[Johnny Moondog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by danne /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is the B-52 really in a whole other league of the others?

?

 

[danne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Moondog /img/forum/go_quote.gif ?

Question was is the B-52 really worth 6 months of eating nothing but noodles
I know everything is kinda subjective, but is it really twice the price of the WA22 better?

 

[Jarmel]

First off we're talking about diminishing returns. Almost nothing you get at the price ranges we're talking about will be some (insert arbirtrary number) better.

Second of all we're at the point about talking about personal tastes and preferences. As other people have recommended to me, meets would be the most beneficial. However just so you know the B-52 is regarded very highly and is probably one of the best if not the best, the only real unknown out of that list is probably the Balancing Act as the very few people who have it, haven't written reviews about it.

 

[danne]

What makes me confused is that in the apache thread they describe the new updated version of the apache closer to the b-52 and seeing how the b-52 is regarded as one of the best amps arround that gotta be pretty damn good.

But looking at the Los Angeles meet impressions were the phoenix, b22 and the apache was present, the apache seem to be standing back in the shaddows of the b22 and phoenix with the b22 having the slight upper edge over the phoenix.

 

[Currawong]

I can understand someone being underwhelmed by the Phoenix. Zero colouration isn't very appealing to most people, especially if one doesn't have a fantastic source.

Anyway, a surprise discovery recently was the Elekit TU-882R headphone amp, which was remarkably good with the HD-800s considering the price. Where my Phoenix deals with the sensitivity of the HD-800s to harshness through the extensiveness of its design imposing itself not at all on the sound, the 882 deals with it with tube-y goodness, without sounding rolled-off.

 

[vcoheda]

i have listened to 4 balanced amps with the 800. here are my rankings, 10 point scale.

RSA B52: 9
HR Bal Home: 7
WA22: 7
Phoenix: 5

i def want to hear a bal 800 on the Balancing Act, 307A, and Beta22.

 

[woodcans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif i have listened to 4 balanced amps with the 800. here are my rankings, 10 point scale. RSA B52: 9 HR Bal Home: 7 WA22: 7 Phoenix: 5 i def want to hear a bal 800 on the Balancing Act, 307A, and Beta22.

I want to hear the 800's balanced on the 307A. On the Beta22, they rock.

 

[seacard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif i have listened to 4 balanced amps with the 800. here are my rankings, 10 point scale. RSA B52: 9 HR Bal Home: 7 WA22: 7 Phoenix: 5 i def want to hear a bal 800 on the Balancing Act, 307A, and Beta22.

According to Currawong, your low ranking for the Phoenix is because it is too neutral and you like colored, distorted sound. Also because your source is just not up to snuff.

 

[El_Doug]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seacard /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also because your source is just not up to snuff.

dude... the Cary 306 is an absolutely fantastic source! clearly Currawong has never had the pleasure

 

[skyline889]

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Doug /img/forum/go_quote.gif dude... the Cary 306 is an absolutely fantastic source! clearly Currawong has never had the pleasure

Indeed. If the 306 isn't up to snuff, I don't know what is.

 

[danne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif i have listened to 4 balanced amps with the 800. here are my rankings, 10 point scale. RSA B52: 9 HR Bal Home: 7 WA22: 7 Phoenix: 5 i def want to hear a bal 800 on the Balancing Act, 307A, and Beta22.

And the apache?

 

[Currawong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seacard /img/forum/go_quote.gif According to Currawong, your low ranking for the Phoenix is because it is too neutral and you like colored, distorted sound. Also because your source is just not up to snuff.

Actually, it would be interesting to know the sources used in each comparison, as they are very significant. He loves his B52 though. It's all a matter of taste. Just don't mistake opinion as being gospel.

 

[immtbiker]

I used my HD800's balanced out of the Apache Revision C using 2 sources, a Meridian G08 and an Esoteric DV-50, and they sounded great.
But in all fairness, I was not able to compare it to any other balanced amp at the time (none in my possession) so it's all relative.

 

[vpivinylspinner]

I would assume the comparison was done at the last NJ meet and Yikes' system that was the very expensive computer based set-up that sounded pretty good with the re-wired Denon 7000s out of the Phoenix.

It sounded okay with the HD-800s but there are numerous amps I have heard them out of that sounded better. I remember the B-52 sounding better and I much preferred my Toole Audio Balanced M^3 to the Phoenix but both amps are more expensive than the Phoenix. I also really liked my HD-800s out of Nikongod's Silver Ghost at the NC Mini-meet.

I would like at some point to try the Phoenix again in my system and not meet conditions as it seems like a very interesting low priced balanced alternative.

 

[atothex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vpivinylspinner /img/forum/go_quote.gif I remember the B-52 sounding better and I much preferred my Toole Audio Balanced M^3 to the Phoenix but both amps are more expensive than the Phoenix.

So I gotta come in this thread to get a comparison of a balanced M3 to the Phoenix. The Phoenix thread basically offered NOTHING in the way of comparisons to respected amps.