MZ3, although an amp I prefer a lot more than the Oor, can’t drive Susvara at all. So depending on your usecase it might be the better deal.
My Wavedream with MZ3 with upgraded tubes and Utopia OG was a better system over replacing the amp with my AIC10.
2 Likes
Late to the party on this one but it’s nothing exciting.
Generic drive in an enclosure.
I gave up ripping direct to the k30 as I couldn’t configure the naming conventions as I wanted; ended up plugging the k10 into my PC and using dbpoweramp.
Maybe 1 in 30 cds were unreadable in the k10 but worked fine in my other generic USB CD drive.
1 Like
Thanks that’s helpful.
I’m not looking to rip CDs. If I end up exploring CDs I want a good transport to see if that matters. But to be honest, I doubt I’ll invest in that. Streaming is absolutely fine for me.
Got it
K10 only works as a ripper not a transport with the antipodes platforms.
1 Like
Looking through the Source Gear section here, I don’t see any threads for SPL or Auris Audio gear here. Is it not common or just not really talked about here? I’m asking because the SPL Phonitor XE and Auris Nirvana Mk3 are both amps I’ve been interested in trying, or at least reading about other people’s impressions of them. Also… I just have an obsession for analog VU meters on things lol.
2 Likes
@Finite I too have a thing for Analog VU meters, I keep my SPL PhonitorX still in regular use. I also finally found a DAC that allows the amp to put out some space and depth rather than the more traditional flatter sound it’s known for. I also very much happen to like the very sharp precise powerful SQ it puts forth on HP’s that tend to have a softer character, it maximizes their detail/resolution ability which for me tends to be just right. 
I’ve had it matched up to a Sonnet Pasithea DAC and that has been the most lively, and fun I have managed to get the amp to play.
9 Likes
How do you guys feel about the affordable Mytek combo? I really liked it, when I tested it at AXPONA, unlike all other THX amps I’ve tested.
Not that often i run across a dac ive never heard of anymore
Nice SOtM trio
2 Likes
A lot of bang for the buck with that trio, the Ultra @NickMimi had is balls to the wall special edition with the clock, shielding and cabling upgrades. I sound like I kind of sort of regret selling it to him don’t I? lol
2 Likes
This guy’s power supplies look chock full of top shelf/best practice components and implementation. Can anyone with more EE chops than me give their opinion on the product based on the pics?
4 Likes
They look solid to me, simple designs, high quality components and really nice builds.
High end LPS designs seem to fall into two camps, simple designs using off the shelf regulators, and those than use discrete regulators with a lot of parts, His PSU’s seen to be in the first camp though there is something beyond voltage regulator 101 design there with that little chip near the voltage regulator I can’t identify.
I don’t really have an opinion as to which is the better approach.
I’d personally go look at user impressions, he seems to have enough units out there.
4 Likes
@Hazi59 can you spot if this is a counterfeit/risky?
Im interested in the mazda ecc82 and this is cheapest by far but seems legit I guess
1 Like
That looks like a legit Mazda, though it is the lesser sought after grey plate version. I dont have any experience with this version.
The most sought after Mazda tubes have silver/chrome plates. Below are some pictures of a true silver plate Mazda.
4 Likes
Thanks
Yeah those are more expensive
Do you have experience with the mullard 6080 cv2984?
I cant seem to find any good 6080, its either that or the G. E. C.
And what about the raytheon ecc82 or the mullard ecc82, they are marked as “rare nos”
also theres a cheap tung sol 12au7w
I have a Mullard CV2984 and a G.E.C. CV2984/6080. Both sound similar with the G.E.C. having a bit more air up top. I currently am using my G.E.C. CV2984 with a Brimar CV4003 in my BHC and am extremely pleased with that pairing.
Im not sure why a Raytheon would be labeled as an ECC82. Raytheon being an American cpmpany, you’d expect to see it labeled as a 12AU7…unless it is a Raytheon Japan tube, in which case I’d avoid it. I have a Raytheon 6189/12AU7 tube (square getter) and it is a nice tube when paired with a warmer sounding 6080/6AS7g tube like a Mullard, Brimar, GE or RCA.
Tung Sol 12AU7A or 12AU7W tubes are very much tilted towards a brighter and leaner sound…but they also are some of the easiest NOS tubes to counterfeit. You definitely want to be careful when shopping for one of those.
2 Likes
Thanks that clears everything up
Ok I think shopping cart is ready with a mullard 6080, brimar and mullard 4003 for some basic rolling
2 Likes
I’ve found that a good substitute for the 12au7 is a 12bh7. They can be a little cheaper than the equivalent 12au7.
One of my favorites is the Tung Sol 12bh7. As @Hazi59 said about the Tung Sol 12au7, the 12bh7 has a brighter (or at least more neutral) sound, but it has a lovely smoothness, and pairs really well with a tube that is warmer.
3 Likes
If you arw checking out mazda 12au7s, i have a french mazda and its seriously good
Wow French Mazdas no way
1 Like