| Headphone Amps (full-size) Discussion of desktop headphone amps. |
07-08-2009, 08:16 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus:
Reviewerus Prolificus
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 12,528
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict
Thanks again! You really wanted this amp to get a good review for Fang, eh? Nah, you just wanted me to enjoy it more and were being nice to me.  |
Definitely the latter 
Plus, I bought 4 of the Raytheons to get a better price, so I had 2 spares
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07-08-2009, 08:24 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
15 Hz + 150 dB = poopy pants
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 2,468
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict
Assuming the EF2 is fully burned-in, yes, it is better than the D2 Boa, no question - while the D2 Boa isn't bad it just isn't as enjoyable as the EF2. It's probably on about the sound quality level of the 3MOVE or XM5 with upgraded opamps and BUF634 buffers, but with a bit more power than the XM5 and a little more euphonic sounding than either (with stock or rolled tubes).
The D10 and Pico, while having less power for 300 ohm headphones, will be more detailed and spacious - but the Pico is not quite as warm and mellow and romantic sounding as the EF2, especially with the Raytheon 6AK5 tubes. I haven't listened to the stock D10 for a long time, but I would say it sits between the D10 and EF2 in warmth when using the Raytheon tubes (maybe closer when using the stock tubes).
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thanks a lot for the response, i was considering the d10 and pico but this is enough for me to place the order for the EF2 instead
i will keep my d2 boa until the ef2 comes for comparison's purposes.. i cant wait 
one quick last question:
if i wanted to upgrade the tubes in the future, how hard is that to do? is it a plug and play type of thing or does it require tools/experience?
thanks
Last edited by koven; 07-08-2009 at 08:26 PM.
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07-08-2009, 08:48 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rocky Mountains, CO
Posts: 13,097
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Changing tubes is like sticking flowers in a vase. No tools needed.
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07-08-2009, 09:12 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
15 Hz + 150 dB = poopy pants
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 2,468
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Good to hear, thanks again for the review, can't wait to receive mine!
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07-08-2009, 10:05 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 3
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Thanks HeadphoneAddict and Skylab for the tube rolling info, that's very helpful for a newbie like me.
Now I'm happily waiting for my EF2 to arrive!
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07-08-2009, 10:15 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: USA - NC
Posts: 22
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I could resist no longer. Payment has been sent. Awwwwww yeah.
I'm going to take my time and read more on tubes before I go buy some. I should have plenty of time while burning in and trying out the stock tubes.
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07-08-2009, 11:18 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
15 Hz + 150 dB = poopy pants
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 2,468
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FullTwisting
I could resist no longer. Payment has been sent. Awwwwww yeah.
I'm going to take my time and read more on tubes before I go buy some. I should have plenty of time while burning in and trying out the stock tubes.
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i felt the same way i too am going to start reading up on tubes, this is my first tube amp! albeit a hybrid
btw, people like skylab, headphoneaddict, etc should be receiving commission lol  i'm sure many people purchase products based on these detailed reviews !
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07-09-2009, 02:13 AM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,128
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Great job Larry as always. Nice to see that you've gone to the extent of comparing it with Amphora and others. Sure seems to be another hit from Head-Direct.
__________________
Source: MacBook Pro 17" Optical, Sony D-EJ785/715 Optical, iPod 5.5G [LOD]
Amplification: iBasso D10, Creative DD/DTS DAC
Monitors: Shure SRH840, Shure E500/SE530
An Audio Purist Would Always Be An Audiophile
Feedback: Head-Fi eBay
Last edited by vkvedam; 07-09-2009 at 02:16 AM.
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07-09-2009, 09:21 AM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
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I would like to thank both HeadphoneAddict and Skylab for your great reviews.
__________________
° Headphone: Sennheiser HD595, HD650
° IEM: Head-Direct RE2
° DAC Amp: iBasso D10, HifiMan EF-2
° Portable Amp: Fiio E5
° Source: PC, iPod 120Gb, iPod Touch 8Gb, iPhone 8Gb, Sony Walkman MP3 Player
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07-09-2009, 04:55 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rocky Mountains, CO
Posts: 13,097
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Thanks, or You're Welcome!
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07-13-2009, 12:29 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Posts: 16,939
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I just picked up my EF2 that Fang sent me. I have had a busy weekend but I wanted a quick listen so I hooked it up to my 160 Gb iPod Classic using an ALO Wooden Dock and a pair of Silver Sonics BL-1 interconnects made by Moon Audio. The files in the iPod are all Apple Lossless and the quick listen tells me this is a very nice sounding unit. I will have a lot more to say and will post more in the next week or so. Meanwhile I leave you with the following pictures.
Some quick specifications are:
Imput Impedence: 47k
Output Impedence: 32-300 Ohm
Output at 32 Ohm: 3 v, 320 mw
Output at 150 Ohm: 6.2 v, 256
Freqency: 20-20khz ＋－0.2db
S/N: 95db
DAC Chip: Burr-Brown PCM2702
Tube: China 6J1 * 2 pcs
Input Voltage: 16 v to 18 v; 500 mA
Power Supply: 110 v or 220 v
You can read more about it at: Head-Direct.com | YUIN
At $189 this should be selling like hot cakes!
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07-13-2009, 02:56 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rocky Mountains, CO
Posts: 13,097
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Cool - looking forward to your thoughts.
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07-13-2009, 03:18 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 308
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Just wondering, is the dac 24 bit / 96 khz?
__________________
Home: "Aune" hifidiy.net dac/amp -> MS2i / Audioengine A2
Portable: Sansa Clip / -> Er4P / Pk3
Gone: SR80, MS1, HD 595, K501, Er6i, CX300, Vibes, E4c, KSC-75, K601, K181DJ, PK2's, Marshmellows.
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07-13-2009, 03:24 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rocky Mountains, CO
Posts: 13,097
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shasty
Just wondering, is the dac 24 bit / 96 khz?
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No, it can only go as high as 16/48, and I leave it at the 16/44.1 default when I plug into my Macbook.
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07-13-2009, 03:24 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Falls Church, VA
Posts: 1,796
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Wow - cool seeing it next to an iPod - that thing is seriously small for a desktop amp with an inbuilt DAC. Impressive - look forward to hearing your thoughts!
__________________
Home Rig: PC or Oppo DV 970 -> stock PS Audio DLIII -> Audioengine A2 or Rethm Gaanam -> Recabled Sony CD3000 or Stax SRM-1/MK-2 -> Stax Lambda normal bias / 404LE
Travel/work/portable: Laptop/4gb Sansa Fuze -> Nuforce uDAC -> Klipsch Image X10
On the horizon: Koss ESP-950 (on the way?), Many DACs on the way (Music Streamer Pro, Nuforce uDAC, Focusrite Saffire), Audeze LCD-2 (Soon?)
SOLD: HEADSIX, Decware Zen Head, AKG K141, Atrio M5, DT880, HD650, SA5000, K601, Nuforce Icon Mobile, D5000, MKV, DIYEDEN Great March, Compass, Monica3, SR325, EF-1, SRH840, Go-Vibe USB DAC, SPL Auditor, AKG K701, HD800
Please don't send stuff to me signature required without asking first.
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