Donald North Audio Stellaris - The Experience

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Sep 19, 2022.

  1. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    There's potentially an Elrog in my future, which I'm now extra curious about :)
     
  2. Clear Water

    Clear Water Friend

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    @earnmyturns Are you able to hear a persistent low level hum with the Stellaris/Takatsuki 2a3/Utopia combination? My replacement pair has started to have some noise and I'm wondering if it's worth sending back.
     
  3. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    No hum on Stellaris/Tak/various ZMF headphones. Have you adjusted the pots on the Stellaris to minimize hum? Can you zero the hum with other 2A3 tubes?
     
  4. Clear Water

    Clear Water Friend

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    The null pots don't mitigate the hum. I only can discern the hum with the Utopias (none with the hd800/650s), and have confirmed from two other Stellaris users that the Taks hum specifically with the Utopias. I've found luck using the herbie dampers, but haven't been able to get rid of it completely. I suspect since the ZMFs have a lower sensitivity it's a non issue for you.

    I get absolutely zero hum with Linlai, Acme 2a3.
     
  5. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    If anyone is looking to reduce the gain a bit and get more use on the knob, check out the 6CG7 input tubes. (Donald recommended). I tried both a Tungsol and a Sylvania. I prefer the Sylvania which is a bit warmer with more low end. The Tungsol is a very neutral tube.

    Both are insanely quiet...by far the quietest input tubes I have for Stratus. I'm sure this would be similar on the Stellaris, but you would need to try for yourself. Thankfully they are pretty damn cheap tubes, like less than 20 bucks each.
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2023
  6. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    The 6F8G is even lower gain right? I just got a bunch to try on my ZDS. First one that has come in the mail has a lot of buzz. Unfortunately the most expensive one - a “super rare” type of Tung Sol
     
  7. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    Sorry, damn phone switched some numbers around. I meant 6CG7 variants. That is used as the 9 pin input tube. I believe the 6F8G you mentioned is a 6s97 equivalent and wouldn't be used in a Stratus or Stellaris.
     
  8. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Oh cool I have a bunch of these from experiments with my Liquid Glass. I’m assuming all of these work?

    6CG7
    6FQ7
    6GU7

    Would you mind sharing what adapter is needed to use these tubes?
     
  9. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    I am only sure that 6CG7 is compatible. Might want to check with Donald on the others. No adapter is needed.

    20230516_103451.jpg
     
  10. kimiifrit

    kimiifrit New

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    First of all, thanks to all the impressions here and there on the other DNA owner thread, quite a lot learned after crawling though all the posts in the past several days.

    As a current owner of a V2 Stratus, I am wondering if any experienced DNA owners have had direct listening comparisons of Stellaris vs Stratus V4(AN OPT) vs Stratus V2/V3?

    To my understanding, the transformers are just as important, if not more, as the tubes sonically, but I couldn't find it out myself sadly out there chances are rare to demo the DNA amps.
     
  11. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I'm am currently comparing a Stellaris to a V2 Stratus, you have excellent timing with this question. I'm finding the Stellaris brighter and not as full-bodied as the Stratus. So much that I don't like the tuning of the Stellaris. Obviously my taste on this doesn't seem to match most of SBAF (at least those that have heard the Stellaris) so take it with a grain of salt. I also need to do some tube experimentation to see if that helps but I doubt that would change the character of the Stellaris enough to sway my strong preference for the V2 Stratus. That said, if you're into resolution the Stellaris is a treat, so much detail and nuance that I didn't know existed. :) Definitely the most resolving amp I've heard, I'd recommend pairing with super resolving headphones to get the most out of it.

    In case this helps with your comparison, I also don't like the tuning of the Eddie Current Aficionado nor Studio B but I do like the Zana Deux and Black Widow.
     
  12. kimiifrit

    kimiifrit New

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    Thanks for the impressions, sounds like I might fall in love with Stellaris tuning more. Not a good signal for my wallet ugh.

    Mind sharing what tubes you are using on both? I hear people mentioning a good tube combination on Stratus(non AN OPT) might just be mediocre on Stellaris, but I doubt the difference would be day and night... Thanks again.
     
  13. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    In another thread it was mentioned that we need to be careful with posting about some tubes with good pricing to prevent dealers noticing and jacking them up. Apparently they sometimes trawl forums to do this. Once I've finished trying some combinations I'll send you a DM with my thoughts.

    Also if you don't get a DM in the next 3-4 days feel free to send me a reminder DM. :)
     
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  14. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Just an aside, but maybe there's an opportunity to open a thread in the member's forum to quietly discuss tube rolling without negatively affecting the market for specific tubes? We've all read the Sylvania Bad Boy 6SN7 idiocy that (IMHO) started a bunch of the rocket-to-the-moon pricing on certain tubes that aren't necessarily very special.
     
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  15. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Despite my tuning preferences, I strongly agree with all the recommendations for the Elrog rectifier for either the Stellaris or Stratus. It’s very resolving, clean, neutral, and the least fatiguing option I tried in the Stellaris. Same for the Stratus outside of the fatigue comment since fatigue is not an issue for me there. The Elrog is my favorite rectifier in either amp though my other Stratus favorite is a very close second and is a much cheaper vintage option.
     

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