Best amp for K701 - my wallet is generous.
Feb 27, 2012 at 2:20 PM Post #91 of 97


Quote:
You can expect this from the Violectric V100.



I know, however my budget is fairly limited. My budget is approx: $1100, With this money I intend to buy a DAC, Amp and Interconnects + Usb, Toslink cables.
 
The initial idea was:
 
Schiit Valhalla $349
Schiit Bifrost $349+($100)
+100 shipping 
Cardas MicroTwin RCA apx: $150
Cardas USB/SPDIF aprox $100
 
I am ready to make this entire purchase, the only thing BLOCKING IT is the negative comments ive read lately about the K701+Valhalla combo!!! AND STILL, NO CONCLUSIVE ANSWERS!!!
 
I considered the Violectric, however i cannot afford it at this point. Besides, I intend to buy other headphones in the future which would work well with the Valhalla. (OF COURSE, keeping the K701, which is going to be my primary headphone for years to come)
 
If you have any conclusive data regarding this combo, please share it with me. I am not interested in subjective experiences regarding this pairing, I need to know if the K701 will play with no distortion, sibillance, or muddy base. I expect this amp to drive them to almost their full potential. Nuances I dont care about! I will be the judge of that. 
 
Feb 27, 2012 at 2:35 PM Post #92 of 97
 
Quote:
 
If you have any conclusive data regarding this combo, please share it with me. I am not interested in subjective experiences regarding this pairing, I need to know if the K701 will play with no distortion, sibillance, or muddy base. I expect this amp to drive them to almost their full potential. Nuances I dont care about! I will be the judge of that.

 
You may just want to contact Jason at Schiit.  In Jason's own words a while back in an interview about Lyr (was it 6Moons or Headfonia?) he mentioned that K701 was one of his favorite cans, and he praised how extremely well they pair with the Lyr and that it was one of the cans used in tuning the Lyr.  He also mentioned that they're pretty good with Valhalla as well, even though electrically it doesn't make much sense.
 
My $0.02 is if you want the "Best Amp" for the K701 and are interested in the Schiit lineup, Lyr is probably the better bet of the two.  Lyr's design was tweaked using K701 among others.  Since Jason's comments indicate it works well on Valhalla as well, you're probably safe there, but he also indicated that Lyr was still the preferred option.  At $1100, what's $100 more for the item described as exactly what you're looking for?
 
From an electrical point of view, his comment about the Valhalla making no sense means this: K701 craves current.  Vast amounts of current.   Orthodynamic levels of current.  Valhalla (or any OTL tube amp) is not known for pumping out crazy current....it's more about voltage (which is what high impedance cans like.)  Conventional electrical wisdom says Valhalla (and other OTLs) = Beyer 600Ohm and other high impedance cans, Lyr and other hybrids/high-end SS amps = K701 and other low impedance current hungry cans.  Senn 300ohm cans tend to go either way with different results.   I'm pretty sure that's what Jason was referring to with his comment about K701+Valhalla not making sense, but somehow works well, to his surprise.
 
Unless his opinions have changed, I suspect he'll tell you that either would work well, but if you can swing it, go for Lyr.
 
Feb 27, 2012 at 3:12 PM Post #93 of 97


Quote:
 
 
You may just want to contact Jason at Schiit.  In Jason's own words a while back in an interview about Lyr (was it 6Moons or Headfonia?) he mentioned that K701 was one of his favorite cans, and he praised how extremely well they pair with the Lyr and that it was one of the cans used in tuning the Lyr.  He also mentioned that they're pretty good with Valhalla as well, even though electrically it doesn't make much sense.
 
My $0.02 is if you want the "Best Amp" for the K701 and are interested in the Schiit lineup, Lyr is probably the better bet of the two.  Lyr's design was tweaked using K701 among others.  Since Jason's comments indicate it works well on Valhalla as well, you're probably safe there, but he also indicated that Lyr was still the preferred option.  At $1100, what's $100 more for the item described as exactly what you're looking for?
 
From an electrical point of view, his comment about the Valhalla making no sense means this: K701 craves current.  Vast amounts of current.   Orthodynamic levels of current.  Valhalla (or any OTL tube amp) is not known for pumping out crazy current....it's more about voltage (which is what high impedance cans like.)  Conventional electrical wisdom says Valhalla (and other OTLs) = Beyer 600Ohm and other high impedance cans, Lyr and other hybrids/high-end SS amps = K701 and other low impedance current hungry cans.  Senn 300ohm cans tend to go either way with different results.   I'm pretty sure that's what Jason was referring to with his comment about K701+Valhalla not making sense, but somehow works well, to his surprise.
 
Unless his opinions have changed, I suspect he'll tell you that either would work well, but if you can swing it, go for Lyr.


Thank you very much.. Lyr was one of the amps I had in consideration. I know this sound ridiculous, but I was trying to avoid the apparent. I have already contacted Jason, and he suggested the Lyr. However, he mentioned that the Valhalla would also pair well. This is how all the confusion started.
 
I have no problem paying an additional $100 (despite being thin on budget), if it is really justified. I was only worried if it is going to make them VERY analytical, unbearable for relaxed sessions.
 
 
Mar 1, 2012 at 7:21 PM Post #95 of 97
Quote:
Guys, I am a man of misery... I received so MANY recommendations for the Valhalla to be used with the AKG K701, and now I have read so many comments opposing this statement! Please help.
 
I think I got used to the analytical sound of my K701s through a vintage SS receiver (Tandberg 3012). Right now, I expect a slightly warmer sound, with A TINY BIT of more extended bass and better mids, while retaining dynamics. Can I expect this with the Schiit Valhalla?
 
My K701s are my reference can, and will remain just that for a very long time! I love them so much! No intention on getting rid of them!

 
Why on earth would anyone pair an OTL Valhalla with low-impedance K701s?  
 
Schiit's own thoughts on it, from their site -- 
 
Can Valhalla drive my orthodynamic headphones (read low impedance, low efficiency like K701)?
 
Being polite: not a chance. Although Valhalla can deliver large voltages into high-impedance headphones, it cannot supply the current needed for low-efficiency, low-impedance orthodynamic headphones. If you have Audeze or HiFiMan headphones, look at Lyr. LCD-2s, HE-400s, and HE-500s are also efficient enough to be used with Asgard, if you’d like an all-solid-state option.
 
Mar 2, 2012 at 10:07 AM Post #97 of 97


Quote:
Quote:
 
Why on earth would anyone pair an OTL Valhalla with low-impedance K701s?  
 
Schiit's own thoughts on it, from their site -- 
 
Can Valhalla drive my orthodynamic headphones (read low impedance, low efficiency like K701)?
 
Being polite: not a chance. Although Valhalla can deliver large voltages into high-impedance headphones, it cannot supply the current needed for low-efficiency, low-impedance orthodynamic headphones. If you have Audeze or HiFiMan headphones, look at Lyr. LCD-2s, HE-400s, and HE-500s are also efficient enough to be used with Asgard, if you’d like an all-solid-state option.


Because so many people have told me the exact opposite. It doesn't make sense but it really does work quite well. That is exactly the reason why I had them in mind.
 
Currently, I am considering the Lyr.. 
 
 

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