784-139 Choices

[hdahs]

Just curious if anyone has had or heard both the Metro spec and Marstran spec versions of the 784-139, built by Heyboer. Any thoughts and opinions would be welcome. Maybe this is splitting hairs?

Thanks

[neikeel]

I had two identical spec 50watters, one with Marstrans and the other with Metros. The only difference was the transformers and valves (both Mullards throughout) the Metro had dual halo xf2s and the Marstran single halo xf3s. The Marstran amp definitely has the edge although to confirm it I would need to AB with a valve swap to confirm but too much else to do at the moment.

[demonufo]

Just to add to that, XF2's are noticeably better than XF3's IMO, although I only have single getter XF2's myself. So given that you prefer the Marstran equipped amp with what I consider to be inferior tubes(marginally though)...