https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/dac-with-volume/smsl-m500-mkii-dac-headphone-amplifier-es9038pro-xmos-xu216-bluetooth-50-32bit-768khz-dsd512-mqa-black-p-15890.html Below features section...

Yamaha AS-1100, works fine with Arcam SA20 as well. At first I had resistors box between but after I removed it sound exploded. Seems that way I went from AB to A class mode on both amps. Almost everything. Weight, authority, speed, timbre, leading edge definition, instrument separation.... If...

Just do it! You won't believe your ears:)

Wait, why this thread isn't in highend section? A know, it doesn't cost 4k and weigh 600g.

And, how believable are those crescendos in 1st movement?

That's easy, ATH-ADX5000, bit more than 2k though.

Has anyone tried the headphone output with HD800 or rather any headphones, any good?

I have AGD11.28 in the office and have tried it with Arya. Not a greatest synergy, AGD is dark sounding and Arya is somewhat darkish as well. Sufficient power? Sure and nice listen no doubt. To max potential? Not nearly there IMHO. At home rig, with more power behind, there's more dynamics...

So, pataburd, how AT sounds with your 'reference rig'?

Thank you KyungMin, although I meant on macro dynamics throughout the spectrum and not on bass quantity. For example, my Aryas probably have more bass than all 3 headphones (you've listed) yet orchestral crescendos sounds a bit anemic. HD800 portrays the same thing more dramatically even though...

Can anyone share some thoughts on slam and how hard hitting are these? How do you perceive intensity of orchestral crescendos etc..? If HD800 soundstage is 10/10 wide, how would you rate them in that regard? Thanks.

That has nothing to do with a cable, you went from 1360mw to 3120mw and thats it.

Lol, complaining about sibilance on reveling headphones is comical. So, you'd like some advanced AI in your headphones which should determine what sounds user could perceive as sibilance and remove those from spectrum? Either change your records or buy lover-end headphones till that happens.

I gave it another shot. Yup, it sounds flatter with loose low end timbre. Switching back to the big amp, I immediately noticed sharper attack, more natural decay, greater dynamics and tighter low end. It's worth mentioning that the big amp itself has similar signature to Marantz, buttery smooth...

I wouldn't agree. You can 'drive them loud enough to damage your hearing' with Schiit Fulla e.g as well yet that doesn't mean they are driven properly. I have Marantz HD-DAC-1 and it doesn't do justice to them, soundstage collapses far from desired volume levels and low end doesn't have anything...