My objective is to duplicate the sound of a good jazz venue as best I can. I'll never match it but getting close is fine. I've had various audio components through the years and tubes particularly DHT tubes/ASSET have gotten me the closest. So this is where I will settle down and appreciate.
Balanced AC power is fantastic !! 1800va balanced isolation transformer/conditioner. All aspects of music reproduction are improved for every single component.
Tripoint Tripoint Troy.
A wonderful grounding box component. When added to my system it increased the sense of natural sound quality and emotional engagement. The Troy has a humanistic and “soulful “ quality to it.
Coincident Speaker Tech Total eclipse 2
This wonderful speaker is transparent,open and involving. It`s large yet completely disappears as the source of sound within the room. Very easy to drive,94db and 14 0hm impedance (Minimum 10 ohm). I replaced the stock Solens capacitor with the Duelund CAST in the crossover.
Coincident Statement linestage
Superb performance. In my opinion , a masterpiece by Israel Blume. As would be expected, a wonderful match with its sibling the Frankenstein MK II.
Coincident Speaker Tech Frankenstein mark 2
A terrific 300b SET amplifier that is the foundation of my system. The EML XLS 300b tubes are a superb match with this amplifier.
Acquiring these 300b SET mono blocks changed the course of my music listening experience. They elevated the emotional engagement, tactility and “breath of life “ realism.
Yamamoto YDA-01
Wonderful music lover's DAC that has a very natural/organic sound quality. Duelund CAST addition(output coupling capacitors) makes it sound even better. It has a very minimalist circuit/design that was implemented well.
Ocellia Silver Reference IC
Very natural and pure sounding with excellent tone and timbre preservation.
Ocellia Silver Reference Speaker Cable
Same qualities/ comments as the IC.
Star Sound Technologies Sistrum Apprentice component platforms..
These Star Sound platforms are mandatory in my system. Effectively managing resonance and vibration leads to a very noticeable sound improvement with every component and especially the speakers. Excellent product.
High Fidelity CT1 Ultimate Digital cable
A highly impressive digital cable that mates beautifully into my system. Contributes to the natural sound presentation.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems CD Box RS2T
This is a superb Redbook CD playback transport. It’s both high resolution and impressively natural.
. I’m using the excellent Fidelizer Nikola II LPS. Splendid pairing.
Lavricables Grand and Master series Power Cables.
Pure silver wire and unshielded power cables. These are used with all of my audio components. They are very open, transparent, high resolution with beautiful natural tone and timbre presentation.
Abbas Esoteric Audio 3.2SE
Built by renown Ukrainian Abbas Zulfugarov. NOS DAC utilizing the classic Phillips TDA 1541 multi bit chip. Two 6080 tubes in the analog stage. 5 various rectifier tubes in the power supplies.
3 separate toroidal transformers (And 2 chokes ) for the power supplies.A very serious and successful upper tier DAC implementation. Using with the Abbas SPDIF and power cable.
Brf, All of my previous tube amplifiers were manual bias.Israel prefers the auto bias approach. His amplifier is one of the best sounding I've ever heard (certainly beats all of my former amps) so I'm perfectly fine with that .
I'm really excited about the AVVT 32b purchase given their exalted reputation for built, sound quality and exceptional longevity.How will it differ from the somewhat similar designed EML XLS? How will they sound compared to the Takatsuki which is a very different design? With the addition of the soon to arrive High Fidelity Cable-CT1 Ultimate digital cable there'll be much to discover and enjoy. Regards,
Hey Charles, do you happen to know why Coincident chose auto bias as oppose to manual bias for their amps? I like the ability to fine tune the bias of an output tube.
I am looking forward to reading your listening impressions on both the EML 300B XLS and AVVT 32B tubes. If the 32B sounds anything like my AVVT 300B SL-C37 tubes, you will be over the moon with delight. Nice collection of 300Bs.
Your tube vendor deserves a thumbs up on the tube exchange. Good service.
I had the auto bias circuit of my Frankenstein updated/revised and is said to be easier yet on the output 300b.Since this revision the previously excellent sounding EML mesh is now markedly diminished in volume(counter intuitive).The output is definitely less.Ironically the solid plate tubes are not affected and may even sound better,very clear,open with very good dynamics and organic character.
My tube vendor is understanding(says this can happen to the mesh tube with changes to an amplifier).I will return the mesh and get the EML XLS in its place. I was very lucky this weekend and was able to purchased a pair of the "rare" AVVT SL(super linear) 32b 300b tubes.With these,the EML XLS and Takatsuki-TA I feel I`ve acquired a collection of premium 300b tubes to enjoy for a long time. Regards,
Ive owned the AVVT SL 300B C-37 amber glass tubes since 2005. They are extremely well built and very durable tubes. They have a very similar sound as the EML tubes but with a better top end with great sense of air and a firm low end extension. As previously stated, these are my favorite 300b tube.
I have no direct experience with the VVT 32 tube other than the fact that it is a 300B on steroids. If your amp has adjustable bias to take advantage of the 32s higher plate dissipation, this maybe a fun tube to own.
AVVT tubes have become very difficult to source. Ive been looking for a AVVT 300b-M (mesh plate) for the last 5 year to no avail.
