I fear it’s more of a warren than a hole…which leads directly to 2 channel. Which I’m also trying to avoid!!
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Fwiw, I’ve been into vinyl consistently for over 20 years, and currently very happy with just my headphone hifi system.
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I’ve used the same speakers since 1974, and while I’ve thought about replacing them on occasion, I still haven’t done so. Used the same turntable 1972 to 2017 (about) when my wife upgraded me to a VPI Prime Scout. Not expecting to buy another turntable. My integrated amp of 20+ years is now at the office, and I’ve had the current one for maybe 8 or 9 years. So the pace of descent into the rabbit hole/warren need not be rapid.
OTOH, when I do replace the speakers it will be a significant dent in the wallet.
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You do know that headphone stereo listening is, in fact, 2 channel… 
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I hope to get a mid-tier planar sometime this year, and would do exactly that.
Need a source upgrade first, though.
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Nice, only the FINEST 12AU7 EVER made! It beats all 12xx7 series valves by miles. Pricey but worth every $. I quit rolling 12xx7s after acquiring it. I’m using one in my ZMF Pendant SE. What are you using it for?
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Which tube is it? Never seen this one before…
A+S Nautilus. Just replaced an Amperex ECC81 Bugle Boy.
Supposedly a new tube, so first hour of burn in so far pretty amazing.
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Packaging: state of the art!
Appearance: Extremely good!
Sound: With the Questyle M15 and wide bore tips from TCM, great!
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It’s the Telefunken G73R. Better even than the ECC802S. In high demand, but very rare. Usually between $400-$500 in the current market. After you’ve heard this valve, you’d never go back to any other 12AU7. Here is a write up:
"This is not a commercial valve but a product made to specification by Telefunken exclusively for two companies
Agilent Technology and Hewlett-Packard
it was used in avionics and in the electromedical sector.
It met a series of qualitative requirements as restrictive as never before had been required.
In addition to the absolute constancy of production, to the best materials available at the time and to the most qualified workers, the two companies required absolute not microphone sensitivity and RFI / EMI shielding characteristics.
In particular, they demanded impeccable constancy of operation with controlled emission over time and the least possible noise generated.
A special treatment of the glass was therefore developed by the German manufacturer consisting of a black compound containing damping and shielding materials, applied at the end of the production process which covers all the exposed part of the valve with the exception of the space inside the fixing terminals, therefore, the exclusive <> symbol that distinguishes all Telefunken production is visible
The production was carried out in batches of 12 identical pieces electrically together. We found two of these packs.
In fact, this exclusive production is superior as parameters to the ECC802S from which it derives.
It is practically impossible to find new specimens, those that have appeared on the market over the years bear the manually written initials and no longer have the original label applied on the glass. Normally they come from old dismantled aircraft so it is difficult to determine the real state of wear.
It is true that these are tubes that could work for 40,000 hours so even if you use the measurement parameters they will always be excellent"
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Wow, thank you for all the info, it’s very interesting. These sound like the Holy Grail of tubes!
Do you know when they were produced? Must be post-war, some time in the 50’s or early 60’s?
Those are beautiful Lothar! Glad you like them 
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Still need more time and tube burn in but I think it may be a keeper? Probably going to have to buy some Elrogs and a different set of driver tubes to get some detail and air back in the signature but this is pretty cool so far. Kinda neat to see how it works with the Utopia 22 and Susvara.
The build quality is outstanding. Thanks to @taronlissimore for the sale, answering my questions and super fast shipping! Always a pleasure to work with.
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Congrats, beautiful amp of course! That’s 1 on my bucket list 
Happy cake day!
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whoa didn’t see that coming! congrats on the purchase!
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Congrats @Rhodey …it’s a beauty!!
…and happy cake day to you !!
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A very happy cake day to you indeed!
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Very cool, congrats! How does the Utopia fare on the Envy compared to the Stratus, or is it too early to say?
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Well, haha with the dna having upgraded tubes and the envy having stock tubes that aren’t quite burned in, I’d probably say the DNA for my taste so far. The DNA with the tubes I have in it isn’t too warm, just adds a touch and has good micro details and pretty holographic with the EML Mesh rectifier I’m using. It allows little details to pop through and seems more vivid. It’s not that the envy is bad in any way, it’s just different and different than Im use to. This is my first 300b amp.
I do like the power and weight the envy has. The bass impact and quantity is really good as well. I think with some upgraded tubes it’ll really take off in the direction I’m looking for. As of now, the stock tubes are a bit thick and adds some bloat. I think a set of Elrogs and a driver tube swap will tailor it to my liking, while keeping that weight and impact to the signature.
My hope is this will work well with the Susvara and Utopia. Might be able to keep just this one amp. Well see.
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