[cinnamonmilk]

Thanks for the replies, all.

I only have experience with the HA-3A out of those and it's fantastic with all my ZMFs (Caldera, Auteur Classic & Bokeh, so ranges the gamut of ZMF driver types) and I prefer to use it over my Violectric V226. You'll likely want to upgrade tubes to get it in peak performance so something to keep in mind. My understanding is the HA-2A might be a good fit if you just aim to run stock tubes and not fuss much with rolling. Homage of course, if you decide you'd rather have a solid-state.

Regarding DACs around the $1,000 mark, the Holo Cyan 2 is becoming very well regarded in price-to-performance. I can't speak to it directly just yet but I have one on order so hopefully in a couple weeks. @betula also has the HA-3A and Cyan 2 and from what I gather is a big fan of both.

Yeah, the HA-3A is what I’m trending towards right now. Any recommendations on tubes? I don’t have all that much experience with tube rolling.

I’d highly recommend a second-hand Schiit Gungnir Multibit. Fantastic pairing with ZMFs, and will run about $800.

In the Schiit realm of things, any thoughts on the Bifrost?

 

[betula]

Yeah, the HA-3A is what I’m trending towards right now. Any recommendations on tubes? I don’t have all that much experience with tube rolling.

Run through the HA-3A thread. It is full of tube recommendations.

 

[goldwerger]

I swapped the Brimar for the Elrog 274b and it made all the difference for me...

That’s one rectifier I definitely want to try based off your feedback..

Someone needs to have a tube tuning kit guide. Rank each type of tubes and sounds. Maybe make a chart out of it?

The Aegis DIY thread has tons of tube rolling impressions and recommendations.

I am currently running some cheap 70's Russian 6P3S (6L6 equivalent) and they are fantastic. I like them so much, I have an earlier version from the 50's on the way,

Yet another tube roll I’m adding to try in the future with the Aegis. Thanks

I'd been watching a pair of Mullard ECC35 1955 tall boys but wasn't willing to pay the premium. They've been sat there for a while. Then they offered 25% off... so I pushed for 33% and they said yes. So a pair are on there way to me

Please report..

 

[Pharmaboy]

I am currently running some cheap 70's Russian 6P3S (6L6 equivalent) and they are fantastic. I like them so much, I have an earlier version from the 50's on the way, and I plan to explore more of the American 6L6 very soon

I also have some Mullard EL33, and a Mullard GZ32 & GZ34 on the way to get some of the Mullard flavor in the mix.

I don't have the experience with full-size tube amps that you do, Wes. Most of my experience w/Mullards came in low-signal/input type tubes.

But I gotta say, every time I heard any Mullards (also Brimar/Footscrays, for that matter), the sound is wonderful.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

All this Mullard talk finally got me off my a** to go get my best Aegis tubes out of storage. All Mullard setup: GZ34, ECC35, EL37. I like the dark orange glow of the Mullard heaters.

 

[mchuckp]

All this Mullard talk finally got me off my a** to go get my best Aegis tubes out of storage. All Mullard setup: GZ34, ECC35, EL37.

Awesome!

I’ve been using my Mullard EL38s for quite a while w my Atrium Opens. Those tubes work great with the AOs but too bright for the Verite Closed I had. Just put my EL37s in a few days ago. Also great with the AO. Warm but not too warm. Love having such variety due to the flexibility of the Aegis.

Wish I had another pair of 37s as a back up. I have a new spare of 38s. Hopefully can add more 37s before they go from “expensive” to “stupid expensive”.

 

[Toonartist]

Awesome!

I’ve been using my Mullard EL38s for quite a while w my Atrium Opens. Those tubes work great with the AOs but too bright for the Verite Closed I had. Just put my EL37s in a few days ago. Also great with the AO. Warm but not too warm. Love having such variety due to the flexibility of the Aegis.

Wish I had another pair of 37s as a back up. I have a new spare of 38s. Hopefully can add more 37s before they go from “expensive” to “stupid expensive”.

