Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Discussions › Balanced solid state amp options
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Balanced solid state amp options

post #1 of 22
11/19/09 at 4:34am
Thread Starter 
Hi there, I've been away for a year or so...and I see a new amp in my future I've looked around and surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be a helluva lot new on the DIY front since I was last here, other than the Cavalli EHHA.

Anyway I've been loving my Millett Hybrid Max, but I got the itch again. This time I'd like to take advantage of the balanced outputs on my souped-up Emu 1212m. And I think I'd like to go solid-state this time (too many tubes to worry about on a balanced tube amp!).

Obviously I'd like something at least in the same league as the Millett, in terms of sound quality. I still want a musical sounding amp but something geared more toward detail, rather than the tube sound.

What are my options there? I'm prepared to spend a few hundred dollars, not including enclosure, if necessary, but the B22 is too much. What other SS amps have people made in balanced configuration?

BTW, plan to use this with K701s...
Reply
post #2 of 22
11/19/09 at 5:01am
Why not M3 The M³ Stereo Headphone Amplifier . Look at "other options". I'd recommend you to use better opamps like OPA827 or OPA627. AD8620 is expensive and IMO not priceworthy. It's good but not fabulous. I know amb recommends JFET input opamps, but modern bibolar like LM49720, AD8599 or OPA2211 with low input bias currents could also be used with slightly tweaked resistor/pot values.

You could also use Mini3, CKKIII, or PIMETA v2 boards.
Reply
post #3 of 22
11/19/09 at 6:07am
concur on balanced M3. but it will be more than just a few bills.
Reply
post #4 of 22
11/19/09 at 6:16am
I really like the PPAv2 over the M^3. I'd say within a reasonable budget, go with CKK-III or a Dynamid if you can stretch it.
Reply
post #5 of 22
11/19/09 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FallenAngel View Post
I really like the PPAv2 over the M^3. I'd say within a reasonable budget, go with CKK-III or a Dynamid if you can stretch it.
Just curious why you prefer the PPAv2 over the M^3? They are very similar designs, only real difference is in the output stage.
Reply
post #6 of 22
11/19/09 at 11:36am
I love my CK2III. It punches well above its weight and I have to thing that a balanced version would be a fantastic amp.
Reply
post #7 of 22
11/19/09 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by m1abrams View Post
Just curious why you prefer the PPAv2 over the M^3? They are very similar designs, only real difference is in the output stage.
and it's pretty absurd that something like an output stage would cause a person to prefer one amp over another, right?
Reply
post #8 of 22
11/19/09 at 1:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvdunhill View Post
and it's pretty absurd that something like an output stage would cause a person to prefer one amp over another, right?
No you misunderstood me. That is not absurd at all. I just wanted more info on his reasons.

I feel stating, "I like PPAv2 over M^3" - to be less than helpful for someone making a choice. If he likes it because he feels the MOSFET output stage has a quality he does not like well then maybe the poster happens to LIKE that quality in an amp and his reason would give the poster a better reason to choose an amp.

Opinions without reasons behind them are kinda useless for other people. Not saying his opinion is not valid, actually quite the opposite saying that I would like to know more of why his opinion is the way it is.
Reply
post #9 of 22
11/19/09 at 4:03pm
Simple - I prefer how the PPAv2 sounds.
Reply
post #10 of 22
11/19/09 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FallenAngel View Post
Simple - I prefer how the PPAv2 sounds.
Hey that is a perfectly valid reason, actually the only valid reason IMHO. But is kinda useless to anyone that is trying to make an informed decision on the product since that person probably does not know your specific tastes.

I prefer the Nissan 350Z over the Mazada MX-5, does that statement tell you anything about the two cars that you can use to base whether you might like one over the other?

Or would the fact that I am 6 feet tall pushing 200 pounds and feel like a clown in the MX-5 because it is a much smaller car help you? If you are of similar disposition to small cars that may assist you.

I wish I could provide a preference of the M^3 over the PPA, however I have not heard a PPA so can not.
Reply
post #11 of 22
11/19/09 at 4:54pm
Well, I definitely prefer the 350Z as well

As for why I like the PPAv2, and of course this is "to my ears, in my system, the way I hear it, etc". I think it's a more detailed amp, has great highs and packs considerably more punchy bass instead of slower, warmer bass of the M^3.
Reply
post #12 of 22
11/19/09 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FallenAngel View Post
Well, I definitely prefer the 350Z as well

As for why I like the PPAv2, and of course this is "to my ears, in my system, the way I hear it, etc". I think it's a more detailed amp, has great highs and packs considerably more punchy bass instead of slower, warmer bass of the M^3.
Thanks
Reply
post #13 of 22
11/19/09 at 5:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FallenAngel View Post
I really like the PPAv2 over the M^3.
I am not DIY-savvy at all, but I also like the sound of the PPAv2 over the M^3.
Reply
post #14 of 22
11/19/09 at 10:26pm
Thread Starter 
The PPAv2 is designed with a wall-wart in mind, right? So would you need a toroidal with line voltage to power two of them in a balanced setup?
Reply
post #15 of 22
11/19/09 at 10:30pm
Uhm.... really not sure what that means.

All amps are designed to run off a power supply. Whether you want to run the 2 amps from 2 supplies or 1 supply is really up to you.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Discussions › Balanced solid state amp options