Good Tube Amp for Denon D2000/D5000?
Apr 16, 2008 at 9:01 PM Post #61 of 93
Robonaut, I think you will find a lot of people (me included) disagree. Headphones are indeed very idiosyncratic, but once you find one whose sound you really like, it makes perfect sense to maximize the experience of those headphones with a great amp, even if the amp costs more than the cans. I use a Singlepower Extreme ($1200) at work with $400 Beyer DT990/600's, and it is a terrific match. I don't WANT to change headphones...
 
Apr 17, 2008 at 2:32 AM Post #62 of 93
Skylab,

well, I definitely respect your opinion.

I wonder if the discrepancy between headphone and amp prices has to do with the fact that some of the best headphones come from rather larger companies (Denon, JVC, Sony, etc) while the amps are being made by smaller manufacturers. You know, economy of scale and all that.

My D5000s are on the way--maybe after I've used them for a month or so with the Parasound Zpre2 I will pick up one of the more easily returnable high-end amps (like a Lehmann Linear or a PS Audio GCHA) and see what all of the fuss is about.
wink.gif
 
Apr 17, 2008 at 12:45 PM Post #63 of 93
Quote:

Originally Posted by Robonaut /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I wonder if the discrepancy between headphone and amp prices has to do with the fact that some of the best headphones come from rather larger companies (Denon, JVC, Sony, etc) while the amps are being made by smaller manufacturers. You know, economy of scale and all that.


That does indeed play a significant role, I believe.
 
Apr 24, 2008 at 11:50 PM Post #65 of 93
I have the D5000 and the Bada.

The D5000 is not my favorite headphone with the Bada. There is a hum through the Bada no matter what tubes I use. Many have commented that the Bada is not at it's best with Grado's and other low impedance headphones.

Email me offline if you would like more feedback.
 
Apr 26, 2008 at 12:53 AM Post #68 of 93
if i recall correctly, neither of them match well with low impedance cans.

the MKV is reported to hiss with the Denon's as they are only 25 ohm. i think the advice was to buy an impedance adapter. you can search the forums for more info.

not sure how this would work with the MKIV.
 
Apr 26, 2008 at 11:41 AM Post #69 of 93
A good option for a tube with low impedance phones is a Hybrid. The SOHA with gain set to low paired with a Jisbos really performs well with low impedance phones. The Jisbos is more transperant than a cap or tranny. The only issue is the tube is run at a low B+ but the designer has a new version that corrects this.
 
Apr 26, 2008 at 1:58 PM Post #70 of 93
My 5000's sound wonderful with the Singlepower MPX3 Slam. I prefer tube amplification as I can tailor the sound of the cans; make up for weaknesses, enhance strenghts.
 
May 21, 2008 at 11:15 PM Post #72 of 93
Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewK /img/forum/go_quote.gif
*sigh* Some of these look really great, but they are sadly all too expensive. The Darkvoice 337 has 2W of output (that's pretty rare from what I've personally seen, most are 1W max). I'd love to get it, but yikes, way out of my price range. I'd like to stay at about $300 or less, but my absolute max is $400. I wish there were more options out there for low impedance 'phones.. *sigh*
frown.gif


My ideal amp would be very high current, if not a tube amp then the ability to roll single-channel opamps (AD843 and OPA627/OPA637!), and (please, no one hit me for saying this!) a bass boost option.


I have the Antique Sound Lab MG Head DT OTL MKIII, available from Audio Advisor for $395 shipped. It's a killer little tube amp for the money, but I haven't heard it with your cans. Anyone know if this would be a decent match considering the price?
 
May 22, 2008 at 4:29 AM Post #73 of 93
Quote:

Originally Posted by nautikal /img/forum/go_quote.gif
How do the D2000s do with a Darkvoice 336i?


i wouldn't know first hand, but i have researched this. apparently, you will want nothing less than a DV 337 when trying to drive Denon's.
 
May 29, 2008 at 9:53 PM Post #74 of 93
"Psst... hey... don't tell anybody... but..." the X-CANv8 is quite possibly one of the best amps you'll ever find for the D2000/D5000s - at least for <$1,000.

It just seems to be the "perfect match" for their low impedance, and huge current requirements.

And... the plus... with it... you don't really need the "Markl Mods."
 
May 30, 2008 at 2:07 AM Post #75 of 93
At home I am using them with the XCAN-V3 and they sound fine to me.
At the office I use them with the Headroom Desktop Portable which also drives them very well.

-- Sanjay
 
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