And back to our regularly scheduled program:
Just got the a-100 miniX in today. Wow, this amp is really small for a speaker amp. It's smaller in height and width than any of my desktop amps. It's pretty deep though. The transformer that's in it is huge, bigger than the ones in my βeta-22. I don't see how any one can complain about it's size. It's the perfect headphone amp (size wise). For now I have it paired up with the Emotiva XDA-1.
First up is the HE-6. The volume knob is straight up 12 o'clock. Any more it gets pretty loud. I would have the volume knob at about 3 or 3:30 on the βeta-22. The sound reproduction of this amp is amazing it's effortless in providing a clean and powerful signal to the headphones. The detail on this beats the βeta-22 with no problem. The midrange is very transparent, the vocals are crystal clear. It has a soundstage that is both wide and deep. There's no congestion of any kind, There's air around each instrument making it very easy to single out every one of them. This is a very resolving yet fun combination. The bass on the 6s is fantastic. For those who want bass that's accurate, detailed with precision the HE6 will not disappoint. The bass does not extend as low as the LCD, but its way more transparent and accurate with tons more detail.
Next up is the HE-500. The volume knob is in between 9 and 9:30 more than this is way to loud. I can even come down to a full 9 o'clock and be good. The highs with this pair = WOW. The treble is very extended and I would say in a word clean. Not to harsh but can get a little sparkly at the top end. Not so with the 6s it's more smooth for lack of a better word. Again, the vocals are incredible, very detailed and this is with both female and males. I think the strength of the HD-500s has got to be in the mid to upper treble. Crisp and clean with no caffeine. With this combo the 500s does not disappoint in the bass area. Well if your a bass head it might. But pretty tight and the control is good. Does not hit as hard, go down as low or have more attack than the 6s. But still very good non the less.
Next up is the HE-5LE. The volume knob is just about right at 10:30ish, maybe a little loud. Oh yeah. Did someone say "MIDRANGE"?
All three of these headphones are more alike than different. Just a little differences here and there that I can pick out. Like the lower to upper mids on these are outstanding. They are very midrange coherent. If the highs are the strength of the 500s then the mids has go to be the strength of the 5LEs. These seem to find a good stride or a groove with this amp. They seem to be more forgiving than the 500s. If you have harsh or bright recording this paring will work better for you IMO than the mini X paired with the 500s. The bass on these are right in between the two. It gives you lots of attack and punch while being tight and controlled.
Next up is the LCD-2.2 The volume knob on these is in between 9 and 9:30 but can go lower. WOW these reminds me of how they sound when paired with the BHA-1. One of the best things the LCD-2.2 does really well is make bad recordings sound good. That's the second thing. What's the first thing you might ask? Do you really have to ask? BASS. That's right - and this amp really gives it to you. The amp can go as low as the LCD-2.2s want to go. Deep, impactful - without being muddy or all over the place. The mids are very rich, a little to rich for me. They are voiced very well but not as crisp and clear as the Hifimans. IMO. But this amp gives it to you as it is on the recording.
Next up is the HD-650. The volume knob right on 9 o'clock, maybe even at 8:30. Not a lot of play with these. This is a very warm headphone, very forgiving of bad recording, very seductive, very smooth. While it lacks the revealing nature it's still very pleasant to listen to. These scale pretty good, you can tell the difference on lesser amps. The 650s would sound veiled, the instrument separation would not be very noticeable. With this amp the veil is gone, instrument separation becomes more clear. These have some of the best mids to be had, the midrange is very lush and smooth. If you think some headphones sound thin? Well these are the total opposite they are full, very full, that make this headphone relaxing. Which can also make less detailed than others. The 650s is not what I would call a neutral headphone at all. It's very laid back and thick in the mid section. That's what makes it sound so good IMO.
Next up is the Q701. The volume knob is at 9 o'clock or 9:30ish. These are some seriously detailed headphones. This amp and these headphones together is like you should be in the studio or something. Very revealing. The soundstage is wide and deep. The best of this list thus far. The bass is nothing to write home about. It's there but not like it is with the ones listed above. I would call these as close the neutral as possible. The treble is not harsh, bright or clinical at all, it's very balanced if anything at all. With this amp you can really tell the difference in headphones. This pair is like neutral on neutral.
Next up is the T1. These sound good at 10 o'clock. These sound o so sweet. No, really they have a vey sweet sounding treble, lots of detail without the harshness. Clean, fluid and resolving mids and a tight very controlled bass section. The tonal balance on these are second to only the HE-6 IMO. This amp pairs very well with these. This makes for a very fast combination, this combo can keep up with just about any type of music you through at it. I can set back and listen to this sweet sound for hours. I may have to put these up there with the HE-6s, these are a tad bit warmer.
To wrap it all up. This little amp is a no brainer at it's price point. I got it for $179 on sale for the holidays, what a steal. This amp is very transparent, very neutral. Bright headphones and harsh recordings is a no go with this amp.
With this amp there's a lot of clean, detailed resolution. Not a tube sounding amp at all. It's Solid State at its best.
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