Topic: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread (Read 15543 times)

Stapsy · « **Reply #40 on:** February 23, 2014, 09:05:48 PM »

Had little mini-meet today where I got to try a 307a Balancing Act with my Anedio D2 and HD800. The BA is better in some aspects than my 2A3mk4. 2A3mk4 is more spacious sounding with better detail extraction and depth than the BA. The BA was probably a little warmer overall, but it produced a clear liquid sound in a very seductive way. It was the kind of thing that just made me want to sit down and listen.

With the BA the instruments sounded more refined and clear, however the amazing imaging I get from the mk4 that I previously mentioned in regards to the drum placement wasn't as good. There is an overall slight graininess to the mk4, which I thought might have been my DAC. I noticed this when comparing to the 009 as well. After testing with the BA I am convinced that it is the new production Sovteks causing the problems. My first order of business is to replace those tubes. I am leaning towards going all in on the EML Mesh but the exchange rate right now is killer.

Also, using the HD800 from the BA with a double 3pin connection was quite a bit superior to the stock cable, much cleaner sound with better 3D imaging. I am guessing that getting a 4pin xlr cable for my HD800 will provide similar improvement.

Final fun note...we also compared the Vali with the big boys. Strong showing for Schiit there. You can totally tell that the Vali is cut from the same cloth as these uber tube amps. It certainly gives up absolute resolution and clarity, but you can't ask for much more from a tiny $119 amp.

Marvey · « **Reply #41 on:** February 23, 2014, 09:45:46 PM »

Yeah. Hard to say. The topology the mk4 is better, but the BA transformers are more appropriately sized for headphone use. The mk4 Hammonds are definitely oversized and meant for speakers. The doubling of tubes per channel in the mk4 seems to result in more precise imaging and better space. The Sovtek 2A3s do tend to have a grainy sound. Will be interesting once you get better tubes.

Stapsy · « **Reply #42 on:** February 23, 2014, 10:22:24 PM »

This was the 307a version of the BA. It was hard to find anything about it online and I haven't heard a 300b/px4 BA to compare, but it was very good. I still think ultimate resolution was lacking with the BA compared with the mk4. There was low level stuff missing with the BA that I am used to hearing with the mk4. Dynamically the mk4 has better weight and impact.

Tonally the BA was ahead for me and there was still more than enough microdynamic detail to keep me interested. I went back and read what Anax said about the stock tubes and solid plates. I totally agree that the Sovteks put a greyness over everything. It is this thing you can't quite put your finger on, but it lacks that final smoothness and liquidity that I would like. I kind of understand better now what the God 445 must be like. I really want to mix these two amps together and get the best of everything. Next time I may have to use the BA line outs to feed direct to the mk4 lol.

The large Hammonds are definitely kind of annoying if you aren't going to use them for speakers. When I had the mk4 on my coffee table it would pick up hum from my TV if it was on. Not sure if there is any other problem with large transformers, but the mk4 is extremely black since I moved the PS away and fixed a crummy interconnect.

Since it looks like Grant Fidelity is based in Canada I may be able to pick up some of the Psvane's more easily than the EML's. Not sure if it is worth it but I am more inclined to roll the dice on tubes since I don't feel the need to immediately run out and buy the Yggy when it comes out. The D2 did extremely well in my tests. Either way it is a heck of a lot of fun getting to try out and compare stuff. I have seriously learned so much in the last month.

Stapsy · « **Reply #43 on:** February 27, 2014, 03:37:06 AM »

Alright looks like I am going it alone here for the most part but I will continue anyway.

Got 2 pair's of NOS RCA's tonight. I have been listening to them for a little and the difference is pretty large over the Sovteks. The overall graininess has been reduced quite a lot. This was most noticeable when the volume was increased. The Sovteks have this punchiness that becomes annoying and at higher volumes the sound breaks up. The RCA's are able to stay composed as I increase the volume knob.

Straight away I heard some interesting detail in tracks that I am very familiar with, which is my first clue to the increase in resolution. The treble splashiness that I noted has been reduced, and cymbals have a more refined quality. I quickly ran the tubes through my treble gauntlet of Miles Davis tracks and the excessive graininess and harshness is gone. Still too early to say if it is gone completely. Overall I feel like the clarity has increased, kind of like rubbing the condensation off your bathroom mirror after a shower.

