http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ Discussion of desktop headphone amps. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:39:26 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/eml-5u4g-mesh-plate-vs-nos-tubes-wa22-456533/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:16:20 GMT Ok, here is long waited review for "What is going on with EML 5U4G Mesh Plate deal". I am sure a lot of people have same question: Is it worthy to spend $2xx dollars instead to buy NOS tubes for around $100?

When I was emailing George Lenz @ tubesusa.com. He said: "EML 5U4G Mesh Plate is the best 5U4G type you can get." These are the only words in the email. The message was so short, that made my feel stupid to even to ask him in the 1st place.

The tube arrived within 3 days, super fast. I already know the tube is big, but man, it still WOWed me. It is really biiiiiiiiiiiiiiig. Compare with NOS tubes, EML is better made, thicker glass, better base, better pins (Gold plated), massive mesh plate; and each has it's own serial number in side of the glass. It is very beautyful to look at.

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/...Q/P1010266.JPG

Often when people review a gear, they don't tell you what kind of music tast they have. As headpnoe Hi-Fi now days is more and more toward to younger people, Pink Floyd is no longer consider "Rock". I listen mainly morden hard rock (Yes, I was there at Slipknot show, everybody around me was smoking weed) , female vocal like Norah Jones, some YoYo Ma, some classical, and some Jazz. I like amp that airy, open, detailed, rich, fast, emotional, punchy, and has balanced tone. In my world, there is no place for laid back = Musical. The way I review gears is different from other people. I am not "LOOKING so hard for micro detail, sondstage, yada yada, etc." I don't want to adjust my ears to any pice of gear, or get use to it. They should service me as I used my hard earned money bought them, they are my slaves. You got the picture. You will know when they sound RIGHT.

Gear used:
Meridian G08 CDP
WA22 balanced
Zu Varial XLR between CDP and WA22
HD650 with Equinox XLR
VH Adiuo F4 power cords into wall (Cardas GF PCs are fired from the job, sold all of them)
G.E.C 6AS7G x2 brown round-cup base with herbies dampers ($150+ a pair)
Brimar UK NOS tall smoke glass 6SN7GT (Since most people use 6SN7 type, $250+ a pair, not in the picture)
EML 5U4G Mesh Plate with 50 hours run-in
Mullard 5AS4 black base tall glass NOS UK
Amperex GZ34 black base Holland
Mullard CV378/53KU straight brown base UK
NU 274A with adapter (F@#k, bad tube)


I am not try to showing off, but just want make sure show you what best WA22 can do.

I am warming up next tube. To be continued...... ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) Seamaster http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/eml-5u4g-mesh-plate-vs-nos-tubes-wa22-456533/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/wa22-vs-dna-sonnett-456521/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:10:26 GMT Has anyone compared or listened to both of these units and have impressions to share? Both in balanced configuration, driving HD800 Balanced. ... Has anyone compared or listened to both of these units and have impressions to share?

Both in balanced configuration, driving HD800 Balanced.

Thanks in advance.

Best regards ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) tosehee http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/wa22-vs-dna-sonnett-456521/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/700-spend-amp-456477/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:46:31 GMT Selling off the modest Stax rig and looking for a modest dymanic rig. Need suggestions for an amplifier that is able to get the most out of 600... Selling off the modest Stax rig and looking for a modest dymanic rig.

Need suggestions for an amplifier that is able to get the most out of 600 ohm Beyers and, if possible, Grados too. $700 max.

Someone suggested Maple Tree EAR +HD (the lowest model) as a good compliment to Grados, but could it handle 600 ohms?

Any other sugestions?

Thanks for any help. Cheers! ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) Duckman http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/700-spend-amp-456477/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/connecting-headphone-amp-tape-out-preamp-any-quality-loss-456434/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:21:06 GMT I would like to hook my headphone amp to the tape "out" of my 2 channel preamp . Is there any quality loss this way ? I was told that the Tape out is direct in the preamp, and is not affected by volume, balance or anything in the preamp. Reason I'm doing it is that I have multiple sources hooked to my preamp, that i could listen to, this way, and second, my CD player has only one pair of outputs hooked to the preamp. Or else, I'll have to use "y" splitters to split CD source to headphone amp and preamp. Thanks. ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) zeiter http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/connecting-headphone-amp-tape-out-preamp-any-quality-loss-456434/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/new-owner-older-woo-2-a-456431/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:01:13 GMT I recently got my hands on what appears to be an older Woo Audio headphone amplifier and am enjoying it immensely. It uses the 6x4 rectifier tubes... I recently got my hands on what appears to be an older Woo Audio headphone amplifier and am enjoying it immensely.

It uses the 6x4 rectifier tubes instead of the EZ80s. It has rubber feet and no line or preamp out.
It came with GE Jan 6x4 rectifier tubes, AEG Jan 6992drive and Tung Sol 5998 power tubes.

