12-07-2008, 02:50 AM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 16
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SA6 + Amp = worthwhile difference?
Hey there. I have seen a few scattered remarks around about the synergy of different amps with the SA6s but I am wondering just how worthwhile adding an amp to low impedance phones, like the SA6s, is. Personally I am considering going down the road of Ipod >> LOD >> amp (E5, PAV2, Mini^3, Penguin, etc..). Is this difference going to be noticeable enough to justify spending money on an amp and LOD or should one just be content with the just how great the SA6s already sound? For those who are not interested in spending money for no reason/little to no difference, is an amp worthwhile? If an amp is worthwhile, what would you suggest as having the best synergy with the SA6s (cheap or not)?
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12-07-2008, 06:35 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Kent, Wa.
Posts: 255
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I do not like the SA6 paired with the penguin. On high gain that amp seems to overdrive the SA6 very quickly and muddles the sound. I suddenly get a hint of sibilance and flubby bass. When I use low gain it just doesnt drive the 60ohm SA6 enough, they just dont seem to shine on the hight quite the same.
Now on the cheap, I like the SA6 and the Fiio E3 very much, it warms them up and adds some bass. It doesnt help with soundstage or SQ in general though, just creates a warmer tone and more bass.
Those are the only two amps I own though. I do love the Penguin with my SE530's though, just fantastic combo. The Penguin is actually good enough to improve SQ, sounstage and eliminates the hiss my Cowon D2 SE530's have when together alone. Plus with my D2 it is really nice having a volume control.
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Gear I've actually Kept:
Cowon D2> Headphonia Penguin CMOY>Sure SE530 (530's currently out for custom treatment)
Cowon S9>Fiio E3 >Sleek SA6 w/Kleer Wireless
Sansa E260>Creative Labs EP-640
RS Raptor>HD650
Sold or given away list is way to long lol
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12-08-2008, 04:47 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 899
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My SA6's sound fantastic with my RSA Predator, there is quite a dramatic improvement, although they SA6's are already outstanding on their own.
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Portable: Cowon D2 > RSA Predator | RSA Tomahawk (backup) > Westone 3 (main) | Sleek Audio SA6 (main) | Futuresonics Atrio M5 (secondary) | UE SuperFi 5 Pro (backup) | SoundMagic PL30 (not impressed)| Koss KSC75 (Kramer-mod with Dowin DW04 adapter)
Home: Diyeden SVDAC04-U USB DAC > Darkvoice 332 > Sennheiser HD650 | AKG K701 | Ultrasone HFI-780 (S2 Audio-mod)
My Feedback
"Friends don't let friends buy Bose."
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01-14-2009, 02:27 AM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 16
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bump for more impressions?
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01-14-2009, 07:54 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Coral Springs, FL
Posts: 2,883
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i use my SA6's with a Lyrix total, was using it with a Go-Vibe v3 before that.
I was completely impressed with the amped sound when i first heard them at Canjam 08. So much i ended up traded raffle prizes for a pair of them =)
I couldnt use them without a amp now..im spoiled and love the way they sound with some power.
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Headphones: Sennheiser HD-650's + Enigma Audio Oracle cable, Shure SE530, RS1 (Classic B), Grado SR-125 & HF1 (loaners), Sennheiser MX500
Sources: -Squeezebox v3 (Thanks Ingwe) + Headroom Micro Dac - Ipod 120GB Classic - Samsung T9 4GB - Headstage Lyrix Total USB/Asus G1/Foobar-Flac
Amps: Headroom Desktop Millett Hybrid #1 (Home upgrade/12FK6 tubes) + Headroom Desktop power supply - Headstage Lyrix Total USB
Speakers: Cambridge Soundworks Model 12's (Squeezebox - HR Micro DAC-HR Millet Preamp-Model 12's)
My Feedback My Heatware Did you listen to my old rig at CANJAM '08?
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01-14-2009, 09:47 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 181
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Mine sound great on their own, but my iBasso P2 improves the soundstage and adds some sparkle.
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01-26-2009, 05:00 AM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 6
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Have used SA6 with RSA Tomahawk and very impressed, just changed to pico (to use with my senns) and another step up. I find the soundstage much more defined but more than likely is better power reserve at lower volumes for the peaks and a quieter overall soundfloor.
Compared with my old UE5pro the bass is a little leaner but in an altogether better way. I found stepping between HD600 and SA6 nicer than between HD600 and UE5 (on the same setup) = definitely not the same sound but less of a shock to the ears in sound presentation.
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01-26-2009, 09:49 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,186
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The SA6 appears to be fairly transparent so whatever sound color your amp gives you will transfer to your music. So if you prefer the amp's sound to your DAP then yes go for the amp.
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Headphones: Stax: SR-007 MkII, SR-003; Ultrasone: Edition 9 (2); AT:ESW10JPN; Sleek SA6 Wireless--- Home Amps: Stax: SRM-252a; Headamp: KGSS(bg) Yamamoto: HA-02--- Portable Amps: TTVJ: Portable Millet Hybrid;-----Sources: Lavry DA10 (2); Oppo 981HD; Squeezebox V3; iMod; Sansa Fuse; HeadAmp Pico-amp/dac&Pico DAC-----Feedback: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f12/slwiser-129086/ <><
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01-28-2009, 05:24 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: PA/MD
Posts: 471
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Many say SA6 is ER4P plus bass but not so detailed as ER4P. I found my predator improves the resolution of SA6 dramatically. I would use an amp with SA6 whenever possible.
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Feedback: Head-fi
Home: EU0404>DV 336i>black dragon recabled K701
Office: desktop maxxed pimeta>HD650
Portable: IMOD or Sansa Fuze>ibasso T4> TF10
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02-10-2009, 08:23 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 133
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how bout this.. people with sa6s + amp... any suggestions to which amp would pair up/or do pair up nicely with them???
i too am curious about amp combos with sa6.
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source: apple macbook
amp/dac: (still deciding)
headphones: grado sr-80s, grado sr-125, grado sr-325i, custom woodied grado, custom cabled grado
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03-15-2009, 02:58 AM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bapetikosweti
Posts: 1,417
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Bump to invite further feedback regarding SA6 amp synergy.
Has anyone tried the SA6 with the Fiio E3 or E5 amplifiers?
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03-15-2009, 03:50 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Lakeland Fl.
Posts: 928
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robojack
My SA6's sound fantastic with my RSA Predator, there is quite a dramatic improvement, although they SA6's are already outstanding on their own.
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Me too and I agree.
These 2 are a match made in heaven. Bass is awesome. Impactful-Immediate and Articulate.
As 1 poster put it transparent to the amp. I find the SA6s to be delightfully neutral.
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03-17-2009, 08:55 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 803
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What about when Sleek has wireless ready? Will there be anyway of incorporating an amp? Also, are you guys using MP3 or Lossless? Thanks
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03-17-2009, 09:08 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Singapore
Posts: 50
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I used my Sleek wireless with my Hornet and i loved the sound coming out from it..
One driver is dead now though, waiting for it to come back from Sleeks.
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03-18-2009, 12:44 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 206
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I guess I am confused, how do you use wireless with an amp?
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