1.     Don't be a dotard!
    Read these "rules" AND introduce
    yourself     before your first post
  2. A healthy approach to understanding measurements
    Being true to what the artists intended
  3. After being asked for the 308th time, Merv lists top 5 headphones
    (opinion / entertainment piece)
    Dismiss Notice
  4. $1000 to the first to design a headamp using discrete components with better measurements than Magni 3+
    Dismiss Notice
IMPORTANT: New Members Read This Don't Be a Measurement Fascist Merv's Top 5 Headphones - 2023 Edition $1000 Challenge

Recent Content by Maven86

  1. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    More of the latter but it depends on what genres frequent the playlist. Personally, I prefer...

    More of the latter but it depends on what genres frequent the playlist. Personally, I prefer headphones for the former.
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, May 13, 2023
  2. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    Compliment and surprise in this case.

    Compliment and surprise in this case.
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 25, 2023
  3. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    DHT pre-amps can be dicey. That's a lot of $$ to spend on an experiment.

    DHT pre-amps can be dicey. That's a lot of $$ to spend on an experiment.
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  4. Maven86
    Profile Post

    First impression of the Gustard A26: "I can't believe it's not delta sigma!"

    First impression of the Gustard A26: "I can't believe it's not delta sigma!"
    Status Update by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  5. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    For example, on my 45 amp, if I set the plate voltage high, it sounds warm, soft, and euphonic...

    For example, on my 45 amp, if I set the plate voltage high, it sounds warm, soft, and euphonic in the midrange. At a lower point it will sound...
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  6. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    That was vague, I should have clarified. Basically operation parameters like plate voltage,...

    That was vague, I should have clarified. Basically operation parameters like plate voltage, primary impedance of the output transformers, bias...
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  7. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    Honestly, if you can audition a few of both, definitely do that. I should also add that I'm in...

    Honestly, if you can audition a few of both, definitely do that. I should also add that I'm in the "implementation matters more" camp. FWIW, I...
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  8. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    45s tended to sound more linear, faster, more forward\dynamic and have better clarity at the...

    45s tended to sound more linear, faster, more forward\dynamic and have better clarity at the expense of some tonal thickness (maybe?). 2A3 is...
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  9. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    If I had to generalize, the best 2A3 examples sound more balanced relative to the 45. Slightly...

    If I had to generalize, the best 2A3 examples sound more balanced relative to the 45. Slightly more tonal weight, more laid back, rounder edges,...
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  10. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    It's tough to say. Lots of differing opinions on how much the output tube matters relative to...

    It's tough to say. Lots of differing opinions on how much the output tube matters relative to the other design variables (circuit, parts,...
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  11. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    It's been years but I remember liking the 445 I heard. I didn't get the impression that it was...

    It's been years but I remember liking the 445 I heard. I didn't get the impression that it was warm... More like neutral, fast, and clear.
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  12. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    My guess is the biggest difference will be the ISTs. IIRC the reg 445 and 2A3 used Hammond...

    My guess is the biggest difference will be the ISTs. IIRC the reg 445 and 2A3 used Hammond iron. I'm guessing the custom 45 uses Monolith...
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  13. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    This makes sense.

    This makes sense.
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  14. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    Curious about the JAR potential for these.

    Curious about the JAR potential for these.
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 24, 2023
  15. Maven86
    Profile Post Comment

    Bigger is better...except in prison.

    Bigger is better...except in prison.
    Profile Post Comment by Maven86, Feb 17, 2023