Brf, How long have you owned your AVVT 300b(is this also called the 32b?). Are they reliable and what do they sound like? There`s a pair for sale on this site.I`m 'considering' a stash of various upper tier 300b tubes to have as a collection.How is it compared to the EML presentation? Regards,
Brf, I haven't heard the EML XLS but the dynamics, pace and vibrancy of the mesh is quite good at this eary stage.I bought these out of sheer curiosity to hear a genuine mesh plate.I have to say this tube is unexpectedly better than I imagined. Very similar to the Takatsuki but far more affordable. You are right, inner detail, nuances and the subtleties are superb. For those who can't or won't spend 2000.00 for the current Takatsuki tubes I'd strongly recommend the EML mesh as an alternative. Roughly 1/3 the cost yet very close in sound quality. The only restriction is amplifiers must be 28 watt dissipation or less.The Takatsuki doesn't have this limitation. Both of these tubes enable my SET amplifier to present gorgeous natural sound. Regards,
Hi Charles, I own EML 300B-mesh, EML 300B-XLS and AVVT SL 300B amber glass. I am not surprised that you enjoy the EML 300B-mesh as they are very detailed organic tubes. The EML-mesh provides superior inner detail when compared to the EML-XLS, but the XLS is hard to beat for dynamics and increased jump/speed. My all time favorite is the AVVT 300b, but they are not longer in production and are becoming extremely difficult to source.
I have only heard the Takaksuki once in an unfamiliar system, but the guy who owns the Takaksuki has the means to own any tube ever produced. You can never have too many high quality tubes on hand. Its fun to change it up once in a while. Nice purchase, you will have a ton of fun with the EMLs.
Onemug, Very early impressions of the EML 300b mesh plate, why didn't you tell me how excellent and natural the tone is? This tube is remarkably transparent, clear, organic and holistic and definitely made by someone who truly loves music.This sound is the antithesis of hifi.I would say it's cut from the same cloth as the fabulous Takaksuki, they certainly share the same fabric of orgin.This is off to a surprisingly good start.I'll wait a while and gain more hours of listening and comment more at a later time. Depending on the amplifier one tube may be a good or not so good fit.This mesh 300b sounds utterly fine in my Frankenstein amplifiers. Regards,
Onemug, The tubes did'nt come today, maybe tomorrow. For the cost of the EML rectifiers they'd have to much better than my Sylvania 5u4g tubes for me to consider buying the premium cost EML.If they're only slightly better then there's no point. Regards,
Charles, I've had my pair of 5u4's for about a week so it's a work in progress. Up til yesterday I favored my NOS RCA's but today the EML's moved it to a closer race. I'll see what happens as the hours add up and let you know. Only about 20 on them now.
If you decide to get them, you want to be sure your first cap to be less than 40uh.
Will you be reporting back here tonight on your first hours with your meshes?
Onemug, I called george and he confirms the initial limited burn-in time for the first two sessions. Funny you mention the mesh rectifier as I wonder how much it differs from conventional rectifiers. Let me know what you hear.My amp uses the same rectifier tube. Regards,
Onemug, Thanks for that,George did`nt mention that during the order placement and phone conversation.I would have put them in my amp and then let it play all day otherwise. Regards,
Charles, Just a heads up....EML recommends playing the meshes for no more than 4 hours and then letting them cool completely before starting up again. This is just for the first couple of cycles.
Let me know what you think of the "first 4 hours".
Agear, I doubt it, This is an impressive product without question but also expensive.My current Ocellia loom is superb with my system`s components(you can love what you have yet admire other great products). The combination of the HFC and the Ocellia is really impressive!
If I were starting from scratch it`d be interesting,I could say the Ocellia Silver Reference is perhaps 90-95% of the HFC enhanced for 1/2 the cost.So for me combining them strategically is cost effective and provides excellent sound.The HFC replaced a ASI Liveline cable(digital position), the liveline is 'really good' but the Ocellia is better.I was going to replace the Liveline digital with the Ocellia or the Sablon cable but all the comments about HFC got me curious.I would imagine an entire HFC -CT1 enhance loom would be fantastic. Regards,
Good question Onemug, I believe anytime an effort is made to address resonance,vibration,ringing etc. the result is better sound. Regarding the RP and the Takasuki I don`t know what accounts for the differences brtween them.Its possible a less resonant plate could be a vital factor.Improved resolution,transparency and clarity occur with less vibration present.
Onemug, What is unique concerning the mesh plate`s sound compared to what you hear with your solid plate 300bs?I should get my EML mesh tubes monday and am very curious to hear them.A true woven metal plate has less inherent resonance than a solid plate based on recent reading.Given the obvious benefit of less resonance in the Duelund CAST cap design and the effect ot the Star Sound products,I`m encouraged.How will this principle manifest in an output tube`s sounics? Regards,
Charles, I have not heard the XLS. It's made to tolerate higher dissipation amps and may or may not sound better that their standard solid plate (you know how that goes).
I do like the regular solid plate a lot. In my 3 300b amps it has been one of my favorites or "the" favorite.
If we spent an evening comparing tubes, I would bring both the EML solid and mesh with me. The mesh has a sound that is unique. I just read that you ordered a pair of the meshes. When will you be getting them?
I'd be very interested in your impressions from early on thru their break in and the comparison to the Takasuki.
Re Holly Cole: I had a very memorable afternoon with Bill Johnson (Audio Research founder) back in the 90's. Turns out his west coast winter place is just a few miles from me. He invited me over to his studio after having a good talk we went into his sound room to hear some new products he was designing. The first song he played was Holly Coles "Tennessee Waltz" from that DSIB cd. Of course I had to buy it after that. That day will forever be burnt into my memory. RIP Bill.
