[LIST][OPINION] Amp recommendations for Fostex/Denon Headphones. - Page 6

Here's a summary of my opinions on the amps I have.

The Hp-p1 is probably the only amp I own that I actually like the D5000 on. My D5000 aren't balanced so I can't use them with the Mjolnir. The D7100 also do well off the Hp-p1 and sound great off the Mjolnir so I suspect the Mjolnir might be a good amp for the D5000 as well but no guarantee as my next opinion shows.

I don't really like the D5000 with the Apex Peak although I do like the Peak with the D7100 so go figure.

I also have an Objective 2 which is a good $150 amp but I find it unpleasant to listen to as it's pretty unrefined. I keep trying it with my Hp-p1 as the DAC and always switch back to the internal amp on the Hp-p1 after about 5 minutes. The Objective 2 isn't terrible but the internal amp on the Hp-p1 is much smoother sounding, more musical and far more revealing. The Objective 2 does seem to keep the Denon bass fairly tight although with the D7100 there is more bass than any other amp I have which makes them sound like a bass heavy headphone which is not really how they sound on better amps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiR3D 

Thanks, I did get some conflicting information on the HP-P1...

HPP1 is particularly expensive because it can bypass the ipod's internal DAC, like what the CLAS can. I think that is where your money have spent on, plus another half on a decent dac + amp.

I do think the dac bypass feature is part of the 'genuine performance' upgrade :D

I finally finished my B22.  After first impressions with my modified D2000, I would put it on the list.  It sounds really good.  Everything is tight, the detail is there, and it is less fatiguing than my O2 or Meier Arietta.  I will post later after a couple weeks to really get used to the sound.  I only spent an hour with it last night after I finished the build.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeatFan12 

South Africa, you da man OP...Cheers!!!

 

A soundcard? Are you serious?  Please tell me you have a dedicated dac and amp to plug your D7000s into before comparing.  A soundcard is a soundcard no matter how you slice it.  It is good for gaming and movies with a headout so you could enjoy your games and movies.  I run 7 computers through the house, three with STXs and the STX could not drive me properly to the corner CVS pharmacy for smokes let alone any of my headphones.  I once thought my 0404usb headout was the best thing since sliced bread until I purchased a headphone amp.  Forget the specs and plug those Denons into something music worthy sir.  You're very knowledgeable but thinking too much...

 

At the top of your "NOT RECOMMENDED" list should be the STX...lol

 

You bash the LDI+ in favor of the STX?  Are u serious?

 

Good luck in your search for the perfect amp for the Denons...Enjoy!!!!!

 

Cheers!!!

 

I have the Essence ST and hear a lot of whining with the denon/STX pair. I'm getting the D5k's soon and hope my ST will be ok for them. Oddly haven't heard a lot on dx000 combo'd with an ST card.

Also might mention that I had the pleasure of trying my old D2k's with a Woo WA6 at a head-fi meet, floored all the amps there for my cans and gave so much bass headroom. I think it's interesting that amp is on your list, I guess someone else had the same idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RushNerd 

I have the Essence ST and hear a lot of whining with the denon/STX pair.

Do you mean noise/interference ?

Grace m903:

I cannot do a short comparison to other gear because I've already sold it all. But I would expect Denon headphones to do quite well with some of my previous amps but not as good with the WA-6 and the SPL Auditor. The SPL Auditor was very noisy with my A-T headphones. It is optimized for high impedance headphones like the HD800 and T1.

I recently purchased a Denon D7000 and I am satisfied how it sounds with my Yulong D100 (Mrk. I). Last week I borrowed a Lake People G100 from the head-fi member Anda and it lifted the level of the music. I am not saying that the difference was like night and day, but there was more clarity in the music and I found it easier to identify the different instruments. The biggest difference was the sub-bass that was much more controlled with the G100. The bass with the D7000/Yulong combo can be a bit blurry, although it still sounds fine.

The only issue with the G100 was occasionally sibilance but this might be caused by the combination Lake People G100, Yulong D100 and the source material. I did not really notice sibilance the first three or four days so the problem was not serious.

Within two or three months I will have the opportunity to try the Violectric V200 on a loan tour. I am sure it will be an even bigger upgrade.

The cost of an amp is a serious consideration for me, so the amp that I might end up buying is the Yulong A100 based on the review of it by Project86. I have listened to several things that he has reviewed, and I mostly agree with his assessments. Project86 wrote in his review: That combo(Yulong D100 and Yulong A100) plus a used Denon D7000 …… make a good argument for ending the cycle of side-grades and upgrades and just enjoying the music, all at a relatively bargain price. I would like to listen to A100 before ordering it, but that will probably not be possible in Denmark.