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Need Recommendation: Affordable Tube Amp for K701

post #1 of 22
2/5/10 at 12:25am
Thread Starter 
Hi.
I am looking for affordable tube amp for my K701.
I was looking at Darkvoice 336SE, LD MK II and III.
Can I get some recommendation within $300 or lower price range.
Thank you.
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post #2 of 22
2/5/10 at 12:31am
Little Dot makes some nice inexpensive Tube amps, pick a model that puts out lots of power with low impedance headphones.

www.little-tube.com
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post #3 of 22
2/5/10 at 12:37am
Thread Starter 
Would Little Dot sound better with K701 than Dark Voice?
How about which model? MK II was lot cheaper than III..
Thank you.
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post #4 of 22
2/5/10 at 12:41am
Head Direct EF5
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post #5 of 22
2/5/10 at 12:42am
Mini Millet DIY Tube Amplifier
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post #6 of 22
2/5/10 at 1:11am
Thread Starter 
Are EF5 Good? Will it sound good with K701? But the price is kind of expensive compare to chinese amps..

Mini Millet DIY, Looks small isn't it? How is the sound quality? Price seems resonable..

Thank you guys..
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post #7 of 22
2/5/10 at 4:02am
Are there any reasons you prefer tube over solid state?
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post #8 of 22
2/5/10 at 7:57pm
Thread Starter 
Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the tube amps run K701 better than solid state?
Is there any solid state amp that is perfect match for K701?
any recommendation? someone told me about heedaudio canamp..
Thank you.
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post #9 of 22
2/5/10 at 9:08pm
Tubes have accentuated the openness of the 702's for me. Both the CI and Cosmic are plenty good with these phones, but my Cyber 20 has been the best of my line up. Upgrade the EL84's and splurge on a NOS 12AU7 and you will be all set. These do not come up for sale often but are always around $300 or less.
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post #10 of 22
2/5/10 at 9:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AudioHi View Post
Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the tube amps run K701 better than solid state?
Is there any solid state amp that is perfect match for K701?
any recommendation? someone told me about heedaudio canamp..
Thank you.
no, cheaper tube amps are usually OTL amps that don't do well with lower impedance headphones like the k701. I would recommend something solidstate or hybrid that can provide good amounts of current.

personally, i would recommend against the heed as it isn't a very versatile amp imo, it's suppose to sound good with k701, but doesn't match well with sennheisers or grados and i'm not sure about other models.
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post #11 of 22
2/5/10 at 10:34pm
Did you look at the power specs on the Little-Dot amps? Usually if you want lots of power for low impedance headphones and tubes then you want a super nice amp with a transformer(s) on the output. A less expensive solution is a Hybrid amp that has tubes mated with a solid state output section. For you a Hybrid would be the best way to go. Or solid state.
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post #12 of 22
2/6/10 at 9:19am
Bear in mind that I don't have experience with a broad range of amps, I have been loving my Little Dot MK IV (SE) with my K701s for some time now. I can't comment on the MK II & MKIII, but maybe compare their specs and decide for yourself.
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post #13 of 22
2/6/10 at 10:12am
If you can stretch the budget to Heed Canamp, it's an excellent choice that can improve even further with some modification.
My second suggestion is Meier Audio Headfive/Arietta/Swing. Never heard the latter, but the first two were excellent budget amps and drove my K701 with ease.
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post #14 of 22
2/6/10 at 10:42am
I have not listened to one but the "Mini Millet Max" over at Whiplash audio looks nice. Some of the Little-Dot offerings are hybrid designs. I also think the Heed that you mentioned is worth serious consideration. If you search you will find the Heed is extremely popular with the 701.
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post #15 of 22
2/12/10 at 3:08am
Thread Starter 
I think I will look for a good condition used Heed Audio..
Thank you for all the knowledgeable advices.
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