AKG K3003 High End 3 Way System Headphone

[tumburu]

I advice you to turn the gain way down. If I listen with the 3003 out of my Lavry Black, I set the gain to the minimum, and that one doesn't have the most powerful HP amp. The sound is amazing, though.

 

[Gray]

Ha ha....Yes I will do that. I would imagine you could end up with fried ear canals if the amp was set on high gain.
The Benchmark DAC2 has internal jumpers which act as gain switches that can be used to raise or lower the decibel output.
Thanks for your advise. Much appreciated!  

 

[tumburu]

No problem. The K3003 is a very easy to drive headphone. A powerful amp (no idea what's inside the Benchmark, but if you say it can drive the HD800 it has to have some juice) should be used carefully with them.

 

[Gray]

Yes I agree.
I don't think the HD800's are a particularly hard load to drive at only 300ohms........But I do think they are a hard load to drive WELL and seem to be very fussy about what amplification is driving them.
I had a Burson Soloist headphone amp and a Metrum Octave2 Dac before I got the Benchmark and I don't think that combo ever came close to getting the best out of the HD800's. Yes they drove them to decent levels ok but there was never the wow factor when I was listening.
The Benchmark however seems to have a better synergy with them. They sound more organic paired with the Benchmark.
So yes I will be careful when pairing it with the AKG's but it will be an interesting listen.
I have ordered the  suggested Sony headphone cable adapter now too so hopefully wont have to wait too long for it.

 

[eke2k6]

This thing is like a gamma knife through the music. Transparency is the word of the day.

 

[up late]

contacted akg - they have been making the k3003 in China for 9 months.

 

[Audiowood]

contacted akg - they have been making the k3003 in China for 9 months.

 
I am glad they are still making it, it means there are still people buying it.

 

[RapidPulse]

I am glad they are still making it....just wish it was still in Austria.  

 
 
Speaking of which: what is the likelihood that they still have same build quality/sound now that they are being made in China?

 

[up late]

chances are mine were made in China coz i bought them back in June. they sound and look great but yeah, i'd prefer they were made in Austria.

 

[Idsynchrono_24]

I'm sure the Chinese made K3K's are perfectly fine. Made in China doesn't carry the same negative connotation that it used to.

 

[DMinor]

Well, don't under estimate the power of placebo.

 

[up late]

I'm sure the Chinese made K3K's are perfectly fine. Made in China doesn't carry the same negative connotation that it used to.

sure. the se846 is also made in China and it's totl but made in Austria just appeals to me more.

 

[audionewbi]

Time for AKG to come up with K4004.....what do you guys think?

 

[james444]

The mere thought sends my wallet into a crying fit.

 

 

[audionewbi]

  The mere thought sends my wallet into a crying fit.

 

And your heart into a crazy ecstasy? Dont lie to us James, as much as those tears are from your wallet becoming lighter twice as much of those tears is for the joy of been able to experience a new sound, a new flagship