Just sayin': I've used my BA daily since I got it (over 6 months ago). As my preamp and can amp. No glitches whatsoever. Nothing but cheshire cat grins.   But I don't throw it in the car every morning, either.   BTW, it's a lot easier to spot and fix a loose wire than a bad board.

I'm not sure where to post this. So I'm posting it here. I got a BA from Craig about 3 months ago. My $$$$$ SS preamp has not been plugged in since. The BA into my Rogue Zeus into Selah RC-4 (custom mid- tweeter variant) speakers is the most incredible sound I've ever heard. By far. I've...

Well, I have both and have had the Koss ESP-950s. Don't miss the Koss at all. On the other hand, I don't think I will sell either the LCD-2 or the HD 800s. They are both great to my ears, but very different (as must be painfully obvious by now)! Depends on my mood, depends on the recording or...

I'm not feeling the love with my Apex Peak. I've tried 6 different tubes, it still sounds (comparatively) dark and veiled to my Benchmark DAC HPA. This is the only headphone where the Benchmark HPA seems clearly (to me) superior to the Peak. The Peak is AMAZING w/my HD800s, but LCD-2 - not so...

So, is a new cable not worth considering?   And yep, if I sell 'em I'll probably look at an all tube amp thingy. Maybe even if I don't sell'em.   You guyz have a disease, and I think I've caught it.

Well, I've now got a pair of LCD-2s w/ALO cables - and I don't know if I will ever use my HD800s again. Maybe it's a phase I'm going thru? Will I grow out of this?   Even w/my Benchmark DAC the LCDs sound marvelous. Through my Peak, sublime. The HD800s sound VERY thin by comparison. Bigger...

Okay, thanks for explaining the preamp switch! My preamp has digital steps in the control, it's not a pot, so I doubt that it degrades the sound (much). I figured that it's of much higher quality than the Cayin pot, and I'm running it at about 5/8 of max. I fooled around with both pieces at...

Allrighty then. I picked up this used Cayin HA-1A, and the sound is glorious with the AKG 701s! Way, way better than with the Benchmark's headphone amp, in every respect. I'm a bit confused on the best way to connect this though, and the minimal funny worded instruction pamphlet doesn't help. I...

I like the looks, and the small footprint as well.

There are a lot of great amps out there - I chose these two (Chinese) amps mainly because of the tubes they use - I already own a good assortment to try. Also, in the case of the Cayin, there are MANY 701 owners that report excellent synergy between the two. I hope you folks know that most...

Yep, there's nothing "untested" about the Cayin - we're not breaking any new ground here! That is not a concern. I am not looking for a warm sound, although with the right (wrong?) tubes, I would think almost anything's possible. Thanks for the replies - there certainly are a lot of folks with...

I assume I'm looking at the output transformers in your pic? Is there a toroidal lurking under the other box for power? If so, then as you say,it is certainly a VERY similar design!

1. What's inside those boxes on top? I've never seen a picture that showed the gizzards inside those! 2.Cotdt, can I infer you haven't heard the Cayin Ha-1A?

Sorry- my bad. Cayin HA-1A is what I'm considering, vs.Doge 6210.

Yep, I read that. You are one of the vocal supporters I mentioned, so I know YOU like the Doge. The Cayin has a very good reputation over there (on the other board, over there...) - have you HEARD it? And if no one has heard both, is it ethical to order both - knowing that one would be...

I've been lurking here for the past couple of weeks. I am desperate to add some tubes between my Benchmark and 701s. Over at Agon, they're all up on the Cayin (which are sold through dealers, and there's plenty of dealers over there. Coincidence?). Over here, there are a couple of vocal Doge...