[AnakChan]

Yeah I meant the 2A3. It should still have some tubey euphonics. The ZDSE is very tubey / distorted. I thought the ECBA was moving towards dry. The BA sounded pretty good but not as nice as the HPA-21. I was hoping for something great not pretty good.

Tubey: ZD > 2A3 > BA > 445 : dry ss sound

 
Where would the HPA-21 fit in the above in your opinion?

 

[m2man]

It's sort of tubey/muddy on its current circuit. It had a great sound stage and everything on its voltage circuit. Voltage was definitely prefered. I wouldn't call it tubey but it was euphonic. It'd made you smile and nod your head to the music. I would still call it a SS sound though. I want to put it equal to the BA but they sound different even if they are mostly SS sounding. How's that for a confusing answer?

 

[Audio Jester]

It's sort of tubey/muddy on its current circuit. It had a great sound stage and everything on its voltage circuit. Voltage was definitely prefered. I wouldn't call it tubey but it was euphonic. It'd made you smile and nod your head to the music. I would still call it a SS sound though. I want to put it equal to the BA but they sound different even if they are mostly SS sounding. How's that for a confusing answer?

Very confusing. Many reviews I have read indicate that the current output is preferred over the voltage. I wish I could have easier access to the top-end amps, so I could compare for myself.

 

[AnakChan]

Very confusing. Many reviews I have read indicate that the current output is preferred over the voltage. I wish I could have easier access to the top-end amps, so I could compare for myself.

 
I'm hoping in a few weeks I'll get a chance to try a Bakoon at home and do a comparison against my modded ZD & TUR-06. I have a feeling that current driven is an alternative philosophy than a definitive/conclusive "better than voltage". Happy to share my thoughts later when (if?) I get the Bakoon demo.

 

[Audio Jester]

I'm hoping in a few weeks I'll get a chance to try a Bakoon at home and do a comparison against my modded ZD & TUR-06. I have a feeling that current driven is an alternative philosophy than a definitive/conclusive "better than voltage". Happy to share my thoughts later when (if?) I get the Bakoon demo.

That would be really useful. Thanks.

 

[ericfarrell85]

Yeah I meant the 2A3. It should still have some tubey euphonics. The ZDSE is very tubey / distorted. I thought the ECBA was moving towards dry. The BA sounded pretty good but not as nice as the HPA-21. I was hoping for something great not pretty good.

Tubey: ZD > 2A3 > BA > 445 : dry ss sound

I have never thought of the Zana as a "tubey" amp. In spite of its midrange emphasis it is one of the tube amps that can stand in for an SS amp. My BA also doesn't exhibit the characteristic tube sound, but forced to rank the two on that parameter, I'd say it shows more tube euphony than the Zana.

 

[AnakChan]

I have never thought of the Zana as a "tubey" amp. In spite of its midrange emphasis it is one of the tube amps that can stand in for an SS amp. My BA also doesn't exhibit the characteristic tube sound, but forced to rank the two on that parameter, I'd say it shows more tube euphony than the Zana.

 
Eric, what are your thoughts about the the two amps for the TH-900? I currently have the ZD original but modified to the likes of the ZDSE. I don't have that much experience with desktop dedicated amps - only the ZD & ALO's S6. Aside from the tube euphony of the BA over the ZD, what are the other differences and in the end which do you feel makes the most out of the TH-900's?

 

[ericfarrell85]

Sorry can't help you. I've only heard the TH900 under meet conditions and with neither of the two amps present. I've been looking at buying this headphone for the little isolation it offers, therefore my wandering in. When there is an EC amp discussed I look to Purrin for answers, as more often than not you'll get one. Best of luck.

 

[m2man]

Since it's an OTL amp, the ZD doesn't drive the TH-900 without a fair amount of distortion. It's nice sounding though hence my tubey comments. It's much different with a high impedance HP though it still has a ton of warmth. It has an enveloping sound. The BA sounds totally different. Tubey probably means 100 things to 100 people.

 

[AnakChan]

Since it's an OTL amp, the ZD doesn't drive the TH-900 without a fair amount of distortion.

I thought the point of OTL was to have less distortion? Is my understanding incorrect?

 

[yaboroo]

Hi! I didnt read the rest of the thread, but I read in the "battle of the flagships" post that TH-900 is very sensitive.
I use an Auralic Taurus, and I'm worried I wont even be able to play TH-900 without it being way too loud.. What do you guys think?
 
