So while awaiting my replacement Nirvana I’ve consulted with an amp and EQ builder I know who is highly respected in the pro audio world. I’m actually having him build me an EQ. He said you absolutely CAN put an XLR balanced EQ ahead of the Nirvana AND use it in a boost situation and it won’t...

The answer is no. I have discovered a not insignificant channel imbalance. Suspected all along. Really had to dig in to confirm. Perhaps is why two input tubes died. I’ve attached below what I just sent Moon Audio. I have confirmed with different headphones and cables using several quality...

Sadly, the second of the ecc82 Telefunken pair is dead. The left channel was staticy and I verified this to be from that tube. Is the equalizer too hot and overdriving the inputs and causing this?

I know I’m posting a lot. I’m sorry. Am just wanting to be helpful and not only just asking questions. Went back to said Peter Gabriel I/O album. Same Telefunken smooth plate 12au7. Rolled power tubes to the GL KT77’s. Mentioned last night I am on this combo now. Coming from Telefunken power...

So the Genalex new production Gold Lion KT77s are burning in nicely and sound superb with the Telefunken smooth plate ECC82. They are just as detailed and punchy as my Telefunken power tubes but are a touch brighter. In a totally tube like smooth, good way though. Best sound yet out of this amp...

Thank you. I hope my HEKse ok. They SOUND ok. Guess it would be obvious if damaged.

Just powered down amp switch not yet power supply and heard a loud pop in left channel of my HEKse. Was sure something was ruined. Tentatively powered it back up with volume all the way down and played fine once I slowly turned up the volume. What the heck happened?!

Oh, and I don’t like the new Russia production GL ECC82. Not nearly as good as my KT77s from them.

No. Telefunken ECC82 better with KT77s. Not stock JJ. Man! No quick a-b’s. Takes albums to figure this out! Takes time. This could drive someone insane. Yes, input tube can affect sound as much as output tubes. Double revision on what I said earlier.

But I do hear differences in ECC82 s when paired with one particular pair of power tubes. I find it interesting that my stock JJ ECC82 sounds better with my KT77s than the smooth plate Telefunken does. Is there such a thing as input output tube synergy between the two sections? Such that when...

What is this about biasing? And is it relevant with this amp? See NOTHING about it in the manual

I have Telefunken RFT el34’s which sound excellent. They were like 260 used on eBay. I have Sophia Electric which are smooth and musical. Also like KT77 by Genalex Gold Lion. New production out of Russia. Sound excellent also. I am finding thus far the el34’s affect tonality much more than the...

Rolled out Telefunken 12au7. Rolled in Genalex Gold Lion B749. Cannot honestly tell the difference. Love the sound though. Great sounding tube! I will have a pair of matched KT77 Gold Lions in my possession Tuesday. I will roll them in for the EL34 Telefunkens and see how bright the amp can...

When you hear the sonic benefit it’s really rewarding. My Telefunken sound so clearly better than JJ stock. Makes you wonder what the next roll brings!

I’m learning! Thanks again!

Thanks for educating me! Pic below

Would this be a good one? Or does it need to be triple mica? See picture. Don’t even know what triple mica and long plate mean, haha! Steep learning curve in the last week!😊

Sorry. Driver tube that failed came from BullzTubez on Ebay

Where do you recommend I buy from? I have already in the first week had one input tube fail which I got from hanoitubes on eBay. I have heard order from Brent Jessee. Where have you gotten yours?

Awesome. Thanks so much!

@goldwerger , Do you still like the Mullard M8136 better than Siemens 5814A? What are their sonic differences? Oh, is one brighter than the other? Am wanting a little more sparkle up top for some albums. Just a tad more. Had that Peter Gabriel album perfect though.

Am listening right now to Peter Gabriel latest release I/O with my Telefunken diamond smooth plate 12au7 and my Telefunken EL34’s rolled in. I am running balanced source Matrix X Sabre 3 into professional mastering equalizer (balanced) into the Nirvana. Cabling is Cardas Clear Sky XLR. From...

I have two more topics to comment on: 1. The equalizer somehow sounds much better in the path now than it did before. I don’t know how to explain that. Amp burn in? Biasing? Psycho acoustics? Anyway, it’s good now. Happy there. 2. The input tube went bad. JJ el34’s are fine. I have the other...