New phono stage arrived

The manual states that it comes in stock with 6N1P-EV tubes, so I don't believe this was an oversight. The only reason I can think of is that a.) 6N1P is more durable, as the "EV" is supposed to be military spec or something along those lines. Ironically the "long-lasting tube" failed right away. And b.) It's cheaper than a 6922. Lowbeats.de (German Site) - reviewed both the Melto 2 and 1, and they concluded that the Melto 2 had more resolution, I'm wondering now if that's due to the use of 6922 tubes vs 6N1P.

• Noise Performance: The 6N1P is slightly quieter than the 6922, making it a preferred option for low-noise applications such as hi-fi preamps and driver stages.
• Durability: The 6N1P is known to be robust and durable, often outlasting the 6922 in high-stress applications.
• Sound Profile: The 6N1P provides a warmer, smoother sound, whereas the 6922 is more neutral and analytical. Depending on your sonic preference, this can significantly impact your choice.

I got an email from a Jay Mcdonald regarding the LAB12 Melto and I can't figure out how to reply on Audiogon as I don't have a verified payment uploaded. Anyway, Jay if you're out there. Here's my reply:

Hi Jay,

Yes I still have the Melto, and I'm very happy with it. I'm also using the LAB12 DAC Reference for my digital side. 

I have two friends who got the Melto and Melto2, which is the higher model. They're both happy with it.

I got mine pre-owned, and unfortunately, the stock tube was defective, so I have no reference for how the stock tubes sounded, as I immediately swapped tubes. But my friend is using his Melto with stock tubes, and it sounds good.

LAB12 makes great gear, it scales up with reference-level gear and isn't a bottleneck even in high-end systems. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Regards,

Chipcalzone

@chipcalzone I got your message, thanks for the feedback. Looking into it!

Welcome! Good luck!