I see the current Woo2 uses 6AS7/6080 power tubes. Are the 5998s a drop in replacement or did Woo change power tubes at some point?

Any recommendations as to possible tube rolling possibilities? ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) IceClass http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/new-owner-older-woo-2-a-456431/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/head-direct-hifiman-ef2-vs-mp-301-vs-ld-mkii-senn-hd600-456427/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:37:27 GMT I'm looking for a ~$200 headphone amp and these three seem to be the primary choices. I've also got about a $50 budget for tubes (if you have specific suggestions, please post).

Head-direct Hifiman EF2
Musical Paradise MP-301
Little DOt MK2

These will be used with Sennheiser HD600's.

I currently do not own a DAC, but I may get a cheap one like a Behringer UCA202.

Another all-in-one solution may be the Transcendere Audio TNS Sweet-2 . Does anyone know where to order it?

Thanks. ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) jrah http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/head-direct-hifiman-ef2-vs-mp-301-vs-ld-mkii-senn-hd600-456427/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/what-stock-tubes-do-i-have-456410/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:33:53 GMT I bought a Little Dot MKIII 2nd hand. The old user never changed the tubes at all, but the paint is worn off them. Is there any good way to tell? I bought a Little Dot MKIII 2nd hand. The old user never changed the tubes at all, but the paint is worn off them.

Is there any good way to tell? ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) alex98uk http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/what-stock-tubes-do-i-have-456410/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/mcintosh-ma-6100-help-please-456405/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:09:14 GMT Hi there, my grandpa bought the McIntosh MA-6100 Brand new in 1978 and told me a few weeks ago it would be mine on the will. Now, I have always been... Hi there, my grandpa bought the McIntosh MA-6100 Brand new in 1978 and told me a few weeks ago it would be mine on the will. Now, I have always been a huge music buff but finally getting into the really high end gear (been using super.fi 5 EB IEM's for the last year) but now purchasing a pair of Grado RS1 headphones next week. I am using a usb DAC that runs at 48khz 16 bit but do not have an amp. I was wondering how this McIntosh would sound as a preamp from the usb DAC to this then headphones into that. I will have a chance to try the preamp out once I get the headphones but I wanted to get some feedback from people who know more than me.

Thanks guys!:) ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) Badd99 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/mcintosh-ma-6100-help-please-456405/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/dac-beyerdynamic-dt770-pro-80-ohm-456397/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:38:57 GMT Hi guys!

I recently bought Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro the 80-ohm version wich im very happy with, but i'm using my latop as my music source wich kinda suck..

I'm looking to upgrade my sound quality with a DAC or a external soundcard trough my usb connection, but I dont want to just buy something and hope for the best since my experience on this area ain't that good.

Any opinions on what can be done? I've got around 200 $$ to spend. :beyersmile:

Thx for answares! ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) tjodalv http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/dac-beyerdynamic-dt770-pro-80-ohm-456397/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/best-combo-dac-amp-under-700-a-456391/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:57:08 GMT I'm looking for a DAC/Amp combo (not separate, one box) for my desktop setup (see sig for source/cans). I was going to get the HeadRoom Micro stack, but I'd like to avoid having 2 separate boxes just due to how crowded my desktop already is and what a mess of wires I already have.

Must have a coaxial/optical connection, not just USB.

Any recommendations in the under $700 (before tax/shipping) range?

EDIT: I'm also wondering if an external DAC is worthwhile. The AuzenTech HTHD is one of the most expensive sound cards on the market, and has a decent DAC built in. Is it worth dropping the $300, or should I just get the Micro Amp and run it off the headphone out of the sound card? ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) Necrolic http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/best-combo-dac-amp-under-700-a-456391/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/class-vs-bias-class-what-does-mean-456352/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:18:17 GMT Hi all, Have been searching the forum for a clarification of Class A amp and Bias to Class A, but still not sure what it is. What is the... Hi all,

Have been searching the forum for a clarification of Class A amp and Bias to Class A, but still not sure what it is.

What is the different between them? I own 2 Meier-Audio amps which are claimed that their Opamp are biased into class A. Then what is also the different in term of sound quality? I presume that a pure Class A may sound better than the biased one.

Thanks for info,
Kenta

PS. There are some mentioning about Class D. I recall from the Nuforce website that some of their amps are Class D which consume very low power and can be left on. ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) kenta http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/class-vs-bias-class-what-does-mean-456352/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/help-brutal-sibilance-my-hr-ultra-micro-amp-456338/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:47:45 GMT As a preface, I'm not sure if this an amp/dac issue, or a headphone issue, so any opinions on that would be welcome, as well as any solutions to my problem.

