Yeah Donald said I can use 5U4G and 5U4GB as well for the 5AR4 slot. Always check with Donald if you plan on rolling tubes!
yeah dw about finding tubes for this since they’re dirt cheap and plentiful (so far)
4 Likes
If I understand what you are getting at the Stratus will out slam the Starlett, how that fits in the pantheon of slam, I dont know.
Tube vendors: Ebay (only longtime sellers with good history), audiotubes.com (Brent Jessee), vivatubes.com are the places I have used. No issues. Preamp is supposedly the most likely to influence the sonic character of the amp. Ive rolled power tubes and had a fairly big effect. Havent rolled rectifier yet but they are supposed to create more subtle differences - perhaps most in speed and bass depending upon the efficiency of the rectifier to pump out DC, maybe. We’ll see. The stock tubes Donald supplies are good. Let them run for a bit before you roll just to see what their character really is.
The 5U4G is a rectifier. As @tommytakis said, check with Donald before you try something outside of the tubes that are typically specified for the amp. The most expensive tubes are the rectifiers if you go rare NOS - like Mullard 5ar4 or RCA military 5u4g. Certain Mullard 5ar4s are way over 500.
Keep in mind that Donald doesnt stream full power through the tubes so they will last a long while provided they are good to begin with.
6 Likes
Very nice! Thats really good information! I don’t know much about the tubes and which had the most effects and such so this was really helpful!
1 Like
Thanks for looking out. I already have a solid state amp as my primary, and am moving from a tube preamp to a full-on integrated tube amp. I have an Asgard 3 that I’m quite happy with for solid state duties (Schiit Class “A” Continuity goodness), which I prefer over the THX 789 (the latter is still effective at comparing and evaluating gear in the rest of the chain, but not my preference for enjoying the music).
I’ll have to look more into the Bryston if it comes time to getting another solid state amp.
I wouldn’t call myself a bass head, but I definitely value sub-bass extension and control. You’ll be slammin’ with the TH900!
Thanks for the impressions on the Pendant. I agree that Zach wouldn’t put his name on something that wasn’t up to par – his thumbprint on the Pendant possibly elevates it over the comparable ampandsound amps (or dials it in for ZMF/similar cans), or at least that’s what others’ reviews/impressions suggest.
1 Like
haha just to clarify, I would NOT want to listen a stock TH900… bass is overwhelming and feels disjointed from the rest of the frequency while the mids are drowned with sharp treble peak to stab your ears. The drivers inside though are resolving and quite dynamic so with proper modding, they can sound wonderful.
Asgard 3 is a decent amp for the price and I would take that over THX789 as well.
No problem! Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions.
5 Likes
Would you guys be able to share which DNA output/gain setting/output impedance you use for which cans, specifically if you’ve observed if any configuration provides the best results for bass control?
Starlett (Stratus output impedance are pretty similar):
• XLR output has 9 ohm output impedance
• 1/4" stereo TRS output on full gain, 0dB attenuation setting has selectable output impedance between 9 ohm (Low setting) and 120 ohm (IEC setting)
• 1/4" stereo TRS output on -6dB gain attenuation setting has selectable output impedance between 3 ohm (Low setting) and 115 ohm (IEC setting)
1 Like
I like using 120ohm IEC settings for my modded Sennheiser HD650.
I use the 9ohm output for low impedance headphones and iems
Apparently, HD800 sounds better off balanced for some reason according to Donald. Will report back once mine gets delivered some time this upcoming week.
3 Likes
Gotcha, thanks for clarifying. I don’t question your ears’ refined taste haha! The Asgard 3 is doing its job quite well at the present. I’m fairly early in my headphone audio journey, and I want to savor the process/increments so that if/when I reach audio nirvana, I can nod my head with gratitude recalling starting with the Koss KSC75 + Yaxi!
This community is awesome and I know who to reach out to 
3 Likes
Cool, I’ll report back my findings also.
2 Likes
IEC and 0db gain (vs -6) for the Auteur single ended. Have an xlr cable coming as extra with my VO just to see if it makes any difference.
Both ports are equally powered so who knows. I read that about the 800 sounding better balanced. Wonder about a cable issue if it was just a one can sample.
