Yeah, it does make it harder. Switch to using the XLR from the Gumby and RCA from the Bifrost and you’ll hear a difference for sure.

Yeah, you got it. And the difference will even more pronounced if you use the Gungnir’s XLR (which sounds substantially better to my ears than its SE). The XLR outs on those DACS just puts out more voltage and the SE.

I've never tried anything other than the Unison USB out, but now you've got me curious!

I can only imagine what the AuC sounds like off the ZMF/Decware Reference OTL. The Auteur scales like crazy and that amp is truly top notch.

I did. Had both at home for a few days at one point. The Atrium to me sounded a little dryer in the lower mids tonally, but with more weight and impact in the bass. It had a smoother, more resolving top end, without the slight “tizzy-ness” the AuC can have. The soundstage and layering is on...

Yeah, this seems to be the case. I didn't realize yours never sold! They're beautiful. Most people into ZMF's here (I'm guessing) are either lusting after the new stuff coming out (Bokeh on the low end or Caldera on the high end) or are saving their money for stabilized sets. But there's no...

Yeah what I should have said is "I would get a 6XX and an OTL tube amp...THEN stop right there" :sunglasses:

Thanks. My main concern is how it’ll get along with my Pendant and solid state amp. Both have relatively high output impedance (the Pendant obviously more so).

And I’ve been going back and forth whether or not to try the HE1000 Stealth as a complement to my Auteurs (instead of the 8XX) 😂 I love the 8XX’s for that expansive stage, but sometimes I do with for a more engaging sound and deeper bass.

Oh yeah, the 650 is peak Sennheiser! Having owned all 4 in the past, I agree with every point. If I could go back and do the audiophile thing again from scratch, knowing what I know now, I would get a 6XX and a tube amp and stop right there.

Haha that’s actually really validating for me! I find the Auteurs are all I need for 90% of the music I listen to. The other 10% is orchestral music, stuff that just sounds better with a thinner, leaner sound like the one that my modded 8XX gives. I’ve heard the 1000SE and agree completely that...

Dang! Endgame sound with these super rare tubes. You’d pretty much be done tube rolling with this, maybe only for curiosity. GLWS!

So beautiful. Mango is really a special wood!

Nice. I have the Vanatoo Zero’s and I love em.

Those preferred series EL84’s look slick. I’ll be curious to hear how they compare with the Tungsrams.

You used to own the Qutest? What didn't you like about it? I briefly owned the Pontus II, and loved what I heard. I only sold it because it took up too much space and (according to Denafrips) doesn't like having both XLR and RCA outputs plugged in at the same time. But I can only imagine the...

The Pontus II is an amazing DAC. I think you’ll love the combo!

For my use case, the one without the stepped attenuator made the most sense.

Ok, so they're very similar sounding tubes. The Amperex has a little more of that upper treble stuff going on, and the soundstage is a little more closed in. Still that smooth, slightly soft, bassy sound. Things just get dialed in a notch better with the Phillips. The imaging is more even...

I have not heard any other variations on the Phillips, no. And yes, these foil sheet getter versions are hard to find. The whole time I've owned the Pendant I've only seen them pop up for sale once, and I grabbed them up pretty quick. I don't even know where I got the idea that they'd sound good...

Unfortunately, I don't know what kind of rectifier that is, no. Can you ask Ron? Yeah, theU709's are the best of the best, no doubt. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, the 50's Mullard EZ81's wonderful. A great sense of space and detail, just not quite the same level of layering and...

I haven't heard those! There are many opinions out there. Some tubes are so incredibly rare and hard to find (welded plate foil getter type stuff) and others are impossibly expensive (like GEC/Osram EL84's), but my tastes right now are resting on Sylvania black plates 6BQ5's. Very affordable...

Yeah it’s entirely possible that I don’t know what I’m talking about 🤣 Maybe the 2 hole is the newer one and 3 hole the old. It’s possible! It’s always been a curiosity of mine, but never actually confirmed it.

I’m planning on getting the Cyan 2, but have my Gungnir for now. It’s really excellent, but benefits from an RCA to XLR adaptor to use the balanced outputs. There are a lot of used ones for sale that come and go. It’s an excellent match for the pendant!