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What amp "matches" the UE11's? (UE 11 pro headphone amplifier selection)

post #1 of 50
5/11/08 at 9:58am
Thread Starter 
Those which apparently cab drive the UE11's well include:

RSA Predator
PICO
LISA III

Anything else? Impressions of the above?
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post #2 of 50
5/11/08 at 10:55am
Opinions on this are varied. You will likely end up having to try some combos yourself to really get the true answer for your preferences.

Some seem to be a fan of the Pico/UE11 combo. Others enjoy the Lisa. Personally I never thought the Lisa was that great with the UE11 and never understood why some sang such high praises for the combo.

The Predator is my choice. I nearly gave up on the Predator three different times while burning it in. Getting to over 1000 hours is just crazy. Figured I might as well stick it out and see what happens. So glad I did. The Predator UE11 combo is simply amazing. So much so that I stopped worrying about what the Pico might sound like and I just started enjoying the music.

I have heard Ray Samuels Apache is the end all be all amps with the UE11. Haven't heard it myself though.
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post #3 of 50
5/11/08 at 11:20am
I hope you don't mean that the UE11 are hard to drive...

It is probably all a matter of taste in variation of sound. What kind of sound are you looking for?
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post #4 of 50
5/11/08 at 11:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by filipelli View Post
I hope you don't mean that the UE11 are hard to drive...
Don't know. My purpose is to get a list of headphone amp options to try out Would you say that they're fine unamped?

It's just that I've seen posts like this:

Specifically, the UE11's sounded very ordinary when plugged directly into your DAP's. While it has very engaging mids / vocals, the bass was bloaty, boomy and unfocussed, and the sound signature was overwhelmingly warm. In fact, it sounded surprisingly coloured. In terms of clarity, separation and detail it did not compare favourably to the Triple-Fi 10 pro.

To say that I was surprised was an understatement. It didn't compare well at all with the TF10. The TF10 gives a huge soundstage, and the bass was tight and punchy and the treble was silky smooth. Music just sounded much better. My Futuresonics Atrios M8 has better treble sparkle. For clarity and separation, my Sleek SA6 sounded way better. So what gives?

Despite the fact that the UE11's nominal impedance is only 18 ohms, it is not easy to drive at all, especially straight from the anemic headphone out of most DAP's. This is an extremely power-hungry earphone. Plugging it into an amp is a must - and not just any amp either. The amp must be able to pump out a serious amount of juice.

from: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/fir...ml#post4197197

--

ok. so will definitely listen to the predator.
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post #5 of 50
5/13/08 at 8:42am
kenwood D9+ue11, in my opinion,best balance between portability and quality.
ue 11 is not so hard to drive.no need for a amp.
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post #6 of 50
5/13/08 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by digihead View Post
Opinions on this are varied. You will likely end up having to try some combos yourself to really get the true answer for your preferences.

Some seem to be a fan of the Pico/UE11 combo. Others enjoy the Lisa. Personally I never thought the Lisa was that great with the UE11 and never understood why some sang such high praises for the combo.
Personally, I think the Lisa is the best combo! I really, really like what the Lisa does to the highs.

I also have an iQube and think it is very close to the Lisa, perhaps even more neutral. On bad recordings this can be a problem, you will hear it all. Somehow the Lisa preserves ALL the musical details, gives all the nuances, yet still remains musical with almost everything. I can't quite say how this works, but it does for me.

I sent my Pico back after really wanting to like it. With the UE11's I found the midrange just waaayy too forward.

Your review makes me really want to try a Predator! I have been very impressed with other RSA amps (Hornet, Tomahawk, SR71), just never had one at the same time I've had the UE11's.
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post #7 of 50
5/13/08 at 4:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreeBlues View Post
Personally, I think the Lisa is the best combo! I really, really like what the Lisa does to the highs.

I also have an iQube and think it is very close to the Lisa, perhaps even more neutral. On bad recordings this can be a problem, you will hear it all. Somehow the Lisa preserves ALL the musical details, gives all the nuances, yet still remains musical with almost everything. I can't quite say how this works, but it does for me.

I sent my Pico back after really wanting to like it. With the UE11's I found the midrange just waaayy too forward.

Your review makes me really want to try a Predator! I have been very impressed with other RSA amps (Hornet, Tomahawk, SR71), just never had one at the same time I've had the UE11's.
Agreed about the iQube...it is a great amp with the UE11. Very different from the Predator in that it is a much bigger more open airy kind of sound.

You should really try a burned in (1,000 + hr) Predator...really great combo.
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post #8 of 50
5/13/08 at 5:11pm
x2 on the Predator.
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post #9 of 50
5/13/08 at 9:30pm
x3 on predator!
i found the low gain on pico too hot for ue-11
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post #10 of 50
5/14/08 at 10:32am
Im pretty new to all of this...... and about to get my UE 11's in the mail.

Can someone explain to me two things:

1. How does an amp work?

2. What exactly does 'burn in' mean? And when you say 'burn in' are you referring to the monitors or the amp or the combination?

Thanks from a newbie.
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post #11 of 50
5/14/08 at 10:50am
x4 on the predator!

The UE's sound great straight from my DAP, only the bass can sometimes overwhelm. The predator just locks it down and gets everything right! (320hrs burn in)
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post #12 of 50
5/18/08 at 11:31pm
Has anyone tried the UE11 with the new Go-Vibe Magnum?

If I am very lucky the UE11 may not need an amp when using my Iaudio/Cowon D2 as a source.

Explore
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post #13 of 50
5/19/08 at 12:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Explorer View Post
Has anyone tried the UE11 with the new Go-Vibe Magnum?

If I am very lucky the UE11 may not need an amp when using my Iaudio/Cowon D2 as a source.

Explore
Personally, i found petite to be better. Magnum sound bommy and bloated in the lows, high not extended enough. sound is quite close in. If you need a real portable amp arounnd the price, I find Xin SuperMicro IV and SuperMini IV to be perfect. But Xin recent service is real bad.
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post #14 of 50
5/19/08 at 2:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by theory_87 View Post
Personally, i found petite to be better. Magnum sound bommy and bloated in the lows, high not extended enough. sound is quite close in. If you need a real portable amp arounnd the price, I find Xin SuperMicro IV and SuperMini IV to be perfect. But Xin recent service is real bad.
Hi theory_87,

Actually, I have a Xin Reference on order and own a Xin SuperMini-III. Unfortunately, I placed questionable batteries in my SuperMini-III and they leaked. I am still hoping that it can be repaired at some point.

Explorer

PS I recently picked up a MiniBox E+ to tide me over.

PPS I have listened, with my Livewires, to a very early preproduction model of the Magnum. I expect I will take another listen but with my new UE11, when I visit Singapore again in June. (assumes I get delivery of my UE11s in time)
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post #15 of 50
5/19/08 at 10:50am
+5 on predator ok
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