Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 399 conversations about:
Fayne
2575
Jul 22, 2019
bookmark_border
So, yeah... Latest Pictured stack: LOXJIE P20 (w/Upgraded Oktyabr 6N3P-EV from '88) Grace SDAC Balanced CTH + SDAC (w/ Upgraded GE 5670W from '88 & 5670 to 6922 adapter) Airist R-2R DAC LCX + SDAC THX AAA 789 ZDT Jr. (w/Upgraded Voskhod 6ZH1P-EV from '84) LittleDot 1+ (w/ stock 6ZH1P tubes and Burson V5i Dual Opamp) DX7s UMC202HD Latest stack picture:
search
Older pictures, different configuration, less gear.
search

search
Server and network rack (pardon the dust):
search

(Edited)
Jul 22, 2019
kimdeug
430
Jul 25, 2019
bookmark_border
FayneHi Fayne. Nice setup and custom watercooling. Small question: Currently I have CTH tube, R2R DAC, and x2 (two) THX 789 AA on my stack setup. Thinking for LCX for ''full house'', but have a doubt ''Do I really need LCX?'' In other words do I miss anything sound-wise without LCX? Or is it any significant difference in sound between THX vs LCX or alternatively CTH tube vs LCX? As you have all of them your opinion will be very valuable for me, and any recommendations will be highly appreciated. Regards, Kim PS. Also have noticed that your tube on CTH is quite high. Did you use socket saver or it is some kind of tall version of 6922 tube ?
(Edited)
Jul 25, 2019
kimdeug
430
Jul 25, 2019
bookmark_border
FayneOhh yaee. I can see the new picture. Even better. Well done!!!!!
Jul 25, 2019
Fayne
2575
Jul 25, 2019
bookmark_border
kimdeugIf you already have the CTH and 789, I do *not* recommend the LCX. Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad amp... but unless you want the extra sonic flavor that it imparts (lots on the low end), the 789 kicks it's ass handily. I regretted buying the LCX a bit when MD released the 789 so shortly after. I am using a socket saver. I hate having the tube recessed in such a way that I may damage the socket or markings on tube when rolling. It sticks up a bunch... but it does keep the heat out of the chassis. Edit: I spent way too much on those loops too. I've Koolance quick disconnects at almost every major junction and am using Tygon B-44-4X I.B. tube. Such a pain in the butt. Factory waterblocks on the EVGA 1080GTXs and ASUS ROG Maximus Extreme IX. Video and CPU on completely isolated loops. Edit 2: If I'm going to suggest any amp at this point other than the 789, it is the ZDT Jr. Am on day one with it, and I'm rather pleased. I've not tried all my cans on it, but it has handled my HD 6xx, T60RP, and TR-70-250 all rather nicely. And I rather like the stock tubes, even if I do plan on replacing them with some hand picked military grade.
(Edited)
Jul 25, 2019
kimdeug
430
Jul 25, 2019
bookmark_border
FayneThank you very much for such a detailed answer. I will follow your recommendation. Nowadays it is very hard to find the truthful opinion. Convincing not to buy this product, especially on review or discussion page. I am in rolling tube research for 6922 series tubes. Have found a good article about this tubes. Hope it will be helpful. Link: http://www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm There are few pictures of my setup on other discussions: Link1: https://drop.com/talk/17685/if-you-can-only-have-one-headphone/2466076 Link2: https://drop.com/talk/2212/lets-see-yalls-rigs/2279233 Also here few pictures of my computer project at the bottom. Good Stereo/headphones and watercooling are my passions. And thanks again for your reply. Regards, Kim
(Edited)
Jul 25, 2019
Fayne
2575
Jul 25, 2019
bookmark_border
kimdeugVery nice setup. You have waaaaay more cans than I do, I've only got 8 in rotation at the moment. Been holding off on buying cans over $600 until I finish twitch purchasing Amps and DACs. Currently got the HD58x, HD6xx, He4xx, Noir 99, E-MU Teak (with detachable cables thanks to Chan@E-MU), TR-70-250, T50RP Mk3, and T60RP. I'd take a photo of my whole desk... but it is a thrashed mess, the curse of being a bit of a slob as well as working from home. Picture a pair of 28" Samsung 4k and an old 24" Acer 1080p surrounding a 5k iMac using a 6*30" VESA mount system on a 6.5' * 4.5' L-style 3/8" thick tempered glass desk. The pictures of my office listening stack and server rack are on the left side of the desk. I use three BrainWavz Trusses to hang my office cans, and a pair of BrainWavz Hengja for my bedroom and lab cans. If you've not hit upon it yet, TubeDepot out of Memphis, TN has a pretty awesome selection of 6922 variants. I've bought a bunch of tubes from them and have not been unhappy. My CTH is currently rocking the JAN Sylvania 6922 from the 70's which I sourced through