Hi Arnie,

Let me know if you ever do...but bear in mind it is one finicky piece of equipment...great tonality in general...but super sensitive to vibration. It has taken me a long time to get it to work where I feel the signal is 'totally solid' without leakage from vibration, weaker tubes, power cables, etc. Once done, the purity of the Zanden tone comes thru...it probably has not been the last word in detail for some time now. Yours, Vivaldi, Scarlatti, Stahl-Tek...have likely all surpassed it. But its purity of tone without artificial artefact is still my favourite part of the Zanden sound.

But there is always another mountain to climb...Mt. Arrakis!

lloydelee21 December 23, 2013 03:20

Hi Ish,

You are most welcome and thanks very much for the invite to your place. I have never heard the Apogee speakers that you have so I would definitely like to hear your system. I'll let you know next time I am headed your way and perhaps we can arrange a visit.

babybear December 22, 2013 14:20

Hi Lloyd,

No doubt that your Zanden digital front end sounds magnificent. I have never had the opportunity to hear that setup but one of these days I would like to do so.

babybear December 22, 2013 14:17

Arnie: I will visit you soon. Thanks for the invitation.

You too are cordially invited to my place.

gallant_diva December 21, 2013 22:17

Hi Arnie,

Hah! I promised myself I would NEVER go there...and dedicate all my resources to the best digital front end i could find. With my Zanden front-end fully isolated, tweaked out with NOS tubes, powercords, etc)...i think that is me done on investing in sources! Plus, all my music is on silver disc...approaching 2000 and counting.

I actually crave for your speakers, truth be told. Now that i have heard them with music i know...i understand better just how remarkable they are. they make reproduction seem so easy, at such dynamic levels, you wonder 'how come other speakers cannot do this?'...

lloydelee21 December 21, 2013 10:28

Hi Lloyd,

That is great news. Brent Jessie is very good tube resource. I have purchased multiple NOS tubes from him and his descriptions of how they will sound has always been spot on.

Now we just need to get you into vinyl playback!!

babybear December 20, 2013 19:01

Mullards came in from Brent Jessee! Stunning. He also had 3 Copper Stoppers...very thick copper tubes which have Teflon insides. They slip over the tube to damp them and help cool them.

I used to have 2 Mullard 1950s and 1 RCA/Sylvania. Now with all 3 Mullards 1950 Square Getters...it is stunningly good. Bass tight and powerful, propsulive. And dynamic attack in mids is there...which you miss somehow if the tube just isn't delivering that last ounce.

don't understand the science, but am thoroughly enjoying the results!

lloydelee21 December 20, 2013 15:08

Very interesting Arnie. Thanks for the info.

knghifi December 19, 2013 20:12

Hi Knghifi,

I haven't heard the L5000 DHT preamp, but I think that KS Park from Allnic is planning to make some changes to it to apply some of the experience that he has learned from the H5000 DHT phono stage. I think that Albert knows more about this.

Arnie

babybear December 19, 2013 17:58

HI Christian,

I forgot to ask, but have you had a chance to try the Bendix 6106 rectifier tubes in the H5000 and if so, what's your opinion of them as far as sonics go?

babybear December 19, 2013 13:41

Hi GD,

I am still using the 2 REL Studio III subs with the Rockport Arrakis speakers. Not so much for bass output as the Arrakis have plenty of that, but more so for the other advantages that the Rel Subs bring to the table.

My previous system that you heard when you visited previously was very good indeed. But, I would have to say that this system is definitely a significant step up in sonics compared to what you heard previously. You are more than welcome to visit and do some listening with me and hear for yourself. Let me know.

Arnie

babybear December 19, 2013 01:14

Hi Christian,

Its hard for me to imagine better dynamics and a more enveloping soundstage than I am getting now with the H5000 and Lyra Atlas cartridge. I am now using the Granite Audio Phono stage break in CD to accelerate the break in of the H5000 so that I can get hear it more fully broken in and then perhaps have Albert send me the HA3000 to evaluate it in conjunction with the H5000. Either way, we are enjoying some amazing vinyl playback!

babybear December 19, 2013 01:09

Hi Arnie:

Are you still using the REL subs?

I wonder how this system compares to the one I listened to 2-3 years back.

GD

gallant_diva December 18, 2013 22:02

Just curious if any of you Allnic owners have experience with Allnic L5000 DHT preamp?

knghifi December 18, 2013 21:16

I was listening to my mono record setup via the transformer last night. Jazz horns leading edge transients just sound so good and un edgy. The noise floor is considerably lower using transformer input vs the HA 3000 into the MM. The noise doesn't really exceed the noise from the record surface itself, which is a good thing. Passive devices, like transformers will always be quieter than active gain..but in the end, it's really an non issue considering the gain in dynamic speed, tighter bass and soundstaging via the HA3000. The H5000 continues to amaze.

rockitman December 18, 2013 20:09

Hi Christian,

I may have to audition the HA3000 in my system once my H5000 is fully broken in. The H5000 is just so good even with only 11 hours of play time on it. I am looking forward to hearing what it sounds like once I get to around 75-80 hours.

babybear December 18, 2013 13:41

Hi Christian,

Thanks so much for your feedback about the Allnic HA 3000 used in front of the H5000 DHT. I am happy that it is sounding so good in your system.

