[Tchoupitoulas]

I don't remember the details offhand, it's been a while since I tested them. I went back and forth a few times and went with the converter and the balanced out because I'd bought it for a good price used and didn't see the point in selling it. You're not getting a stark difference; I'd say it was a minor, perhaps marginal, and it takes concentration to be aware of it. This is the kind of thing that, like comparing DACs, is probably best done by living with one setup in your chain for a week or two and then shifting over to the other, and giving yourself plenty of time to acclimate.

I'd say go ahead and not let the Yggy's SE output stop you getting an Aegis. It's not worth the nervosa. You could always try a converter down the line, as though you're tube rolling. You'd probably get better bang-for-buck changes to the sound from a tube roll anyway (I'm guessing, I've not heard an Aegis yet)!

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Thanks for the info! Now back to Aegis talk!

Is there a confirmed NOS tube package selected yet @zach915m?

 

[Luckyleo]

Has anyone paired their Aegis with a Yggy A2? There’s a nagging voice in the back of my mind that hates the idea of using the inferior single-ended outputs of my Yggy with an amp as nice as the Aegis. I currently use the balanced outputs of the Yggy into my Mjolnir 3 and know I’m getting the best out of the DAC and amp.

Am I being crazy to think the single-ended outputs of my Yggy A2 will be a bottleneck with the Aegis?

Yes

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Yes

Haha, a nice concise response. Thanks.

 

[zach915m]

Thanks for the info! Now back to Aegis talk!

Is there a confirmed NOS tube package selected yet @zach915m?

Yep!!!

After lots of testing - I went with the Tube Amp Doctor KT-88's, Tube Amp Doctor 5u4G, and 6N9S (Reflektor Bought from Ukraine) which I found to be a really really nice roll that doesn't break the bank. You'll be able to add this on for $200 USD at checkout. I'm able to pass some savings on by buying in bulk!

I wanted to get an "alternate" set that I felt didn't break the bank and provided a really nice alternative sound to the stock EL-34 JJ's and the like - and I think this roll is a little more open sounding and has a slightly faster transient and different lush quality.

Here's links to the tubes sold individually: https://www.tubedepot.com/products/tad-kt88-str-redbase-premium

https://www.tubedepot.com/products/tad-5u4g-redbase-premium-selected

And then these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2758760466...qSf+G5w4yMkLSgjG3S5Po1CQMBo=|tkp:BFBM3oeM3-pj

 

[Pharmaboy]

Yep!!!

After lots of testing - I went with the Tube Amp Doctor KT-88's, Tube Amp Doctor 5u4G, and 6N9S (Reflektor Bought from Ukraine) which I found to be a really really nice roll that doesn't break the bank. You'll be able to add this on for $200 USD at checkout. I'm able to pass some savings on by buying in bulk!

I wanted to get an "alternate" set that I felt didn't break the bank and provided a really nice alternative sound to the stock EL-34 JJ's and the like - and I think this roll is a little more open sounding and has a slightly faster transient and different lush quality.

Here's links to the tubes sold individually: https://www.tubedepot.com/products/tad-kt88-str-redbase-premium

https://www.tubedepot.com/products/tad-5u4g-redbase-premium-selected

And then these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/275876046635?itmmeta=01HXAZ30FAH6605QPP8Z1F4JW8&hash=item403b7e672b:g:jdsAAOSw8SxlxjS-&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA0ARApK40OlROHlnuj7uhwOyUmkh6lq/c9StQZ4SyLJcP5YNOsLJGNvakEOh4VTsibXoXWNc7WEMiXBCLflqMzrIRoNbedipDpJXF7UBTr45uJEJPFwTTzyTEb4NbU6v35w4iM1vRs5nVfuGt0Coa7g9/S/R80uDFzt3ea89Yo69vlEZr3RG12WOd0WshS1YiUinEAOYiOJJVqyBrgqObAsiIQi47+WBeROn6UTNaVOnHsNBVzuBliBEVTgHLqSf+G5w4yMkLSgjG3S5Po1CQMBo=|tkp:BFBM3oeM3-pj

(just wow!)

This amp hasn't even launched yet, and already there's a house NOS package. I marvel....

 

[Luckyleo]

Haha, a nice concise response. Thanks.

Only joking. As long you have a nagging thought in your head, real or imagined, it doesn't matter. If it impacts your enjoyment long term in any way then you aren't "feeling" the best there is to offer. (Less Concise)

Leo

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Only joking. As long you have a nagging thought in your head, real or imagined, it doesn't matter. If it impacts your enjoyment long term in any way then you aren't "feeling" the best there is to offer. (Less Concise)

Leo

Very true and quite wise. Luckily, I think the nagging thought has been put to rest in my head.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

@zach915m Is the release discount on the Aegis going to be equal to the bundle discount moving forward for those of us who’ve recently bought a new set of headphones from you?

I don’t have the money together yet for the initial Aegis release, so if I were to buy one a few months from now I was hoping to be able to get the same savings.

On a side note, what’s the statute of limitations for getting a bundle discount on an amp/cable/DAC after purchasing headphones? I ordered my Ash Atrium Closed back on 12/10/23 for reference.

 

[zach915m]

@zach915m Is the release discount on the Aegis going to be equal to the bundle discount moving forward for those of us who’ve recently bought a new set of headphones from you?

I don’t have the money together yet for the initial Aegis release, so if I were to buy one a few months from now I was hoping to be able to get the same savings.

