[Ern Dog]

I found great results using a pair of nos Sylvania 6SN7GTB yellow label tubes from 1960's.  Very neutral and wide soundstage.  I'm interested in rolling different tubes and I'm considering either the Sophia Electric 6SN7 or the Shuguag Treasure CV181.  Has anybody tried both of these tubes?  I've read good reviews about both and I probably can't go wrong either way.

[Ern Dog]

I decided to start with the Sophia's.  So these are my initial impressions. This tube takes 300 hr. to fully break in.

Right out of the box, I could tell these were something special. These are NOT euphonic tubes. They are totally neutral and linear. There is a slight increase in resolution from what I'm used to hearing. What strikes me most though is the wider soundstage and music sounds more 3D. There is also more separation between instruments. On the down side, there is a slight tilt towards the treble. This is subtle but noticeable. Reviews say this is normal and that it balances out as it breaks in. Bass is tight and extended.

It sounds better to me than my nos Sylvania!

[NutBuster]

Which Oppo are you rolling w/?

[Ern Dog]

I'm using an Oppo 83.


Sophia Electric 6SN7 Update:  Well, I'm now over the 300 hr. break in time for the Sophia's so thought I'd give an update.  That initial tilt toward the treble melted away.  They sound more natural now versus when they were brand new.  My bass is extended.  Didn't know my speakers (Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature) could go that low!  My nos Sylvania's sound muddy and dull in comparison, although I never would describe them that way previous to this experiment.  The Sophias are definitely keepers.  I'd still be interested in hearing how they compare to the CV181's.  I might have to do a shoot out between these two in the future.  For now, I'm a happy camper.

Anybody else finding some successes rolling tubes in the Oppo's?

[Artp]

I've been using Create Audio 6SN7's with a Mullard Fat Base in the PS 9.0. The Create tubes are IMO better than all the NOS 6SN7's Ive heard. Much more neutral with extended treble and tight bass. I borrowed a pair of the Black Treasures and while I liked them a lot I preferred the Creates. The BT's sounded a little soft. My tastes are toward the neutral, detailed and dynamic side rather than the classic lush and warm tube sound.

[rlmacklin]

Ern Dog,

See my post in the LS100 tube rolling thread
re Sophia Electric vs. CV181 ...

rlmacklin

[Ern Dog]

Got it.  Thanks for posting your impressions. 

It all depends on system synergy and personal preference.

Over the years I've noticed that my preference has changed.  I used to like a really warm sounding signature from my system.  At that point, I had an all tube system.  I slowly started wanting a more accurate and neutral presentation.  I swapped out my tube preamp for a "transparent" Placette preamp.  The music definitely sounds more realistic these days.  I also found out that Placette makes their own transparent interconnect cables.  I put a set in between my cdp and preamp and it revealed some coloration that my old cables (PNF Icons) were producing, that I never knew was there!  At $200/pair, they are worth checking out.

[rlmacklin]

Ern Dog and all,

I certainly didn't dislike the sonics of the 2 CV181-T tubes in the LS100 -
I just preferred the more neutral, linear, and resolving Sophia Electric 6SN7s in my system after hearing the Shuguang Black Treasures fully broken in/burned in and then the Sophias from installation to 60 hours or so.

As posted in the other thread, I will definitely repeat the CV181-T vs. Sophia Electric shoot-out with the ModWright tube-modded Oppo 95 after it arrives.
With Sophia Electric as my "keepers" in the LS100, it's possible the CV181-Ts could synergize better in the Oppo than more Sophias. 
But I will get more Sophias and run the tests!

I appreciate mraudio's response in the other thread.
He prefers the BTs as their sonics are more pleasing to him.

And I will look into the Placette interconnects you mentioned ...

Enjoy the music - whatever way YOU like it!

[Ern Dog]

 it's possible the CV181-Ts could synergize better in the Oppo than more Sophias. 

I had that same thought as well.  I appreciate you being willing to test them both and posting your thoughts.  It seems that we both have similar preferences in the sonic signature.  My Modwright Oppo 83 has a tilt toward warmth already and so the Sophias help balance out the presentation.

Man, I love this hobby 

[rlmacklin]

Next pair of Sophia Electric 6SN7s have arrived.

Dan is using my tube 2-channel modded, SS-multichannel modded, Bybee Music Rails on both DACs modded Oppo BDP-95 at RMAF, so it should be in by last week of the month to start the Oppo and the Sophias break-in/burn/in. 
Will compare with already broken-in Psvane CV181-Ts after that.

