khaine1711
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2011
- Posts
- 932
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- 193
Hello,
This is a sort-of long post, there's a tl;dr version at the bottom if you don't wanna browse through my rambling ;d
So I heard most people here at Head-fi pairs their Dt990 with an OTL tube amp (Dv336se, Crack, G3, WA2/3 ...etc). Most of the impression from my extensive searching is "tame the high, brings out the mid, extend/tighten the bass" aka "makes them sing". I'm sort of on my way to an OTL tube amp until today when I had the chance to audition the Grado Rs1i, supposedly the "tamer, more refined" version of Grado 325is.
Well it sounds nothing like I imagined. To me it sounds quite boring; basically like a warmer, more controlled at bass than my Dt990; too "analog" for my taste. The whole audition makes me rethink my next purchase (an OTL tube amp around ~200-300).
I'm really afraid that the tube amp will "tame" my dt990 into something I do not love.
tl;dr:
So I want to ask all dt990 owners with OTL tube amps out there (880 also counts as dt990 and 880 sounds kind of similar):
-How much difference does an OTL tube amp make on dt990/880? Specifically in the bass/mid/high department.
-Which route should I take if I only want my Dt990 to have some more texture in bass (without losing any impact), brings out the mid and keep the sparkly high in tact? And minimal loss of details if possible.
-Should I still go for an OTL tube amp? Some tubes rolling combo recommendations are most welcome!!
This is a sort-of long post, there's a tl;dr version at the bottom if you don't wanna browse through my rambling ;d
So I heard most people here at Head-fi pairs their Dt990 with an OTL tube amp (Dv336se, Crack, G3, WA2/3 ...etc). Most of the impression from my extensive searching is "tame the high, brings out the mid, extend/tighten the bass" aka "makes them sing". I'm sort of on my way to an OTL tube amp until today when I had the chance to audition the Grado Rs1i, supposedly the "tamer, more refined" version of Grado 325is.
Well it sounds nothing like I imagined. To me it sounds quite boring; basically like a warmer, more controlled at bass than my Dt990; too "analog" for my taste. The whole audition makes me rethink my next purchase (an OTL tube amp around ~200-300).
I'm really afraid that the tube amp will "tame" my dt990 into something I do not love.
tl;dr:
So I want to ask all dt990 owners with OTL tube amps out there (880 also counts as dt990 and 880 sounds kind of similar):
-How much difference does an OTL tube amp make on dt990/880? Specifically in the bass/mid/high department.
-Which route should I take if I only want my Dt990 to have some more texture in bass (without losing any impact), brings out the mid and keep the sparkly high in tact? And minimal loss of details if possible.
-Should I still go for an OTL tube amp? Some tubes rolling combo recommendations are most welcome!!