My Harbeth C7ES-3 story...
- Thread starter kray
- Start date
Rick Z
Active Member
Sound Dragon
Yawns and sets his couch on fire!
It’s like the stereo Hunger Games at your house! I know exactly how much fun that can be.........until it’s not.
yeah kinda not fair price wise. But got such a killer deal on it, hard to pass up. Upgraded everything including NOS tubes. I’d always wanted one but they were always way too expensive for me. Can’t wait to report back.
I’m pretty set on the amp now so hopefully I’ll find a 1st string DAC soon. From all my reading the AN 4.1 could possibly be it. Never though I’d score one at reasonable price
Update. I’m done trying out amps. The Line Magnetic 518ia is it for me (at least for a long while). With its ability to use a Pre-in I can eventually try a nice preamp with it if it feel like blowing some money.
the Psvane 845T-II BLack edition I got from Grant Fidelity now have about 60hrs on them. These tubes made me a believer in tube burn in. The first couple hours they sound wide open but thin, after that they hit a flat wall, and finally bloomed into maturity around the 50hr mark. I’m talking big changes. I found it hard to believe, but from all I’ve read they take a good 70+ hours to settle. I bought a Mullard f31 fat base rectifier, which is nice and smooth.
another thing is I can’t believe how dead quiet this amp is. I have to have my ear literally 1” from the speaker to hear the slightest sound that this is a tube amp.
if you’d like to hear my DAC journey now checkout this thread:
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/my-dac-journey.899662/
the Psvane 845T-II BLack edition I got from Grant Fidelity now have about 60hrs on them. These tubes made me a believer in tube burn in. The first couple hours they sound wide open but thin, after that they hit a flat wall, and finally bloomed into maturity around the 50hr mark. I’m talking big changes. I found it hard to believe, but from all I’ve read they take a good 70+ hours to settle. I bought a Mullard f31 fat base rectifier, which is nice and smooth.
another thing is I can’t believe how dead quiet this amp is. I have to have my ear literally 1” from the speaker to hear the slightest sound that this is a tube amp.
if you’d like to hear my DAC journey now checkout this thread:
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/my-dac-journey.899662/
interesting that you say that. I have been talking to them about their Avian line integrated amps. Everything I read is very positive. Do you own one or have your heard one live? I am curious about the sonic differences between the Nighthawk and Blackhawk, and if their 20 watts would be enough for a pair of Harbeth 30.1s in a smallish room.
CKDC
Super Member
I am just starting a process to see if I want to get involved with tubes.
The $3000.00 Raven Nighhawk would be at the top of my price range.
I like that it has a remote. The subwoofer output is an interesting idea, but, at this point, I do not see me getting into subwoofers.
I thought I wanted an EL84 amp. I am not sure about the 6L6 tubes(ignorance on my part.)
I am not sure I like the idea of circuit board mounted tubes either. (The circuit board of the Raven looks impressive though.)
Twenty watts does not seem like enough but the owner of Raven says it is enough. He seems rather cocky which is slightly off putting for me. But then, he does offer to take the amp back up to 45 days after purchase. He seems to be putting his money where his mouth is, so that is a good thing.
I am also on the fence whether I want to spend money on a new amp or a better streaming device. $3k for an amp or a streamer...
In other words, you buy one and I will forever appreciate your opinion. Especially if it saves me the expense of a new amp
The $3000.00 Raven Nighhawk would be at the top of my price range.
I like that it has a remote. The subwoofer output is an interesting idea, but, at this point, I do not see me getting into subwoofers.
I thought I wanted an EL84 amp. I am not sure about the 6L6 tubes(ignorance on my part.)
I am not sure I like the idea of circuit board mounted tubes either. (The circuit board of the Raven looks impressive though.)
Twenty watts does not seem like enough but the owner of Raven says it is enough. He seems rather cocky which is slightly off putting for me. But then, he does offer to take the amp back up to 45 days after purchase. He seems to be putting his money where his mouth is, so that is a good thing.
I am also on the fence whether I want to spend money on a new amp or a better streaming device. $3k for an amp or a streamer...
In other words, you buy one and I will forever appreciate your opinion. Especially if it saves me the expense of a new amp