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Jensen567
71
Jan 26, 2016
To all those who think they did not get the Gold Lion tube, check the one installed in the amp! I recieved mine today, and while it did not come with a spare tube, the tube installed out of the box is in fact the Genelex Gold Lion. So I am missing out on a crappy no-name 12AU7, no big deal.
So far I have only used this with my Dr.Dac3 as a source, which I know, using an HPA as a source for an HPA isn't how you're supposed to do it, but should work fine as long as I keep the input volume level under the distortion threshold.
Don't really notice much of the "tube character", but considering the amp is setup to use the tube as a buffer rather than the power amp stage I am not too surprised (I haven't reverse engineered the circuit yet, but I would guess it is setup as a cathode follower). Plus, all that really means is that it is NOT adding much distortion (which is really what "benefit" tubes have, distorting your signals). With that said, it does sound very good, and has no problem driving my AKG K7xx or BD DT880 600 Ohm.
I would guess much of the quality, or lack thereof, from the sound out of this will be down to the source you feed it, with a clean input I am getting a clean output, and no buzzing or hissing even at full volume with the AKGs (dont have any IEMs handy, will try later).
My only complaint is purely aesthetic and my opinion only, which is the blue LED under the tube. I would rather just see the very slight orange glow from the actual heaters in the tube, plus blue doesn't match my setup. Like I said, purely my opinion only, and I already plan to de-solder the LED to fix that anyhow.
Akronis
1
Jan 26, 2016
Jensen567The one installed in the amp is not the one pictured or was promised. It's a lower end Genelex Gold Lion.
Jensen567
71
Jan 26, 2016
AkronisWhile you are correct that it is not the one pictured, the E88CC pictured is not even a 12AU7 type, but a 6922 type. Almost the same, but the heaters run on 6.3V instead of 12V like the 12AU7, so put a 6922 in a 12AU7 slot and the heater life will be very short, and it will run incredibly hot, assuming it doesn't burn out immediately.
If you look at the photo of the tube, the amp is not this amp either. The ECC82 tube (the one installed in the amp in the product photos, and the one I got) is the only 12AU7 type Gold Lion tube available. While I do think the picture of the gold lion tube should have been of the actual one for this amp, I do not think they messed up. The ECC82 is the correct tube for this amplifier, and is WAY better than the Shu Guan that they said it comes with in the description.
With all that said, I wouldn't be disappointed to receive another spare Gold Lion ECC82 if they do decide to ship everyone a second tube.
Jensen567
71
Jan 27, 2016
AkronisUpon further investigation it looks like the photo of the Gold Lion tube in this drop was re-used from the Aune T1 MK2 drop, but the installed ECC82 is still the correct Gold Lion tube for this amp.
At least it was installed by default for me, can't comment for others.
d2mini
7
Jan 27, 2016
Jensen567Thank you Jensen567! You are correct! At least in my case. I checked the markings and I do indeed have the Gold Lion ECC82 installed. I've already notified Mass about the mixup. Hopefully others are checking their amps, too. <slaps forehead>
Now that this is cleared up, for an amp newbie, what would be additional easy upgrades? Someone earlier mentioned a better power supply?
Jensen567
71
Jan 27, 2016
d2miniNo worries, I thought I didn't get it at first too, then I went to check what tube it came with because I had forgotten and saw I had the Gold Lion already in the amp.
In terms of other upgrades, there really arent any other easily swappable components. The power supply could help if the standard one is really noisy, I will throw it on the scope when I get home to find out, but i have a feeling it is fine, plus they have one hell of a decoupling cap which should eliminate most if not all ripple. So probably not worth it, even if it was only $5, but I will check. I'm not really an audiophile either (audiophool, no offense guys), I'm an engineer who likes to listen to music and play with electronics, so I'm sure some will disagree with me and claim that a better power supply revolutionizes the outside the box synergy and unlocks the full depth of sound, or something like that.
Jensen567
71
Jan 27, 2016
d2miniMeasure less than 5mV of ripple on the included AC-DC supply on my scope, plus they have a massive 6800uF decoupling cap on the amplifier PCB, so really no reason to change out the power supply. I would say there are probably no other upgrades that are worthwhile, unless you just want a linear supply to be more "vintage", but considering the housing is laser cut acrylic and it has a bright blue LED under the tube, I don't think this amp screams "vintage"
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