[Swampwalker]

Anyone try driving K1000s with a Berning Microzotl tube amp? Rated power is 2-4 wpc. I have found that it has enough juice to drive 91 dB (AE-1) speakers to moderate levels in my home office. TIA

 

[MoLtoSoLo]

microZOTL doesn't got enough power for K1000. I tried.

 

[Canman]

K1000 efficiency is somewhere around 74dB. It needs a lot of power. The Audio Valve RKV is a sweet sweet match.

 

[Edwood]

I have a Grace 901 and K1000. It works quite well. But it wouldn't look like the Grace would be able to drive the K1000's by it's specs.

Has anyone ever compared the Grace 901 + K1000 to the RKV + K1000?

I've never heard the RKV before, and am wondering how much better it really would be.

-Ed

 

[Edwood]

What other amp's with 1/4" headphone jacks are capable of driving the K1000 well.

There is a distinction between being able to drive the K1000, and being able to drive them well, because my Little More Power can drive them to deafening levels, but it doesn't sound very good.

-Ed

 

[mcgino]

OTL32 and Twinhead have dedicated AKG K1000 connectors.

 

[jpelg]

I've heard the K1000's out of the Grace 901, the ASL OTL32, and the RKV. The Grace drives the AKG's quite well, albeit at the upper end of its limits, imo. But if you already have one, I probably wouldn't say you should look elsewhere. I like the Grace's DAC too.

The OTL32 does a really nice job, especially after doing a bit of tuberolling. I like that it connects directly (XLR), eliminating the extra cable section. Definitely the bargain of the bunch!

The RKV is still the overall winner here. Not only does it drive the K1000's with power to spare (lots of headroom here), it also tames most of their sound-related shortcomings. I'd still get an Equinox cable terminated to 1/4" anyway.

 

[lan]

I haven't heard the OTL32 but I like the RKV the most of what I've heard but it still comes down to preference of sound. In the end, the RKV is not for me because I found it a bit "slow". I like the bass speed of solid state better. That's why I'm going to be sticking with hybrid (tube pre, solid state dual mono or monoblocks).

 

[Edwood]

Yeah, I'm a detail nut, and love the speed and dynamics of solid state.

Guess I'll have to hear for myself at a meet in the future. For now the Grace is really convenient.

-Ed

 

[Gariver]

The AKG K1000 headphones have a slightly metallic tone to them with solid state amps. With tube amps, the metallic tone is gone. You can't hear it! That's why the Audio Valve RKV matches so well with the AKG K1000s.

 

[lan]

or is it the RKV is just rolled off

 

[Edwood]

I hope someone brings an RKV to the next SoCal Meet.

-Ed

 

[SteeleBlayde]

I can vouch for the RKV.

I dont think you'd be dissapointed. Theres a certain synergy between the K1000 and RKV that is very appealing.

 

[mikeg]

I drive my K1000 with an ASL AQ-1005DT, and I've also used ASL Wave monoblocks. The cheaper monoblocks sound essentially the same as the 1005DT, but don't look as good. I guess looks have a price.

 

[Music Fanatic]

This is a great thread. I've used my Grace 901 and my Pioneer 49TXi (headphone out) to drive the K1000. I think the Grace sounds especially fine.