Need Amp Recos $500 - $1000 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

erikzen · #1 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 05:59 AM

I've been using the Larocco Pocket Reference II with dedicated power supply as my home amp. This is with an Ack dAck II. I originally purchased the PRII for use as a portable but it's no longer being used for that.

I was thinking about getting a standard amp instead of a portable. While I think the PR II sounds great, so many people have said that the best portable can't beat even a middle of the road stationary amp. Maybe there's something to that. So I'm looking for recommendatoins for an amp that will work well with the Ack dAck. My current main headphones are the Ultrasone Proline 750s and the Grado HF-1, although I'm thinking about possibly getting something different - AKG 701 comes to mind.

I was thinking more solid state than tubes and I definitely like the Ack dAck. Musically I have very diverse tastes from Beethoven to Rage Against the Machine. I'd like to keep the closer to $500 but if I end up setting my sights a little higher I'll find the scratch.

So any recommendations?

jgonino · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 02:11 AM

If you get the K701, I can say without a doubt in my mind that the Bada PH-12 is for you. That combo is one of the best I have heard, so good that it made me sell some other gear.

And yes, I do have mine for sale, but that is because I need to money. I would like to keep it.

number1sixerfan · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 03:27 AM

If you are looking at solid state I would look into the Cantate, HR-2, and GS-1. I think you need to first decide if you prefer a warmer or brighter/analytical sound. That will help you narrow down your choices.

erikzen · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 04:25 AM

I would consider the Ack dAck to be a fairly warm source. I would think a brighter amp would synergize better with it. Maybe I'm wrong.

I don't have a heck of a lot of experience with Meier amps but my impression is that they are definitely not bright. I like the Cantate, but I don't really need the USB DAC, although I guess it couldn't hurt to have it.

schaqfu · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 05:07 AM

Until two days ago I was looking for recommendations for an amp with nearly the same criteria as you. Have you considered the HeadRoom Ultra Micro Amp? Mine just arrived today so I can't give you proper feedback yet, other than the useless (but true) "it's pretty darn spectacular". I use it between a Benchmark DAC1-USB and HD-650s, so a different setup than you.

What attracted me to the Ultra Micro, based both on hard specs and other users' opinions, is the fact that it's in the lower half of your range ($699) but contains the same 'Max Module' circuitry as HeadRoom's top of the line Max Amp. It's solid state, extremely compact (not technically portable, but that's only because of the AC adapter), comes with a trustworthy warranty, etc..

Not going to try to sell you on the sound, you'll have to do your research. As I understand from others, and can confirm on the basis of a mere 8 hours of testing, it sounds robust and deep, but punchy. Not bright, but punchy. It may well be that it's not the best match for the 701s, but I've never seen anyone badmouthing the combo. Something to consider.

erikzen · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 07:00 AM

I'm sure the HeadRoom Micro is a very nice sounding amp. Heck, I had the MicroStack when if first came out and that sounded fantastic, so I have no doubt the Ultra Micro is going to sound great.

I had been looking at that amp, but there's something about paying $700 for something that's called "micro". Somehow that just seems like a lateral move since I'm using what amounts to a desktop style amp right now.

Maybe I should just stick with the amp I have now until I'm ready to go to the next level and break that $1000 mark. If you take a look at a new PRII and PSR together you're talking $750. It's not that I don't like the sound. I've lived with it for two years now and have been happy but I wonder if my amp is as good as my source.

Maybe I should just ket a pair of K701s and see if I like them with this amp. Maybe all I need is a change of headphone!

LostOne.TR · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 12:24 PM

I used to have a heed with my k701's, and I liked that pairing quite a bit.

But yeh, definately try the headphones first with your current setup, before committing to a new amp to pair up with the headphones.

Kind of off topic, but the k701 paired with the Presonus Central Station's headamp is something I find atrocious.

dkjohnso · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostOne.TR

Kind of off topic, but the k701 paired with the Presonus Central Station's headamp is something I find atrocious.

Really? I have heard good things about this combo from others. What do you find lacking?

