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Author Topic: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus  (Read 23535 times)

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olor1n

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #40 on: January 07, 2013, 07:15:44 PM »
Great insight purrin. Thank you.

Every point you've made about the Mjolnir corresponds with what I hear and my experience rolling the source component behind it. I've always been drawn to the S7, but I don't think I could cope with the neurosis of rolling 7 tubes.

I like how the Mjolnir is set and forget, though I do still yearn for the added versatility of a s/e hp out. This is where the BHA-1 is appealing, but from all accounts that output is nothing to write home about. I'd require better performance from that feature and other aspects of the sq to justify the expense.

In terms of SS (and outside of DIY), I'm hard pressed to come up with another amp worthy of the HD800 (in the price vicinity of the MJ). There's the new Burson of course but I suspect a side grade from the MJ at best. I've come close to pulling the trigger on the GS-X v2 a few times. The wait time for that amp, and the premium price over the MJ makes it a hard one to justify, especially now that the M51 has addressed all the issues I had with the presentation when the Gungnir performed DAC duties in my system.
« Last Edit: January 07, 2013, 07:56:42 PM by olor1n »
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Questhate

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #41 on: January 07, 2013, 07:35:10 PM »
Ehh, you don't necessarily have to succumb to your neurosis with the 7 tubes. You can just leave the stock ones in and forget it, as rolling them merely fine-tunes the sound rather than making dramatic changes. If anything, changing only the driver tube will be enough of a tweak if you fancy tube rolling.

Glad to hear you're liking the M51. I'm waiting for the Schiit Statement to come out before upgrading the Gungnir (then I'm really done, I swear) but the M51 is on the short list to audition.
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olor1n

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #42 on: January 07, 2013, 07:49:06 PM »
Lol, famous last words QH. Btw, check your PM inbox.

Wasn't Craig working on an SS amp? Any details on that?
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Anaxilus.

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #43 on: January 07, 2013, 09:46:47 PM »
I think we crapped on it too much and he decided to try adding a tube which defeated the purpose.  I believe it may be aborted at this time.  He's got bigger Krackens/Leviathans to fry.
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twifosp

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #44 on: January 08, 2013, 05:21:58 PM »
Quote from: purrin on January 01, 2013, 11:23:36 PM

All that being said, I know Craig is working on a 2A3 amp with the BA's high frequency heater. The target is $2500. I would wait if you can for this. You can always call him to see how far out it is. If I have to do it all over again, this is what I would get (it will also have speaker outputs.) Actually, I may actually get it myself.

Hopefully this helps. I don't think there's one clear winner other than the newly proposed 2A3 w/ BA heater.

I am now very interested in this too.  I have been checking for a super7 or BA to pop up on the used forums for a while.  I currently run my hd800 through a phonitor, and while I recognize it is a thinner sound, I have a hard time giving up the control over the image and center voice.  I am about as sensitive to center channel and sound stage gaps as purrin is to treble issues.  All other quality aside, I have a hard time listening if there is a center gap or "incorrect" sound. 

I am now very interested in this new 2A3 from EC, is there any timeline at all or is it still way early in development?
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Marvey

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #45 on: January 08, 2013, 05:31:54 PM »
Quote from: Analixus on January 07, 2013, 09:46:47 PM
I think we crapped on it too much and he decided to try adding a tube which defeated the purpose.  I believe it may be aborted at this time.  He's got bigger Krackens/Leviathans to fry.


I don't think we would have changed his mind either way. Sometimes I think Craig lets us listen to stuff to see if we can be tricked. He knew it sounded like shit and was unhappy with it.
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CEE TEE

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #46 on: January 08, 2013, 06:19:12 PM »
With the new caps in the S7, I am REALLY happy.   
If the high frequency heaters are another big step-up, I don't know what I will do.   :)p8   But this has to be the best bang for the buck in the high-end category.  Current combo: 7 tubes that total ~$60!!!
 
I'm excited with the PWD2 coming in, I might not need to dream of high-frequency heaters...would like you guys to listen to my amp and tell me how it is performing the way I have it set-up at the meet on Feb. 17.
 
I'll spend time up until the meet getting to know the new changes and then will if I could spend 30-60 minutes comparing to somebody's BA or 2A3 w/High Frequency heaters that would be awesome.
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Marvey

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #47 on: January 08, 2013, 07:03:43 PM »
Quote from: twifosp on January 08, 2013, 05:21:58 PM
Quote from: purrin on January 01, 2013, 11:23:36 PM

All that being said, I know Craig is working on a 2A3 amp with the BA's high frequency heater. The target is $2500. I would wait if you can for this. You can always call him to see how far out it is. If I have to do it all over again, this is what I would get (it will also have speaker outputs.) Actually, I may actually get it myself.

Hopefully this helps. I don't think there's one clear winner other than the newly proposed 2A3 w/ BA heater.

I am now very interested in this too.  I have been checking for a super7 or BA to pop up on the used forums for a while.  I currently run my hd800 through a phonitor, and while I recognize it is a thinner sound, I have a hard time giving up the control over the image and center voice.  I am about as sensitive to center channel and sound stage gaps as purrin is to treble issues.  All other quality aside, I have a hard time listening if there is a center gap or "incorrect" sound. 

I am now very interested in this new 2A3 from EC, is there any timeline at all or is it still way early in development?

I'm not sure selecting certain amps to fix center gap issues with headphones is the best way to solve the problem.
Software DSP is an excellent option. The crossfeed implementation in JRiver MC17 (DSP -> Headphones -> Crossfeed) is quite excellent and I use it quite a bit. The only caveat is that the implementation must be good, e.g. I did not care for the Rockbox crossfeed implementation at all.
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twifosp

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #48 on: January 08, 2013, 07:21:39 PM »
I've not had good luck with any software DSP.  The jriver crossfeed isn't bad, but it really do anything for the center image.

There is a lot of talk on HF about isone pro.  I'll admit that software does a decent job of convincing you that you are not listening to headphones but at a high quality cost.  There is a, for lack of a better term, digital gradient on any decay that and the sound over all sounds muddy.

I was not clear with my intent though, aside from the phonitor, I generally do not select amps based on the center image alone, but I will dismiss an amp very quickly if it sounds like I am listening to two separate channels that originate in my head, rather than a single coherent sound stage.

Being able to correctly drive the HD800 is making me want to try another amp, and the offerings from EC have my attention, but I haven't been able to decide on one yet.  I actually found this forum for searching for additional reviews today. 
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JMcMasterJ

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Re: EC Super 7 vs EC 2A3 vs EC Zana Deux vs DNA Stratus
« Reply #49 on: January 09, 2013, 01:17:39 AM »
Quote from: CEE TEE on January 04, 2013, 06:38:02 PM
QUOTE: "I'll try to do a comparison in couple days. I only listen to the w4s out of coax as the USB sounds dull to me. It does have a nice "analog" sound but I feel it is a bit dark and colored, not neutral. The highs are a bit rolled off which actually works fine with the HD800 as they are not fatiguing. I do however dislike that is very forward and punchy in the mids so vocals often sound shouty. I'm looking for a DAC that is a little more transparent and also more detailed as I find the w4s a bit fuzzy with the HD800."

 
Great answer and I'm excited to hear what you think of the PWD2...the NWD wasn't enough to get me to change over but I am hoping the PWD2 will have the warmth as well as the detail and extension that will make me switch.  Thanks for your impressions- DACs aren't easy to talk about, let alone that much info in a single paragraph.   :money:

Got the PWD2. Initial impression: holy crap!  p:3
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