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Looking for "Crystal Clear" AMP

post #1 of 40
11/10/09 at 9:13pm
Thread Starter 
I have been very pleased with one of my two setup: PSA DL III + PSA GCHA + DT880/600 ohm. And I'm looking for another amp that have similar sound trend like GCHA/GS-1 that kind of crystal clear sound.

Some possible candidates are: Lehmann BCL, Auditor, ROC,...or even M^3. My previous encounter with M3 is very short and would like to try again. Also, I might try to use this new AMP for the 600 ohm Beyer. I would really appreciate some of your experience or suggestion to help me pin down the right one.

(As you can see SS is my preference at this moment. But I might try tube amp again if it is really good in terms of the "crystal clear" criteria, which I meant details, large soundstage, fast, clear with good feeling of the reverberance).

Many thanks!
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post #2 of 40
11/10/09 at 10:18pm
b22?
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post #3 of 40
11/10/09 at 11:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henerenry View Post
b22?
It could be the one, but the total size is quite impressive and kind of too big for me. I just missed one opportunity with price tag close to $1k. It is gone in a heart beat. BTW, $1k is my ceiling and certainly lower is better. And I definitely consider the used ones.

From what I read the sound signature of Lavry DA10, GS-1, Lehmann, Auditor (Phonitor is a little bit too $$$) seems to be what I want. (Lavry may not be suitable for 600 ohm). Phoenix may be too hot and smooth for me but balance output is appealing. Auditor seems to be most affordable, but the sound quality without Phonitor's advanced features have not well established. So, I would like to hear more opinion...
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post #4 of 40
11/11/09 at 2:41am
Benchmark H1 (the amp built into the DAC1) ?

Benchmark Media Systems - H1
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post #5 of 40
11/11/09 at 3:06am
The benchmark is not the way to go. It is anything buy a high end amp. Maybe consider the ALO Amphora. IIRC it got rave reviews at canjam for very transparent sound.
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post #6 of 40
11/11/09 at 3:48am
Dynahi/Dynamight. Gilmore Lite/GS-1/GS-X if you can't find a builder/parts for a Dynahi/Dynamight.

If you are a baller and have connections then a dynafet or a dynaphat, but good luck on that
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post #7 of 40
11/11/09 at 10:41am
While I would second the Amphora, Skylabs review mentioned that for those with 600 ohm cans one should look elsewhere. But on the topic of transparency, It would be hard to beat. Its also right at the edge of your budget.
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post #8 of 40
11/11/09 at 10:50am
I found that Headroom amps had a good SS clarity.
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post #9 of 40
11/11/09 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Icarium View Post
a dynaphat, but good luck on that
I thought the dynafet was quite confidential but now you have to tell us what the dynaphat is !
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post #10 of 40
11/11/09 at 12:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pekingduck View Post
Benchmark H1 (the amp built into the DAC1) ?

Benchmark Media Systems - H1
Exactly as tintin47 pointed out, the amp section of it does not seem to be highly regarded. Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by kboe View Post
While I would second the Amphora, Skylabs review mentioned that for those with 600 ohm cans one should look elsewhere. But on the topic of transparency, It would be hard to beat. Its also right at the edge of your budget.
Amphora is very interesting indeed. But it has two issues (with me). I also found Skylab's review on it and understood it potential limitation for 600 ohm beyer.

The second issue is more bother to me. I thought Amphora use re-chargeable battery. I don't like to be worry about if the batter has enough juice whenever I listen to it and later the battery need to be changed when it cannot hold the charge.

Otherwise, it seems to be highly regarded for what I pursue.

Thanks for the suggestions, though.
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post #11 of 40
11/11/09 at 12:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Icarium View Post
Dynahi/Dynamight. Gilmore Lite/GS-1/GS-X if you can't find a builder/parts for a Dynahi/Dynamight.

If you are a baller and have connections then a dynafet or a dynaphat, but good luck on that
Currently, I don't have the time to build, but eventually (1~2 years later) this may be the route for me to get something like GS-1 type of sound. And then B22 after that.

But at this moment, I just cannot spare any moment for it. Thanks!
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post #12 of 40
11/11/09 at 8:39pm
Skylab had good results with the Audio-gd Phoenix and 600 Ohm Beyers, so if the Roc is within your price range, that might be the way to go, if the "sound" you're looking for is one without coloration.
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post #13 of 40
11/11/09 at 9:31pm
The only Crystal clear headphone amp i have ever heard is made by NVA.What goes in ,comes out,mind you, this is not always a good thing.
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post #14 of 40
11/11/09 at 9:57pm
Audio Technica AT-HA5000 gets my vote for the crystal clear category but sadly it is not widely distributed outside of Japan.
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post #15 of 40
11/12/09 at 3:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dukja View Post
And I'm looking for another amp that have similar sound trend like GS-1 that kind of crystal clear sound.
The closest amp I can think of to the GS-1 is the GS-1.



No, but in all honesty, why not the GS-1?

You must have heard the rumor, the GS-1 is wire with amplification. It pretty much is.
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