Coming from a Blur 266, I just received and started listening to the DS Black Sand. Running them balanced with Hiegi foams from the Hiby R5II. MSEB settings: -36 to Voice slider. Here is a quick summary of the improvements I've noticed so far: 1. Timbre tremendously improved; The Blur wasn't...

A+ seller, fast response, and shipping speed. I would buy from him again.

Selling my Audio-Gd Reference 5 DAC to fund a system upgrade. I bought this from a fellow Head-fi'er a while back. Fully operational, in Like New condition, and used in a smoke and pet-free home. This is one of the original Reference 5's (not 5.32) from A-Gd and has the smooth and detailed...

Not sure which socket is which but I pair the RCA BP 6CG7s on the left with some Tung Sol GP 6CG7s on the right. Full, warm, and natural sounding (with the most natural treble response I have ever heard). This is with very neutral and slightly dry-sounding equipment in the chain. The RCAs are...

IME pre-amping the THR-1 with a tube amp, such as the Schiit Freya N, improves the dynamics aspect depending on which tubes you use. The special thing about the Kinki (esp. with tube pre) is that it surrounds you in sound that isn't overly sharpened and lets you focus on whatever part of the...

Has anyone had experience with the Sylvania 6CG7 black ladder plates? Saw some on eBay and was thinking of trying them out, but would like some preliminary impressions if possible. Thanks and happy listening :gs1000smile:

A very responsive seller! It was great working with him and I would work with him again. The item came as described and shipping was quick and easy. Recommended!

After reading about them in this thread, I just received and put on some Hiegi foams. They improved greatly on the fit, and I have also noticed an increase in bass response. After applying MSEB (Hiby EQ feature) of -35 to the Vocals to make them crisper and less forward, I can say that the 266...

Just received some Blur 266 PK32 (my first buds) from a fellow Head-fier. Currently running it with the Hiby R3II, which honestly may be bottlenecking the performance of the Blurs- something that I didn't expect. Quick first impressions below: Bass extension is lacking compared to my over-ears...

I just received some Tung-Sol grey plate 2 mica 6CG7s with the black shield in the middle. The most defined and clean treble out of the 6CG7 I have tried, no matter which pair of tubes was on the left. They are light on the bass but have very good separation between bass, mids, and highs, as a...

RCA 6CG7 Black Plates are great sounding. +1 for the Raytheons as well.

I am running the Freya N into a headphone amp instead of a power amp. Have tried the headphone amp at max and controlling the volume with the Freya as well as the other way around. No difference to me, but ymmv.

Update: I got 2 more Raytheon 6CG7s and slotted them in for the 2 RCAs. They have less air than the RCAs but are less thin-sounding in the treble. Definitely my favorites now.

I got them! Left: 2 Raytheon Japan 6CG7 Right: 2 RCA Grey Plate 6CG7 (Non-clear top version) Subjective initial impressions (may change with burn-in, though I didn't notice burn-in with the stock tubes) - Right off the bat, the sound is slower and more relaxed than the stock tubes. Definitely...

The stock tubes honestly are pretty good, though I do feel (preemptively) that upgrades to the 6cg7 tubes are worth it for the relatively little cost. I am expecting two RCAs and 2 Raytheons today and will share some information as to how they sound with headphones.