So, yesterday my new amp and DAC arrived (HeadRoom Ultra Micros, both). Plugged them in, loved them immediately, and spent most of yesterday listening and burning them in. Everything was smooth and wonderful, and I was having a great time. I distinctly noticed that the amount of sibilance I heard was noticeably reduced from what I was hearing on my old setup.

My D2000s should theoretically be burned-in, as I've had them for over a month, and listened to them for between 6 and 12 hours a day.

Anyway, I leave the office last night having thoroughly enjoyed my listening session from the day. I'm pretty positive I turned off the amp and DAC, which are plugged into a surge protector, turned off my computer, set the 'phones down on the table (don't have a stand), and left.

This morning I come in, turn everything on and start listening, and hear this ridiculous level of sibilance. It's preventing me from turning up songs that I was blasting yesterday to the volume I want them at -- the grain on cymbals and s, t, and f sounds on vocals is killing my ears.

What could have possibly changed? The plug feels slightly looser in the jack today than it did when I got the new system yesterday -- it gets jerked around occasionally, and I think it accidentally came unplugged once (the amp was on), but I'm pretty sure it was basically the same by the time I left last night.

It gets very cold in this office overnight, but that happens every night, and my components arrived positively freezing from being in the unheated back of a UPS truck. I don't know if temperature is even relevant, but I figured I'd throw it out there.

The reason I guessed this was an issue with the amp or DAC is because they provided such a noticeable reduction in sibilance just yesterday, and now today it's become really distracting and even painful -- it's like all the smoothness in the highs just disappeared.

Or is this maybe a headphone issue? ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) backwardsname http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/help-brutal-sibilance-my-hr-ultra-micro-amp-456338/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/dac1-usb-vs-m902-akg-k701-456330/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:29:48 GMT Hey everybody, I have a question. Currently my system consists of a Macbook that will be used as source (note that the source files will be high... Hey everybody,

I have a question. Currently my system consists of a Macbook that will be used as source (note that the source files will be high bit rate mp3s, averaging around 320) using optical out to an unmodded Zero for a HP amp and AKG k701.

I was considering doing some upgrades in pieces consisting mostly of the Kicas Caliente HP amp, Emotiva preamp, the new Emotiva DAC (not out yet though) and replacing a smaller desktop amp i have for speakers. This route, I realized, was pretty expensive once all said and done, despite all the pieces being less than $400 individually.

So I started looking at the crazy expensive DAC\HP amps\preamps that would obviate the need for most of that gear. Besides, a smaller footprint works best on a desk. So I am looking mostly at the Grace m902 and the Benchmark DAC1 (maybe the USB one).

I have done my research here and the general consensus is the DAC1 is a DAC with a headamp thrown in and m902 is a headamp with a DAC thrown in. The DAC1's DAC, by all accounts, has outstanding resolving power and extremely detailed, not mitigated much by its amplifier. I understand that the m902's DAC is going to be much less detailed and not as capable of pure resolving power. But my question is, isn't that what I want? I already have the k701's that can be prone to a little edgyness and brightness, along with mp3's that might not like the super fine resolution of the DAC from the DAC1.

In other words, would I better of with the softer, perhaps more musical DAC from the m902 (and better HP amp!) due to the already bright, analytical nature of my k701 and the imperfect nature of my source files?

And, lastly, the m902 is ohhhh so pretty:tongue_smile:

Thanks! ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) RipcordAFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/dac1-usb-vs-m902-akg-k701-456330/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rsa-predator-ibasso-d4mamba-buy-456302/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:54:45 GMT I wan to buy DAC/AMP. So,I decide to buy either predator or D4mamba. But,I can`t finally decide which to buy predator or Mamba,so please give me... I wan to buy DAC/AMP. So,I decide to buy either predator or D4mamba.

But,I can`t finally decide which to buy predator or Mamba,so please give me some advices.:frown:
By the way,my homeaudio set is macbook pro~DR.DAC2DX~AKG K702.

I live in japan,so I`m poor at writing and reading ENGLISH.:confused:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR READING!:darthsmile: ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) ety0820 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rsa-predator-ibasso-d4mamba-buy-456302/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/amped-vs-unamped-456269/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:49:03 GMT I have been using a head direct EF2 hybrid tube amp / DAC for the past 6 or 7 weeks with Sennheiser HD580. I am happy with the sound the combo... I have been using a head direct EF2 hybrid tube amp / DAC for the past 6 or 7 weeks with Sennheiser HD580. I am happy with the sound the combo produces. However when I do comparison testing with this setup then straight out of my ipod with the HD580, I can't really tell a difference. I though HD580 is supposed to be significantly improved when amped. Maybe there is and i just cant tell yet. Is there things that I am specifically listening for? Thanks. ]]> Headphone Amps (full-size) Crazy*Carl http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/amped-vs-unamped-456269/