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HD800 + $1,000-$2,500 Amp = Sonic Bliss? - Page 4

post #46 of 136
9/30/12 at 3:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7 View Post


 The Dynahi is a Kevin Gilmore DIY and I considered it out of scope.

 

 

Why?

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post #47 of 136
9/30/12 at 5:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by preproman View Post

WOW I wonder where all the Woo folks are.  There are literally hundreds of them.

I would also vote for the Dynahi.  I don't own one yet.  It's now in the process of getting built.  I had to take a step back to get on the GS-X run.  I've heard two of them before.  LOVED THEM.

I have no explanation why I only found two WA22 owners among the posters. I suspect if we look into many members former lists you will see them. Or they just post less. I wouldn't look too far into that list. There are WA6, WA6SE, WA2, WA5 and WA5SE owners who I am sure love their amps. This is one of the flaws of lists vs. discussions in my view.

One thing that I did notice was that experienced Headfi members who sold their WA22s either went to electrostatics or to another amplifier. Nine examples i found are cited below.

WA22 Sold - clabbe, dannie01, icenine2, jc9394, macedonianhero, markmaxx, skylab, anetode, asr
Edited by iim7V7IM7 - 9/30/12 at 9:22am
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post #48 of 136
9/30/12 at 5:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by preproman View Post


Why?

It was my impression (please correct me) that the Dynahi was a higher power Dynalo (GS-1/GS-X) that was a good amp for inefficient headphones such as HE-6s. Secondly, I am not a DIYer and I am looking to buy an amp and not build one. In the case of a sigma/beta22, there is an authorized builder. Who builds dynahis?

http://www.head-fi.org/a/list-of-diy-headphone-amps

Thanks
Edited by iim7V7IM7 - 9/30/12 at 5:29am
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post #49 of 136
9/30/12 at 6:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7 View Post


It was my impression (please correct me) that the Dynahi was a higher power Dynalo (GS-1/GS-X) that was a good amp for inefficient headphones such as HE-6s. Secondly, I am not a DIYer and I am looking to buy an amp and not build one. In the case of a sigma/beta22, there is an authorized builder. Who builds dynahis?
http://www.head-fi.org/a/list-of-diy-headphone-amps
Thanks

 

 

Not really sure I know their smiler.  Someone els could probably explain better.  

 

I don't build either - I just love DIY for the flexibility of the designs.  Your correct, their are professional AMB builders and their are a few builders most people like that are really good like SWA but not a so called professional builder.

 

Your also correct in it's hard to find a builder that's willing to build a Dynahi.

 

 

Old thread on SS amps:

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/469173/whats-the-best-solid-state-headphone-amp-today


Edited by preproman - 9/30/12 at 7:11am
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post #50 of 136
9/30/12 at 7:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by preproman View Post


Not really sure I know their smiler.  Someone els could probably explain better.  

I don't build either - I just love DIY for the flexibility of the designs.  Your correct, their are professional AMB builders and their are a few builders most people like that are really good like SWA but not a so called professional builder.

Your also correct in it's hard to find a builder that's willing to build a Dynahi.


Old thread on SS amps:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/469173/whats-the-best-solid-state-headphone-amp-today

Preproman,

Thanks for the link to the thread. My limited research on SS HF amps has identified the following HF amps that seem generally favored on Headfi:

SS Single Ended Headphone Amps:

Grace Design m903
HeadAmp GS-1
Luxman P1-u
SPL Phonitor
Violectric HPA V200

SS Balanced Headphone Amps:

AMB Sigma/Beta 22
Bryston BHA-1
HeadAmp GS-X
HeadRoom BUDA
RSA Apache

This of course does not include many of the fine DIY amps by Gilmore and others. In terms of solid state amps, I am still considering a HeadAmp GS-X or a YBM Sigma/Beta 22. Between these two SS amps, they are both obviously excellent, but does one excel over the other in terms of:

Bass Performance:

Not bloated, but solid, detailed, textured bass with more "slam" than the m903 provides.

Sonic Detail & Dynamics:

One thing that I enjoyed with the m903 was the level of sonic detail that I can hear. I want to any amps excel in presenting micro details and micro/macro dynamics an amp that can rapidly respond to the demands of a musical passage.