The volume pot is so smooth and precise you don’t need huge play to get the perfect volume set so higher gain is easy to handle. TDK volume pot - top level piece of kit.
1 Like
Sorry didn’t answer your question. I didn’t listen directly for that but I found the non IEC setting a bit thin with the Autuer. Will listen over the next while and see what the bass is like. TBH Ive given that setting very limited ear time so my impression may change.
1 Like
Thanks and no worries. I’ll make a note and will share my impressions. Nice that you’re receiving an XLR cable to see if it makes a difference.
The volume pot sounds stellar.
Most of what I’ve read indicate that a high damping factor (i.e., lower amp output impedance rating) tends to result in tighter and more detailed bass in the low end (not necessarily more bass) == favorable.
However:
I believe Zach uses the High Z output setting on the Pendant with his ZMF cans, where I believe the Pendant High Z output has a 300 ohm output impedance (relatively high). I’ve also seen Zach recommend the Beyer A20 solid state amp, which has a 100 ohm output impedance (again, relatively high). Perhaps Zach’s tuning of his cans matches up with higher output impedance amplification. Ultimately, trust your ears for your particular chain.
I’m tempted to say that the output plugs and settings with resulting output impedance and damping factor, affect tube rolling and certain tubes might align best with a particular configuration. This is my speculation only without yet listening to the Starlett.
3 Likes
The issue with Valve amps, at least traditional designed is that high/low impedance is more than just Damping factor.
The amps are designed for a specific load.
The load on the amp is reflected through the output transformer, and affects the load line and hence the linearity of the of the amplification. i.e. the amp produces different output into different loads.
Usually Hi/Lo output impedance is dealt with with different taps on the output transformer, and they are “optimized” for 2 specific loads.
4 Likes
Gentlemen, I thank you for the exchange of experiences around the Starlett, it is so damn good I decided that I will go with the Stratus.
Some of my friends may call me crazy for buying a $3k amp without hearing it at first, if only I could have them hear how sweet, smooth, and present the Starlett was during my demo. My reasoning on the Stratus, my current planar AFC did not have the same affect/difference that the Verite enjoyed when comparing it to my current stable of amps and the Starlett. After speaking with Donald, and my plan to pick up an open back planar early next year the Stratus is my best option.
While I wait, and though I am not a member of the Starlett club I would like to still participate in this dialogue within this thread. I believe the Starlett and Donald deserve a wider audience, and had it not been for @perogie and and chance I would never had the opportunity to hear this fine amp as I had been under the impression that DNA amps were out of reach.
If you have a dynamic headphone, the Starlett is an excellent compliment that deserves consideration. I am a rookie in this world, so take my thoughts as you will. I am the type that would rather buy the right gear the first time and hold on to it, not constantly change every year or so. That is what works for me, turn it on, put them over your ears, and press play. Right now the Verite and DNA amps fits perfectly.
7 Likes
No Starlett? You decided Stratus!?!? Begone with you!
Jokes jokes 
I’m happy you got to try it out and decide you wanted to go with the Stratus due to your headphones you are wanting in the future! I do think the Stratus is smart for one who wants both Dynamic and Planar. I’m sure you will love it and use it for a very very very long time.
Now just got to wait that long wait time for it!
5 Likes
Awesome, there is value in future proofing (which I might be tempted to do). Or as the kids say “set it and forget it.”
I also believe Donald deserves a wider audience (after I secure my spot on the wait list, that is!).
4 Likes
Congrats on the Stratus. If I had the desktop real estate I would have likely gone for it. Your purchasing logic is good: you heard what the DNA house sound is like, realized you wanted options the Starlett couldnt give you and made a reasoned choice.
This is also a demonstration of reason in my opinion, I try to be the same way.
Keep participating in the thread before and after you get the Stratus. Appears to be a relative influx of DNA amps coming in the next year and I agree that these amps arent mainstream enough. The flip side being that if they become more mainstream the wait times are going to go up. Wonder what the wait times will be when I order a Stellaris… 
.
5 Likes
Likewise:
:
1 Like
At least wait times have come down, I was seeing on SBAF the wait times earlier on when the Stellaris came out around 2015/16 wait times was a year +. Imagine waiting 14-16 months for it. Makes me appreciate the 5 month wait time alittle more
4 Likes
