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K1000 + Beta22 = wow (anyone compare b22 to other k1k amps?)

post #1 of 68
7/25/07 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 
I got a pair of K1000 in the mail today, so, of course, I immediately plugged them into my balanced Beta22. I'm completely floored by the sound, but in Head-Fi spirit I'm interested in seeing if anyone's been able to do a comparison between the Beta22 driving the K1000 and the other well-known K1K amps like the Alephs, the RWA, the Moth, etc.
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post #2 of 68
7/25/07 at 9:08pm
i'm working on finishing up my b22 build(well, it works, but it's just bare boards and a bunch of jumpers, so I'm too afraid to plug my k1000's into it yet)... I'll do a detailed review of it vs my firstwatt F2 clone... should be interesting
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post #3 of 68
7/25/07 at 9:47pm
Thread Starter 
I look forward to it, gates.
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post #4 of 68
7/25/07 at 11:46pm
How is the B22 with the bass?
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post #5 of 68
7/26/07 at 12:12am
Thread Starter 
The bass is light for my tastes (coming from the Denon D2000, though), but what's there is really good and in pretty good balance with the mids and highs. It's enough for me to still thoroughly enjoy it, so there's a decent amount. I think the K1000 sounds great with the Beta22, but I've never heard any other amp with it outside of a meet.
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post #6 of 68
7/26/07 at 2:26pm
The schematics for the F1 are up at www.firstwatt.com

It should not be hard to build, since it is a pretty simple circuit. The F1 makes the K1000s' bass much more tactile and enjoyable. Ideally you can use the B22 as a pre-amp, because the F1 is a current-source amp, it will output current in the exact same proportion as the input voltage. And since the B22 can already swing a lot of voltage, the F1 should be able to output a huge amount of current, which means better control of the bass.
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post #7 of 68
7/26/07 at 2:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fierce_freak View Post
The bass is light for my tastes (coming from the Denon D2000, though), but what's there is really good and in pretty good balance with the mids and highs. It's enough for me to still thoroughly enjoy it, so there's a decent amount. I think the K1000 sounds great with the Beta22, but I've never heard any other amp with it outside of a meet.
You should hear an Aleph or Firstwatt. The bass is nothing less than stellar on my setup. My tube preamp really helped my setup though.
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post #8 of 68
7/26/07 at 3:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pak View Post
You should hear an Aleph or Firstwatt. The bass is nothing less than stellar on my setup. My tube preamp really helped my setup though.
Agreed - make sure the preamp has a tube signature if you get the F1 which can sound a bit analytical compared to the Aleph. But the F1 with some pre amp warmth might just be the ticket and gives the most bass I've heard with the K-1000s.

I was lucky to get an Aleph clone for $400 on audiogon, no lack of bass other than the usual K-1000 roll off which no amp can fix.
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post #9 of 68
7/26/07 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by robm321 View Post
Agreed - make sure the preamp has a tube signature if you get the F1 which can sound a bit analytical compared to the Aleph. But the F1 with some pre amp warmth might just be the ticket and gives the most bass I've heard with the K-1000s.

I was lucky to get an Aleph clone for $400 on audiogon, no lack of bass other than the usual K-1000 roll off which no amp can fix.
There is definitely a difference between the Aleph series and the F1, and having owned both, I would say that the Aleph has a more "tubey" sound, which was what Nelson Pass intended, but the sound was a little bit fuzzier and rounder than I would've liked, and the F1 just controls the bass so much better.

And the F1 is more transparent and revealing of upstream gear, if that is important to you. I've heard the GS-X and the Zana Deux as the pre-amp for the F1, and each combination sounded different, which leads me to believe that the F1 imposes very little signature of its own.

I personally like the clarity, detail, and bass control provided by a top-notch SS amp, but the F1/K1000 combo is transparent enough that you can tweak the sound with source and/or pre-amp. This is why I haven't heard two F1/K1000 system that sounds the same yet.
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post #10 of 68
7/26/07 at 8:31pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I guess if I keep the K1000 (probably will) I'll have to eventually make myself an F1 as I prefer SS amplification. The b22 now seems kind of pointless (never thought I'd say that!), but I won't be able to say for sure until I can compare to the F1 and the like.
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post #11 of 68
7/26/07 at 9:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by humanflyz View Post
There is definitely a difference between the Aleph series and the F1, and having owned both, I would say that the Aleph has a more "tubey" sound, which was what Nelson Pass intended, but the sound was a little bit fuzzier and rounder than I would've liked, and the F1 just controls the bass so much better.

And the F1 is more transparent and revealing of upstream gear, if that is important to you. I've heard the GS-X and the Zana Deux as the pre-amp for the F1, and each combination sounded different, which leads me to believe that the F1 imposes very little signature of its own.

I personally like the clarity, detail, and bass control provided by a top-notch SS amp, but the F1/K1000 combo is transparent enough that you can tweak the sound with source and/or pre-amp. This is why I haven't heard two F1/K1000 system that sounds the same yet.
Agreed- I think stating "analytical" in regards to the F1 wasn't right. I meant more SS sounding than the Aleph. But I don't remember what Neil had it hooked to for a pre-amp. The F1 clearly has a cleaner (less fuzzy) sound with better bass though.

~~~~

I think the F1 would be the way to go if you like SS and have the budget. I have some files that might help you if you want to DIY (DIY is about $900 in parts I believe). Let me know. I believe they are the schematics for the boards and what to order... I think I still have them?.?

Or of course if you hit the lotto, the Zanden would be nice as well
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post #12 of 68
7/26/07 at 10:13pm
I definitely like a warmer sounding amp with the K1000. When I had the Lavry to the Aleph the sound was a bit too clinical, with very sharp edges. The North Star/Melos gels a lot better with the Aleph.
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post #13 of 68
7/26/07 at 10:23pm
Thread Starter 
I'll probably go for the F1, but it will be awhile as my funds are pretty well depleted after the Beta22, Opus DAC, and now the K1000. I could always sell the Beta22, I guess, but I can't consider that until I've decided if the K1000 are staying for sure or not.

-edit- romb321, i'd love whatever you have on the F1, thanks
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post #14 of 68
7/26/07 at 10:26pm
Man, post like this makes me impatient about waiting for my amps! I have a Beta22 w/ K1000 jack and Singlepower power amp w/ K1000 jack coming at some point. I can't wait to hear my K1000's through them.
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post #15 of 68
7/27/07 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone else with any impressions? I tried the K1000 with a different DAC today and the bass was almost to my liking (keep in mind, I'm a bit of a bass head).
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