rhythmdevils

Can you pull shrink tubing over the connectors? You could make it stiffer if you split a piece of rubber/plastic tubing and put that on first.

sugru? very careful application of hot glue? swipe the spring from a cheap ballpoint pen?

Sugru and low temp hot glue have worked for me for other applications. Sugru is a bit easier to work with but messier to clean up. Hot glue is messier but very easily removed with rubbing alcohol.

thank you! <3

no doubt about it, the S12 with just micropore is already _really_ good.

I would like to hear a modded pair to justify the effort and costs (especially when living in another country, with shipping and customs on top). Until then, i'm happy enough as is

Sony being Sony just came up with a new standard for balanced. It was Astel Kern who popularized balanced for portable audio from their AK240 DAP and it caught on. Yea I wish they all ditched Balanced and designed better single ended.

There were other brands that had their balanced out as well even prior to that. But it was AK’s 2.5mm Bal that really started the Balanced movement in the portable audio.

Reduce electrical noise for thermal noise

Don't forget that vinyl goes click .... .... click ... ... click .... .... click ... ... click .... .... every time any album ends.

;)

Also sad! I’m not bothered by the noise itself, I’m just often wanting another song and that click is a definitive end to the album.

Just use a regular non-bit perfect OS mixer and force the signal lock into whatever sample rate/bit depth setting you choose and voila! No clicking. ;) (just kidding, of course…)

Does the valve (errm, tube) actually do anything?

Is this a joke?

Yeah it's probably just a broken tube he bought in bulk on ebay to look cute. it's kind of cool actually, but after seeing @atomicbob 's USB measurements I wouldn't even hook that thing up to a laser printer.

Now you're talking!

Printers can be very sensitive. Definitely use only the /best/ cables!

/hahaha /semi-serious ;)

I don't mind the clicks. What I mind *a lot!* is that so many headphone amps have such little volume range, particularly in high gain. It's as if manufacturers decided to build them for HE-6 (which they're almost always inadequate for anyway) instead of for normal headphones, such as HD-6, T50RP mods, &c.

I personally have never had an issue with the amount of steps on the Saga or the Freya but if I were getting a Goldpoint I’d opt for the upgrade with more steps. IIRC their base is 24 steps.

And then you've got the oddball Bottlehead preamp which has TWO rotary switches for volume, course steps at 9dB each and then a fine knob with 1.5dB steps.

Time to go down the rabbit hole of bandcamp lists? https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists

Yeah BANDCAMP is great. I go through my feed everyday.

My DREAM job is to curate music for HBO productions. every time I see an HBO show, I know almost all the songs and sometimes the vibe is off, and I think of a track that would have fit better, but on the whole most of them do a p good job. I don't even know what job title that actually is lol.

If it is based on amb then look here:
https://www.amb.org/audio/sigma11/
and then click on Tech highlights

I’ve bought and sold plenty on USAM. It works well enough and hifishark trawls it.

I've used USAM's sister website for Canada (CAM) and its great. Feedback system etc...

With that being said do be careful and follow advice for scams and stuff.

Have you considered Reddit's AVExchange sub? I've bought and sold plenty on there with no issues. Seems to get more traffic than USAM as well.

I literally just got a new tube adapter today for my Vali 2+ to sample my 5670/396A/2C51 as a mock Vali 2++. I have the ECC84 adapter for the tube @Azimuth recommended (RFT) I just sprayed the JAN 5670 and stuck it in the adapter. I gave the pins a quick cotton rub off before going in. Yummy

I’ve always used anhydrous isopropyl alcohol with a brass brush, Scotch Brite, or one of the toothbrushes my dentist gives me that I never use.

Welp, I thought I put a 5670 in there, but it was a 5687 - It let out some magic smoke until I shut'er down. It seems to be working fine with the stock 6N1P in there. I sorta like the stock 6N1P over the ECC84 RFT. I have no idea the brand on the 6N1P, but it is very balance. Almost chucked the Vali 2+, I was sad and upset with myself. I do have an actual 2C51, just requires a little more work.

How much would decent tubes set someone back on the elekit ?

@HotRatSalad it takes KT88’s or 6L6G power tubes. KT88’s are expensive but my favorite was RCA 6L6GB tubes which are not expensive and a pair of 12au7’s don’t need to be expensive. $50? But you could spend $150-200 with nice 12au7’s like Mullards or $500 with KT88’s and nice 12au7’s.

@HotRatSalad here’s a nice compliment of tubes for the 8200
https://tinyurl.com/3kwnpksu
https://tinyurl.com/yah8yu7j

I currently have 3 amps that take only one 12au7. My 12au7 stash is ruined :(…

Many audio tubes are dual triode, so in some amps, one side gets hit harder than others. I know in some guitar amps, the other side might not even used.

@Azimuth are you trying to make me have a nervous breakdown? :D

@bixby I’ve had at least a dozen people try to convince me in systems I know well. Maybe I’m deaf but zero fucking difference.

This feels like the type of think I'd want to see blind tested

I'm going with regular fuses. Thanks everyone! :D

Gratitude dominates my relationship to music, and derivatively, to my gear, pedestrian though it may be.

Actually, I always thought I’d like to listen to different gear depending on mood, but I never do. I only ever use my HD650 to reassure myself that I really like the Clear Mg better. So I guess I won’t be amassing gear over the years, but I’m still hesitant to sell the HD650 because future gear _might_ have better synergy …

Another thing is different gear for different situations, though. I’ll definitely keep my Timeless, at least one dongle, at least one BT headphone etc.

Restraint against drunken or sexy-time flailings for bedside stacks, and extra air circulation for the hot Canadian climate :)

@Vansen obviously these holders add moar bass.

"moar base" FTFY

You both might find this interesting: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/tube-warm-up-time-technical-measurements.3810/

That being said I give my tube amps a minute or two before listening

Yeah, whatevs I couldn't be bothered to wait. I just want to hear that phat bass!

I don't think there's anything wrong with just listening right away. No risk of damage or anything

I do think upgrading to the 12 is worth it. It's a really beautifully made device. It feels like a Rolex or something. And the camera quality is far far superior to the 10. But beyond the 12 I would wait for Apple to design something that actually affects usage and doesn't just look cool in a list of specs.

@joch I might go that route instead of getting a new phone. My XS does everything I need. I have iPad Pro for other stuff.

@yotacowboy <fistbump> I'm on an 8 Plus with a cracked screen. Can't see upgrading until it physically dies.

Would buy, aint gonna lie.

I tried to convince my GF to get me a vintage tube caddy for x-mas. didn't happen.

Nice. I am always chasing that high, the feeling of empowerment when you 'unlock' new sounds. Congrats :)

I'd say you're crazy in a good way.

@Claritas im definitely crazy :)