Zoldar
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2010
- Posts
- 65
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- 0
Until a week ago I wasn’t aware of headphone amps. I decided it was time to buy a set of nice but not too expensive cans as in my current house there is not enough room for the main hifi speakers (B&W CDM 7 SE).
After lurking here, went to the shop to sample Sens, akg and some grado's in the price range around 150 euro's. And came home with AKG K701.
I was very impressed by the openness and detail of these wonders but also considered myself a fool for forking out more than planned. And that, for reputed hard to drive cans, less good with rock (Pink Floyd/Marillion being my favs).
Luckily I found a thread here that put headphone amps into perspective. A good integrated amp could sound very good with top cans. So too could my NAD C370. Myth busted.
And indeed I was very, very satisfied with the K701, marantz CD 52 mkII SE, NAD C370 combo. But there was also some brightness, harshness at volume and occasional flatness in busy passages. Strange, since deep bass was present when called for.
I decided to try out some can amps and decide for myself if this is a forum of self fulfilling prophets (head amp freaks) or indeed know the dark art of headphone amping for what it is.
Heed Canamp vs NAD C370 - myth busted?
This contest was a fatal mistake. I was NOT planning on forking out anything on something as nerdy as a head amp. But the K701 were positively transformed. No harshness, no sibilance, more mid bass and some 'warm' coloration. More detail too, more control.
Then I sampled Graham Slee Solo/PSUI and was sold. Same control, no warm blanket coloration but also a lot more fine detail in the highs and good bass control. Even at high volumes. But forking out this much for a glorified mini amp? I must be MAD!
So should I curse or praise this forum?
I’ll let you know when I come down from music heaven!
After lurking here, went to the shop to sample Sens, akg and some grado's in the price range around 150 euro's. And came home with AKG K701.
I was very impressed by the openness and detail of these wonders but also considered myself a fool for forking out more than planned. And that, for reputed hard to drive cans, less good with rock (Pink Floyd/Marillion being my favs).
Luckily I found a thread here that put headphone amps into perspective. A good integrated amp could sound very good with top cans. So too could my NAD C370. Myth busted.
And indeed I was very, very satisfied with the K701, marantz CD 52 mkII SE, NAD C370 combo. But there was also some brightness, harshness at volume and occasional flatness in busy passages. Strange, since deep bass was present when called for.
I decided to try out some can amps and decide for myself if this is a forum of self fulfilling prophets (head amp freaks) or indeed know the dark art of headphone amping for what it is.
Heed Canamp vs NAD C370 - myth busted?
This contest was a fatal mistake. I was NOT planning on forking out anything on something as nerdy as a head amp. But the K701 were positively transformed. No harshness, no sibilance, more mid bass and some 'warm' coloration. More detail too, more control.
Then I sampled Graham Slee Solo/PSUI and was sold. Same control, no warm blanket coloration but also a lot more fine detail in the highs and good bass control. Even at high volumes. But forking out this much for a glorified mini amp? I must be MAD!
So should I curse or praise this forum?
I’ll let you know when I come down from music heaven!
