LampizatOr Horizon - Tube Rolling Paradise

[rspyder]

Hi Steve. I know. Right!

I laughed when you wrote; "My tube rolling days are done". You likely mean your tube hunting days are done - until the next shiny glass object is dangled in front of us.

Good luck with that. Perhaps we need to start a new WBF thread "Valve Addicts Not-so-anonymous.

Ray

 

[steve williams]

I hear you but the enjoyment I am getting now with these tubes is beyond anything digital I have ever heard in my system. For my ears and my system I’m in hog’s heaven. These tubes were not only difficult to source but so also quite expensive I have 4 marched pairs of OS1 , two RGN with Klangfilm and adapters for each , two sets of SRS 551 with special adapters and two Valvo G2504 with special adapters. I’m truly a happy camper.

 

[Willgolf]

The TFKN RGN 2004 is simply exquisite . I have 2 that I will use with the OS1. I love it. But the SRS 551 and Valvo G2504 has all of the above but better dynamics. Both tube sets are permanent with me. My tube rolling days are done.

Steve...lol, I have heard that before.

 

[rspyder]

Well Steve, you have clearly "arrived" in a happy place on your holy grail journey. Congrats!

When you're buying NOS, it's always good to have a back-up set of the favoured tubes. The NOS and NIB supplies of the legendary tubes are dwindling fast. For many of them, they have gone the way of the Dodo (subject to our own coveted stores).

I will reiterate that the "core" of the Horizon makes digital a true pleasure, rivalling the best analogue offerings out there. Tube rolling on that solid foundation simply allows each of us to explore and realize our own individualized bespoke sound. I don't know any component, which provides that feature and attendant joy. Well done Lukasz!

 

[Sampajanna]

I am really enjoying the RGN/OS1 combo. So exquisite. I have the mesh and plate versions. They are an excellent team: the mesh has more midrange magic and the plate more clarity/treble sparkle. They are actually awesome for different types of music.

Unfortunately, guys, if you have the RGN tube as recti., you should not be quite done. You NEED one the new adapters by our brother @plasmod3 I just got mine and let me tell you, it makes a huge difference. It is next level, for sure. It is very, very noticeable. It also has a grounding cable. I haven’t yet grounded mine, but will soon and let you guys know. Very well worth it.

 

[ctydwn]

Rolling through all these tubes, besides break in time, what is most remarkable to me is the massive change in gain depending on the tube(s). For me, this is easily seductive as a better sounding tube (more substance, dynamics etc by virtue of simply being louder).

Been going through all the permutations carefully trying to judge by same db volume levels of course. And the playing field levels to some degree. Results are really interesting. That said, thoroughly enjoying OS1s, ECC32s (but still blown away by the visseauxs as well as still the TS JAN CTL 6SN7 GTs) and RGN2004 solid plate. Excited to revisit my prior top of the heap in comparison plus a number more in the mix that still that won't give up in the potential combination synergy.

As always, special thanks to @takacs75 and @plasmod3 for their enthusiastic and beyond gracious support.

 

[plasmod3]

With the srs551 - I am trying to figure out an adaptor for everyone - bear with me still waiting for the parts to arrive. on the upside there is an ebay seller selling chelmer srs551. not too expensive but it has 4 getters and looks of the same build as what some members are using specifically - not a bad purchase if you wish to stock up before the adaptors come.

I have also seen and found in my collection a srs 551 that has black plates and a single disk getter. it seems to be a much earlier varient. if you see those grab it....i suspect it might sound better roo

 

[steve williams]

As always, special thanks to @takacs75 and @plasmod3 for their enthusiastic and beyond gracious support.

And as always be sure you show up with your checkbook as some of these tubes are unobtainium and are priced accordingly. And then once you hear them and want a set you then also want a back up set and then you begin hearing "kaching, kaching"...and then after all of that you discover special adapters are needed but I am convinced that these esoteric tubes and old rects will produce sound better than anything you have heard with your Horizon.

 

[plasmod3]

Comparing the dark plate disk getter rs2003/srs551 with the chelmer one so everyone can have a look

 

[hifirabbit]

Comparing the dark plate disk getter rs2003/srs551 with the chelmer one so everyone can have a look

Brother Plasmod3’s rgn 2004 adapters are a must have add on if you own the rgn 2004 tube.
The adapter transformed my system with holographic sonic images and unlimited dynamics.
My highest recommendation!!!

 

[Sampajanna]

Yes, and be sure to talk to him about the extra goodies!