BigEat · #9 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 01:24 PM

On balance, I would recommend the Headroom Micro stack. Yes, yes, yes, i couldn't agree more, there is a definite "sting" to paying $700 for a "micro" version of anything. But these are really quite impressive.

That said, there are tons of great options in the price point many of them noted above. What about the Ray Samuels XP-7?

elnero · #10 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 01:27 PM

I'd suggest the HeadAmp GS-1

fl00r · #11 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elnero

I'd suggest the HeadAmp GS-1

It's a shame the lead time is 8 weeks and I am not the most patient guy in the world

erikzen · #12 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigEat

On balance, I would recommend the Headroom Micro stack. Yes, yes, yes, i couldn't agree more, there is a definite "sting" to paying $700 for a "micro" version of anything. But these are really quite impressive.

That said, there are tons of great options in the price point many of them noted above. What about the Ray Samuels XP-7?

I had an XP-7 before but sold it. I had a less capable source at the time so it might be a good choice, but it's almost as hard to buy something you already sold as it is to shell out $700 for a "micro" amp.

LostOne.TR · #13 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkjohnso

Really? I have heard good things about this combo from others. What do you find lacking?

I can't quite explain it, but something didn't sound right. Kind of lifeless (probably similar to the complaints about it being kind of sterile), though I did not find them to be lifeless before. I prefer the k701's out of the Gilmore Lite w/ DPS, the lite seems to add something to the edge/attack that helps bring some fo the life back. Soundstage however, seems to have lessened with both amps compared to my old setup. I can still hear the layers of sound...but it sounds like they've been pushed alot closer together. I'm not sure if this is the work of both the Gilmore Lite and Central Station's headamp section, or the DAC of the Central Station itself. I should note that, I do not have any nice power conditioners paired up with my central station-- The reviews I've read on the central station have said that a nice supply of power really helps improve the sound.

-- Kind of random, but do ya still need the HD650 cable terminated to TRS? (I've got hd650 in XLR's & XLR -> TRS cable, still deciding if I want to follow the balanced path in the near future... saying goodbye to my hd600's soon though)

dkjohnso · #14 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostOne.TR

I can't quite explain it, but something didn't sound right. Kind of lifeless (probably similar to the complaints about it being kind of sterile), though I did not find them to be lifeless before. I prefer the k701's out of the Gilmore Lite w/ DPS, the lite seems to add something to the edge/attack that helps bring some fo the life back. Soundstage however, seems to have lessened with both amps compared to my old setup. I can still hear the layers of sound...but it sounds like they've been pushed alot closer together. I'm not sure if this is the work of both the Gilmore Lite and Central Station's headamp section, or the DAC of the Central Station itself. I should note that, I do not have any nice power conditioners paired up with my central station-- The reviews I've read on the central station have said that a nice supply of power really helps improve the sound.

-- Kind of random, but do ya still need the HD650 cable terminated to TRS? (I've got hd650 in XLR's & XLR -> TRS cable, still deciding if I want to follow the balanced path in the near future... saying goodbye to my hd600's soon though)

Thanks for the impressions. The k701 is on my list of cans to try soon. I have only heard it at meets, which is not an ideal environment.

As for the cable, I just ordered a new HD650 cable and some 1/4" Neutrik plugs, and am going to do it myself. Thanks though.

LostOne.TR · #15 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 12:22 PM

I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the sound of balanced outa the central station.

If the hd650 reacts in any way like my hd600's did. The bass became tighter- attacks were a bit more defined and sounded stronger. Quantity was roughly the same.
Balanced hd600's have been the king with radiohead for me. To me there are a few radiohead songs that need the touch of bass like the hd600. Where you can hear the notes are seperate, but the cutoff between the notes needs to be miniscule as to add to the overall ambience/flow of the track. The k701 with some of those same tracks had the bass come and go too fast, emphasizing the notes more as seperate notes.
It's a double edged sword though, those same properties give the k701 an edge in other music. I'm hoping to try tube amps sometime soon with the k701s.

Sorry to the OP if I've sidetracked this a bit.