Oh Sh#7! Eddie Current Studio B

Yeah I followed @Fenris' lead and am using GS. It's a better pairing than Yggdrasil LIM, which was a bit too murky and laid back in my system, although I still enjoyed myself with it on some recordings and with some tube configs. As a pairing, GS and Studio B did overcorrect a bit when I got Elrog 300B's, which are as neutral as 300B's get and thus lack the 300B midrange which made things sound a bit thin overall, but changing the rectifier around in particular has brought back that balance of stage, detail, and just enough incisiveness, while still maintaining enough tube holography and depth. I'm still working out which I like more between a RCA JAN-CRC 5R4GY (40's, double D-Getter) and a metal base Mullard GZ34 I just picked up. A fat base Mullard GZ34 did not work in the GS + Elrogs pairing (this is all mostly with a JAN Bendix 2C51, which, although I've swapped the signal tube a lot too recently, I still find myself coming back to, even after a brief stint with a Bendix 6385, which had great stage but sounded too soft and limp by comparison).

User @Souldriver I think uses one of the Lampizator DACs. Marv used some kind of Yggdrasil, I think most recently MIB, but he also seems to listen to his custom 45 Eddie Current more than Studio B, if I'm remembering his recent posts right. I think bob uses either a Spring KTE Level 2/3 or a Yggdrasil LIM with his. I can't think of many other data points right now, but there's bound to be a few other posts in this thread, or you could check the HF thread. Can also look at the Studio Jr. thread, same amp basically.

 

I use the Gungnir A2. Found great synergy with the Studio B. Tubes are Bendix, EML300B, and Amperex GZ34.

 

I like the MIB with the studio B... but I'd guess that the tube choice matters when making a selection... I'm running WE tubes with a bendix 2c51 and mullard gz34. Headphones are OG Atrium's

 

Ive used a Lampi Golden Atlantic trp 3 and a Mojo Mystique X SE-NC. To be fair i prefer the Mojo but its been making it's rounds amongst friends. Both have a lean more towards warmth. The Lampi is more refined and delicate, the mojo is more fun and raw. The mojo reminds me of an evolution of the schiit sound. Big and fun.

Interesting. I agree about the stage but i felt the 6385 was super solid and crystalline. Like what the bendix 2c51 gives but better all around. I use Elrog 300b-MOs and a fat bottom mullard gz34. These tubes are very linear or as some say neutral, but the warmer dacs help here. The WE 300bs were also great, it trades some of the low end thump and the high end from the Elrogs and turns it into golden mids. Both are great. I also tried PSVane acme globes and i did not like those on the B.

Headphones used are OG Utopia and LCD-2.2

 

what exactly happened with eddie current? i cant find anything about him or store on google

 

Retired

 

FWIW I think the guy I originally got a pair of 6385's from on USAM undersold how used they were and that contributed to my assessment. I picked up an actual, tested NOS pair later from a longstanding tubes seller on eBay and have been using those, and there's less appreciable poofiness/softness to their overall signature, which, combined with that fairly addictive staging, has kept me listening to them.

I'm still playing around with rectifiers in SB. I'll make a post in RD's members only tube thread so I don't mess with eBay prices, but the short of it is I had a metal base Holland-made 5AR4 for awhile and found it almost identical to my fat base Blackburn 1959 f31 (in fact I think the Blackburn *slightly* edges it out with just a tiny bit less warmth), so I returned it to the eBay seller and saved myself $700. Lately I've skipped the 5AR4 entirely, most of the time, and have been using various 5Y3's. I have some harder to find 5R4's coming in soon, though, as well as even more 5Y3's, so the jury's still out if I have a clear winner. Just been kind of fun to swap around the rectifiers, different tonal density to all of them (probably from the voltage drop), and the recti seems to have the second biggest impact on sound signature behind the 300B's, in my experience. NOS 5R4's and especially 5Y3's are still overall cheaper than the best 5AR4's (and other rectifiers like 5U4's, which, AFAIK, Craig did not recommend in SB), so that's definitely been a plus, too.

 

Can confirm. 5U4 is different value at 3 amp. Power transformer at 5v and 2 amp per the designer himself.

 

300B tubes have doubled in price since I last purchased a pair of JJs in 2020. Figured I should grab another set or two before they double again.

Anyone try out the trifecta of “affordable” 300B tubes (JJ, EH and Gold Lion) and have a preference? I’ve been pretty happy with the JJs, but if I’m stocking up, might be a good time to try some others.

Btw, anyone got a better recommendation than Tube Depot? I’ve ordered from them a few times and every time has had either RMA or shipping shenanigans.

 

God I am happier and happier every year for going with 2A3's on my Junior, those prices went crazy.

 

I've dabbled in all three of the budget trifecta. Of them I had a strong preference for the Golden Lions and sold the others. I keep a pair on hand in case my WEs take a shit. JJs had too much 300b funk for my taste. EH were okay, but grainy. Combined with Yggdrasil A1's touch of gray, it was too much fuzzy. Golden Lion struck a good balance of resolution and 300b sound.

 

I've had the Golden Lions and the EH 300B and recall preferring the GLs.