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Which Tubed Headphone Amp to buy? - Page 2

post #16 of 25
12/15/09 at 4:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Who? View Post
Hello!

Your upgrade didn't have something to do with the upgrade listed below? I am just being curious!

I quote "New! MkIII version, now even better! All tube SET design with OTL/transformer coupled out puts. Upgraded circuit and outboard power supply."

Otherwise I should contact ASL. Thanks for the info!
No...this was an upgrade from the previous model (2007 if I am not mistaken).... As for the tube, my 12ax7 is now a Mullard CV4004 and my 6BQ5are two RCA grey long plate....

I am really enjoying this

Denys
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post #17 of 25
12/15/09 at 4:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by coredump View Post
I think the TU-882 works really well with the HD650.
Skylab seems to be very enthusiastic about this amp! It is within my pricerange! I will have to read some more about this one.

Thanks for the info!
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post #18 of 25
12/15/09 at 5:15pm
Skylab is selling his Wheatfield HA-2, it's within your budget and should be good with the Sennheiser dynamics.
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post #19 of 25
12/15/09 at 8:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Who? View Post
Thanks for the extra information! This is very, very hard! I like how the ASL would be so different compared to the SS amp I already have. How would OTL add up to my HD 650? Is it really worth it? Also I am not planning to roll tubes right away so I am currently looking for out-of-the-box performance.

I think I am getting there! Within a week or so I would like to purchase a new amp, will be a nice present for christmas! (too bad I have to buy it myself)
Hi

OTL amps with the right tubes are reported to have a lovely warm sound. The ASL MKIII has the TC and OTL options both available which you might enjoy experimenting with. I only got to hear the ASL quite briefly so other head-fiers comments would be worth looking at. It definitely is a fantastic amp though and has a lovely pairing with the HD650, but you probably wont be too bowled over with the stock tubes and should budget for a decent pair of EL84s (such as the Gold Lion re-issue) and a 5751 tube for the stock 12ax7.

You might want to read Skylabs reviews of the Elekit, J. Sound Lab and Ming Da amps, all of which have a warm lush sound according to his impressions. The first two have an advantage in that the tubes are quite inexpensive so it might be a factor to consider if you are on a tight budget.
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post #20 of 25
12/15/09 at 9:50pm
I'm grinning at the innocent question of stock tubes. Joe's Tube Lore

The 12ax7 is a pretty commercial tube. There are some real improvements with NOS variants. This is the rolling options that let you tweak the tube strengths for your headphone's weaknesses.
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post #21 of 25
12/16/09 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Camper View Post
I'm grinning at the innocent question of stock tubes. Joe's Tube Lore

The 12ax7 is a pretty commercial tube. There are some real improvements with NOS variants. This is the rolling options that let you tweak the tube strengths for your headphone's weaknesses.
Now that I have done some reading I realize that the 12AX7 is not the best tube (at least the stock one on the MK III) but maybe I should change this one into a 5751?

I am really getting into the ASL MK III so we (might) have a winner here! Still.. Let's not rush things! I need to think it over (carefully)
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post #22 of 25
12/19/09 at 8:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by coredump View Post
I think the TU-882 works really well with the HD650.
Now that I have been reading more and more about this amp I really think this is a great amp. Skylab slightly rated it over the Sound Lab and Ming-Da. Also it would be cheaper than the Sound Lab so I still have money left for some Tubes!

What do you guys think? Good choice?
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post #23 of 25
12/19/09 at 2:12pm
The L.D MK III out of the box is the sweet spot for tube amps. Shipped from China about $300.00 chk it out. I own other more expensive SS and tube HP Amps but usually listen to the L.D MK III with my Senns and Beyers and always pleased. Welcome to the headphone thingie. John
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post #24 of 25
12/19/09 at 3:19pm
Thread Starter 
I am familiar with L.D. and David is a great seller. At first I wanted to try a new L.D. but I think I will go with something different. Though L.D. makes nice equipment! I can't doubt your comment J&J, the MK III will be as good as it gets!
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post #25 of 25
1/5/10 at 4:03pm
Thread Starter 
OK! I ordered the Elekit TU-882 PCB Assembled (ELEKIT TU-882AS) that is. I received it today and assembling the thing is easy!

The amp sounds great out of the box but it still needs to burn in so I can really enjoy the SQ. But I find it quite nice already!

Coredump was right, this amp is really good with the Sennheiser HD 650!
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