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Looking for a headphone amplifier for a pair of AKG K 701's

post #1 of 24
8/9/11 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 
I guess the title says it all. I'm not looking for anything special, just something that is good-looking and affordable (under 200€/175£/$285). I mostly listen to artists such as Eric Clapton, The Smashing Pumpkins, Fleetwood Mac and Counting Crows.
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

AKG K701 Studio Headphones
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post #2 of 24
8/9/11 at 8:35am

Is that figure including shipping? The M-Stage gets thrown around a lot for a cheap K701 amp, but it's scraping the top of your budget.

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post #3 of 24
8/9/11 at 9:00am
Thread Starter 
I would like to stick with the given budget (inc. shipping) but if there's a big improvment to be expected from choosing a bit more costy amp I guess I can just and just raise the budget by 10 or 20 euros. I live in Finland so shipping from outside of EU area can cost quite a lot.
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post #4 of 24
8/9/11 at 9:06am

with your budget, id say the m-stage is a good choice.. but im running my K701 from a hifiman EF-5 to give more warmth and midrange presence to the headphone.. the asgard is also pretty good with the K701

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post #5 of 24
8/9/11 at 9:27pm

I also hear that the Schiit Asgard has good synergy with the K701; it retails for $250 but not sure how much shipping will run you.

 

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post #6 of 24
8/9/11 at 9:44pm

Maybe you can find a used Purity Audio Caliente. It gives the K701s a bit of much-needed 'oomph.'

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post #7 of 24
8/15/11 at 3:49pm

 

Schiit Lyr :P

 

 

Not quite in your budget though... hah...

 

The  Asgard is actually a good option as one other mentioned

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post #8 of 24
2/26/12 at 2:34pm

How about the Schiit Valhalla? Does it pair well.? I have heard comments from people saying its not powerful enough for the K701s.. however I number of people who enjoy this combo told me the opposite!!! IM going NUTS!! 

 

I am asking ONLY about the Valhalla!

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post #9 of 24
2/26/12 at 3:26pm

the Valhalla is plenty powerful for the K701. What I would be unsure about is the output impedance being a mis-match... most OTL tube amplifiers have too high an output impedance for the K701, which can result in distortion and other nastiness in the bass. 

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post #10 of 24
2/26/12 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by liamstrain View Post

the Valhalla is plenty powerful for the K701. What I would be unsure about is the output impedance being a mis-match... most OTL tube amplifiers have too high an output impedance for the K701, which can result in distortion and other nastiness in the bass. 



Well.. i suppose someone suggesting that it sounds good hasnt experienced any distortion.. we are merely discussing detail and dynamics here. Distortion is out of the question.

 

I know  that the Valhalla is normally recommended for high impedance cans, however I believe that even Jason from Schiit has mentioned that the K/Q 70Xs are an exception! I made an inquiry to Schiit myself, and received his reply saying that the Valhalla should be a good match for the K701s, however he thinks that the Lyr should drive them to their full potential.

 

It gets even more confusing. I thought that the Lyr will make them even worse than they actually are.. dry, analytical and bright :P 


Edited by mikiphile - 2/26/12 at 4:09pm
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post #11 of 24
2/26/12 at 4:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imackler View Post

I also hear that the Schiit Asgard has good synergy with the K701; it retails for $250 but not sure how much shipping will run you.

 



I'm from Finland and just ordered the Schiit Asgard, it's a great amp, but won't fit into your budget, because ordering from Schiit directly costs somewhere around $380 / 285€ with shipping and customs fees included.

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post #12 of 24
2/27/12 at 5:59pm

why not just get a E9?? it works pretty well with the 701

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post #13 of 24
2/27/12 at 6:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Allforheather View Post

why not just get a E9?? it works pretty well with the 701



Very doubtful. It works ok, but not excellent! 

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post #14 of 24
2/27/12 at 6:48pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikiphile View Post



Well.. i suppose someone suggesting that it sounds good hasnt experienced any distortion.. we are merely discussing detail and dynamics here. Distortion is out of the question.

 

I know  that the Valhalla is normally recommended for high impedance cans, however I believe that even Jason from Schiit has mentioned that the K/Q 70Xs are an exception! I made an inquiry to Schiit myself, and received his reply saying that the Valhalla should be a good match for the K701s, however he thinks that the Lyr should drive them to their full potential.

 

It gets even more confusing. I thought that the Lyr will make them even worse than they actually are.. dry, analytical and bright :P 


On the good recording, the K701 is okay with the Lyr however if you play a bright recording or if your upstream components are on the neutral to bright, your reasoning is right on the spot. Lyr is a good amp, there is no doubt but it does not sound like tubes and the K701/702 is extreme reveal = not a perfect match . If you are looking for warm, lust sound look somewhere else. The Lyr will drive the K 701/702 ( 50 Ohm/ 105 DB if my memory serves me well ) but your ears may not appreciate the top end.

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post #15 of 24
2/27/12 at 9:15pm

Solid State matches well to the AKG's  My 702's sound fantastic with the Graham Slee Novo.  Perhaps it is in your budget where you are.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

AKG K701 Studio Headphones
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