them. I decided to check the box for balanced triodes, low noise & microphonics, and high gain when ordering, totally worth it. I've been especially pleased with their matched and balanced sets. Sadly they don't carry the 6N23P-EV or really any Voskhod Milspec/OTK tubes. I've had to resort to eBay and marketplace vendors on Amazon for those, totally worth it... but very hit and miss. Some day I'll get around to finishing the LITE tube amp boards I sourced from China via ebay. I've got all the components just waiting for me in my garage... along with three AMB M3 (two single ended, one balanced) Headphone Amps, one DiyInHK 8-channel ES9016 DAC with eight α24 fully-differential line amplifiers, and a couple of Pete Millett Korg NuTube buffers all mostly completed. Just awaiting PSU or chassis. Also been side-eyeing the Pete Millett Korg NuTube balanced amp... but need to finish what I've got in the works (and have had for too long).
(Edited)
Jul 25, 2019
kimdeug
430
Jul 25, 2019
bookmark_border
Fayne
search
search
Thanks my Friend. Currently my apartment room also in big mess as upgrading the big stereo (going with 2 monoblocks) for mine stereo and monitoring KEF LS50 stereo with two monoblocks also. Was running with one stereo amp Cambridge Audio 851W. But after adding the second monoblock the sound is completely changed. It is more like 3D now, Very big improvement from one stereo amp to 2 monoblocks. That's why upgrading both my setups with 2 CA 851W and 2 Emotiva UPR-1 monoblocks now. Yes, the modifying headphones is my hobby. So, after I have done, I can not sell it as the amount of efforts and time spent for each can is endless. This is how I have got so many. It is more sentimental for me. At the same time I am always looking for something new and different. Recently have got Pathos Aurium, LaFigaro 339 and ZMF Auterus. I was away in my hobby from the tube amplifiers. Almost 20 years I did not understand the tubes, and only recently have got the magic of tube sound. And I am addicted now....... Just only regret I did not get it early, decades ago:(( From my research Russian tube 6N23P has two factories in Russia. Voshod and Reflector. Index EV (European Version) and VE (Internal Usage acronym from Russian). Russia was importing low level tubes to Europe, so I assume VE is better quality. OTK stamp means from Russian (Department of Quality/technical Control) For audiophiles the most desirable Russian tubes 6N23P Reflector from 60's to 70's. Also in future to build my own circuit/ tube headphone amplifier. But need more time later. This is my yesterday upgrade picture. Sorry for mess. Just need to remove my big stereo rack with all my headphone amplifiers, because it was blocking the access to the space under the middle book shelf, where these two small racks with amplifiers will go. Regards, Kim
(Edited)
Jul 25, 2019
Fayne
2575
Jul 25, 2019
bookmark_border
FayneHere is a bit of what the DIY stuff is looking like. Pardon the mess, the dust, and the cigarette ashes. Garage is the smoking room for the house. Small board is an AMB σ11 and the large board is the aforementioned AMB M³. A couple of R-Core style transformers hanging out behind them.
search
The board in the chassis is another AMB M³ along with a tiny AMB σ25 regulated power supply holding an AMB σ78 low noise voltage regulator. The board with all the lovely red caps is a cheap CIRY audio Ti/BurrBrown PCM1794A balanced DAC I sourced from ebay.
search
This is just a pile of freak boards. Many more of those AMB components as well as a gaggle of random Chinese PSU boards I sourced from eBay. Most of them are viable, even if I have to jumper or dead-bug.
search
Traaaaaansformers. So many transformers.
search
The board on the top left is a cheap tube preamp kit I snagged from Amazon. Came with cracked 6j1 tube, lol. The two other boards on the top are those Pete Millett Korg NuTube buffers. Everything else is relay or power related. Hey, more trafos.
search
Tuuuuuuuuubes and a few jack components.
search
Resistors, and Caps
search
Electro-mechanical, Connectors, and some more power related components.
search
Even more Jacks, Sockets, Connectors, and Terminal blocks.
search
Opamps and other chiplike objects with 4 or more pins.
search
Piles of diodes, rectifiers, and regulators. All 2 and 3 pin crap.
search

Jul 25, 2019
kimdeug
430
Jul 25, 2019
bookmark_border
FayneWaww. Seems like my dream environment. I really like to put my headphones on and spend few hours with soldering iron. Damn. I need to buy the house with garage:))) Nice. Kim
(Edited)
Jul 25, 2019
View Full Discussion
Related Posts
Trending Posts in Audiophile