I’d like to draw everyone’s attention away from the tubes being the same as the SP3000T, to ask about the signal path designed around AK’s tubes: ie does it have an analog volume control? Not a rhetorical question, I really don’t know.

Er, yes? And then, in “Tube” mode, the tubes output directly in XLR. And in “Trans” mode, the op-amps are used.

Oh dear 😂

Only the tubed RCA out uses transistors in the circuit. The rest are all transistor-free. The tubes directly drive the outputs in XLR tubed. Think of 'Trans' then as "tube-free".

Valid points all around. Just a quick note that that 'Trans' mode means 'Transistor', the iDAC-8's solid-state output.

Right now, it's the M5 Ultra's 6.6ohms balanced output impedance that makes me have the most reservations about it.

Not very sure how we can help you more in our notes, other than to say iHA-8 does the big Hifimans justice in every way. See if you can get a listen around.

The early impressions of @HiFiWar with his Susvara should clarify whether iHA-8 meets the requirements.

In Hyper mode, swing goes to +-15v.

I guess I ought to come out and admit that our demo's chassis is rigged and made of lead, to give the impression that there's no interference 😨 (Obviously, I'm kidding, right?)

We're talking about RF components right beside the tubes, in the chassis of the player. The tubes are shielded from external sources by the chassis. Of course, you could always use a longer cable if that makes you feel more comfortable. But Wi-Fi 7 modems and 5G signals have infinite reach...

SGD.

Not to worry. That's part of the new firmware actually. Those lock volumes on the R8II, R6 Pro II and R6III when nothing is plugged in. It's meant to ensure that your HiBy functions properly as a transport. Don't be alarmed though, it'll only output at max volume when outputting USB or SPDIF...

Be sure to take this up.

I definitely didn't read that as a diss, more a true assesment on the state of play nowadays. Makes me feel luckier that we have some of the best, most measured and logical minds on Head-Fi on this thread.

My bad, just looked up the N30 specs again. Seems the LO levels are variable. Definitely use the LO port with its 'Line' option set to 'Low'. Then control volume via PB5. Your choice of tube or SS will then depend on your synergies.

General guide

I think the official answer is you should for R6 Pro II and whatever else has a variable LO. Unofficially, do what sounds best to you. Any clipping should be audibly obvious before it gets to levels dangerous enough to damage your PB5.

What do you enjoy using from the Zen Stream into D16? The Zen Stream's outputs have each received iFi treatment.

I think the purple, or stock red with TH909 pad swap, TH900 MKII will be right up your alley. You'll still need something like PW Audio's Moloch cable to take the final steps to the HE1000SE's tuning.

Tested, and loving it! Use the LO port, but turn on the 'Pre' setting and attenuate there if you want to abide by the 2.5V specified for the input of PB5. Start low on the volume if you're using the 'Pre' setting. The N7's output is quite hot in the 'Pre' mode.

Indeed D16 and PB5 were designed to work together, but I believe with D16's DAC working differentially there was only so low they could get their output voltage to, and work is necessary in D16's DSP then to bring that to the targeted 2.5V. In reality, 2.5V balanced in is very low, and...

The Amp13 can't be used with D16, it is a modular amp built only for the DX300 and DX320.

I'm of the school to always go for the analog volume control option if there's one, over a digital control, but that's now been tempered by the realism of: How loud do I really listen? The quality of digital volume controls today, how ubiquitous they are in everything and the cost of adding a...