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what's the best SS amp?

post #1 of 99
2/2/07 at 2:11am
Thread Starter 
just wondering....possible future options
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post #2 of 99
2/2/07 at 2:18am
Maxed out HeadRoom Max Balanced Amp (I personally have not heard one of these).
Maxed out balanced Dynahi (Dynamite).
(I think I might be forgetting something. Like a maxed out B22.)

And then maybe you wanted to step down a tier or two. PS Audio GCHA or Lehman Black Cube might be possible contenders.

Edit: Haha oops. Yes, Headamp. That was what I forgot. I've heard a GS-1 and it sounds pretty good. Never heard the GS-X before but I'm pretty sure it sounds even more spectacular.
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post #3 of 99
2/2/07 at 2:23am
A few of my favor SS amps in no particular order…

Dynahi
Dynamite
Headamp GS-X
Eddie Current EC/SS

What's the best is a very subjective thing.
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post #4 of 99
2/2/07 at 2:27am
there's also the Pass Labs amps, which are more euphonic.
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post #5 of 99
2/2/07 at 4:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cotdt View Post
there's also the Pass Labs amps, which are more euphonic.
I don't believe that Pass Labs makes a dedicated headphone amp, though. A lot of people use the Aleph and the First Watt (by Pass, but a separate company) F1 and F2 to drive the AKG K-1000. Using them for any other headphone (e.g. K-701) would be overkill. And yes, Pass' amps sound terrific. I built his DIY Zen Amp and Preamp (for speakers) a little over a year ago, and they sound terrific.

As for solid state headphone amps, a lot of good ones have been mentioned so far. I think Gilmore's designs are exceptional, and you might also want to look at the Dynamid/Gilmore Reference amp. It's a bridged and balanced Dynalo/Gilmore Lite, and before the Dynamite came along, was considered to be the best solid state amp. I've got all the parts for one, and have a window of opportunity to build it in a little over a week. Can't wait!

I'm also looking forward to hearing the new Cavalli-Kan Kumisa III that I'm gathering parts for, and I'm very, very close to pulling the trigger on parts for a fully balanced Beta22. I haven't heard either, yet. However, the folks over at Headwize and AMB Labs don't get excited over nothing. I expect both to be excellent.
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post #6 of 99
2/2/07 at 4:14am
the elite of the SS category:

Larocco Triad
Headamp GSX
maxed out headroom balenced max
Dynamight SFT
Larocco Dual Mono Headcode
Rudistor RPO10-B
Sugden Headmaster
Meier Opera
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post #7 of 99
2/2/07 at 4:15am
My M³ is the "best" solid state amp I've owned. I've only had the amp for a couple of days and have only tried the W5000 with it so far.

I own or have owned in the past RSA HR-2, Headamp Gilmore Lite, Headroom Micro Amp, Corda HA-2 MkII SE, SR-71, Hornet, PINT, Porta Corda MkII and CMoy.

Keep in mind that there can be headphone/amp synergy, but most important of all, we all have different tastes.
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post #8 of 99
2/2/07 at 12:42pm
Presonus Central Station compares well to the Grace 902 for less money.

Sounds warm, alot of power and the features cannot be beat.
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post #9 of 99
2/2/07 at 1:02pm
The best SS amp that I currently own and listen to is the Headamp GS-X. The Dynamight SFT sound like an awesome amp also, may have to looking into getting one in the future.
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post #10 of 99
2/2/07 at 6:55pm
Thread Starter 

Dynamite...dang

why aren't there more makers of SS amps? I thought there'd be tons more than that....

man....a balanced gilmore dynamite sounds pretty good.
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post #11 of 99
2/2/07 at 6:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTroy View Post
why aren't there more makers of SS amps? I thought there'd be tons more than that....

man....a balanced gilmore dynamite sounds pretty good.
Keep in mind this is a very niche hobby, so most companies probably don't even bother with it.
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post #12 of 99
2/2/07 at 7:08pm
Hopefully, my three channel, pure class A b22 amp that is nearing completion will be the best SS amp.

It certainly is expensive to build though..lets hope the efforts are worth it.
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post #13 of 99
2/2/07 at 7:24pm
What happened to lehman black cube? When i started reading head-fi it was loved by everyone
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post #14 of 99
2/2/07 at 8:30pm
I think Rudistor RP1000 could be the best SS amp.
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post #15 of 99
2/2/07 at 8:37pm
RSa HR-2
PS Audio headphone amp
Headamp GSX
Lehamn Cube
Headamp GS1
RSA xp-7
lots of head room stuff
Meier amps


all of those are so damm close its not funny, if one person likes one they can easily like another. where one may have a con the other has a pro but all across the board they are very very very close in sound.
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