I visited Albert this weekend and he had recently inserted a HA 3000 into his system as well to see what it does. Albert was using a lower line Purist Audio IC and power cord with the HA 3000 than his normal wonderful Purist 25th Anniversay cables. We could clearly hear a difference in the sonics with and without the HA3000 using the Lyra Atlas cartridge, but I need to do a lengthier listening session in my own system once my H5000 DHT is fully broken in to see if I prefer the sound with the HA 3000 or just direct into the H5000 DHT. Either way, the sound is wonderful.

Thanks,
Arnie

Hi Arnie,

I look at the HA3000 as a supplement to the transformer inputs, not a replacement. The unit keeps getting better. The transformer input allows the music to flow with a natural sense of ease (very real/live sounding). The HA3000 gives a more incisive, faster dynamic presentation. The soundstage definitely grows in width and depth by a significant margin, almost to the point you are enveloped by a blanket of music. I think once you get the H5000 broken in, it's worth the effort to try it in your system.

rockitman December 16, 2013 17:24

Hi Lloyd,

Have fun with your new tubes as they should make for some great holiday listening. My Bendix 6106 red bank rectifier tubes have shipped and will be here this week, so I will probably give them a try over the holidays as well and see what they do to the sound of my vinyl playback.

babybear December 16, 2013 16:07

Hi Christian,

Thanks so much for your feedback about the Allnic HA 3000 used in front of the H5000 DHT. I am happy that it is sounding so good in your system.

I visited Albert this weekend and he had recently inserted a HA 3000 into his system as well to see what it does. Albert was using a lower line Purist Audio IC and power cord with the HA 3000 than his normal wonderful Purist 25th Anniversay cables. We could clearly hear a difference in the sonics with and without the HA3000 using the Lyra Atlas cartridge, but I need to do a lengthier listening session in my own system once my H5000 DHT is fully broken in to see if I prefer the sound with the HA 3000 or just direct into the H5000 DHT. Either way, the sound is wonderful.

Thanks,
Arnie

babybear December 16, 2013 14:41

Thanks, Arnie. They should arrive this coming week via FedEx Economy just in time for a nice week before Christmas! Hope the EAT tube dampers arrive as well, so can retube and put on the dampers all at once!

lloydelee21 December 15, 2013 13:20

Arnie and Albert,

I would be doing you a disservice if I did not recommend the HA-3000 in front of the H5000. I will give a more detailed write up once it breaks in more on my system thread. In short, the head amp tightens and focuses the bass frequencies more. Surprisingly, the sound stage width and depth significantly increased vs the transformer input. Micro detail is even more prevalent. Transformers being a passive device, there is a bit of signal loss. I feel some micro detail is lost there but is picked up running the head amp. The music seems to have more jump and the tonal balance is a bit more neutral than running via transformers.

It is very sensitive to placement and cable selection. Much to my chagrin, my $10,000/pair Nordost Odin 2 meter interconnect hums with the HA3000. When I use the same cable out of my tape pre, no hum. So I am perplexed. I think that maybe a 2 meter cable is too long from the HA3000 to the H5000. My rca cabling is limted and the Nordost 1.5 meter rca cable is working without any hum. Weird huh ?

rockitman December 15, 2013 06:17

Hi Albert,

I am glad that you changed out those beyond their prime 6550's. I am looking forward to hearing how your system sounds now with new Gold Lion KT88 tubes. Also interested in hearing what the sonic differences are using the Allnic HA3000 with the H5000 DHT.

Arnie

babybear December 15, 2013 00:28

Hi Lloyd,

Yep, rectifier tubes play an important part of the sonics - yet no signal passes through them but when they age beyond a certain point, the music just becomes dull and lifeless - it just suddenly hits you one day that something isn't right.

You should be good as new when your new Mullards arrive. Have fun.

Arnie

babybear December 15, 2013 00:24

Hi Albert,

I've purchased a NOS pair of the Bendix 6106 Red Bank rectifier tubes to try in the H5000. I should have them here sometime next week and I will give them a try. Although I hate to change anything because the analog front end is sounding so good right and I still only have 9 hours of playing time on the H5000.

That and swapping out all the 6550 tubes on my VTLs on Friday are keeping me from any more tests at this moment.

My 6101 Bendix rectifiers will have to wait, I just finally got around to a second round with the two sets of 300B. I think we both agree the Russian (low impedance) solution was best.

The Allnic DHT5000 is so much better than anything I've ever heard, that alone is a big adjustment. I have a few more hours than you but based on previous experience there is more to come.

After we spoke about the 6550s (well past their prime) I put in the KT88s. It will be interesting to discuss the differences when we listen together again.

albertporter December 14, 2013 22:48

Look forward to your comments, Babybear.

Just ordered a set of Mullard 1950s Square Getter Rectifiers myself for my Zanden DAC. I am using a set now from brent jessee which I love. They simply have gotten a touch old...slightly weaker bass, less slam, dynamics across the board. I also decided while I was getting ready to change them out...I would order 2 EAT tube dampers for them as well...very excited hopefully have them all next week for re-tube.

lloydelee21 December 14, 2013 19:00