I just love this DAC - just seems to get better and more at home the longer I live with it.
Tony; you got me tube rolling again (dammit !
). Went back and tried a GE GZ32 and yeah, it's nice - maybe even better than the Bendix in the mids. Not quite up to the Mullard CV378 (which is SO good in this DAC) in extension and 'space' but real good - and I feel much better burning the life off that GE than the Mullard.
Finally got a chance to do a little comparative listening to the best digital I have (via this DAC) and the best vinyl, and I'm still at the point where a great pressing of a good recording on my turntable beats the digital in areas of presence, space and 'whole-ocity'. In 1 case in particular, re-mixes and digital re-releases certainly do things like punching up bass and putting the mid range more in your face making it all sound
louder (MQA being the worst offender at this to my ear), but that great old vinyl just has the music in the room in that big magic bubble that lets me listen - not anal-ize the sound.
I'm not going back in and messing with the Reflektor 6N23P-EV in the line stage as I already know they made the best compromises to my ears with regards to detail, presence and bass, but if you get somewhere with those 6H30s - specifically in the areas of extension and air without messing with the lush mids of the 6N23P - I may have to borrow a pair!