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Feliks-Audio Elise Tube Amp Review (NOT)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Jun 12, 2016.

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  1. CoLdAsSauLt

    CoLdAsSauLt New

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    What would be your comparison with the MicroZotl apart from measurements?

    Have you ever heard an Icon Audio HP8?

    What about ECP Torpedo 3?
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2016
    CoLdAsSauLt, Jun 15, 2016
    #61
  2. nephilim

    nephilim Acquaintance

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    Interesting suggestion. No, I have no access to a UPS. Usually the amp is fed by a Furman AC-210 power conditioner but that did not help to cure the hum. I have no idea how clean the output of that device is. I also soldered (and later on bought) DC offset filters but that was not successful either.

    I fear the cost of a true-sine UPS is too high to 'just get one' for testing purposes :-(
     
    nephilim, Jun 15, 2016
    #62
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I wonder if there is some DC offset on your AC line.

    Hard to say with Torpedo. Might be an interesting comparison. This might be somethings that require side by side comparison. I will say that they have a different sound because their designs are quite different.

    For something like the Sennheiser heapdhones, I'd take this over the MicroZOTL in a heartbeat, although the MicroZOTL might be better for lower Z loads like LCD-X. The output impedance of the Elise is 45 ohms. Still, the HE560s were being driven fairly well by the Elise which was a little bit of a surprise. Also MicroZOTL can drive high efficiency speakers decently, Elise most certainly cannot.
     
    purr1n, Jun 15, 2016
    #63
  4. nephilim

    nephilim Acquaintance

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    As mentioned in another post, I tried two DC offset filters. The first I soldered by myself, the second I got from here: http://sjostromaudio.com/pages/index.php/hifi-projects/109-dct02-the-dc-trap-high-end-style?showall= Unfortunately, they did not solve the issue.

    On the other hand... I think I understand why a DC filter cures mechanical hum of a transformer being exposed to DC but will it for sure also cure 50Hz hum in the electrical path?

    FYI, I once had an LD Mk3 amp and while it was quiet via the headphones the trafo was humming mechanically a lot. A DC filter did not help but then I used an autotransformer to reduce the 230-240V we usually have over here down to 220 and 210V. This cured the mechanical hum. I think I read somewhere that the LD trafo was designed for 220V. Tried the same on the Elise (which was quiet outside) but with no significant success.
     
    nephilim, Jun 15, 2016
    #64
  5. dpump

    dpump New

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    Did you try an isolation transformer? That cured a noisy power supply I have when nothing else worked.
     
    dpump, Jun 16, 2016
    #65
  6. nephilim

    nephilim Acquaintance

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    No, I have not tried that. What would be the difference compared to simple ground lift via disconnecting the protective earth pin?
     
    nephilim, Jun 16, 2016
    #66
  7. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    insidious meme, Jun 17, 2016
    #67
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    He needs hugs. We all do.

    http://amma.org/meeting-amma/north-america
    north-american-tour.jpg

    That's not my style unfortunately. Being "nice" would have let many others continue on the path of idiocy (people breaking their amps, people spending a ton more money on crap when they could have just gotten a better amp to being with, people liking "different" which may have been severely distorted sound, etc.), which really wouldn't have been nice. As I've said many times before, I ain't lawful good. I'm chaotic neutral tending toward good. Jamie Lannister and Jude are lawful evil. People like @hypnos1 are better off with them.
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2016
    purr1n, Jun 17, 2016
    #68
  9. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    "Those people were using vulgar phrases like "don't waste all your $ or time on tubes", "only use tubes types intended by the amp designer", and "stop listening to tubes and listen to music". It almost broke our concentration while inserting a rare nos tube into our rectums."
     
    JoshMorr, Jun 17, 2016
    #69
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I've skimmed about 30 pages in that thread and it's just a bunch of dudes posting pictures of tubes they bought without describing sound. Heck, even the OC housewives who show off their fake boobs let people squeeze them to how they are like. LOL, and its the same five people posting over and over.

    Anyway, this is hilarious: http://www.head-fi.org/t/782754/feliks-audio-elise-new-thread/105#post_11974715
     
    purr1n, Jun 17, 2016
    #70
  11. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    jexby, Jun 17, 2016
    #71
  12. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    Alright that's it...I am tattooing my ZDS :D
     
    Koth Ganesh, Jun 17, 2016
    #72
  13. jelt2359

    jelt2359 Friend

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    I really don't get how tube rollers do it. I personally have enough tubes to last two lifetimes, and yes, they're the exotic "roller" variety (metal base, mullard, etc etc).

    But for each session... I have one set in, and that's it. If I like it I stick to it for a good long while before I get curious and try something else. Do these people really prefer to sit around waiting for tubes to cool, rather than listen to music?

    Edit: ok, different case, I never use unspecced tubes.
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2016
    jelt2359, Jun 17, 2016
    #73
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Reading that thread, I believe they swap tubes out while they are still hot. Also, don't forget this triple stacker.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I know I was being totally mean, but I rest my case. I care about you guys. I don't want you guys ending up as weirdos. This hobby is nutty enough as it is.
     
    purr1n, Jun 17, 2016
    #74
  15. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    That HF thread is solid gold.

    "@hypnos1 absolutely agree with what you say. I'd like to point out 2 things.

    One, that said reviewer should not be praising Elise and at the same time make a mockery of the makers race. That's pathetic.

    Two, as a member of the trade, he should know better than to expose Elise innards with a photo, with plain disregards for Feliks Audio creative works."

    "Sometimes you can lead a horse(es asses) to water but better to leave them somewhere to die of thirst. Needless to say I am not overly welcome. I have this forum don't need the other. This thread in particular, is very friendly and informative, when you figure the low number of Elise's out there, this thread flies. Thanks to all. Don"
     
    HitmanFluffy, Jun 17, 2016
    #75
  16. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    Man.. talk about a bunch of sourpuss whiners, that group..

    [​IMG]
     
    FlySweep, Jun 17, 2016
    #76
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LMAO. So mean. You guys are making me crack up big time.

    I kinda felt bad for laying down the butthurt until I realized he was a Type I Troll (he didn't introduce himself, get a sense of the landscape, and his first post was on the merits excessive tube rolling):

    Type I Troll: Holder of Golden Knowledge. Self-appointed holder of golden knowledge who hasn't realized no one gives a crap about what he has to say. He often likes to call people names (probably because he was called names by his dad or peers when he was young). Inflated sense of ego and self-importance, but this is really a cover for his intense deep feelings of internal poverty. Usually the last line before he leaves or is banned is that he had much knowledge to offer, yet no one was intelligent enough to appreciate it. In every case, does not understand V=IR.
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2016
    purr1n, Jun 17, 2016
    #77
  18. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    Never feel bad for unleashing the butthurt.
     
    HitmanFluffy, Jun 17, 2016
    #78
  19. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    I'm wondering when he'll pull a "Shaffer" and ask Marv to post on that thread so they can... "hurt" him.

    What a precious little flower she is.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2016
    insidious meme, Jun 17, 2016
    #79
  20. microCuts

    microCuts Acquaintance

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    People make a such good looking amp, and these people did unnecessary stuff and make it looks as shitty as it can.
     
    microCuts, Jun 18, 2016
    #80
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