[ddtomas]

Some more time with the Head 2 SE
Definite improvement (or my perception getting adjusted, i dont know - whatever)

I tried Hd800S with the 300ohm setting, fantastic control, and impactful bass. (really!)
One strength I found is the placement of instruments, like they appear from unexpected points of the perceived stage and surprised me a couple of times.
It is also powerful, easily driving the d8000 pro and hs800s within their corresponding impedance settings. I haven't had need to pass 10 o clock so far.

I am still missing the tube magic, that euphoria that I can get from DNA Starlett, but I have started to enjoy it a lot.

PS: It is still early days. And I am no expert.

 

[sawindra]

stock tubes in head 2, boring, flat, sucky, anemic sound

head 2 with Amperex PQ 6922?


yeah like 10x better sound. LOL.

 

[Dave657]

The SE has different ECC88 tubes i believe, im not sure atm which they but i read somewhere that were Mullards and if thats the case they're good tubes.
If i have some spare time this weekend i'll open it and take a peek.

Some more time with the Head 2 SE
Definite improvement (or my perception getting adjusted, i dont know - whatever)

I tried Hd800S with the 300ohm setting, fantastic control, and impactful bass. (really!)
One strength I found is the placement of instruments, like they appear from unexpected points of the perceived stage and surprised me a couple of times.
It is also powerful, easily driving the d8000 pro and hs800s within their corresponding impedance settings. I haven't had need to pass 10 o clock so far.

I am still missing the tube magic, that euphoria that I can get from DNA Starlett, but I have started to enjoy it a lot.

PS: It is still early days. And I am no expert.

Are you using the stock power chord? If so throw it out and use a good quality one, that made significant impact on mine

 

[ddtomas]

thanks for the comments, too early to tube roll, but at some point I will take a peek myself as I believe I do have a matched pair of 6922s somewhere.

 

[ddtomas]

Just received the HEAD 2 SE. It is massive.

I will be honest, first impressions are not stellar with Holo May & d8000 pro le, but is still too early.

I believe this deserves an update, I am around hour 50. I have made some tube changes, the included output tubes in the SE version are Mullard ECC88 and is the best of the lot compared to what I could find at home. (EH and some Russian ones)

For most I have been listening to it with a D8000ProLE, also spent some time with HD800S.
Power is of no issue whatsoever.

Sound as I can describe it is not overly warm for a tube amp, leans more towards a neutral sound, but still possesses that touch of smoothness with no sibilance or roughness at the top. (my reference points are Phonitor XE for SS, and Donald North Starlett for tube)

Soundstage is fantastic.
Control of bass is fantastic.

All in all I think it is a brilliant amp and I am over the moon with the purchase as my impressions are improving day by day.

 

[fidgeraldo]

All in all I think it is a brilliant amp and I am over the moon with the purchase as my impressions are improving day by day.

I knew that you would!
Serbian folks know how to make a star amp
I am waiting for Cayin HA-6A
It's going to be interesting to hear how different is or not from Auris HA-2 SF
Enjoy!

Cheers!

 

[Dave657]

Sound as I can describe it is not overly warm for a tube amp, leans more towards a neutral sound, but still possesses that touch of smoothness with no sibilance or roughness at the top. (my reference points are Phonitor XE for SS, and Donald North Starlett for tube)

Exactly how i would describe this Amp, completely agree with this.

 

[ddtomas]

stock tubes in head 2, boring, flat, sucky, anemic sound

head 2 with Amperex PQ 6922?


yeah like 10x better sound. LOL.

Any suggestions for the Output tubes 6n30p? and would they make much difference?
The only thing I feel like I am lacking with this thing is a little bit of warmth.

 

[sawindra]

Any suggestions for the Output tubes 6n30p? and would they make much difference?
The only thing I feel like I am lacking with this thing is a little bit of warmth.

Bro, it's a push-pull amplifier, a lot of even and odd harmonic distortion has been cancelled. for instance a push-pull 300b might have 0.8% THD+ N at 1 watt, a single ended 300b will have 5 % at same specs (1 watt thd-n) in numbers 500% more!

 

[ddtomas]

Bro, it's a push-pull amplifier, a lot of even and odd harmonic distortion has been cancelled. for instance a push-pull 300b might have 0.8% THD+ N at 1 watt, a single ended 300b will have 5 % at same specs (1 watt thd-n) in numbers 500% more!

Bruv, I asked since you were claiming ''yeah like 10x better sound. LOL.'' with input tube changes, and thanks for taking the opportunity to educate me on different topologies, because it is true I do not have that much experience, and I understand that you are referring that I should not expect warmth from this type of tube amp since it minimises harmonic distortion. All well taken, thanks again.

But, to repeat my question, do you suggest to change the power tubes, and any suggestions ie do they make any difference?

 

[oqvist]

Pal... Just want to continue the trend I have a copper rectifier on my head one. Lasts longer and dont have to worry about degrading so much. If there is a difference its minimal

To bad price skyrockets have since long been curious about head 2 because it does seem like head one dont have enough power for some hungry planars I got.

 

[ddtomas]

Pal... Just want to continue the trend I have a copper rectifier on my head one. Lasts longer and dont have to worry about degrading so much. If there is a difference its minimal

To bad price skyrockets have since long been curious about head 2 because it does seem like head one dont have enough power for some hungry planars I got.

Mate, thanks for the reply, some 'relatively' cheaper deals exist on audio-markt.de
maybe they will accept to negotiate.

https://www.audio-markt.de/market/trafomatic-audio-head-2-4886880465

 

[fidgeraldo]

But, to repeat my question, do you suggest to change the power tubes, and any suggestions ie do they make any difference?

I suggest leaving it as it is because it does a job superbly that way...for more tube sound...get Cayin HA-6A.
That's what I did.
can't beat this price

Cheers!

 

[AntonRisto]

Any suggestions for the Output tubes 6n30p? and would they make much difference?
The only thing I feel like I am lacking with this thing is a little bit of warmth.

I can recommend the Electro Harmonix 6H30Pi Gold tubes. In my experience, they give the bass a little bit more weight and texture compared to the stock power tubes.

 

[fidgeraldo]

PS: It is still early days. And I am no expert.

Hey man.
Just a quick one, it's off-topic...I have XE, and I was almost disappointed when I got it,
I expected it to be dead neutral sounding, but it's neutral/and heavy on the warm side.

You will know why I am mentioning this.

Good luck!

Cheers!