Taguro

First impressions?

@JK47 Personally the May plays at a higher level, albeit if you don't like NOS, it won't be for you. I personally like the strong center image and density of the May. There's a more tangible, almost tactile, way the May renders notes.

@JK47 While the Yggdrasil isn't bad, the note weight isn't as realistic and you feel like the edges are more sharpened on the Yggdrasil, giving it a more incisive character, despite the May actually resolving more macro and micro detail. As to aspects of Yggdrasil that are more positive compared to the May, it would probably be speed and air, the second of which is naught if May is fed with upsampled material.

@M3NTAL @zerodeefex thanks :) that is the plan

I've considered this many times from both showing up semi-frequently on HifiShark. Given that you have an SJR with dynamics and an Yggdrasil, which is similar enough to my setup, really interested in your impressions either here or in the SR-1a thread when you get the chance. I've basically kept telling myself I can't use Raal's with my Studio B so I should just forget it, but they still call me from time to time...

Double post, sorry.

Good things come to those who wait

When I order something, somehow I usually forget that ordered it. (I get busy.) And then it's a big surprise when I get it.

Also A-Bd the OG Utopia with Utopia 2022 for a second time. Only reinforced what I heard the first time. New one is definitely warmer, but sacrifices that ultra precise imaging and is less transparent to my ears. Staging is slightly better on the new one (might be because of the larger grill holes). Still prefer the sparkle and top end extension of the OG, esp with tubes.

Cool. I looked at Focal but none of their 6x9 speakers were shallow enough to fit in my doors and I was installing myself so I didn’t really want to get too complicated with modding and whatnot.

please make a thread (if there isnt one already) on your findings when you get your car setup. people, including myself, would love to hear abt it

@caute I'll try. I fear my impressions might be a bit too basic since I'm exploring uncharted territory, but I'll do my best

I think along with the Susvara, they are the most technical planars that currently exist. It has a V-shaped character (but excellently tuned), soundstage and bass are probably one of the best. Abyss tune the TC in the fun side (like their other headphones) rather than reference / neutral.

The TC is comfortable but the sound changes according to how you adjust the headband so can be problematic. Very, very hard to drive, SS is probably the wiser choice for ultimate control unless you have something like the Riviera AIC-10 or WA33.

It has a unique, opinionated presentation that's big and intense. Most love it or hate it but it's worth a listen.

@caute was eyeing the Warwick Bravura or the RAAL SR-1A so I have different driver options as I already have a dynamic and planar. but I find more enjoyment trying to perfect what I already have right now than adding more stuff to the stable.

@Thad E Ginathom I think this makes a lot of sense. I'm still curious about the new stuff coming out, and it's fun trying things out. I just have to restrain myself from pulling out the wallet hastily which I don't have a lot of confidence in, which is why I just avoid situations where I can get myself into trouble.

Ahhh.... Very wise! :)

I paid $1200 for what looked mint and came with all the boxes in 2018

Interesting that the owner originally had them posted over on HF, then closed the listing, and said it was going on Yahoo Japan...

And here I thought Yahoo! was only used for fantasy football these days.

I'm scared to publicly comment on my favorite tubes because it makes the prices go way up and they become "holy grail" tubes all of a sudden... pm me if you want. ;)

@yotacowboy @internethandle thanks for the suggestions. I currently have a Sylvania JAN 2C51 here given to me by the guy I got the ER300B from. I will try this one later tonight. Will also look for the Bendix to try.

@rhythmdevils sent you a pm :)

Mod your Jr. to take 83 tubes instead of the more ss-like Elrogs!

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/studio-b-glowy-toxic-mercury-power-supply-mod.12824/

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/300b-tube-compendium.13095/page-2#post-408166 Elrog impressions here

You got a stronger pair of binoculars? :P

Did you place a corner stone?

Walked a mile?


Anyway, congrats, and best wishes for covering the final miles.

On the other hand, I've been enjoying the SJR so much since I got it. A huge chunk of my evenings have been dedicated just to this chain. Maybe it's time to stop the side/downgrades and get onto the TOTL tube train (Elrog?)

Get a rack

And then add heater for glowy, pretty n v toxic mercury rectifier. Elrog is resolution king tho.

What voltage settings did you go with, and how did tweaking change the sound?

I ended up at 25.2v for my current settings. I tried the 22v and 30v settings and I found 22v made things smoother, but imaging was more left-to-right. 30v was more delineated, it was like increasing the contrast to high while losing lower level detail. I felt 25.2v was my personal sweet spot. I still have good staging on all axes, while having enough note delineation and attack.

Yes the Oor is definitely a clean sounding amp. I wouldn't call it clinical, but compared to say, my Luxman, it's not as warm/romantic/rounded in presentation

Looking into a hardware-based upsampling solution like a second hand Chord Mscaler. Or find another way to reorganize the office space to accomodate the May.

You should post these impressions in one of the product threads so they won’t get lost in the stream of status updates.

Holo DACs only show their best with upsampling IMHO. In NOS mode the stage and treble extension are heavily compromised.

Glad to have found SBAF years ago. It saved me so much time, money and have learned quite a lot. I can honestly say I've enjoyed the stuff I bought that were recommended here. Only let go some of them to move up. No sidegrades or downgrades.

Now we need to corrupt you enough to start joining us in discussion about truly degenerate topics

Please see this thread: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/thomas-seok-hwan-kong-class-d-musings-youtube-vids-and-other-streams-of-consciousness.13188/

At least, get a cat!

@Taguro Ah yeah that was definitely someone else's then. The Studio Jr was def yours though, so thanks for lending it to the lurker I'm tempted to tag rn haha. The amp did come off as overly bloomy, too much so for my taste on the HD600s out of the SE out, though running it balanced definitely helped. Heck of a match for the Focal kids.

@Rthomas Apparently we need nuclear reactors for headphones now haha. I can't say I didn't try enough though. Some amps drive the Susvara better than others, but it really didn't give me the punchiness and liveliness I wanted, at least for the genres I mostly listen to. Outside of those genres though, the Susvara is excellent, hence why I still keep it.

@Lyander You're welcome. I had a situation where I had to keep the amp from my wife since it arrived a bit too early, and so I had to stash it somewhere first. The bloominess must be the 300B character and I can see how it can be too much for the HD600. I reckon this will match better with something like an HD800 and Focals.

@AdvanTech @SoupRKnowva thank you for this. currently leaning towards the Elrogs. I love the 300B mids, but my current chain seems to be leaning too warm and bloomy right now.

I believe Marv also said he was going to be getting a pair if you wanted to wait and see what he thinks of them too

@SoupRKnowva definitely waiting for his impressions first to get a better idea of it. I've read some feedback on the Elrogs here and there, but none as comprehensive as how he does impressions.