes in my system before. But for now, I very much enjoy the Hytron.
It feels like it has some extra magic when the music is in the same terrain, like, I play Booker T and The MGs: Right now, the Sundazed LP (one of their good reissues), and wonder, was it the same tube sitting in Booker's organ?
Jafox - I have four RCA 12BH7s on the way, not arrived yet.
Will be very interesting.
Probably I wont be able to give a good comparison until August. |
Thanks Audiolabyrinth, I agree. Atmasphere, grateful for your warning note, I am checking with Einstein. Jafox noted earlier in the thread that the 12BH7 may work fine even if the specs are not quite right, but he does not say that he tried it in the Einstein. |
Thanks! My thought also. I have become more concerned with the music lately. I think its a sign that the preamp is doing its job. |
Two days ago I got the RCA 12BH7A black plates. Wow! Best so far. The sound stage is larger, more bass especially. This really engages the room, I can hear it from the next room (kitchen) too. Ive never heard Pink Floyd: Pulse (the LP box) this good, with such a great being there factor. Or the (incredibly ambitious) first Ambrosia LP. "Nice, nice, very nice" - indeed!
I have checked with Einstein, will I be OK using a 12bh7 in the 12au7 position, but the answer wasnt quite clear, so Ive asked again. However I hear nothing wrong and the trafo temperature seems about the same.
So for now, using Io Eclipse as source and the pair of Siemens Halske 6922s in the phono inputs of the Einstein, the RCA 12BH7A moves to the top of my list, even better than the CBS Hytron. Both of these sound better in the 12au7 position than the Telefunken (needs more break-in) and the stock Sylvania green label 5963. So thanks to Jafox (and Atmasphere) for bringing the 12bh7 into the discussion. The gain seems to be about the same, with the RCA / CBS / Tele / Sylvania I have tried (no change of the volume control) - but the music *feels* larger and more present with the RCA.
An interesting effect of this discussion is that I have stopped worrying about (1) was it the right preamp and (2) is it too solid-state sounding. Instead I am enjoying it a lot - the tube investigation is exciting. This preamp really changes personality, so when people write, I heard the Tube but preferred preamp X, I am wondering what tubes were in the Einstein.
Audioquest4life I would love to hear an Octave Jubilee one day. I have read many of your comments, very helpful and informative, in this forum. Are you still using the Io Signature as input to your preamp? |
Jafox - sorry, I see now that you did try the 12bh7 in the Einstein. I guess it is fine, but I want to double check with them.
Albertporter - power cable - yes, I have seen other users reporting this also. I will change from the stock cable, but it requires that I put the angled stock cable plug, made to fit the underside of the preamp, on the new cable, it is not just plug and play. So suggestions for a good cable are welcome. The seller suggested Nordost Heimdal. I am using JPS, Wywires, Kimber etc other places in my system, but truth to be told, the power cable area is not the one I associate with the most improvements, perhaps because I have a dedicated audio grade 25 ampere / 240 volts AC line already.
I have also read about two other worthwhile tweaks - putting some extra feet under the stock feet, and some damping at the top of the trafos. These are not so easy for me, since the Einstein stands on a rather confined second shelf in my rack. But I will do a power cord upgrade.
I have done one tweak of my own. Since the Einstein has less than an inch of clearing from the top of the trafos to the shelf above, I bought a 12V computer fan, and installed it behind the preamp. Using 4.5V transformer plus an extra resistor, the fan speed is down to 200 rpm or so. I have to help it going, when plugging it in. It is absolutely silent even when I listen close to the rack. I can plug it into another AC line, different from my dedicated audio line. The effect is that the trafo and chassis temperature of the Einstein goes down 10-15 degrees C (from 75 to 60). I don't want too much "kool-aid" effect, since the sound seems to become poorer, so this is why I have adjusted the fan speed even further down. |
Hi Audiolab, for now I am just enjoying the system including the 12BH7A, listening to two new Rainbow boxes I've bought, Munchen 77 and Rockpalast 95 (even if its not always my style, Ritchie Blackmore's guitar is a joy). I associate the tube with some xtra feeling of big music, you are there. So 'middle of the room deep sounding' yes check. 'Up front personal' well I think some yes check also. It is like the whole thing sounds bigger than with the 12au7s, and therefore also more detailed. Perhaps I hear some grunge also, but it may be the recording, etc. I have three more 12bh7s on the way. But I have to switch back to the CBS and burn in the Telefunken before I can say more. In my case A/B testing is a bit difficult, and I prefer to listen for longer periods before changing. |
Audiolab - too hot - jet engine - I know this feeling well having owned a Krell Fpb600 that operated in class A only at high volume. So in a sense music came alive only just before the neighbours knocked on my door.
