Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Oct 5, 2014 17:29:54 GMT
One of the reasons I chose the above valves was the lack of noise in the output. I have a couple of valves that are microphonic, but have gotten them out of the system. Any of these valves will work fine, the subtle differences, are nice to swap out on occasion. Not much difference as Rabbit acknowledges, so it is up to your own ears. I used the 12ax7 for awhile and thought it very accurate, but switched to the 6dj8, for more warmth with the music I am currently listening to. Yes, I have read your posts here and on HF and thought that you would well consider noise. I notice it more with my 'posh' system in another house. Since moving, I only have room for small speakers, so I'm using some active Roland monitors here. They came with me when I moved. The other system is on its own at the moment in the old house, but it does pick up noises very easily. Soon, I'll have a Polaris here so will have to consider whether I stay with valves or move to SS here in this house. I have quite a problem with it since I loved my old Sunrise and Horizon, but they went on to new homes. Very reluctantly on my part though, but I couldn't keep them all. I have another dilemma coming up with the Polaris and Ember since I am SO attached to the sound of the Ember with its Orange Globe valve. I'm getting myself mentally prepared!!!!
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Post by musicman on Oct 5, 2014 19:58:01 GMT
If you like one more than the other than the dilemma is solved. Good luck on this, would not mind having to decide this one for myself!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Oct 5, 2014 20:09:03 GMT
I have a feeling it'll be 6 of 1 and half dozen of the other!! The attraction of reliability in the case of SS helps a bit as long as the sound is as good, which I suspect it is.
Trouble is, I get attached to certain pieces of gear and they have to be prized away. There are certain things that I just keep because I like it. Not because I listen to it. For instance, my MF V2 and V8. Always loved my V2 and the V8 once it was modded. The Sunrise was lovely but went for the Horizon. The Horizon was lovely but went for the Ember. I also loved an SS amp called the S2. It was a beauty actually and was the second version of the Panda. It had to go home because of circumstances at the time and where it had come from!! I did miss it though.
I think this one will be difficult but I only have one head.
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Post by musicman on Oct 5, 2014 20:12:05 GMT
Sometimes it is nice to only have one choice!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Oct 5, 2014 20:20:15 GMT
Yes. I am a very lucky guy tbh. I never take things for granted though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2014 21:37:55 GMT
I also loved an SS amp called the S2. It was a beauty actually and was the second version of the Panda. It had to go home because of circumstances at the time and where it had come from!! . You should get a job with the Diplomatic Service!
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Post by musicman on Oct 19, 2014 1:49:54 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Oct 19, 2014 8:02:37 GMT
No. I have never used a surge protector at home. I do have a noise filter but to be honest, I'm not certain whether it makes ant audible difference. These things are supposed to clean up the sound of your system and lower the noise floor I guess?
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Post by musicman on Oct 19, 2014 14:31:26 GMT
That is what I understand as well. I thought it might be a good idea, this one gets good reviews on other forums, so long as there is no danger to the equipment from the device itself. I just purchased an INDUSTRIAL GRADE 1966 MULLARD 6681/12AX7 TUBE, labeled rca, and this tube has helped out the bass line, less distorted, for the lack of a better word. Bass line is cleaner try for a few weeks and see how it goes. I was wondering also on this Mullard, why the bright flash when the amp is first tuned on, is it just for show or does it have a function. Thanks, Don
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Post by musicman on Nov 10, 2014 3:51:52 GMT
Rabbit, any updates comparing the ember to the polaris? I am getting to wondering if that would be a good route for me, I also have been reading up on the "crack"amp from bottlehead. Gets alot of good reviews with the HD650's.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Nov 10, 2014 9:31:12 GMT
I was wondering also on this Mullard, why the bright flash when the amp is first tuned on, is it just for show or does it have a function. Thanks, Don It is a property of the heater wire itself and is implemented on purpose. It ensures the cathode is heated as quickly as possible when turned on. Not all tubes have this special type of heater and thus take longer to glow at the desired temperature, The resistance of the heater wire is lower in 'cold' condition and increases when it becomes hotter. It is called PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) When switched on (certainly when using the SC) the heater immediatly receives 6.3V (close to it) and the resistance is very low and thus the current is high. High current with constant voltage = high power = high brightness. The heaters resistance will rapidly drop when it is hot and the current drops and so does the power/heat/brightness. It thus reaches the desired temperature quicker. For the Ember this doesn't matter as the delay circuit doesn't enable the output before a fixed amount of time has passed. All tube amps without an output mute and fitted with these fast heater tubes will start giving sound much sooner than if it were populated with 'normal' tubes. Those fast heater tubes may not last as long as other tubes when they are switched on and off very regularly. In 'normal' tube amps the heater currents are limited by the trafo that supplies the heater voltage (it has a power limit) when these tubes are used. In other words the 6.3V voltage during start-up may be much less and thus limit the amount of power (less bright flash) The Ember limits the start-up current to around 700mA and with the SC peak currents above 1.5A are possible.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Nov 10, 2014 9:44:59 GMT
The Polaris is sort-off in between between Ember and solidstate. It has a 'hint' of tubeness but not exactly the same.
The 'crack' amp is even 'more' tubey and doesn't have the power nor flexibility the Ember has and is really only suited for high impedance headphones. The 'speedball' seems almost obligatory. It 'warms' the HD650 about the same as the Ember does on high output R setting so it does not make it sound 'tighter' in any case.
If you prefer the HD650 on low output R setting over high output R and still want it less 'warm' you could consider Polaris (you could ask if you can audition it). If you want more warmth than Ember at high output R the crack might be the amp of choice.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 10, 2014 17:07:24 GMT
As Frans has said, the Polaris is more Ss sounding and so to my ears sounds a bit more 'clean'. The Ember has more of a tube like, 'rubber band' type bass. Also, it reacts to different tubes as well.
As far as preference goes, I honestly can't choose between them. I love the 'fun' aspect of the Ember but also the relative 'cleanness' of the Polaris.
Both are excellent.
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Post by musicman on Nov 12, 2014 1:48:13 GMT
Thank you Solderdude for your explanation and comparison, I think I will just keep the Ember and enjoy it. Nice to see an objective comparison. Don
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Post by whitenoise on Nov 13, 2014 19:41:16 GMT
Running both the Ember and Polaris side by side and I have to say the Ember gets used the most. I feel that both amps kick ass. That said I just love the sound of the Ember more. With the right tube or two the ember is just more musical.
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