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best amp for senn 580 / akg 501 <$400? - Page 2

post #16 of 22
6/27/01 at 8:25pm
I haven't heard the Creek but I certainly would recommend the Corda. I have both of these phones and it works well with both. The Headroom Supreme also works fine, but it is a bit more expensive and doesn't have quite the low end power with the wallwart power supply. The Headroom crossfeed boosts the bass, which can be a plus for the 501 but a minus for the 580s. There aren't that many Cordas around and you can only get them from Germany so you won't see too many votes for it for that reason. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about it, and the crossfeed circuit is excellent, very netural. I've also heard the Sennheisers with a rolled MG Head and liked the sound of that too.
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post #17 of 22
6/27/01 at 11:33pm
Thread Starter 
My primary headphone is the 501 for listening to electric and acoustic jazz. Steely Dan to John McLaughlin to Coltrane to Corea. I like the full sound of an upright bass, piano and when I need it Jeff Beck.

Albau: The Creek OBH-11 seems to be the lowest cost answer here and solid bass to boot, it may be a hard combo to beat. Have you tried any other amps with the 501?

Kurt W: I'm glad someone chimed in about the Corda, solid bass with the 501 and a switch to decrease or defeat the crossfeed for the 580s, hmmmm...could be the answer to one amp and two can sets.

Reynman: Hello Chicago! Have you had a chance to listen to the 501s through another amp besides the MG Head or the TA? I did listen to the 580s using both the MG and the TA. TA did not impress and I need more time with the MG to make a decision.

Dare I up the ante and ask if anyone has heard the 501s through the Earmax Pro? Is my humble Rotel cdp going to be outclassed by the amp? Is there anywhere in Chicago to listen to this amp? I have not read a bad thing about it.
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post #18 of 22
6/27/01 at 11:46pm
Quote:
The 501s sound as if I am wearing an auditorium on my head
Perfect description of my AKG k340s.
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post #19 of 22
6/27/01 at 11:54pm
nick danger,

I have not tried out the 501. I would contact acidtripwow, (another Chicagoan) he has a Berning Microzotl headphone amp. That amp could be another tube amp option for you.

I would call Holm Audio. They do carry the latest version of the MG Head, the Grado RA-1, and they might carry the Creek. Or call the manufacturer of the Earmax/Pro and see if they have a dealer in Chi-town.

Good luck!

Regards - reynman
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post #20 of 22
6/28/01 at 12:46am
The X-Cans V2 would be my pick in this price range. Airy, transparent sound.
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post #21 of 22
6/28/01 at 3:54am

X-Canv2 w/ vintage tube swap(nt)

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post #22 of 22
6/28/01 at 12:44pm
Quote:
Albau: The Creek OBH-11 seems to be the lowest cost answer here and solid bass to boot, it may be a hard combo to beat. Have you tried any other amps with the 501?
nick danger (somebody else also asked this question), besides OBH-11 I've tried K501 and HD600 with MG Head DT and TA.

TA: I love it and use it at the office with MSII but, imo, it simply can't handle AKG and Senns properly, especially very hard to drive K501. With K501 TA simply didn't add much, except for darkening, compared to 15mW amp of my RS-3904 - same tinny, weak, unsatisfactory sound. My home Yamaha's headjack did much better. TA has less trouble driving HD600 but, imo, these 2 are really a bad match - rolling highs off already dark Senns makes for kinda dusty sound with bass disproportionally sticking out.

OBH11: As I said it's a match made in heaven with K501. It's fine with HD600 but compared with MG Head DT I felt soundstage shrinken and sound still too warm.

MG Head DT: It was on loan and, sorry, I don't remeber what tubes it had. Owner said tubes were very expensive and good. Anyway, I felt that HD600 opened up and blossomed with this amp compared to Creek. Everything became right - ballanced & smooth, with controolled bass, nice imaging. K501 were also fine but with Creek they had "sparkle" in mids that was missing with MG Head.

As a result among two couples made in heaven I've chosen the K501/Creek one. I saw that both combos are extraordinary but felt that AKG/Creek fit best with my personal preferences and music I like. Confort also played its role. K501 are the most comfortable (and good looking) headphones I saw.
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