Ventilation: I use a Noctua NF-A14 PWM 140 mm premium fan, 300 1500 rpm, adjusted down to 200 or so. Can't hear it.
Since the system and preamp setup now sounds very good, I have started vinyl recording - and a thread here:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1403989480&openmine&zzO_holter&4&5#O_holter |
So what is the pizza adress? Send a mail. |
I guess, with each combination of quality preamp between a top class phono stage and amps / speakers, what you hear resembles "editing". The preamp is a bit like the "editorial board". You fellow A-goners have told me how I can ease up a bit on the "Teutonic" aspect of this preamp - and yet get even larger dynamics and stage. Very grateful for this. |
Another little test. After two days with the Telefunken 12au7, I switched to the RCA 12bh7 that measured best of the three I got recently. The effect was much like the first 12bh7 I tried (replacing CBS Hytron). The soundstage seemed a bit bigger and closer. More bass. I do like the Telefunken sound, but it feels more closed in. Too early to say since it needs more break-in. Also I should try the Hytron again. It seems like a mid-alternative between the more closed-in but detailed Telefunken and the bigger sound of the 12bh7. But if I had to grab just one tube and be done with it, it would be the 12bh7. |
What I find interesting about tube rolling is that the effect, in my experience, is often bigger than the effects of changing power cords, feet etc. At least it seems so in this case. I would say that the effects of changing the 12au7 tube in the Einstein are clear, like lifting the component half a class higher. "A-" to "A" in Stereophile (but I hate "classes" and all this easy divisioning). I know I can help with a better power cord (or damping etc) also, but it is usually smaller increments. It is somewhat paradoxical that an already "engaging" component sounds even better with a "bigger-sounding" tube, but it seems to be the case. Especially at moderate-to-high volumes. |
As I am testing I am rediscovering vinyl - always a good sign - and now, George Harrison: Learning how to love you, from Thirtythree 1/3 (Dark horse K56319). How come this has been overlooked, while Something is regarded among the world's best pop songs ever? (perhaps because the rest of the LP is often marred by me-too disco arrangements?) It is not as strong as a song, but it is in the same mould, carrying it further, and sounds absolutely marvellous. |
Trying to sum up:
Audiolabyrinth: "It's not about how much a componet cost, It's what the componet does!"
Agree, well said! It is shown in this thread also. By changing a tube, not so expensive, I've made an expensive tube preamp sound better.
Charles1dad: "Reading what you've written it just seemed as though the Io was omitting important characteristics that the Einstein revealed(and this got your attention)."
Plus one for the best attention in the thread - and willingnesss to deliver a different opinion.
It got me thinking. Perhaps I overrate my Aesthetix Io, since I have not compared much. Although from what I have heard, I like what I have. It is not about "resolution" in the narrow sense, but musicality in a wide sense. For me, the Eclipse version needed 300 or more hours break-in. But from there, it was no comparison with the Mk2 that I had before (never tried the signature version). I did not look back. |
Hi Jafox - yes, I am verifying the 'clarity' that you spoke about. My impression is that everything becomes a bit larger. So even if a 12au7 may sound prettier etc it does not reach the same level.
Many thanks for further upgrade advice.
I already run a JPS Superconductor 3 from the Io to the Einstein, and a JPS Superconductor FX from the Einstein to the MA-1 amps. The SC3 is clearly the best cable of these two. Both cables are XLR / balanced, and according to some tests, balanced cable into amps don't make a big difference. It may be, better cables can be found, in the Einstein context, my impression is, these do OK.
I use the stock Einstein power cable. If I get a new one, it will need to have an angled plug, fitting the bottom of the preamp (or i must change to the stock plug myself).
I have a dedicated line for my system, have not noted big benefits from a power conditioner - don't know if the Einstein would like it. For now it is plugged into a PS Audio Quintet, that goes into the wall. I have not experimented with power cables so far. |
I think Atmasphere, above, gave a nod to the 12bh7 as the better sounding tube, and that my listening notes say the same. |
Thanks and congrats with the Krell! In my system, I wish the FPB600 had changed to class A sooner (with less volume) but that may have been fixed in your model, or perhaps not a problem with your speakers (or perhaps - no neighbours).. |
On holiday now - more later... |
