Justin S

First the burn, then the radio wave distortion. So analogue...

I don't want to say more relaxed as that has fuzzy connotations. It presents more effortless without losing any resolution. It's like going to your favourite noodle place where they would never ask you "How's your first few bites" because A) They've done this a million times and know its great, B) They don't give a f**k what you think. That's the notch up the big front tube brings. Good noodles.

The MELZ is quite nice…more relaxed as you mentioned. I also tried a new Psvane 6SL7 in “coke bottle” form that is somewhere in between that and the OG Voshkod but more toward the latter. I chuckle every time thinking the amp + tubes (with adapter) cost me less than 300. But then I remember springing for a 800S. Still a good deal.

@joch still a good deal, indeed. I picked up my 800Ss used for 1K Canadian $. As a headphones+amp unit it is really good value for something that is this pleasing. I also picked up some reflector 6N2 tubes. I have not had much time with them but they are also nice.

Sennheiser stock pads are difficult to install. At least, on HD800.

They seem have clicked in place, but just bounce off. I have it to do and this is my second time. ISTR something needed to be stretched. I'll let my existing pads fall to bits a little more yet, but I have the new ones ready.

So far , unsurprisingly, the Shuguang is the right tube in the TA66. The Thompson is very very nice in the mids but gets a touch grating, the sovtek is a slamming party machine, but I can take an hour of it max. The Shuguang it perhaps a touch less detailed, but it is fun, spactious and very balanced.

I'll be curtious to try the Melz with an adapter in the pre section when it arrives.

First day in, I like them. The bass is really something: detailed and thusty. The treble is also more detail without being itchy or annoying.

Speakers and sound amplifiers are in there too.

They’re technically just cushions as they don’t make sounds on their own?

@joch yes, but they're from a headphone company and labeled as headphone earpads. The process is likely quite zealous at the Canadian border.

@joch What 6SL7s are you using. My vendor has some of the Melz metal base 6N9Ss which are 6SL7 equivalent, as I understand it.

I am using the non metal Melz. I read that the metal ones are better. I recently got a cheaper end Psvane which I find very not bad.

Thanks @joch. I ordered one from the same guy I got some refelctor 6n2ps.

Yeah I hear you @Sqveak I just thought he had an opportunity to get an OG earlier

@joch I tried on a couple pairs of the 800 non Ss but I blinked and they were gone. I found a pair of Ss in mint condition for a song. They're really very good with the TA66. As I found it with the 600s, the TA66 really brings the best out of the 800Ss. I prefer them to the ZMF AutCs on this amp.

New toy caveat: Yes it's a coloured amp and coloured headphones, but the TA66 + 800Ss are like the fabled super 600s for me. I grew up on 400s and can't quit Senns as much as I try. After much stuff, I would say that the TA66 + a used pair of 800Ss is a high value combo. I'm running Pi2AES>J2 4499 with the sparkos opamps>TA66 w Thompson 6080. @atomicbob noise nukes on fiber LAN box, Pi2AES and J2.

No memory required (mine is not that good) I just read your gear list in your profile which still shows LIM

Changes over time with gear and taste. I spent 10 years liking 600 and 650 equally. Then another five preferring 650. Now it’s back to finding them equal again.

@Patrickhat Your timeline is a speed I aspire to!

Try it ;)

If it's considerably cheaper and it has or you can do the SDR mod go for the OG IMO. But also consider pad replacement in the price though.

Thanks for the input. I've reached out to the seller. I think I am going to go for them. I have an SDR kit here somewhere that I bought years ago. I really liked the ZMF 800 pads the 800Ss. I'll likely do the same thing again.

Looks like you've got this lined up already :P ...I'll probably need to scratch that itch one day even though the 800S has been really good

Whoh. The headamp on this thing is no slouch when using 600s. Not just a pretty face.

Using the J2 for pleasure listening at work. My Motu Ultralite interface is nice, but less fun. I am using SE to the Lyr+ or TA-66 and Bal to my monitors. Very clean and detailed with a friendly tone to it. Fantastic imaging and staging.

I have a J3 with three SS2590s and I agree that it's quite nice sounding.

Sub and satellite can sound like one big speaker.
It is about latency and phase. Surprisingly not at all easy task to get phase right and not have the period lagging.

I used to run Harbeth P3Esrs at home with a rel. The combination was excellent and the rel contributed to staging and realism. Perhaps my work setup with the 7040 was not as tuned or my room is just a poor room for a sub. It's well treated but small and the sub was under my desk.

I did tune things with REW and a mic at my listening position at work, but I never loved it.

@rlow TA-66 is a basic, simple design with resistors, capacitors, tubes and a transformer and rectifier. There are 4 electrolytic capacitors visible in the photos. They are probably the only potential issues if not designed with sufficient margin or random bad capacitor syndrom.

I have been enjoying mine with various tubes, but I keep coming back to the stock Shuguang 6n5pj.

The Shuguangs are probably collector’s items now LOL. I understand that their factory had a fire, and they haven’t got back on their feet. The new “SG” stuff like the 300B-98 is issued by Linlai.

I was thinking about a switch to the Gungnir2 for space...buuuuut the bass. The last two tracks on the new Billy Eilish record are full-on epic with the LIM.

JBL 4305P or 4329P are also good and should be robust enough to survive teenagers. Or save some money on a Kanto Ren + sub. Just throwing out random suggestions for ya.

@Justin S I just had to make the same calculation with my downstairs, which was always envisioned as a home theater type listening setup with occasional music. Kids need it to be a safer playroom space though so said goodbye to my Zu DW6 and integrated. Swapped in some wall mounted Buchardt A10, which while not cheap, have been pretty incredible so far.

I went decidedly lower budget. I found a pair of mint Revel M16s which I quite like, moved my old Geshelli J2 4490 DAC with the nice opamps down, kept the Heed amp and the REL for now. It's actually very good for tv and movies and alright for music. I think the changes will serve their purpose well.

really, though, it's the Ken Rad to rule them all.