[NutBuster]

Dan is using my tube 2-channel modded, SS-multichannel modded, Bybee Music Rails on both DACs modded Oppo BDP-95 at RMAF, so it should be in by last week of the month to start the Oppo and the Sophias break-in/burn/in. 
Will

Hello Brother.
I own the other Denver Demo!
Same mod's (+ region free).

I went old school however w/the tube rolling.
2 GZ34's are waiting; while 1 more is on it's way from Holland as we speak.
Can't wait too plug in my pair of KEN-RAD Black Glass w/chrome band CKR-6SN7GT VT-231's.
And a bunch of other various pairs of 6SN7's.

Figured I could all ways go new school.
Just the old stock is getting tougher & more expensive too find by the day.

Looking forward too your next review!
Enjoy. 

[rlmacklin]

I went with the region free mod also,
just forgot to mention.
Additionally I had an Oyaide "power inlet R"
sent to Dan to install on my Oppo 95, which apparently was an easy swap.
(I sent a second one for the external power supply for the tube mod,
but that one couldn't be made to fit - something about hitting the heat sink).

[rlmacklin]

Just FYI for all,

(this information was gleanable if one read the "Official OPPO BDP-95 Owner's Thread" at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1311806&page=194 and earlier pages) (careful readers of the Oppo 95 owner's manual will find it on page 72.)

I sent following information to Dan of Modwright
concerning the capability to set up the tube modded
Oppo 95 so that the tube mod and the quadruple-stacked "stereo DAC" are also used for FL/FR signals of the multichannel !!!

**************************************************
Dan and Kristin,
 
I feel there is an opportunity to
enhance your webpage (and marketing at RMAF !!!)
for the Modwright tube mod to the Oppo 95
if you mention/highlight/make use of the following
setup option on the Oppo 95:
 
***************************************************
 
from Oppo BDP-95 English Manual v1.3:
 
 
4. Stereo Signal: To select the audio source that will be processed and sent out through the STEREO
AUDIO OUT and the XLR BALANCED STEREO AUDIO OUT terminals. The available options are:
• Down-mixed Stereo – The stereo or down-mixed stereo signals are processed and sent
out from the dedicated stereo output terminals.
• Front Left/Right – The original Front Left (FL) and Front Right (FR) signals are sent out
from the dedicated stereo output terminals. The purpose is to fully utilize the better DAC
hardware originally assigned to the dedicated stereo outputs for customers who prefer multi-channel speakers and do not need the dedicated stereo output or zone 2 output.
When this option is selected, the dedicated stereo output ports should be used as the Front
outputs of the 7.1ch / 5.1ch / Stereo Audio group. The original FL/FR RCA connectors
should not be connected.
 
                                                                   72
 
****************************************************************************
 
If this option is set in "Audio Processing,"
this means that the ModWright tube mod can/will be used
for the FL/FR signals of multi-channel material
(taking advantage of the quadruple-stacked "stereo DAC")
as well as for 2-channel material and
allows use of one less set of cables as well !
 
(This option was not available on the Oppo BDP-83SE and
was one reason why I ended up choosing the SS mods for that unit.)
 

[NutBuster]

rlmacklin,

Ha, ha!!
It NEVER stops... does it!

Do you have Oyaide terminated power cords?

The 95 is just so well thought out; tho I don't consider it a "GIANT KILLER" sonicly.
However, feature wise ya, BIG time.
A pre-amp?!?!
A quality headphone amp?!?!
Balanced?!?!
Video Streaming?!?!
Internet Radio?!?!
Audio Streaming?!?!
And, for "us" at least, region free.

People are spending so much more & getting so much less.
Of coarse, "we", have too spend a bunch more $$$ & MWI Mod it!!!

I just wish it had three, or more, digital inputs (& of coarse HD DVD/as I am still stuck w/my LG Uni).   

[rlmacklin]

nutbuster,

yes - several power cords terminated with Oyaide C-004/P-004
(2 TelWires, 1 Grover Huffman, 2-3 Black Sand Violet Z2s).
They are the palladium/platinum over beryllium copper terminations
which match the Oyaide R1 wall outlet (which you should try!).

The Modwright LS100 preamp is a fantastic headphone amp -
essentially equal to the $4000 Woo Audio 5 per
Srajan Ebaen LS100 review in 6Moons (linked at Modwright website) ...
and I suspect even better with my cryoed 1957 metal base Philips GZ34 rectifier tube and Sophia Electric 6SN7s.

