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confused about what amp to buy, w/ tube or solid state w/ K702

post #1 of 24
11/26/09 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

This is my first post here in this forum, but read a lot of your reviews and posts, but it's time to me to post by my own.

I'm a little bit confused about my purchase. I want to buy a good set of Headphone with a good amp, but i have to respect my budget.
The problem is... i come from Canada, Quebec and here in Qubec City(that explain my poor english, sry), we don't really have good stores to listen this kind of stuff, except one but he just sale grado, not that is bad but i can't compare with the other brand.

So, in the head-fi forum i heard good things on the AKG K702 and grado sr325i....i'm really open here for others....

Here is how i will use my amp and phone:

1)mainly listen to jazz(miles davis, coltrane, scofield, Herbie Hancock), blues, bob Dylan, Dave Matthews band, BenHarper, Tom waits....

2)no ipod, just for home use, on my new couch.....

3)My amp must be able to drive really well the K702 phone, if i buy this one,
but the grado sr325 too and maybe th HD600...

4)My budget is between 600$ to 700$, max 800$ for both the amp and phone

What is the best amp, with tubes or solid state?

Do i need a DAC?

Thank you
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post #2 of 24
11/26/09 at 5:26pm
Thread Starter 
And oh yeah........my CD player is a marantz CD5003 and my receiver marantz SR5002...i don't know if this help ! !

I don't know why, but i have a preference for a ss amp....propably because it's less maintenance....am i right ?
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post #3 of 24
11/26/09 at 5:43pm
I am also thinking of the same thing. And here are the two amps I am deciding on. The Headamp Gilmore Lite and the Musical Fidelity X-Can v8.

The Gilmore Lite is a SS amp and is supposed to be very neutral and revealing while the X-Can is a hybrid tube amp that is supposed to have some added warmth. Both seem to be excellent and would seem to be a matter of personal preference than a choice of which is better than the other.

I'm now leaning toward the Gilmore Lite as I am a detail freak. It's one of the reasons I enjoy the 701 so much. Since I will later add the Wadia iTransport, I am looking to add the Dacmagic. But for you, I don't think you'll need a DAC.

Ross
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post #4 of 24
11/26/09 at 5:44pm
Oh yeah, welcome to Head-Fi!
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post #5 of 24
11/26/09 at 6:22pm
with K701/2 the current demand is too high for all but the most expensive OTL tube amps, and good output xmfrs cost a lot too so a really adequate tube amp for these cans is going to cost

it is possible to get adequate I,V drive at relatively low cost with solid state - but avoid single 9V battery, unbufferd op amp cheapies
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post #6 of 24
11/26/09 at 6:33pm
Quebec is in Canada (I know you don't like that:-)), therefore it would be easier to get a KICAS Caliente.
It has been reviewed here:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rev...-kicas-329643/

I have an AUDIO-GD C-2C with a K701 and it is marvelous, but this is my first and only hp amp so I don't have any way of doing a comparison.
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post #7 of 24
11/26/09 at 6:56pm
How much is the K701 going to cost you?
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post #8 of 24
11/26/09 at 6:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NightTrane View Post
What is the best amp, with tubes or solid state?
Heed CanAmp pairs with K701/2 very well. Should be within your budget.
Cheers,
Adam
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post #9 of 24
11/26/09 at 7:08pm
As an owner of the 702, I recommend you consider the Shanling PH-3000. This amp is not discussed often but is an outstanding product. It drives the 702 with more control than my Darkvoice 3322 (no slouch).

I bought mine from Spearit Sound for $349. including shipping.
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post #10 of 24
11/26/09 at 10:28pm
Lots of the recommendations here are good ones - XCan, Heed, KICAS, etc. are all probably good bets. If I had to put my money on an amp for you, though, I'd probably go with the Head-Direct EF5 - the EF1 sounded really terrific with my K701s when I had it, and I'm sure the EF5 with its internal improvements and new power supply will probably drive K701s quite nicely.
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post #11 of 24
11/26/09 at 10:51pm
Someone needs a headphone amp for K701 in Canada?
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post #12 of 24
11/26/09 at 11:23pm
Hybird or high current tube amplifier is good for K701/K702.
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post #13 of 24
11/26/09 at 11:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonio View Post
Quebec is in Canada (I know you don't like that:-)), therefore it would be easier to get a KICAS Caliente.
It has been reviewed here:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rev...-kicas-329643/

I have an AUDIO-GD C-2C with a K701 and it is marvelous, but this is my first and only hp amp so I don't have any way of doing a comparison.
Not so easier.....all KICAS product are out of stuck.....
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post #14 of 24
11/26/09 at 11:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by P4Z View Post
How much is the K701 going to cost you?
281.85$, on B&H web site(+35$ for shipping in Canada), otherwise 499$.
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post #15 of 24
11/26/09 at 11:46pm
Thread Starter 
perhaps i can choose another pair of phone which fit with much more model of amp in regards of my type of music..........Or the K701 it's the way to go for a good headphone.

Did the Grado sr325i can do better ? or the Senn HD600 ?

I said K701 because of the price and also the good reviews about it, But if it cost 2x for the amp.......
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