Quote:
Originally posted by Alan_P
Jude,
Glad to hear that my Max is no slouch with the 600s. But it is the only headphone amp I have ever heard and all the talk of different amps on the board here, I thought I might be missng out. 
Is there any tube based headphone amp that can compete with the Max in its price range? |
Wow, your first amp was straight to the Max? As it turns out, you're a smart guy, because the one I've got is a phenomenal amp.
Regarding tube amps that compete with the Max: Yes, I'm sure there are, but it's hard for me to comment on any of them in that price range because I haven't heard them. I can say this, however: The distributor of MG Head DT's sent me an extensively hotrodded version that he said sounded "very close" to the AudioValve RKV. I believe it because it was a significant sonic step up from the already good-sounding (and popular) stock MG Head DT (I ended up returning both MG Heads because of a persistent low-level hum). I speak only from audio memory (which to some isn't saying much), and I know that to my ears, the Max is the superior amp.
The Max I've got is at once musical
and highly detailed. I was getting addicted to crossfeed, but decided to try listening with it off for a couple straight days. I'm back to listening without crossfeed for now, as I find the tonal balance more neutral with it off (but I do miss the more head-filling presence that crossfeed provides). One thing that none of the other amps I've listened to so far can touch is the impact, tactility and body that the Max conveys, most notably in the lower registers (hey, I'm giving away some of my review here!).
