[toschek]

M-Stage looks good two, so I have two candidates.   Any thoughts about the Asgard 2?  I haven't seen much mention of it here, M-Stage gets a fair number of mentions though.  I should probably stick to something with wider adoption.   It looks like the Asgard 2 is relatively new too.

 

[joeq70]

The T1 drives the HD800 without trouble imo.

Let me qualify that statement by saying that the T1 sounded just as good as the RSA Raptor that I A/B'd with it.

 

[toschek]

Interestingly, the m-stage on paper at least seems less powerful than the Aune or just about equal. According to Senn's specs ideally you want something with at least 400 mW at 150 Ω or better. The Aune (on paper) does 300 mW at 150 Ω.

I was looking at getting Schiity because its a) cheaper and b) does in excess of 400mW at 150 Ω, but I have no clue as to SQ or coloration.

 

[CoiL]

Quote:

The T1 drives the HD800 without trouble imo.

Let me qualify that statement by saying that the T1 sounded just as good as the RSA Raptor that I A/B'd with it.

Here`s your answer. That senns statement is as good as Aune 300mW at paper, wouldn`t be so stuck on that. I would listen to guy who has actually tested it with Aune.

 

[toschek]

You don't have to be a dink about it.   I trust JoeQ70's opinion or I wouldn't have bought the Aune in the first place.   I'm sure that the Aune is sufficient to drive the HD 800, but I'm also sure that @ 150mW or so to the 500 mW or so that Sennheiser specs that you could do better than the Aune.   What I'm explicitly asking is for recommendations, not holier than thou snark.   Thanks for playing though.

 

[CoiL]

heh, some ppl are too keen into numbers on paper Well, it`s your own decision. I wouldn`t bother to think about getting amp before I haven`t tried this can-dac/amp couple myself. If you feel shortcomings, then go for extra amp. Until that point I would stay with joeq70 opinion.

 

[Rem0o]

Quote:

You don't have to be a dink about it.   I trust JoeQ70's opinion or I wouldn't have bought the Aune in the first place.   I'm sure that the Aune is sufficient to drive the HD 800, but I'm also sure that @ 150mW or so to the 500 mW or so that Sennheiser specs that you could do better than the Aune.   What I'm explicitly asking is for recommendations, not holier than thou snark.   Thanks for playing though.

 
Well, I actually have the HD 650 with the T1 (which is easier to drive than the HD800), and the T1 can't really keep up with them imo and it will go back for that reason sooner than later. Asgard 2, I'm looking at you

 

[toschek]

I found the T1/650 combo to be OK, but I returned my 650s which says something.  At this point I wonder whether my dissatisfaction with the 650 stemmed more from the crappy 6211 stock tube or whether the T1 was underpowered at 300 ohms / 150 mW when the 650s are rated to 200 mW.   It could be that some of the muddiness I experienced with the 650s was a result of power constraints.   I'm hoping to avoid this with the 700s.   I'll know soon enough, and if it is I plan to use a separate amp and keep the T1 as a DAC.
 
The Asgard 2 will look hot with the T1 anyway, the aesthetic is pretty similar.

 

[joeq70]

Let me also say that i have no doubt that there are better amps than the T1 amp. I listened to the HD650 on the T1 as well and it seemed fine but the 650 is too laid back for my taste. I just want to point out that I think the T1 will get the job done with Senns until you spend some fairly significant money for more power and/or synergy.

 

[toschek]

Thanks Joe as always.  I think it will be just fine as is, but if it isn't I'm not going to get rid of the T1, it'll just be augmented by a different amp.

 

[joeq70]

Thanks Joe as always.  I think it will be just fine as is, but if it isn't I'm not going to get rid of the T1, it'll just be augmented by a different amp.

Please keep me abreast of your findings as someday I can see myself with the HD800, the T1, and an awesome amp.

 

[negura]

My 2 cents in this: I have the HD650s and have used them with the Aune T1 for a while with various tubes. I thought it did fine, but I was on the verge of selling the HD650s due to an overall lack of excitement. Due to circumstances and other cans requiring this, an upgrade to a bigger budget amp (Vioelectric V200) got me unexpected and AMAZING results with the same good old HD650 cans. I can't state this enough, and as a lot of people have been saying around here the HD650s have impressive scaling potential as you get better equipment. 
 
My Aune T1 is now playing the DAC role, until better prospects.
 
Overall it puts a very worthy effort and I still have a lot of sympathy for the Aune T1, but there is simply no contest once you move up the budget chain. 

 

[dePhil]

Quote:

.... The Aune T1 just doesn't have the power to drive the HD 800s, and probably I will have to buy a separate amp for the 700s as well.   I believe I'll be able to get about 300mW out of the T1 at 150 ohms, which should be sufficient for now but not nearly the 400mW that these suckers demand.   Any ideas on a cheap and extremely neutral (as close to 0 coloration as possible) amp only that I can use with the T1?   Solid state is preferable in this case, I don't want any more tubes in the chain -- I'll rely on the DAC alone for the "tube sound" and the amp as standalone just driving the headphones.   Something at or under $300 is best.   I was considering the Schiit Asgard 2, any thoughts?

 
 
Well..
Can say only good things about the Asgard, but my guess is - if additional amplification will be needed, at some point you'll end up with either a Violectric or Lehman anyway
I'd suggest you listen to the T1/HD700 combination alone for some time and judge for yourself. 
 
I am also curious how it would perform as a single bedroom dac/amp - would be happy not to build anoher rig there.
 
My main DAC is Arcam's rDac so will also post some impressions how T1 will compare there.
 
Cheers! 

 

[dcfis]

I have the hd650 and the t1 drives it great with the right tube there is no muddy bass. In fact I rarely get over 12 on the knob

 

[toschek]

Quote:

My 2 cents in this: I have the HD650s and have used them with the Aune T1 for a while with various tubes. I thought it did fine, but I was on the verge of selling the HD650s due to an overall lack of excitement. Due to circumstances and other cans requiring this, an upgrade to a bigger budget amp (Vioelectric V200) got me unexpected and AMAZING results with the same good old HD650 cans. I can't state this enough, and as a lot of people have been saying around here the HD650s have impressive scaling potential as you get better equipment. 
 
My Aune T1 is now playing the DAC role, until better prospects.
 
Overall it puts a very worthy effort and I still have a lot of sympathy for the Aune T1, but there is simply no contest once you move up the budget chain. 

 
Thanks, tell me about violectric's sound if you don't mind.  Is it free from coloration?  Does it alter the output in any other ways - soundstage, transients, etc.?  Thanks a bunch.