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drdna wrote:

Experimenting with the new 2A3 tubes has been a very interesting experience. It has given me insight into more specifically exactly what I am looking for in the stereo sounds, which I associate with the Sound. The most we can ask for is to accurately reproduce exactly the original two stereo signals. It never happens. We can improve the result by reducing distortions, improving accuracy of system to reproduce the original acoustic waveform (attack, decay, etc), and improving frequency response.

I am not sure if you stress the words “sound” or the word “stereo”. I do not have anything to do with mono but properly implemented stereo is absolutely wonderful and I love Take a little portable mono microphone, attach it to you head, feed it to a pair headphones and walk in city. Then do the same with a pair of microphones each feeding own headphone. I would say that with recording of music the difference would be even more prolific. We had this conversion before and I remember that you expressed some luck of appreciation of stereo. I disagree and I like the new opportunities that stereo allow very much.

drdna wrote:

Anyway, I find that with my system, even very small changes -- as little as changing a vacuum tube, and the magic is lost. Is it crazy to say this? Of course, the stereo for the most part is still making a very accurate reproduction. It is a tiny element that is lost. But it is like the difference between a beautiful woman who looks past you or looks at you and smiles. Only a small change, but it seems to make a big difference.

Again do you mean that the “magic of sound is lost” or the “magic of good stereo is lost”? Is it the problem that you report with stereo or with sound generally? Also, I am sorry but changing a vacuum tube is not “even very small change”, particularly in your case when you use DHT.

drdna wrote:

Now, what I have noticed is this. I would describe it as a gentle, natural softness without dullness or sluggishness. It is a sweetness without lushness or liquidity. It is an accuracy without hardness or restriction. When the conditions are met, the sounds snap to focus and the Sound is revealed. It is the joy of the experience and there is no ability nor need to think about soundstage or any audiophile concerns. These are fulfilled, but the focus shifts to the Sound. Does anyone also experience this? If so, when have you found this in your system?

Listening what you are saying I wonder of is it possible that you in fact are taking about a very fine balance of HF in your playback? Just for a sake of experiment: when you feel that the “conditions are not met” anymore and you begin to have problems then can you put one or two sheets of very thin (the chipset one) toilet paper around your tweeters? It would be interesting what you feel it will do with what you describe.

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