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I thought about it before I even ordered it. Now that I've "vocalized" it I'm doomed. Ha!

I bet AL could build the umbilical with fancy cable if you wanted.

I finally just committed to my order and sent payment to Al for an STR-1002-SUPER. For options, I'm getting the 805A to 800B converters and silver 4-to-8-pin converters, as well as OFC top caps. I was going to get it in a "deep," single-file configuration in a black MDF enclosure, but Al recommended the same in the black solid oak enclosure -- he says it improves sonic performance and durability, so I'm going with  his expertise on that.

The result should look something like this, but in a black wooden box:



I believe a pair of mercury vapor tubes should be delivered today from Tube World Express. Shortly after I placed the order, Brendan from TWE sent me an email to ask if they were intended for a STR; apparently it's a fairly common order for that application. These are the tubes:

"VT-46A=866A RCA NOS 1942-1944 original boxes (62-62/40 x 2 tubes) - 866A RCA NOS original boxes"

Super Exciting BL!

Going with the wooden chassis is a good call in my book. I like the look of mine. with the dark finish.

Did he say how deep it is with the narrower design?

Just had a random thought this morning: It's so nice to add a component that doesn't require another set of interconnects. Just something that popped into my head.

CAJames: It does!! Luckily, the only component I have that issue with at present is my Transcriptor Skeleton table, which is my "backup" table that is really mostly just for show. It's a very pretty machine! However, I did have my local shop hardwire an AudioQuest Wildcat phono cable to the original Vestigal arm, so being able to swap cables on that table at this point isn't really worth pursuing.

Bob, looking good! Yes, Al is very responsive and quick to communicate.

BloodLemons, Have you gotten any updates?

I still haven’t gotten over to my brothers place to try it on the UFO25TH. I have tried it on my amp…

3B22 xenon rectifiers. I don’t know exactly why two are needed. I do know they will supply 1 amp of current… each. So all power requirements are met.

Unfortunately one of the adapters broke in shipping. Also the SR-200 was damaged too. Canada Post or USPS is not treating these packages nicely at all. When a box is being crushed by machinery doesn’t matter how well it’s packed I guess. I don’t know how they could be packed better besides being in a hard case.

I epoxied it back together and tomorrow I’ll try running two 5U4Gs.

With the 3B22s I got to try the STR on my amp. Two 845s only supply a max of 220ma of current the amp needs 320ma.

Wow on the amp it’s fantastic. The silence and space between the notes is expanded. Resolution has gone up yet again. And the noise floor… already was lowest I’ve ever experienced became even lower! Music just flows like nothing else.

STR and DAC better tone, attack, density, space all improved. Also the density is completely different than what I’ve experienced before.

STR and amp. Still has the traits of it on the DAC. As I mentioned above, the space and silence between the notes is incredible. I need more time to get more into the details. First impressions are very positive.

I tried the 2x 3B22s and the Sophia Aqua II 274B. I’ve been running a pair of SE Aqua II 274Bs in the amp for a long time. It’s a big step up running the SE Aqua II + PSVane 805A through the STR. Tomorrow I’ll try running 2x SE Aqua IIs. I want to give the epoxy 20+ hours to harden before using the adapter.

The one bummer is that when running the 3B22s or 1x rectifier the power supply of the component it’s plugged into buzzes/chatters a little bit. Al said to try running 2x rectifiers and see if that fixes it. Tomorrow I’ll give it a try.

The chattering sound is the same as the sound some components make when they are plugged into the Plasmatron 3.

The noise doesn’t go through the speakers and it’s not noticeable at the listening position. Tomorrow I’ll try 2x rectifiers and see how it goes and report back.

Back to the amp and STR. It’s hard to tell if the difference is more profound on the DAC or amp. The amp can only work with what it’s given. Good thing I have a vinyl setup to try. Since I put the STR on the DAC I’ve only played one or two records. TRP + STR was beating vinyl in some areas and I didn’t feel I was missing anything so I stayed with digital. Amp + STR

I have a pair of the Chinese 300B that Decware sells arriving today. I have adapters for the STR so I can run them for the DAC.

I have a few pairs of tubes now.

PSVane Hifi 805A (stock)
PSVane Cossor 845
Linlai 805-TA
Linlai 845-TA
Linlai 845_DG

I received the Cossor 845s yesterday. Less than 10 hours on them and they sound nice cold out of the box.

