Project Ember II Discussion Thread

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Skyline, Sep 29, 2015.

  1. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I found the Bifrost Multibit to be slightly Schiity with any amp. Like it reached for brightness and overexposed for the sake of enhanced clarity.

    I think I just prefer a painterly dac rather than an especially resolving dac. Something to accentuate the good and reveal but not feature the bad.

    I'll see today how the 6n6p sounds in the Ember. If I'm not into it, I might see if Jeremy is down for swapping it for another Sunrise.
     
  2. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Very interesting. Most find the Bifrost Multibit to be on the warm/smooth side of things.
     
  3. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I have weird ears. I find the Gungnir Multibit to be warmer and smoother than Bifrost Multibit, so my brain must be backwards.
     
  4. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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  5. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    Anyone tried this with the HEK? I need a temporary amp until the Stratus is ready.
     
  6. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    It would certainly work for them.
     
  7. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Yes, I have. Excellent match, especially with the right tube (6N6P).
     
  8. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    I just took delivery of the ember and indeed it is a fantastic match with the HE1000. Superior in every way compared to the GO1000 especially with the 6N6P.
     
  9. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I rolled dozens of tubes in three different Garage1217 amps and settled on 6N6P.

    If you want to go a little more neutral, the only tube I'd suggest trying is the new production Electro-Harmonix 12BH7.
     
  10. techboy

    techboy New

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    Since getting 6sn7 tubes,

    Sylvania 6sn7wgt works fine

    But. Tried 3 VT 231's. Two from Syl. One from RCA.

    All 3 have a severe buzzing noise.

    Increases with use.

    Could it be a grounding issue? Or could it be the adapter?

    12AU7 work fine. As do 6dj8. As do Syl 6sn7wgt.

    Please help. Not usable with VT 231 tubes so far. [​IMG]

    Update

    VT 231 = 1940's Mil variant of 6sn7

    People are using it fine.

    Note:

    using almun foil over the tube -> reduces noise

    putting on top of DAD -> reduces the noise

    bypassing input capacitors -> increases the noise

    removing 25ft extender cable -> reduces the noise
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2016
  11. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Send Jeremy an e-mail. He'll be happy to help you troubleshoot, I'm sure.
     
  12. techboy

    techboy New

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    The buzzing is there even when Ember isn't connected to the DAC.
     
  13. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Given that it's specific tubes, it's probably the tubes.

    Many tubes are susceptible to outside interference. If the aluminum helped, try a makeshift Faraday cage: http://www.head-fi.org/t/702826/project-ember-tube-rolling/2100#post_12382595

    Did you get all of the tubes that don't work from the same source? Some tube sellers are dishonest or inexperienced.

    Whenever I get a loud or microphonic tube, I just get rid of it. I can't be bothered to solve it.

    It's also possible that the tubes it happens with have higher gain than your other tubes and amplify something dirty on the signal path (possibly power).
     
  14. techboy

    techboy New

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    I changed the room and the problem went away. Now I have to see what in the original room is causing this.
     
  15. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Sweet!

    Dying lights, ungrounded outlet, proximity to a major appliance that is running, gremlins....
     
  16. techboy

    techboy New

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    Got my electrician to fix the earthing. No noise now :D

    He didn't charge anything. I gave him a 5 quids tip to make him happy :)
     
  17. Setzz

    Setzz New

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    Good day all.

    Just a question on recommended tubes. If you can only have 3 tubes (with or without the 6SN7 to 12AU7 adapter), which ones would you have in your arsenal, and what sound signature does it produce?

    Audio is always a personal preference thing so I'm expecting different responses. Thanks!
     
  18. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    Don't expect tube rolling to make a huge difference in the ember. Most of the time they sound similar. From my personal experience the 5-10% difference I hear going from one tube to another others make it as 50% for whatever reason. I have rolled over 30 tubes with the ember and I could live with any of them on a day to day basis.
    As I see it if you are listening to music the tube does not matter all the much. If you are analyzing the music and focus on the smallest differences it matters quite a lot but then what is the point? Might as well get a microscope and look at bacteria.
    If I were to keep only three I would keep the Tungsram E80CC(smooth treble),Fivre 6SN7(powerful intimate sound),Philips E188CC(somewhere in the middle).
    I recently tried some tubes I disliked at first like 6BQ7A and 12AU/X/T7 variants and I could easily enjoy listening to music on any of them now. For some reason I think I disliked them at first because I was thinking Imagine how much better it would sound with more expensive tubes and by default I did not like whatever I was listening to regardless if it was good or bad.
     
  19. Setzz

    Setzz New

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    I appreciate your response mate. Just to clarify I'm not expecting night n day difference between every tube, and that's part of the reason I didn't ask for your top 10, or 50.

    I don't think my taste of music is the type to be analysed, though I do appreciate detail, to a degree.

    I hear you on going back to things after some time and finding you now enjoying what you didn't before. Happened to me on another occasion, took a year for me to listen to Sepultura.

    Thanks again mate!
     
  20. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Hey Setzz.

    6N6P. It's all you need.

    The only exception for me has been the HD650 where I felt a 6DJ8 Amperex Orange Globe sounded a bit better/livelier.

    Also, I respectfully disagree with the poster above. Tube rolling on the Ember can be pretty drastic depending on the tube/headphone combo.
     

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