Sound Stage & Imaging:

It is already quite good on my m903, but an amp that both translates the recorded space supremely in terms of depth and width and instrument location within the image would be welcome.

Bob
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post #51 of 136
9/30/12 at 8:07am

Don't forget the Schiit:

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/603218/schiit-mjolnir-headphone-amplifier/1380#post_8738547

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post #52 of 136
9/30/12 at 8:11am

Just some more info about the sound signatures. The Dynahi sounds closest to the GS-X out of the amps listed. They're similar in terms of SQ, except for very inefficient headphones where you'd benefit from more power than the GS-X provides. The GS-1 is the next most similar to the Dynahi.

 

Grouping the Dynalo/Dynahi as Gilmore amps, the Beta22 is warmer, darker, more liquid and has a larger soundstage. It's also significantly more forgiving of source and recording.

 

The Gilmores are faster, tighter, more neutral, with a more upfront sound and sharper focus/clarity. They are closer to what the source and recording actually sound like. More transparent and accurate than the Beta, but not very forgiving.

Though both sound great with high-end sources, my preference is for Gilmore amps with good sources and AMB's amps with mediocre ones. I say this because the Beta, to some extent, will colour the sound to make it pleasing. The Gilmores won't do this, so you need a great source for them to shine.


Edited by Shahrose - 9/30/12 at 8:13am
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post #53 of 136
9/30/12 at 8:30am

I know the DarkStar is out of the ops budget.  However,  where does this amp stand?  

 

Can someone compare the DarkStar to the Dynahi?

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post #54 of 136
9/30/12 at 8:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by preproman View Post

I know the DarkStar is out of the ops budget.  However,  where does this amp stand?  

 

Can someone compare the DarkStar to the Dynahi?

popcorn.gif

 

(based purely on the design of each amp, I know where I stand, curious to hear other's impressions).

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post #55 of 136
9/30/12 at 8:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shahrose View Post

Just some more info about the sound signatures. The Dynahi sounds closest to the GS-X out of the amps listed. They're similar in terms of SQ, except for very inefficient headphones where you'd benefit from more power than the GS-X provides. The GS-1 is the next most similar to the Dynahi.

Grouping the Dynalo/Dynahi as Gilmore amps, the Beta22 is warmer, darker, more liquid and has a larger soundstage. It's also significantly more forgiving of source and recording.

The Gilmores are faster, tighter, more neutral, with a more upfront sound and sharper focus/clarity. They are closer to what the source and recording actually sound like. More transparent and accurate than the Beta, but not very forgiving.
Though both sound great with high-end sources, my preference is for Gilmore amps with good sources and AMB's amps with mediocre ones. I say this because the Beta, to some extent, will colour the sound to make it pleasing. The Gilmores won't do this, so you need a great source for them to shine.

Thank you for the comparison.

In terms of Beta 22 clarity and speed compared to the GS-X that is very helpful. The softening and some euphonic "warmth" for a lack of a better word; how does the Sigma/Beta 22 compare to one of the more neutral/transparent timbred tube amps like a Zana Deux SE?

My understanding among the tube amps that I am considering that in terms of timbre from neutral/transparent to warm and lush they are arranged in this order: EC ZD > DNA Stratus > WA22.

I am trying to understand the extent of the AMB's euphony?
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post #56 of 136
9/30/12 at 8:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacedonianHero View Post

popcorn.gif

(based purely on the design of each amp, I know where I stand, curious to hear other's impressions).

Too early for popcorn...:-)
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post #57 of 136
9/30/12 at 8:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacedonianHero View Post

popcorn.gif

 

(based purely on the design of each amp, I know where I stand, curious to hear other's impressions).

Not even gonna give it a fair shake sound wise?

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post #58 of 136
9/30/12 at 8:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by paradoxper View Post

Not even gonna give it a fair shake sound wise?

 

I know where I stand and won't say more than that. But curious on what others think between the two.

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post #59 of 136
9/30/12 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacedonianHero View Post

 

I know where I stand and won't say more than that. But curious on what others think between the two.

I hope you heard it to confirm what you know. But curious as well. 

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post #60 of 136
9/30/12 at 9:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by paradoxper View Post

I hope you heard it to confirm what you know. But curious as well. 

Yes I have. I haven't had it in my home for an extended listen, but that said it wasn't my cup o' tea sonically. 

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