[sonic32]

I am contemplating the purchase of the AKG 1000 headphones and currently have no dedicated amplifier to power them. Many users state these sound best with a tube amplifier, which I have no experience with. I am very interested in the nOrh SE-9 for this application. Any suggestions or comments from experienced users would be appreciated.

 

[elrod-tom]

I'm assuming this is a solid state amp that you'll be using. It's going to be a bit harsh IMHO, though some folks seem to like it.

I'd recommend a good tube amp to drive them. I've owned a nOrh SE9, and it was a nice amp for the K1000. I currently have an ASL OTL-32, and it's not bad, but not outstanding. Older tube amps seem to do nicely as well (older Fishers for example).

Hope that helps...

 

[sonic32]

The nOrh SE-9 is on the short list due to the "glowing" reviews this combo received. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[kunwar]

Never heard the norh, currently mine runs via the marantz speaker terminals with the signal from the dac1. what I find is that the marantz's darker presentation suits the k1000's nicely. There is just the right amount of holding onto the reins with the marantz. In the future, obviously something will have to replace the receiver, the option that interests me being either the SAC K1000 amp or the RKV Mk2 (Mk3 anyone know when that comes out, apprantly it will be cheaper and not requrie the impedanzer.)

Kunwar

 

[jpelg]

For options under US$1000:

nOrh se9 - Integrated amp. Sounds good w/stock tubes, but sounds much better when some good NOS tubes are rolled in. This can get expensive and offset the low entry price of the amp.

ASL OTL32 - Nice, versatile, low-cost headphone amp. Works as a decent preamp too. Needs some tube rolling to sound best. Not the most powerful, but does have an XLR connection specifically for the K1000. Works great with other headphones too.

Dared 300B monoblocks - These have volume controls on them, so a preamp is not absolutely necessary. I generally love the sound of a 300b tube, but the same comments as the nOrh regarding rolling. I like these a lot.

RKV MkII - Headphone amp only. Sounds great stock, no tube rolling required & replacements are cheap. You do need a 1/4" adapter for the K1000's.

Classic Fisher tube amps/receivers - those I've heard had great synergy with the K1000 (I don't remember the modesl #'s though). May be difficult to find in good condition, or may require expensive refurbing. As always, rolling tubes can get pricey.

SAC K1000 amp - I've never heard this amp, but I've always been curious.

 

[Intrigue]

i thought their price dropped to $499 in 2001?
did the price go back up?

 

[tkam]

Yep the price went back up to around $800 or so I think

 

[Yikes]

The Euro has gone up (or the dollar has gone down) approximately 50% in the last three years.

Interbank rate
4/20/02 .87 dollars to Euro
4/20/05 1.31 dollars to Euro
In December of 2004 it actually got to
1.367 dollars to Euro

.87 x 1.5 = 1.305 (50%)
.87 x 1.57 = 1.366 (57%)

 

[Intrigue]

So if i purchased 1000 of these in 2001, i would of made $300 x 1000 = $300,000!