All - enjoy the music whatever way YOU like it.

[NutBuster]

rlmacklin,

I used too work w/Srajan.
Unique individual!

I thought I was done w/power cords.
Are we ever "done"?!?!

I've got a custom wall outlet; its from the last century tho!
(as well as the "done-with-it pc's are/brought four more recently in the 95/Maggie upgrade frenzy tho)

Once you tube'd the 83, were you able too still go SS as well?
Since I've never heard a 95 B4, let alone in my system, it's kind of cool you can still go analog or digital SS out.
Mod'd, none-the-less valve vs. transistors evaluations are still possible.

Enjoy!

[rlmacklin]

nutbuster,

just FYI,
I have never yet had Dan's tube mods -
my MWI modded Oppo 83SE is SS on both 2-channel and multi-channel.

One reason I did not go with Dan's tube mods on my 83SE was
that that unit did not have the option to route the FL/FR
of multi-channel through its  better quadruple-stacked/paralleled "stereo" DAC.

I did communicate my interest in having such an option for audio processing to Oppo and as you can see from my post a bit earlier in this thread,
I am very happy that such a choice in audio processing was incorporated into the design/firmware of the Oppo 95 !!! 
However, I did not know this prior to ordering my MWI Oppo 95 with tube mods through Dan Wright .
That's why I was so excited to find out about it from reading the very long (to 208 pages now) "Official Oppo 95 Owner's Thread" on AVS Forum,
as noted in earlier post.

I had downloaded a copy of the BDP-95 Owner's Manual from Oppo and glanced through it, but not in depth enough to have noticed that audio processing option on page 72 of the manual...

[NutBuster]

Can't Wait!!!

The 95 really is a star. Mindbogglingly. A HiFi headphone amp?!?! Who knew!!!
Talk too ya after we get ours; enjoy.

[rlmacklin]

All,
My MWI tube modded Oppo 95 came in at UPS early yesterday morning
and I got an e-mail and a phone call mid-morning that it was available for pickup.
 
I did pick it up at lunchtime and unpacked the power supply for the tube mod and opened its case and I replaced stock rectifier tube
with 1957 metal base Philips Miniwatt GZ34
(with Herbies Ultrasonic RX tube damper) and
replaced the chassis cover and screws.
The blue MWI "Truth" umbilical was found in the Oppo 95 carton
in the recessed cavity at the top. 
So power supply was ready to go.
Couldn't completely unpack the MWI 95 (not enough time before going back to work).
So last night I made time to reconfigure the system and
get the power supply and the MWI 95 both in place. 
Installed new pair of Sophia Electric 6SN7s atop the unit
to start the burn-in/break-in for them.
I presume the MWI 95 circuits got plenty of
burn-in prior to and during the RMAF show andA/B demos. 

Got the system reconfigured a bit and reconnected all the IC
and power cables, then got to listen a bit before sleep time.

I started with part of a "reference" recording by the Steve Davis Project
called "The Quality of Silence" which is on a DSD stereo SACD.

As I e-mailed to Dan:
"The sonics of the MWI tube modded Oppo BDP-95 are absolutely stellar.
There is 'magic' in 'them thar tubes.'
I am hearing all sorts of nuances that did not come through before -
even with the MWI fully SS modded Oppo BDP-83SE with complete MWI analog audio stage."
 
Can't wait to listen to more music with it.
 
This is one to try if you haven't heard/seen it:
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds: Live at Radio City Music Hall [Blu-ray] (2007)
 
Use the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround Sound (96kHz/24bit) !
[with FL/FR going through the quadruply stacked/paralleled "stereo"
ES 9018 DAC ! ]

[rlmacklin]

Ern Dog and all,
just an update
The Sophia Electric 6SN7s I am using with the ModWright tube modded Oppo 95 have seen moderate use over the month or so I have had the unit.
However I changed out all the ICs in my 5.0 system a week or more ago from Grover Huffman Sx to Grover's latest Zx interconnects which use new "Genesis" RCA terminations (from Taiwan) with rhodium over pure copper and they are extremely clean/clear, but are still breaking in.  Once fully stabilized, these should allow hearing differences between the Sophia Electric 6SN7s and
Psvane CV-181Ts even better.
I am also auditioning/breaking in a new Grover power cord (currently on the Modwright LS 100 preamp).