On a side note, what’s the statute of limitations for getting a bundle discount on an amp/cable/DAC after purchasing headphones? I ordered my Ash Atrium Closed back on 12/10/23 for reference.

The release discount will last for the first 50 Units US voltage and 25 units international voltage however long that lasts. Then later - if you have a headphone on order from us you'll be able to bundle the amp at the $200 off price.

Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to do non-order period discounts for the Aegis and other amps going forward, partially for MSRP stuff with the Cayin amps, and with the Aegis and other products because I believe more in price stability and pricing the product fairly, than boosting the price and then giving discounts later, which in congruence just makes the product worth less which is worse for owners anyways if they ever want to sell the product.

That's basically my way of saying, I'd rather price the amp at $3499 and be able to sell it at that price for years to come, vs price is at $3999 and start discounting it immediately, as the latter will make anyone who buys it at $3999 upset, and rightfully so.

Lastly, you may have noticed that I've never increased the price of any headphone we've released, or done "new editions" or "tunings," unless it's a user manageable thing - and even was able to make the auteur Classic cheaper than the original despite inflation and the rest of it. I really believe in price stability, it's best for everyone economically, the longevity of ZMF, and you as the owner in buying a product that you can feel secure and stable in in a myriad of ways.

Sorry for the diatribe, it's clearly something I feel strongly about!

 

[ckhirnigs113]

The release discount will last for the first 50 Units US voltage and 25 units international voltage however long that lasts. Then later - if you have a headphone on order from us you'll be able to bundle the amp at the $200 off price.

Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to do non-order period discounts for the Aegis and other amps going forward, partially for MSRP stuff with the Cayin amps, and with the Aegis and other products because I believe more in price stability and pricing the product fairly, than boosting the price and then giving discounts later, which in congruence just makes the product worth less which is worse for owners anyways if they ever want to sell the product.

That's basically my way of saying, I'd rather price the amp at $3499 and be able to sell it at that price for years to come, vs price is at $3999 and start discounting it immediately, as the latter will make anyone who buys it at $3999 upset, and rightfully so.

Lastly, you may have noticed that I've never increased the price of any headphone we've released, or done "new editions" or "tunings," unless it's a user manageable thing - and even was able to make the auteur Classic cheaper than the original despite inflation and the rest of it. I really believe in price stability, it's best for everyone economically, the longevity of ZMF, and you as the owner in buying a product that you can feel secure and stable in in a myriad of ways.

Sorry for the diatribe, it's clearly something I feel strongly about!

Completely understand and agree with your approach. Thanks for going into so much detail! I know we all appreciate your willingness to give us some insight into your thoughts on this stuff.

 

[Toonartist]

Tube roll #1 - Reflektor 6P3S 74'



I wanted to start out with some cheap tubes, as I am going to work my way up to the big boys, and holy crap! The sound went from a 10 to a 12, and these are just cheap tubes. The stage opened up immensely, the detail increased, and the level of realism increased too. The bass also gained a bit of grip, and now it's hitting harder and tighter with the CC. Vocals really came to life and are hauntingly lifelike. This amp is just flat out insane, and I can't wait to hear it with some better tubes.

On the list of better power tubes, make sure the EL39s are included. They need an adapter but they’re reasonably priced and sound fantastic. I use them and the EL38s a lot!

 

[erics75]

Ok I'm very novice when it comes to tubes and compatibility, so be gentle with what's probably a very stupid question. Can12BH7A or 12SL7 tubes be run with adapters on the Aegis? I ask as I've got a decent stash of them from other amps I've since retired, but held on to all the tubes I bought for them. I honestly have no clue what I was running 12SL7 on, I just have a stash. But the 12BH7A were excellent sounding power tubes on my old Kenzie Ovation.

 

[OctavianH]

Can12BH7A or 12SL7 tubes be run with adapters on the Aegis?

I think I am the bringer of bad news but these tubes were used at 12.6V heaters on your Kenzie Ovation. While 12SL7 cannot work on Aegis which has 6.3V heaters, the 12BH7A can be configured via the adapter for 6.3V (parallel) but even in that case I would not put a 3.5W plate dissipation tube on output on Aegis. Maybe you obtain some adapters for 12BH7A -> 6SN7/6SL7 and use these in input since they are double triodes, but even in this case the amplification factor of 16.5 might not be suitable for Aegis input stage (see what @L0rdGwyn said here about gain). And yes, wait for the advice of more experienced, I just tried to warn you not to try those before prior approval.

PS. I am no Aegis owner, just tried to help. Take my advice with a grain of salt.
PS2. Some tubes can work via adapters with external power for heater, that is another discussion.

 

[erics75]

I think I am the bringer of bad news but these tubes were used at 12.6V heaters on your Kenzie Ovation. While 12SL7 cannot work on Aegis which has 6.3V heaters, the 12BH7A can be configured via the adapter for 6.3V (parallel) but even in that case I would not put a 3.5W plate dissipation tube on output on Aegis. Maybe you obtain some adapters for 12BH7A -> 6SN7/6SL7 and use these in input since they are double triodes, but even in this case the amplification factor of 16.5 might not be suitable for Aegis input stage (see what @L0rdGwyn said here about gain). And yes, wait for the advice of more experienced, I just tried to warn you not to try those before prior approval.

PS. I am no Aegis owner, just tried to help. Take my advice with a grain of salt.
PS2. Some tubes can work via adapters with external power for heater, that is another discussion.

I had a feeling they wouldn't work, just hoping I could finally use my little stockpile of odd tubes. Thanks for the reply, I think you're right on the compatibility.