BH Mainline is similar design to the ECP-L2, right? People have praised the ECP-L2 with HD800 a lot, so my hopes lie with the Mainline right now.
Anax and Marv what do you think of the L2?

Thanks!
The part where some prefer T1s to HD800s with Mainline worries me.
And that tube rolling does not affect sound much.
Maybe it is a good thing in this case?

One of these times when I'm out to Anaheim for a business trip I'll pack up/bring out my Mainline and we can have a mini-meet. Mainline IS a 'Parafeed' topography like the L2, Torpedo, etc. I've never head it with the HD800's, but use it every day with T90's.

No idea on the Mainline since BH does not provide schematics or even any hint of topology. What is known is that both are single stage tube.

I've heard good things about the L2 by people who I trust. I missed out on it hearing once and would love a chance to do so.

As for the BH Mainline, I'm not too keen on the 6C45pi tube, especially with HD800. It could work well, so I can't say for sure, just that the 6C45pi is not a good indicator. Not many choices with that tube, the Sovteks sound like sh1t.

I would assume a reasonably similar topology. There are a few circuit tricks in the L-2 that probably make it a little different. Parts quality is also higher, but you can always upgrade the BH.

If the 6C45pi sounds hard or etchy or bad in any way, it is because it is oscillating. It is extremely difficult to keep it under control. But, if you do, it is a really wonderful tube.

In the L-2, in order to keep it happy, there are grid stoppers, plate stoppers, and cathode stoppers, and all are surface mount (i.e. without inductive resistor leads) right on the socket pins. Additionally, it has Teflon tube sockets and an extremely low impedance biasing mechanism.

Oh man, I love the woodworking on that Mainline... almost looks like marble.