REVIEW: Audio-GD Phoenix Balanced Solid-State Headphone Amplifier - Page 2

Glad you like it, Rob. Very nice review.

Did you try using the different volume selections (70 and 99 step)? I'm curious if you hear a difference in tone.

Also, you should review its pre-amp abilities with your speaker system. And if only you were able to get an Audio-gd DAC to use with it via the ACSS inputs. You would find a 10 - 15% improvement in sound quality.

Agreed on the bass. Definitely not the most bass impact, a little short in this area.

Hi Skylab, D5k also one of the HP tested by kingwa on Phoenix. After I balanced the D5K, it give more balance tone and not as lean as SE. So I wonder if you make your DX1000 balance will be another story.

A very enjoyable read Sky

Well done. One note to add, the use of HD650's + XLR out from the RE1 is a tad dark (with the stock HD650 cable) but combined with CAST and a silver/copper hybrid DIY balanced cable for the 650's and that darkish tonal balance disappears leaving a lovely and even top to bottom balance. Your observations mirror my own to a fair degree with the only real difference coming from the CAST pathway. It's lifts some of the dark quality and adds further refinements in terms of transient speed and dynamic power. A slightly sharper sound stage is also a positive improvement using the CAST pathway.

Definitely give it a go as a main system preamp. You'll be mezmerized by the presentation I'm willing to bet. The imaging compared to headphones is rather spooky in it's 3D presentation which is so tightly focused ( CAST pathway) you needn't put any effort into thinking about where the mix portrays the instruments, nor are you distracted by any negatives WRT treble rendition. I have ribbon tweeters which with a bright amp can be painful to listen to (somewhat recording dependent but you obviously take this into account)..not with the Phoenix...it's the best rendition of treble I've yet heard from my planar/ribbon hybrids. The bass is world class and definitely not lacking by any means in this mode so I have to wonder if most headphone specific designs don't artificially boost the 80-120 hz region to positive effect ?

Anyhow I'm sure the RE1/CD7 in front of the amp contributes a fair chunk to what I hear with my system (and so they should)

Great job once again Sky

Peete.

Possible to hear a few more words about how it stands up against the RSA apache?

But I assume there aint a huge diffrence seeing as you dont remember it standing out?
Its a pretty big price diffrence on the two.
Currently looking for an amp for a future HD 800.

Then this certainly looks like an amp worth its price.
Hows the delivery times roughly on this roughly?

Skylab, you could always get a second pair of dx1000 if you really worry about your one pair, or do it when the warranty expires.

Also, what exactly does cast do thats so special?

And what about the volume clicking. Have you heard something like that? Are there any other things you may complain about.

From what I read, CAST allows the end users to use less than 'exotic' cables. Comparing with top exotic XLR cables, the differences are very subtle or nil.