AKG K1000 with a Rotel vintage integrated amp?
 

I know most AKG K1000 owners use them with amps like RKV, Grace 901, EAR, Fisher 400 etc.

I was thinking to use them with a Rotel RA-211 vintage integrated amp (100 W). Connected to the speaker terminals, of course. Do you consider this as a really bad idea?

You asked this same question in the amps forum.
http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=71426

Perhaps these two threads should be consolidated into one thread?

I have no experience with the Rotel RA-211. Why not bring your K1000's and adapter cable and try it out, if possible?

-Ed

Yes, I deliberately put the question in both forums, so maybe I will get more replies.

I don't get it - what adaptor cable are you talking about? I connected the bare wires to the speaker terminals...

Since there were no replies to the other thread, I deleted it.

Moderator Plea: Please do not post the same question in more than one forum. It leads to fragmented discussions about the same thing. Pick the most appropriate forum and ask the question once.

No. Quite the opposite. See how it sounds. If it is as good as a Marantz 1065, it should sound very pleasing. I use a Parasound HCA1000 because that is all I can afford at the present time. Later on, and after attending a few meets, you may find the nOrh SE9, RKV, et. al. sound better and that is what you will buy (instead of constant upgrading). Now, about a Conrad Johnson...

Sure, YOU tell US how it sounds! Mine sound good with my Rotel 930AX integrated, though I usually use them with the Linn Classik. I'll be that your Rotel will be VERY GOOD at worst!

In fact, I find that it actually does sound quite good - my problem is that I am not used to the AKG K1000 type of sound and I wonder if this small, old Rotel amp can drive them properly and that I am not losing too much of the full potential of these earspeakers.

I have actually three theoretical possibilities for using them:

a) with the before-mentioned Rotel 211 amp (connected to the speaker terminals via an original AKG cable);

b) with a Denon PMA 725R integrated amp ( a model about 8 years old) (connected to the speaker terminals via an Equinox cable);

c) with the Meier Prehead (connected via an original AKG cable terminated with a jack).

I have not yet tried all these possibilities (mainly because I am waiting the jack-terminated cable to arrive), but I would very much love to get the feelings of those head-fiers who *do* know how the AKG K1000 sounds... which should, in theory, be the best option?

Thanks!

Sooooo... what do veteran K1000 users think about these combinations?

In my opinion, the K1000s are at their sonic best when driven by a tubes somewhere down the line. The absolute best I have heard was Drewski's N.E.W. tubed pre/solid state power amp. The K1000s sounded rich and full with it. I did not like the Pre-Head driving the K1000s at all. They sounded shrill and thin with little ooomph to them. The Marantz 1060B that I had sounded very nice, but nowhere near the N.E.W. rig. My Musical Fidelity A3 drove them with authority, but it was a pain to swap out speaker/headphone cables with it.

Thanks :k1000: