Just got my first tube amp...the Vincent sv-237. It had a tung-sol 12ax7 on the front and two mismatched 61NP on the rears, I think both Russian but the labels were a bit faded so not sure exactly what the rears are. I read the rears should be matched so I'm thinking of getting these: https://www.partsconnexion.com/NOS-79469.html. Thoughts?
My first impressions were incredible low end. Never heard deeps like that before. But was a bit disappointed with the highs and found myself turning the treble up on the Vincent and found it lost its composure when I did that. The resolution and soundstage was something I'd never experienced before. But the highs left me disappointed.
I listen to Apple Music lossless directly from my phone to a Schiit Eitr with coaxial out to a Schiit Bifrost Uber connected to the Vincent with Audioquest Evergreen RCA cables. Speakers are Totem Rainmakers. Apparently the DAC in the Vincent only supports up to 48khz so I preferred to use the Schiit just to enjoy Apple's hi-res library. This might have been my issue with the highs...read below.
I went to pick up a decent usb cable from a local audio store. As luck would have it, they were selling a traded-in Simaudio Moon 240i...for a ridiculous price. I couldn't sleep that night thinking I spent more on the Vincent and always wanted a Simaudio amp as they come up so often highly rated on the forums. I went back the next day and got the Simaudio for a 14 day audition. Thanks to Advance Electronics in Winnipeg, great guys.
I got home, plugged in the Moon and was astonished by its transparency. I have a very diverse music taste and it played everything well without imposing itself on the music. The highs were just where I wanted them as well. But I missed the deep lows and the musicality of the Vincent instantly. Especially with acoustic and vocal heavy music. Now I'm in a tough spot. I have to pick between one and I just can't.
I tried another experiment. I plugged my phone into the Moon via usb, used it's pre-out to the Vincent. Idea being to take the Schiit gear out of the equation and instead use the Moon's much higher-end DAC. I reached sonic haven.
This brings me to my questions. Keep in mind I've never been a fan of very warm sound, it just puts me to sleep. But the slight warmth of the Vincent with it's tubes and the amazing dynamics from the solid state makes me think this hybrid is what I've always needed. Basically, I want to stay away from any more warmth than what I have now.
1) I want to keep the Vincent and feel my experiment of using it with a higher-end DAC is the solution. What do you guys recommend for a DAC? The Schiit doesn't cut it for me anymore. Maybe a Simaudio DAC with the same chip as in the Moon 240i? I can't break the bank on the DAC, wife is getting worried about my spending habits with a new baby on the way...
2) I'm thinking a Valvo 12ax7 in the front and https://www.partsconnexion.com/NOS-79469.html in the rears for tubes. Hoping for a slightly warm but highly dynamic sound with a wide soundstage and deep low dispersion.
Thanks in advance!
My first impressions were incredible low end. Never heard deeps like that before. But was a bit disappointed with the highs and found myself turning the treble up on the Vincent and found it lost its composure when I did that. The resolution and soundstage was something I'd never experienced before. But the highs left me disappointed.
I listen to Apple Music lossless directly from my phone to a Schiit Eitr with coaxial out to a Schiit Bifrost Uber connected to the Vincent with Audioquest Evergreen RCA cables. Speakers are Totem Rainmakers. Apparently the DAC in the Vincent only supports up to 48khz so I preferred to use the Schiit just to enjoy Apple's hi-res library. This might have been my issue with the highs...read below.
I went to pick up a decent usb cable from a local audio store. As luck would have it, they were selling a traded-in Simaudio Moon 240i...for a ridiculous price. I couldn't sleep that night thinking I spent more on the Vincent and always wanted a Simaudio amp as they come up so often highly rated on the forums. I went back the next day and got the Simaudio for a 14 day audition. Thanks to Advance Electronics in Winnipeg, great guys.
I got home, plugged in the Moon and was astonished by its transparency. I have a very diverse music taste and it played everything well without imposing itself on the music. The highs were just where I wanted them as well. But I missed the deep lows and the musicality of the Vincent instantly. Especially with acoustic and vocal heavy music. Now I'm in a tough spot. I have to pick between one and I just can't.
I tried another experiment. I plugged my phone into the Moon via usb, used it's pre-out to the Vincent. Idea being to take the Schiit gear out of the equation and instead use the Moon's much higher-end DAC. I reached sonic haven.
This brings me to my questions. Keep in mind I've never been a fan of very warm sound, it just puts me to sleep. But the slight warmth of the Vincent with it's tubes and the amazing dynamics from the solid state makes me think this hybrid is what I've always needed. Basically, I want to stay away from any more warmth than what I have now.
1) I want to keep the Vincent and feel my experiment of using it with a higher-end DAC is the solution. What do you guys recommend for a DAC? The Schiit doesn't cut it for me anymore. Maybe a Simaudio DAC with the same chip as in the Moon 240i? I can't break the bank on the DAC, wife is getting worried about my spending habits with a new baby on the way...
2) I'm thinking a Valvo 12ax7 in the front and https://www.partsconnexion.com/NOS-79469.html in the rears for tubes. Hoping for a slightly warm but highly dynamic sound with a wide soundstage and deep low dispersion.
Thanks in advance!