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Tube amp for SR225i and HRT streamer II.

post #1 of 8
11/16/11 at 6:30pm
Thread Starter 

   I've just brought some SR225i cans and about to purchase a HRT streamer II and am in need of some input  as to what valve amp to get. The LD Mk II is my budget, is there a better choice? or maybe a build your own kit?

 

Thank you.

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post #2 of 8
11/17/11 at 2:26pm



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Edited by Grado77 - 5/18/12 at 3:03am
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post #3 of 8
11/17/11 at 2:40pm

The conventional wisdom is that ideally - given the low Ohms of the 225i, you would like an Output Transformer Coupled tube amp. Unfortunately that usually takes them into a new price range (the WooAudio 6, for instance at $600 ish). 

 

Personally, I don't mind keeping a tube amp at a lower volume, or controlling the volume from my computer source a bit, to mitigate the high gain of an OTL tube amp... I currently use the Hifiman EF2A with my 225's (and love it - especially with Mullard 4010 tubes) - it has a built in USB dac, but you can also bypass it using the RCA in... and have been considering also getting the Bottlehead Crack. 

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post #4 of 8
11/17/11 at 5:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by liamstrain View Post

The conventional wisdom is that ideally - given the low Ohms of the 225i, you would like an Output Transformer Coupled tube amp. Unfortunately that usually takes them into a new price range (the WooAudio 6, for instance at $600 ish). 

 

Personally, I don't mind keeping a tube amp at a lower volume, or controlling the volume from my computer source a bit, to mitigate the high gain of an OTL tube amp... I currently use the Hifiman EF2A with my 225's (and love it - especially with Mullard 4010 tubes) - it has a built in USB dac, but you can also bypass it using the RCA in... and have been considering also getting the Bottlehead Crack. 


There are OTL amps capable of driving 32ohm headphones
 

 

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post #5 of 8
11/17/11 at 7:43pm

Certainly - the problem is usually one of too much gain. This is more of a guideline than anything - there are always exceptions, and as I state, I have an OTL tube amp and use it quite happily with my 225s

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post #6 of 8
11/17/11 at 10:37pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the input. I am one for low volume clarity and not to strong a bass, but a clear drum beat. I'll look into those suggestions and continue looking for more. 

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post #7 of 8
11/18/11 at 1:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2359glenn View Post




There are OTL amps capable of driving 32ohm headphones
 

 


The only commercial offering is the Zana Deux. The 6C33C tube has a nice, low output impedance.

Otherwise, you need a transformer-coupled tube amp to get an output impedance lower than 32 Ohms. Do a little homework on the damping factor to get a better understanding of why the output impedance needs to be lower than a headphone's impedance.

The least expensive tube amp with output transformers is the Bottlehead Smack. A kit, but not a difficult build.

If the price has to be lower, simply get a good solid state amp. Solid state has a low output impedance. They might not give off a pleasing orange glow, but you'll be happy with the sound. Solid state is underrated and delivers great performance for the price. The new $300 Dynalo is a great deal and a strong performer.
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post #8 of 8
11/18/11 at 5:15am



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post


The only commercial offering is the Zana Deux. The 6C33C tube has a nice, low output impedance.
Otherwise, you need a transformer-coupled tube amp to get an output impedance lower than 32 Ohms. Do a little homework on the damping factor to get a better understanding of why the output impedance needs to be lower than a headphone's impedance.
The least expensive tube amp with output transformers is the Bottlehead Smack. A kit, but not a difficult build.
If the price has to be lower, simply get a good solid state amp. Solid state has a low output impedance. They might not give off a pleasing orange glow, but you'll be happy with the sound. Solid state is underrated and delivers great performance for the price. The new $300 Dynalo is a great deal and a strong performer.


You can get 32 ohms out of a pair of 6AS7s not the way Woo and Bottlehead do it as a cathode follower. you can easily get 20 watts out of one 6AS7 into 32ohms

Atmosphere can get over 100 watts into 4ohms with 16 6AS7s.  I was thinking about building a 6C33C headphone amp but the 6C33C is a horrible tube not that the

6AS7 is much better but that is about all the choices there are that can do this.
 

 

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