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Budget amplifier for AKG K1000 - Page 2

post #16 of 35
5/14/09 at 12:23am
Also consider the Travagans Red with upgraded AD743 opamps which you can buy from HiFlight. He and I are both using one for our K1000, and upgraded the opamps. Although HiFlight says the SAC K1000 amp is the best he's heard for the K1000 or other phones, he says the Red is still pretty nice and he is keeping his as a spare amp.

The Qinpu A-3 from head-direct also does a very respectable job driving the K1000, and the cheap stock tubes sounded better with the K1000 than a $25 matched set of Sylvania 2C51.
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post #17 of 35
5/14/09 at 10:52am
Prior to acquiring my SAC K-1000 amp, I use the Winsome Labs Mouse, which did a superb job of effortlessly driving the K1Ks. Cost is very modest, and size is quite small. In hindsight, I could easily have lived with this amp on a permanent basis. For further information, here is their website link:

Winsome Labs

I have also used the Travagan's Red. It didn't sound very impressive until I replaced the opamp with a set of AD743JN, then it did a creditable job of driving the K1Ks as long as you don't need a high volume level.

Overall, considering performance vs cost, I would highly recommend the Winsome Labs Mouse. I noted very little audible differences between it and the SAC K-1000 amp, although the Mouse is unable to be used with conventional headphones, due to the common ground of headphone jacks. It is designed for driving speakers, which are, after all, what the K1Ks really are.
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post #18 of 35
6/4/09 at 6:37pm
I have since added a Redwine Audio modified Teac L700P power amp as a backup to my SAC K-1000 amp.

This amp is the predecessor to the RWA Signature 30 and 30.2, and does a superb job of driving the K-1000s. There is absolutely no stridency to the highs, and bass is deep and full. My K1Ks have never sounded so good.

To be honest, I prefer the Teac to my SAC K-1000 amp. As it is SLA powered, it is dead-quiet, with no hum or hiss at all. It is recommended that recharging should be done after about 10 hours of use to yield maximum battery life, but the included charger automatically begins charging whenever the Teac is turned off. Charging then automatically ceases with the batteries are fully charged. As the included charger is a 1000ma unit, recharging doesn't take very long.

I am using a Promethius passive amp with the Teac, so what I have is, in effect, one of the largest portable systems that one can imagine!

If you can locate one of the RWA Teacs, the cost should be well under $500, giving you an absolutely top-rate K-1000 amplifier for a budget price
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post #19 of 35
6/5/09 at 5:00pm
I have used the Big Joe from Firestone and then a Rega Brio integrated before moving to the Acoustic Masterpiece. Both changes have given me a step up in sound quality, but even the Big Joe did a decent job driving the K1000.

My recommendation would be to go for a used integrated. It will drive the K1000 very well and not cost a lot of money. I think the Jolida suggestion is very good, as the k1000 likes tubes.
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post #20 of 35
6/5/09 at 5:19pm
May I ask which one

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kane-DK View Post
before moving to the Acoustic Masterpiec
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post #21 of 35
6/5/09 at 5:23pm
AudiogoN ForSale: Jolida FX10

Heres another Jolida, thats new. I have not heard this, but have heard two other Jolida integrateds that played above there price range. Underwood HIFI is a great and reliable dealer.
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post #22 of 35
6/5/09 at 8:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackmore View Post
May I ask which one
The AM-201. Like this one.



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post #23 of 35
6/5/09 at 9:06pm
i'm using a pair of ASL wave monoblocks to power my k1000. provides more than enough juice, though not as refined as my previous sig30. then again, the sig30 cost 10x more...
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post #24 of 35
6/5/09 at 9:55pm
Wow didn't realize Vinnie started out with modded T-amps. He's come a long way, in a short amount of time no less!
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post #25 of 35
6/5/09 at 11:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xan7hos View Post
Wow didn't realize Vinnie started out with modded T-amps. He's come a long way, in a short amount of time no less!
yep, that he has. have had a few convos and email exchanges with him...and he's a really nice guy and i'm glad to see that he's doing well.
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post #26 of 35
6/6/09 at 12:52am
flying mole SA-50. it's a compact class D amp that has tubey sound. the bass is BIG companre to other amps i have tried with k1000.
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post #27 of 35
6/6/09 at 2:45am
Try finding a good used EL84 tube amp. It's a great sounding tube and will match well with the K1000.
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post #28 of 35
6/6/09 at 4:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by franci2105 View Post
Hi everybody,
this is the first thread that I post so sorry for any possible mistake.

I just bought a used pair of AKG K1000 and I'm looking for an amplifier to drive them. I know that one of te best solution would be the WOOAUDIO 5 but is too expensive for me.
I already have the WOOAUDIO 6 which I use to drive my others headphones but I have read that it doesn't have enough power to drive the AKG K1000 properly.

My budget limit is 600 US$ for a brand new amp. Please also suggest me if there is any used amp that would cost that money because that would be also a solution for me.

Regards, Francesco.
Hello Francesco,
do you want an integrated or a power amplifier? if you have a good pre you can use it..
Which is your source?
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post #29 of 35
6/6/09 at 5:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xan7hos View Post
Wow didn't realize Vinnie started out with modded T-amps. He's come a long way, in a short amount of time no less!
Yeah, he certainly have come a long way in these few years.
I simply love his Signature 30.2 amplifier with the K1000, but it is not a budget amplifier..
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post #30 of 35
6/6/09 at 6:04am
The SAC KH-1000 should be on the list of low cost amp custom designed for the K1000.

Not very popular here but I heard that it is a great piece of gear for the K1000.

F. Lo
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