They all sound different. Online reports say 100-150 hours to fully burnin for the 4-pin jumbo tubes. I haven’t hit 150 hours on any of them yet. The Linlai 845-TA have almost 100 hours, they have been my favorites.

I’m curious to try a pair of 211 tubes, maybe I’ll let someone else try them. Ha!

I’ll report back when I have more to share.

Popped the Chinese 300Bs from Decware in. 300Bs can provide a max of 100ma each. Running at the max shortens the life. The TRP draws 40ma so 200ma should be enough head room  :p

I've only listened a little since putting them in. Sound different than the 845s and 805s for sure. I want to give them more time before relaying what I'm hearing.

One thing that is consistent with all the tubes. The flow sounds and feels right. Grain and noise floor are lowered. More resolution with no hints of artifacts.

I'm going to be trying the SE Aqua IIs on the amp too so will be awhile before I burn in the 300Bs.

I did buy this nice little piece of retro-tech to help me keep track of the mercury vapor warm-up time:


photo upload free

BloodLemons, I’m not sure why it needs two 3B22s in the adapter. It might be something to do with the STR-1002 has 5 and 10 volt heater settings and the 3B22 is a 2.5 volt heater?

Love the time keeper!

I like the combo of 2x 3B22s and one SE Aqua II more than 2x Aqua IIs on the amp.

Going between the STR on the amp and the DAC has me wondering examining which is more important, source or amp? I’ve never been at this consideration before. From afar I’ve observed and never dove in. Now, as I swap the STR between the DAC and amp I’m on unknown ground. When the STR is on the amp it really feels like it’s being held back by the source (DAC). There is a lot of things I really like when the STR is on the amp.

Putting the STR back on the DAC and there is finer rendered information that the amp has to work with. If the amp never gets all the data then it is playing at a disadvantage.

Right now I’m leaning towards the DAC (source) having a larger impact in this application. Doesn’t mean this is universal. I’m guessing once I get a STR on the amp it’s going to be an incredible jump.

Playing records really showcases what the STR does for the amp. And I really like what it does.

For my tastes the 845s are my tube of choice. I only put a few hours in listening to the 300Bs powering the TRP. The 845s offer more of everything.  I’m really hoping that 4x 845s powers the amp optimally.

I have a few items I’m selling, once one of them sells I’m going to place an order for a custom STR for the amp.

James, I get it, if I was a 300B fan I would want to know what fully broken in 300Bs sounded like.

Everything sounded smaller with the 300Bs. It did have a nice sense of space and expansiveness to the sound stage.

At the end of the day the 845 beat them in all aspects though.

James, I read it how you intended. The 300Bs aren't bad, just not as enjoyable as the 845s.

I've looked at the Elrog tubes. They are so much money and I'm not sure if I will like them more than what I'm using now. I actually prefer the less expensive Linlai 845-TA to the Linlai 845-DG. The DG has more crispness, the TA has a more meaty sound. There are also the KR Audio 845s also a lot of money! Not many people talking about the big transmitting tubes so more of a roll of the dice than more discussed tubes.

With theoretical usable life up to 100,000 hours the lifetime cost isn't too bad though.

The Linlai 845-TAs were around $250 a pair so not crazy spendy.

I still haven't tried 211s.

So far my favorite tubes for the DAC are the Linlai 845-TA and PSVane Cossor 845s.

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This is what I was afraid of . Different rectifiers have made a profound difference to the sound of my system, I'm not surprised at all that different tube combos would have a big impact using a STR.

Very cool! Is it coming with 805 tubes? And do you have other tubes in mind to try?

Looks sweet Bob!

GS,
Interesting.  I opted for the wide design thinking about yours.  I would be interested in your idea about the bright tubes.  Al recommended covering them with metal tubes.  
I will wait for the PSVANE 805A pending how I like or dislike the bright 805s.
Bob.  
PS, Inspired by your Lampi, I want ahead and took the plunge on Al’s DAC (DA-DSD 512-2 Super) and see how it will compare to the Holo May KTE. It is arrives this Wednesday.

Nigel as well as the seasoned DECWAREians here have provided so much advise and inspiration to me and have made my listening experience improve so immensely the past couple of years. STR, SFDBs, Cryotone, Holo May and of course DECWARE!
Bob

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Oh Wow! lots of fun heading your way! What is the ETA?

BL, Looking good!

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I ordered a 3.5" x 6" charge pipe that I'm going to put around the tubes. If it works well I'm going to paint or powder coat them. I'm thinking I'm going to put some sort of spacer under them so there is some air flow. Not sure what I'm going to use for that yet.

