Lickumms
500+ Head-Fier
The LinLai E-6SN7 is the best current production 6sn7 tube being made. If you don't want to do tube rolling or buy NOS tubes. I would recommend the E-6SN7 tubes over any current production tube. Trust me, I've tried ~15 new production tubes. The E was the best of all that I tried.Update
I watched Passion for Sounds review on the HQPlayer upsampler and downloaded the free version. Sounded good enough that I bought it. My Gustard A22 however does not have a NOS mode but I realised that I could output in DSD direct and the Gustard accepts this input and it sounds more dynamic and smooth.
But thats not the reason for the update, I have been using the PSVane CV181-T1-Mk2 valves for a while and have enjoyed them very much, an excellent clean tube that does very well in the Tor Balanced, thats till I bought a pair of LINLAI E-6SN7. This is a game changer. Biggest single upgrade to the sound I have ever heard. The TOR Balanced driving the Arya Organic has gone into sublime mode. I had to stop listening to the first album as it was soo good my eyes were aching due to constant tears. The increase in depth , 3d, midrange realism, sub bass, high frequencies. The move from standard tubes to the Psvane was subtile but better, this Linlai is not a subtle difference , with no burn it it was so musical. I tried the Ananda and they sounded great too but not a good as the Arya Organic, so its not a Arya only thing. These are the tubes this amp should have come with. This for me is a serious upgrade, you could say with the HQplayer input and the Arya organic output upgrades there was more to be had from the tor balanced and the new tubes have stepped up to let the front end get to the diaphragm's. This tube swap was a bigger upgrade than going from the Ananda to the Arya Organic. For £141 delivered to my door. Great bargain considering the Arya were £1200 , but yes the Arya are defiantly part of the equation here.
I see they have gone up in price as they were on sale at the time I bought them. Looks like £139 + VAT now but still a bargain, I will be buying a second pair soon as backups.
I have difficulties with A-B ing changes as they can be subtle /nuanced . Usually I have to do it backwards and listen to the new thing for a week or so and then go back to the original setup and I can then hear whats missing. Not this time, the sound stage change with the slight increase in depth making it less between the ears, the more believable voices with a slight 3d bubble round them, the bass with detail in it, string details, dynamics. But its more than all this, its so musical. I'm a guy, I don't gush , I'm sensible , logical , measured. I think this tube broke me.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005...ain.17.697b1802VK1CzF&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt
A close second would be the LinLai CV181-H. Though, I haven't finished burning in these tubes yet.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...!sea!US!855899674!&curPageLogUid=QnN3faEM2HqV
I belive the LinLai E-6sn7 is based off of this tube. Which is one of the last new production tubes I have left to try.
https://premiumvacuumtubes.com/product/treasure-globe-6sn7-se-pair-gf-limited-special-edition/