 

[steve williams]

Brother Plasmod3’s rgn 2004 adapters are a must have add on if you own the rgn 2004 tube.
The adapter transformed my system with holographic sonic images and unlimited dynamics.
My highest recommendation!!!

just to play the devil's advocate here and not to in any way denigrate plasmod3's adapter but honestly I hear the exact same sound with my RGN 2004 and my special made adapter. My point is I wonder if what you are hearing is the tube as that is the sound that the RGN 2004 presents in my system. Seems there are perhaps 2-3 different adapters for the RGN that people are using with the eBay Chinese adapter being the worst. I understand the complexity of the adapter design done by plasmod3 and have great respect for his work but I would love to a/b the other 2 adapters.
@plasmod3 ......if I have one gripe it is the size and look of your adapter, although in. the end it is the sound that counts....I just don't know if I could live with that adapter in my system

 

[hifirabbit]

just to play the devil's advocate here and not to in any way denigrate plasmod3's adapter but honestly I hear the exact same sound with my RGN 2004 and my special made adapter. My point is I wonder if what you are hearing is the tube as that is the sound that the RGN 2004 presents in my system. Seems there are perhaps 2-3 different adapters for the RGN that people are using with the eBay Chinese adapter being the worst. I understand the complexity of the adapter design done by plasmod3 and have great respect for his work but I would love to a/b the other 2 adapters.
@plasmod3 ......if I have one gripe it is the size and look of your adapter, although in. the end it is the sound that counts....I just don't know if I could live with that adapter in my system

Steve,
I need to hear Plasmod

just to play the devil's advocate here and not to in any way denigrate plasmod3's adapter but honestly I hear the exact same sound with my RGN 2004 and my special made adapter. My point is I wonder if what you are hearing is the tube as that is the sound that the RGN 2004 presents in my system. Seems there are perhaps 2-3 different adapters for the RGN that people are using with the eBay Chinese adapter being the worst. I understand the complexity of the adapter design done by plasmod3 and have great respect for his work but I would love to a/b the other 2 adapters.
@plasmod3 ......if I have one gripe it is the size and look of your adapter, although in. the end it is the sound that counts....I just don't know if I could live with that adapter in my system

Steve,
you really need to hear the rgn 2004 with Brother Plasmod Adapter.
You will be amazed

 

[Golum]

In my book look counts as well and obscure looking adapters just don’t fit the bill (no hard feelings)…

 

[steve williams]

Steve,
I need to hear Plasmod

Steve,
you really need to hear the rgn 2004 with Brother Plasmod Adapter.
You will be amazed

In my book look counts as well and obscure looking adapters just don’t fit the bill (no hard feelings)…

I agree that trying it might be enlightening but to me (sorry Ian) it looks like a big fire cracker on a launch pad. I just could not see that in my system. Looks count IMO. Im sure the sound is great

 

[hifirabbit]

I agree that trying it might be enlightening but to me (sorry Ian) it looks like a big fire cracker on a launch pad. I just could not see that in my system. Looks count IMO. Im sure the sound is great

Haha,
you will be mesmerized with the sound drawing you in.
you would not be looking at your equipment
It is the music after all and not the eye candy of your equipment afterall

 

[steve williams]

Haha,
you will be mesmerized with the sound drawing you in.
you would not be looking at your equipment
It is the music after all and not the eye candy of your equipment afterall

Totally agree but I will say again, what you are hearing is exactly what I am hearing. I always listen with the lights off so you do have a point however I just can't see it in my Horizon and I am still mesmerized by the sound and I am for sure drawn in. I think really we are now talking different flavors .

 

[hifirabbit]

Totally agree but I will say again, what you are hearing is exactly what I a hearing. I always listen with the lights off so you do have a point however I just can't see it in my Horizon and I am still mesmerized by the sound.

I have used the rgn 2004 with another other great adapter prior to using Plasmod version to be fair

 

[steve williams]

Fair enough but would you not agree that we are now talking different flavors. I am happy for you but I love my system now more than all of the years I have had digital as this is without question the very best

 

[Famester]

I agree with Steve.
But seeing that I don't have much choice and wanting the best SQ possible, I bit the bullet and will install Ian's adapter when it arrives.
Yes, although I am no engineer, I know that making an exterior cover out of a chrome cylinder or carbon fiber similar to the ends of the Shunyata Power Cables would appear much nicer than the stranded stainless steel currently used on the adapter.
If it sounds great, I will overlook the appearance, but looking at the pictures of my tubes aglow in the dark is one of the benefits of the Horizon.