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Best headphone amp for AKG K702 under $1000

post #1 of 25
1/24/12 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 

Title says all.  I'm looking for an amp that will make these puppies shine!

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post #2 of 25
1/24/12 at 8:46pm

From what I sampled at meets, one of my favorite amps was the Woo 6 SE which is in the $1000 range. IMO, it is one of the best headphone amps out there and the one I would buy if I were to spend $1000. It's definitely a winner if you like tube amps. If you prefer solid state, there's lots of pretty decent choices but for me, I would choose a vintage receiver from the 70s.

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post #3 of 25
1/24/12 at 9:00pm

the Burson HA-160 head amp gets good reviews for pairing with the K701/702. Likewise the Headamp GS-1, or the above recommended Woo WA-6SE (which is awesome).

 

Frankly though, I don't think you need to spend nearly that much to really let the AKG's shine. 

 

A Creek OBH-21, or A Lehman Black cube Linear clone (m-stage or lovely cube), or a Dynalo build like the Sheer Audio HA-006+ (spend another $180 for the ++ version, if you want to splurge at $450) pair very nicely with the K702. 


Edited by liamstrain - 1/24/12 at 9:02pm
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post #4 of 25
1/25/12 at 3:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by liamstrain View Post

the Burson HA-160 head amp gets good reviews for pairing with the K701/702. Likewise the Headamp GS-1, or the above recommended Woo WA-6SE (which is awesome).

 

Frankly though, I don't think you need to spend nearly that much to really let the AKG's shine. 

 

A Creek OBH-21, or A Lehman Black cube Linear clone (m-stage or lovely cube), or a Dynalo build like the Sheer Audio HA-006+ (spend another $180 for the ++ version, if you want to splurge at $450) pair very nicely with the K702. 



Wait until you'll hear the Phonitor, as for budget amp...the headfive under $180 can be a good option, but I dont know how is compare to the m-stage or lovely cube.

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post #5 of 25
1/25/12 at 4:07am



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spareribs View Post

From what I sampled at meets, one of my favorite amps was the Woo 6 SE which is in the $1000 range. IMO, it is one of the best headphone amps out there and the one I would buy if I were to spend $1000. It's definitely a winner if you like tube amps. If you prefer solid state, there's lots of pretty decent choices but for me, I would choose a vintage receiver from the 70s.


A vintage amp would have a very high output impedance.

I've used a Bryston 2B-LP with my Q701s and wasn't too impressed by the big bloomy bass from the high output impedance of the headphone jack.   I would think that a Bryston 2B-LP would be at least as good as any vintage solid state amp.
 

 


Edited by Chris J - 1/26/12 at 7:54pm
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post #6 of 25
1/25/12 at 5:29am

My old Marantz has a really nice sound that I liked with my K701. Personally, I did not think the bass was boomy but with the Sennheisers, the bass was at times boomy. Boominess is a subjective thing too. Overall, I am not a solid state guy , even with speakers so my headphone amp preferences are with tubes. However, others may prefer the solid state sound.

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post #7 of 25
1/25/12 at 8:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spareribs View Post

My old Marantz has a really nice sound that I liked with my K701. Personally, I did not think the bass was boomy but with the Sennheisers, the bass was at times boomy. Boominess is a subjective thing too. Overall, I am not a solid state guy , even with speakers so my headphone amp preferences are with tubes. However, others may prefer the solid state sound.



The K-702 with the Violectric V100 amp remind me a bit of the vintage warm sound of the Pioneer / Marantz just with much more soundstage and resolution.

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post #8 of 25
1/25/12 at 11:41am

I've had positive experiences pairing SS with Akg. Violelectric and burson..both are great. You should try them. 

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post #9 of 25
1/25/12 at 11:52am

Well there is no "best" of course. Just what's best for you. I've used the Burson on my 702's. It sounds great. I wouldn't believe the reviews that say you will find the missing bass with a ss amp and a recable, but it is nice. I've moved to a portable solution (on the road a lot) so I'm selling my Burson for a lot less than a grand.

 

Steve

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post #10 of 25
1/25/12 at 8:53pm

A good way to go is to attend a Head-fi meet. Bring your reference CDs and bring your favorite headphone. You will hear a difference of the different amps especially if it's tubes and solid state. I actually did this a few years ago and for me, the Woo 6 SE was my choice of the best $1000 amp. 

 

Another thing that may surprise you when you go to a meet is that you may find out that other people's opinions may not matter. I stopped asking other people's opinions after attending a meet because it now feels like asking what is the best pizza in Las Vegas?

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post #11 of 25
1/25/12 at 9:20pm

I liked the sound on a wa2, but it's around that price for used. 6SE didn't really bring my k702's nor hd800s justice

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post #12 of 25
1/26/12 at 7:06pm

Schiit Lyr.

 

I actually found myself enjoying my buddies K702s (I used to own the K701) with the Lyr...something I haven't been able to say before. And for $449, a killer deal.

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post #13 of 25
1/26/12 at 7:54pm



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by MacedonianHero View Post

Schiit Lyr.

 

I actually found myself enjoying my buddies K702s (I used to own the K701) with the Lyr...something I haven't been able to say before. And for $449, a killer deal.


What's the Lyr like with Grados?
 

 

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post #14 of 25
1/26/12 at 7:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris J View Post



 


What's the Lyr like with Grados?
 

 


I wouldn't use the Lyr with highly efficient/low impedance headphones like Grados or Ultrasones. The K701s aren't that efficient and a better match.

 

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post #15 of 25
1/26/12 at 8:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacedonianHero View Post


I wouldn't use the Lyr with highly efficient/low impedance headphones like Grados or Ultrasones. The K701s aren't that efficient and a better match.

 



I'm going to start a "best amp for Grados, tube and solid state" thread.  I guess the Lyr has too much gain.

 


Edited by Chris J - 1/26/12 at 8:02pm
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