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Classical Music Amp?

post #1 of 6
12/20/11 at 10:15pm
Thread Starter 
So, I'm really torn. What amp is best for symphonic music?
Should I be going for a smooth/musical amp like the CEC HD53N or Graham slee Ultra linear, or an articulate PRaT amp like Burson HD160?

My DAC is currently a Matrix Mini-i; headphones AKG701 and Senns HD580. Optimally I'd keep the Mini-i and go balanced (Senns) with the HD53N (perhaps Matrix Quattro), or scratch the Mini-i for the "better" DAC of a Burson HD160D or DS.

Please direct me to the best option for my needs. Thanks everyone.
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post #2 of 6
12/22/11 at 4:53pm
Thread Starter 

Bump

What, nobody listens to classical music anymore?

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post #3 of 6
12/22/11 at 5:42pm

Enjoying Carlos Kleiber playing Johann Strauss through a Schiit Valhalla at the moment (with Beyerdynamic DT-880 600s).  But I'd bet that choice of amp is a lot more dependent on headphone choice than repertoire. 

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post #4 of 6
12/22/11 at 9:33pm
Thread Starter 

First time I've heard of the Beyers favored for classical.  I'll have to consider those in the future. 

 

For detailed listening I've been using the AKG702, but, as anyone can tell you, getting them to be dynamic can be a challenge.  I've been scared to try tubes (I like crisp details), but the powerful Schiit Lyr always gets mentioned for the AKG702.

For a warm musical presentation with superb imaging I'm using the Senns HD580.  Don't know what to do except give them more power and maybe balance them since my DAC has that option.

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post #5 of 6
12/22/11 at 10:01pm

^^ Well the lyr is a tube hybrid rather than a pure tube amp like the Valhalla. For instance I have an EHHA which is also a tube hybrid but frankly it sounds very much like a solid state amp rather than have that 'tubey sound'

 

I don't have much experience with amps so I cannot comment much.

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post #6 of 6
1/24/12 at 6:16am

There really is no such thing as an amp for different genres. I know people will disagree with me but I even feel the same with headphones too in many cases although I tend to like bigger sound stage for classical music in general.

 

That being said, there are recordings of classical music where the bass is weak and perhaps you may need something with a strong and tighter bass. On the other hand, there are recordings where the bass is well recorded and you will need something that has good sound stage.

 

Recordings are not perfect in any genre so having an amp designated for a particular genre is not productive. Unless if you have a particular flavor that you like. For example, for acoustic instruments, I generally prefer tubes the best provided that it is well recorded. For some, they may prefer the more punchy solid state sound,

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