"Shortest Way" SW51 Amp Impressions (Simple SET Amp)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Hands, Jul 12, 2019.

  1. Aman_91

    Aman_91 New

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    Has anyone here tried Raytheon or rca 6ej7 tubes in this amp? They both look interesting
     
  2. Mordy

    Mordy Acquaintance

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    I have tried those tubes. Raytheon branded tubes were made in the US and in Japan. I also have Sylvania branded Raytheon tubes.
    The RCA branded tubes I have were made in Germany by SIemens.
    The problem is that these tubes made for TVs are rebranded a lot and you have to look very carefully to see who actually made the tubes.
    After rolling dozens of different tubes I would say that the best sounding IMHO are the Russian tubes included with the amp, Mullard Blackburn tubes and the Mazda/Mullard 6F23 with the nod going to the last one (made by British Mazda).
    Zenith was a rebrander and used tubes from many sources including Dutch Philips and British Mullard. If you can find Zenith EF184/6EJ7 tubes that say Gt Britain on them there is a very good chance that they are Mullard tubes. This is an opportunity to score Mullard tubes at a low price.
    I have not yet tried the Telefunken EF805S so cannot say how it compares to the others. The manufacturers I tried are various Raytheon, Philips, Matsushita, Siemens, Sylvania, GEC, Mazda, Mullard and Oktyabr and also a couple unkknown.
     
  3. Aman_91

    Aman_91 New

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    Awesome, thanks that helps a lot. How do the Mazdas differ from the stock tubes?
     
  4. Mordy

    Mordy Acquaintance

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    Put on my analytical hat and played a revealing track back to back:
    The OEM 6N51P tubes have harder hitting bass than the 6F23/EF812.
    The 6F23 has sweeter midrange, better tone and treble and more clarity.
    Personally, I prefer the Mazda 6F23.
    -As far as I know, all 6F23 tubes were made by Mazda regardless of branding.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/183828286816?hash=item2acd050d60:g:o2gAAOSwzP1c7YUK
     
  5. Aman_91

    Aman_91 New

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    Any suggestions for tubes if I'm looking to retain the similar tonality but want to have more bass or more impactful bass? My only gripe with this amp so far is the bass.
    If more or better bass also comes at the expense of a slightly thicker presentation that would be ok too. Any ideas. @Mordy
     
  6. Mordy

    Mordy Acquaintance

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    From the tubes I tried the Russian 6N51P had the strongest bass. Perhaps different headphones will accentuate the bass more?
     
  7. ckhirnigs

    ckhirnigs Friend

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    Or a Schiit Loki...
     
  8. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    I have to inform you that the amps "without an owner" are over

    Sending a batch of 4+ continues normally, approximately 2/3 of the 4 and 4+ batches are already in their homes.
    I hope to complete all shipments before the first decade of September.
     
  9. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    After a minor 2-day delay due to classic Chicago USPS issues, I got mine from Zampotech in just over 2 weeks from shipping. Came packaged very securely and everything seems A-OK. Still learning its sound, but at least with my Verite Closeds (how am I supposed to write that?) fed from a BF2, I don't find it bass light at all as I was thinking it might be. My Schiit Loki+ isn't in the chain yet, so I think I should have no real issue tweaking the sound. I am really enjoying the amplifier so far and look forward to doing more comparisons to my Jot 2 (ideally only one stays). Will update in a few weeks.

    Oh and thanks so much @Zampotech !
     
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    Last edited: Aug 20, 2021
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I think the "+" version with upgraded trafos has "bouncier" bass. Is that what you got? Not sure where this "bass lite" thing came from. It's not a bass monster, but I've never found it lacking.
     
  11. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    I don't think the normal version is an option anymore? Didn't see anything on the website about it. Hope mine will have them when it arrives though.
     
  12. Friday

    Friday Friend

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    Nah, the + is an upgraded potentiometer. Production versions were built around the upgraded transformers.
     
  13. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I stand corrected :rolleyes:. For some reason, I kept thinking the "+" referred to both the transformers and pot.
     
  14. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    The SW51 version was made in only two copies. All other amplifiers were SW51+versions.
     
  15. mdr30

    mdr30 Acquaintance

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    I have one of them, and I'm very happy with it. The volume pot tracks excellently.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Don't know if it's Russian or Chinese.
     
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    Last edited: Aug 21, 2021
  16. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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  17. Boops

    Boops Friend

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    Verites Closed
     
  18. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Closed Verites? :p
     
  19. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Barry.
     
  20. Prydz

    Prydz Friend

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    Its a very good day today. Because this thing arrived!

    Whats the general thoughts on low vs high Z for HD650 with this?

    [​IMG]
     

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