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Amp for K701/K702

post #1 of 28
10/10/10 at 7:05am
Thread Starter 

::Flame suit on::

 

Just bought a pair of K702's, and I haven't experienced them without an amp. I realize, though, that I'm going to need one. Obviously, there's no one answer due to the subjectivity of hearing. Ideally, I'd like to pay <$100 (yes I'm optimistic), but my maximum budget is $400 (damn student wage).


I know this topic has been discussed and debated to death, but after the hours of searching, I'd prefer to get some current input, rather than dated and information. So, I'd prefer a portable amp; however, I concede to the fact that many people strongly advise against it. On the other hand, I have heard that possible candidates include (not a complete list by any means):

 

The Emmeline Hornet

HeadRoom Micro

AMB Mini^3

Headamp Pico

Corda Move

The Emmeline Predator

The iQube

Triad Lisa III

iBasso D4 Mamba

I'm just going to throw this one on here - the CMoy

 

Any opinions on the above amps or any that I missed?

 

I'm also open to non-portable options, but I really haven't done much research into any of them. I've seen the names Heed Canamp, Matrix M-stage, and others that I've forgotten. Open to any suggestions though.

 

I'm new to the hi-fi scene, so take it easy on me.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

HeadRoom Micro Amp
AKG K701 Studio Headphones
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AKG K 702 Headphones
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post #2 of 28
10/10/10 at 7:28am

Search forum. Type in K701 or 2 and your budget (K701 $100) and you will get pages of reading.

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post #3 of 28
10/10/10 at 9:34am

get the desktop amp, K701 need a lot of current to shine and I doubt any portable amp can offering that.

 

Under 400 bucks, M-Stage is a strong contender sure, but personally, now I'm using Lienarossa K3 for my K701. (about $350++)

 

 

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post #4 of 28
10/10/10 at 11:42am

If I were you I would keep an eye on the second-hand amplifier market. Ebay and other similar places are worth visiting.

 

The AKG 701/2s will keep getting better as your amplifier improves.

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post #5 of 28
10/10/10 at 11:58am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the input guys. I was also looking towards the DIY path, such as the M3. I'm relatively comfortable with electronics projects, but I'm not sure if I want a $250+ project to be my first one in audio components.

 

@ Happy Camper

I've been reading threads for ~4 hours today on k701/amp pairings, but have just become more torn between choices. Maybe I'm just being lazy though (silver platters are nice).

 

@TheMiddleSky

I may end up getting the M-stage; it looks like a pretty good option at this point for $270

 

@ patrick

I definitely will keep an eye out.

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post #6 of 28
10/10/10 at 4:31pm

M-Stage!

 

Paired with my K702's, it's the best $500 I've ever spent on audio stuff.

Excellent quality sound for the bucks well spent.

Yeah there is better to be had, but for two to ten times as much mula.

I'll be getting me a Blue Hawaii & stats someday, but for now I am pleased with my V2 & AKG's.

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post #7 of 28
10/10/10 at 4:32pm

M-Stage!

 

Oops! Double post.

Dang browser hung up twice in mid-post.


Edited by livewire - 10/10/10 at 4:34pm
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post #8 of 28
10/10/10 at 5:11pm

When I had the Headroom Micro I thought it was a really nice match. You get a lot of amp for your money. Three gain settings and crossfeed. It has plenty of juice and it a bit on the warm side which plays well with the 70x headphones. Preowned, they're a steal. But if you want to go new, the 2010 versions now run in Class A.

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post #9 of 28
10/14/10 at 7:10pm
The micro amp is great with the 702 plenty of power
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post #10 of 28
10/14/10 at 7:18pm

KICAS Caliente? From whatever I read around these forums, the Caliente has great synergy with K701.

Also, they're aptly named Kick-A$$ (KICAS), so.

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post #11 of 28
10/14/10 at 7:28pm

My nuforce HDP works quite fine with the AKG 701. Just got my 701 yesterday. I'm not entirely sure if I like the headphone though. Much different than the hd650 I have. Which I'm not sure I'm 100% happy with either. HD650 is too warm, 701 seems a bit too sterile. Tubes might help but a better headphone is a better idea in my opinion smily_headphones1.gif

 

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post #12 of 28
10/14/10 at 7:39pm

the sonic signature of the mini-3 is a "baby" M3.  it has a fair amount of juice, but doesn't have quite enough to get the most bass out of the K702.  that being said, partnered with a y2, it really outclasses the Benchmark DAC1 driving the K702.  it's a nicely detailed little amp with no upper-midrange peakiness.  the y2 is an awesome DAC and i prefer it to the DAC1.  you should be able to commission both of these for around $400.  if down the road you choose to splurge on a B22, your source will be up to the task .   

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post #13 of 28
10/14/10 at 7:42pm

3602,

i love the self-deprecating humor in you sig.  it shows your probably more mature than you think you are. 

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post #14 of 28
10/14/10 at 7:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishski13 View Post

3602,

i love the self-deprecating humor in you sig.  it shows your probably more mature than you think you are. 



Um. Thanks. ...Nice gear.

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post #15 of 28
10/14/10 at 7:56pm

I'm running a K.I.C.A.S. Caliente amp, being fed by a Gamma2, and it is absolutely a killer setup with my K701s, I mean killer.  The K.I.C.A.S. has a super clean and balanced sound, and is dead quiet - new they run about $300 Canadian from the Purity Audio website, so they aren't too expensive.  The Gamma2 DAC cost a bit over $200 in parts to build, will cost more to have someone build for you.  I've run my Mini3 into my K701s as well, being fed by a LOD rockboxed 5.5 gen ipod, and the Mini3 powers the K701s just fine, though it definitely is a step down from the desktop rig interms of sound.  I haven't heard a lot of stuff, the Matrix and M3 might be better, but I figured I'd plug the stuff I have since it's comparitively cheap and I'm in love with the sonic results.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

HeadRoom Micro Amp
AKG K701 Studio Headphones
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AKG K 702 Headphones
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