The biggest surprise was how much better the bass sounds. Overall quantity could be a touch less compared to Sovteks but it is very well defined. Less bloom and one note quality. This could account for the perceived quantity difference.

I assumed that things were going to get a lot more tubey...they haven't. I could even go for a bit more warmth depending on my mood. Tonally they are pretty damn close for me. They are definitely warmer than the Sovtek's, though this hasn't come at the cost of detail. To be honest after a while I thought the Sovtek's were a little to cold and thin sounding.

I have some new driver tubes as well but I haven't tried them yet.

I can't say if I will stick with NOS or move onto the modern super tubes. For anyone looking to buy a mk4 spend the extra couple hundred bucks and go NOS. The Sovtek's clearly suck in comparison.

Marvey · « **Reply #44 on:** February 27, 2014, 04:24:17 AM »

I still feel the NOS tubes are better overall than the new production tubes. Some of the EML's or KRs are close, but not still quite, or at best slightly different. I'm generally not a fan of the Sovtek, Psvane, or Shuguang tubes.

zerodeefex · « **Reply #45 on:** February 27, 2014, 04:49:43 AM »

RCA grey plate or black plate?

Don't get the psvanes based on your preferences. They're more resolving but also very analytical based off what I heard at the SF Bay meet and not warm at all.

Stapsy · « **Reply #46 on:** February 27, 2014, 12:50:30 PM »

Actually one of each. This is kind of an experiment for me to see if I like NOS for a relatively low cost. I wouldn't describe the RCA's as warm. They are warmer than the Sovtek's though, which I think makes the RCA's closer to neutral.

I am tempted to try the monoplates but for at least $750 more than I paid for the dual plates I don't know if I can justify it right now.

Thanks for the info on Psvanes. I talked to them but everything ships from China and I just don't want to take the risk, especially given spotty quality control.

Still interested to hear if you compare the mesh to solid plates. Part of me wants to get the mesh plates and roll them in with NOS and see what happens.

Stapsy · « **Reply #47 on:** March 04, 2014, 02:43:45 AM »

Final update from me for a while.

The NOS RCA's with the Amperex gold pin 5842 is about as perfect for me as I can imagine. The driver tube has had a larger impact than I thought it would. The Amperex just slightly smoothed out the treble to the perfect level for me. Lots of definition in cymbals and almost no splashiness, even on marginal recordings. The sound is more liquid, clear and resolving compared with the Raytheons. I think the Raytheons are a more U shaped sound with more bass and brighter treble. The Amperex may be slightly rolled off in the bass but they are so good in every other way I don't care. The sound is so detailed and engaging, yet relaxing at the same time. There is zero hint of fatigue for me. I literally just come home and listen until I go to bed.

At this point the only thing I would consider is the 6C45pi driver tube and a quad of EML mesh 2A3s to see if I can capture some of that God amp magic. Other than that it is really just improving my DAC as I am sure it is my weak link now that I have the tubes sorted out. Actually I am sure it was before, but the stock tube complement doesn't even come close to the upgraded setup. For $550 I upgraded all the tubes, which is pretty good considering a stock quad is $250. For an extra $300 it is a no brainer.

Anaxilus · « **Reply #48 on:** March 05, 2014, 05:45:49 PM »

The 6C45pi is pretty much shit. If you didn't like the Sovteks, you won't like the 6C45pi. Don't waste your time excpet for research purposes. The only other alternative is the WE417 which you pay through the nose for.

Marvey · « **Reply #49 on:** March 05, 2014, 06:45:10 PM »

Quote from: Anaxilus on March 05, 2014, 05:45:49 PM

The 6C45pi is pretty much sh1t.

Isn't that what was on the 445 production? (finding out right now)

The 6C45pi didn't sound as good as the 5842 on the 445 development amp with the Sophia tubes. I figure (6C45pi) "solid-state" dry + (Sophia 45) brittle/dry + slightly etchy Lundahl OPTs were probably not a good idea. The 5842 has a richer sound.

The 6C45pi wasn't without its merits. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it. It could be interesting on the 2A3mk4 with the vintage RCAs.

Author Topic: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread (Read 15543 times)

Stapsy

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

Marvey

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

Stapsy

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

Stapsy

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

Marvey

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

zerodeefex

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

Stapsy

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

Stapsy

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

Anaxilus

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

Marvey

Re: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Author Topic: The Eddie Current 2A3x4 Thread (Read 15543 times)