So glad I came across this thread….I have a  str-104 mk2 in route and I wanted to ask the experts for some advice. I chose the 104, after many emails to Al, because I want to use it on either my Torii jr v2 , Supratek pre or a 300b amp on order.  It was the most flexible and accommodates all components at an affordable cost as well.
Questions:  
- any 5v tube combinations that you really liked to recommend?  Cannot be 2 DHT need at least 1 Rectifier type.  (2-3b22/274b, 2 5u4g, 3b22/866a…)
- anyone know the power mA required on the ToriiJrv2?
- how do you like the choke?  I passed on the choke option since I listen mainly to blues, light rock, folk, pop…Al’s advice.
-do power cords make any difference since it only draws for the heater?
Open to any other tidbits of advice.  Look forward to my new fun toy

Hearafter, I'm not an expert at all, I'm still in the excited learning phase.

Did this thread inspire you to get a STR or did you find it after ordering?

Did you get the adapters from Al so you can use octal rectifiers?

The 3B22s I got from Al sound good.

If I was re-ordering I don't think I would have gotten the choke option. I do run with the choke every once and awhile for a different flavor. The choke offers a more laid back and dreamy presentation.

Another thing to consider is DHT have much more resistance than rectifiers. This means there is a bit of voltage drop when using DHTs. When I tested 2x 845s on my amp which needs 300-320ma. It wouldn't bias the tubes as high. Running the 3B22s and 845 the bias was fine.

I haven't tried swapping PCs on the STR. I'm also using a high end PC on it, only because I had one available. I would bet it does make a difference... I'm also guessing it would be the absolutely last thing I would put money into if I didn't have an extra PC laying around. In the wild world of hifi the PC on the STR could make a significant difference... then the fuse too! Actually the fuse might make a bigger difference?

Why can it not be two DHTs?

If you get the adapters from Al, running octal 5v rectifier(s) through the STR offers an improvement too. You can mix and match to really fine tune the sound. Example 5AR4 and 5U4G.

5Z3 can be electrically identical to 5U4(G?) I don't remember which. 5U4 and 5U4G are slightly different. 5Z3 have(usually) the UX4 socket so no adapter is needed. Can find NOS 5Z3 for great prices.

I did find putting the Wave Kinetics A10U8Rs (footers) under the STR made a change for the better.

What tubes are shipping with it?

Nigel, the STL DA-512DSD-2 arrived last wednesday.  Hooked up and powered up this weekend and my first impressions are very positive.  I have it hooked to an SFDB (will hollow silver) (same 6 outlet box that I am using with my Cary 300B monoblocks).The sound stage seems bigger (wider, deeper and taller).  I am hearing music that I never heard before and the clarity and separation of instruments is darn good!  The bass is tight and fast.  I feel the music more and I am wanting to listen more....It is a keeper!  I have ordered KT170s to roll and see how they sound.  Al, as always, has been great to communicate with and immediately responsive like he never sleeps.
Bob

CA James, I am a/b ing from memory.  I have only one ZBit so the connections are not the same (one with balanced and one with unbalanced).  USB cables are about the same quality.  Right now, I favor the STL DAC but I want to make sure there is no "bias" here.  Still burning in the STL DAC and tubes so it may get better, I presume. The ability to roll tubes also influenced my decision to buy.  Not too many reviews out there.  There is one you tube comparison b/w DACs but you know how these can go.  As the STL DAC seasons, I can hopefully do a better comparison.  
Bob

I saw the same ad.  Al said it did not have a built in STR so somewhat a mislabel or misadvertisement.  Al did have one in stock (only upgrade was with side oak and so I purchased that one.  He can make one with a built STR and will be with bigger dimensions.
Bob

Hey Bob,

Thanks for the info. I’m looking forward to your continued impressions as the dac breaks in.

Randy

I decided to set up the STR-1002 to make sure that is it working.  I have it hooked up to the CSP-3 with two outputs (one to the UFO25th and the other to my Cary 300B signature monoblocks).  I am currently listening to the UFO25 and has been on for 4 hours now.  Wow!  I am not going to repeat GS's initial impressions but bottom line, it brings the UFO25th to a new level!  Volume seems to have gone up and the sharpness (clarity) have noted on the UFO25 is no longer there.  The STR gives it a fuller and richer sound and very much like how the 300b monoblocks sound.  The Altec 804-8K brightness is gone and now I am enjoying them thoroughly.  
Bob