Great tubes... you may enjoy the EL39's as well. They have similar internals and sound style as the EL37 & EL38s... a bit bigger in size and a touch warmer than the 37s. Not too heavy just a bit richer. I rotate all three depending on the headphones and genre... it also means my 37's are spared a bit of use through rotation.

 

[tutetibiimperes]

While I ordered it primarily for my low impedance planar headphones that the Folkvangr isn’t good with, I’ve discovered the Mjolnir 3 has a great synergy with the Verite Closed.

The VC with Suede Be2 pads running off of the MJ3 and Yggy OG A2 is a great combo. Super punchy and dynamic, with the MJ3 really helping to bring out the top end of the VC and keeping it from sounding too dark like it can sometimes.

The suede Be2 pads are awesome too, I think they’re at least partially responsible for how punchy and lively the VC sounds now.

 

[VanHai]

I would love to hear these 2 great amps side by side, the McChanson Super UltimatE and the Aegis. They use very similar tubes, the UltimatE sounds awesome with ZMF headphones.

 

[Wes S]

Great tubes... you may enjoy the EL39's as well. They have similar internals and sound style as the EL37 & EL38s... a bit bigger in size and a touch warmer than the 37s. Not too heavy just a bit richer. I rotate all three depending on the headphones and genre... it also means my 37's are spared a bit of use through rotation.

What brand of EL39?

 

[G8torbyte]

On the solid state side Violectric has been busy. They added a couple new V3 series amps and a new entry level (V101) for future release.
Also the V281 Limited Edition is available now. The V222 is my favorite SS amp I currently use and love it with my ZMFs. I've been on the fence for the V281-LE but these new units are very intriguing and I like the update of moving the gain switching to the front. These photos were shared on the Headfi V222/202 thread coming from Vio's social media posts.

Looking forward to checking out these new developments maybe at next year's CanJam NYC.

 

[Toonartist]

What brand of EL39?

They are La RadioTechnique EL39.

The EL38 are probably the most transparent, dynamic then the EL37 adds some warmth and richness. Not quite as dynamic but very good balance. The EL39 just adds more richness and texture to the bass. As I mentioned earlier, the choice of rectifier can make a big difference to the final balance

 

[LXMc]

On the solid state side Violectric has been busy. They added a couple new V3 series amps and a new entry level (V101) for future release.
Also the V281 Limited Edition is available now. The V222 is my favorite SS amp I currently use and love it with my ZMFs. I've been on the fence for the V281-LE but these new units are very intriguing and I like the update of moving the gain switching to the front. These photos were shared on the Headfi V222/202 thread coming from Vio's social media posts.



Looking forward to checking out these new developments maybe at next year's CanJam NYC.

These new 3-series are probably going to be killer amps, but even for Violectric these front plates look so jumbled - the V281 is quite clean in comparison.

 

[Pharmaboy]

These new 3-series are probably going to be killer amps, but even for Violectric these front plates look so jumbled - the V281 is quite clean in comparison.

The V281's faceplate design looks in balance, even, settled. The V3 faceplates look crowded, jumbled. The things that are on the V3 faceplate are themselves very good, but in relation to each other, a bit chaotic.

 

[goldwerger]

All this Mullard talk finally got me off my a** to go get my best Aegis tubes out of storage. All Mullard setup: GZ34, ECC35, EL37. I like the dark orange glow of the Mullard heaters.

Super curious how you find the ECC35 in this combo (as I have the EL37 and GZ34)

On the solid state side Violectric has been busy. They added a couple new V3 series amps and a new entry level (V101) for future release.
Also the V281 Limited Edition is available now. The V222 is my favorite SS amp I currently use and love it with my ZMFs. I've been on the fence for the V281-LE but these new units are very intriguing and I like the update of moving the gain switching to the front. These photos were shared on the Headfi V222/202 thread coming from Vio's social media posts.



Looking forward to checking out these new developments maybe at next year's CanJam NYC.

Vu meters are the thing these days...

Having the gain setting upfront vs. hard-to-reach dip switches is a nice change