Excellent Shek. The tube to beat is a Mullard CV4003. 
Ha, Levi, I had some idle time just now because of plan changes for the day. I sneaked in a round with Bill's Valvo
ECC82 E80CC. After 15 warm-up, I popped in my favorite recording, again, Maria Pires's Chopin 2nd Piano Concerto, 2nd movement, Larghetto (throwing fancy words now!). Main reason: I am most familiar and enamored with the piano sound.
My immediate perception - darned same sound like the NOS 1543 DAC I had, Shek.... How's that? The mids are as usual, sweet, with a shine. Better yet, the mids and lows are "MORE" supple than the CV4003 Mullard. But.... because of the heavier mids and lows, the Valvo's sound seemed a tad cloudy, less sharp/clear, if you will. AND, because of that, the sense of proportionality between the lower spectrum and the treble seemed to indicate that it's less extended at the top. But.... I think it's mainly because the sound with the Valvo, as a result, seemed "softer".
Is it my NEW top dog (vs. the Mullard CV4003, that is!)? Hmmmmm, tough call. I sorely missed the NOS Shek DAC's sweetness, so this Valvo really perked up my ears. I'm hard-pressed. Now, all I know is pray that the CV4003 will darken a little more, give me more shine in the sound...... If you press me hard to "choose", I'd run with the Valvo. May be, I'll apply more Kontak to clean the pins more, and the sound will come cleaner and a little clearer, less soft......??????
, which would be perrrrrrrrfect for me.
The 3-dimensionality with the Valvo is even more amazing. Should I use "even" even? I did not A-B with the CV4003, but I seem to note that with the Valvo the stage is wider and deeper. But.... the wide-deep sense of the EE DAC seems universal with the various tubes I put in. So, its virtue may be attributed to the Sabre chip really. No matter what, I just love it. If my recollection (with the CV4003) is correct (don't trust one's memory too much though!
), with the wider/better soundstage under the Valvo because the warmth of the sound, the CV4003 definitely seems cleaner and leaner. Meaner too?
This is Chapter 1, out of a possible 5, since I now have 5 premium tubes to roll. I might add, it's a pain to yank the tubes out from behind the EE DAC.n I had to "rock" the tube very, very slowly and carefully, fearing I'd break something, as they are tightly tripped. This Valvo is taller, so I suppose my fingers will not hurt as much pulling it out (those shortie ones will pose a more serious problem). But.... with the intoxicating sweetness and warmth, the pain/ache on the fingers is short-lived.