When I use LCD-2 with the Taurus, The volume-knob is at 7-8 o clock, and i find this to be a good level. (the minimum is 5minutes past 6, but I cant go that low without only getting sound on one side.)

 

[Tony1110]

I've been spending a lot of time listening to my music gear (especially the Darkstar and Decware CSP-2/Taboo amps) lately, so I've been kind of away from the forums.  Now, here's the deal:  The Fostex th900 sounds kind of odd - and with some background hiss - out of the Darkstar.  Definitely not a match made in heaven.  The music feels kind of disjointed and claustrophobic...It feels like a gecko (the th-900) trying to wrestle with Godzilla.  This is one in which too much raw power leads to nowhere.  Conversely, as I've remarked before, the Hifiman EF-6 amp - a rather powerful amp as well, but not as powerful as the Darkstar - with the th-900s is (to my ears) a match made in heaven, although I have it connected to my Headroom Ultra (non-balanced) headphone amp, which is serving as its pre-amp, in order to have better control of the volume since the volume knob of the EF-6 is a monstrous stepped-attenuator type that offers very little control over the volume (note: by the way, the th-900 driven by the Headroom amp sounds amazing as well).  It must be noted that there is still a very slight residual hiss with the EF-6 (not surprising given the high sensitivity of the Fostex headphones), but once the music starts playing...behold, the promised land.  By the way, the Darkstar is an amazing amp primarily with three headphones: (1) Hifiman HE-6; (2) Sennheiser HD800; and (3) Beyer T1.  With the Darkstar the Hifiman HE-6  is just amazing...all the power you need for these erstwhile problematic pig-to-drive cans.  I don't care what the specs say about the Darkstar (there has been much controversy about the specs in other forums), the amp is pure power wearing a silk glove.  I listen primarily to classical music, so I was afraid that the darkstar would be too dark for the HE-6 and HD-800s, so I upgraded the cables in these two cans with balanced moon audio silver dragon cables to try and get that extra treble extension that classical music really needs to thrive.  When it comes to the HE-6 the search is definitely over...I don't need to upgrade anything else...I'm playing for keeps with this pair (i.e., i don't need to buy an old receiver or anything else to drive them).  What I get is wonderful bass, extended highs, sublime mid range (i.e., great with solos and choruses), expanded soundstage, grain-free sound, black-as-night background, great transient speed, not distortion whatsoever...everyting is integrated, balanced...just wonderful.  Two of my non-classical test pieces are the "You can call me Al" and "Girl with Diamonds in the Sole of her Shoes" tracks from Paul Simon's Graceland album.  I use these tracks because of the great bass and drums utilized and the just wonderful engineering of the recording.  The sound of the HE-6/Darkstar combo has to be heard to be believed.  Wow...this are not just classical music cans, they are all rounders.  I must clarify that while the HD800 sounds just dandy with the Darkstar, I like their sound just a tad better when driven by the CSP-2 Decware amp.  I've come to realize that in order to get that little extra 5% out of the HD800 you need a tube amp (i.e., now I understand what people are referring to by "tube magic"; i'm sorry, but I've never felt such magic coming out of a solid state headamp).  With the CSP-2 I am using three Mullard 6922 tubes and a Phylips 5R4GYS Rectifier, both of which I purchased from Upscale Audio.  Now, this combination is the best I've heard anywhere (including the Darkstar/HE-6 combo) and is my new reference setup when it comes to classical music.  The music coming out of this combo (mind you, using the moon silver dragon cable for the HD800, which may seem counter-intuitive given that the Senn Treble has been problematic for some) is ethereal.  When listening to Bach's Mass in B minor (i.e., the Suzuki BIS recording in SACD; my source is the Oppo 95 universal player) you feel like you are in a huge very wide cathedral with lots of air around every intrument and the solo voices.  The sense of distance between the listener and the orchestra/chorus extends sideways, up, down, and back (i.e., great depth).  This is pristine, utterly realistic sound at its best.  There is like a heavenly halo surrounding the sound that is really hard to describe...the sound of Angels is the best way to describe this.   I have to admit that on a couple of occasions I've been so moved by the sounds comming out of the Senns that tears have flowed from my eyes...this comming from someone who has been accused by some of being somewhat aloof, distant, and unemotional (i.e., by the way, I am an atheist, so having tears come out of my ears listening to Bach's Catholic mass is really odd for me!).  While the Darkstar/HE-6 combo is not far behind, it is the huge soundstage, warmth, and airy nature of the CSP-2/HD800 Combo that has made it the best system I have heard or expect to hear probably for the rest of my life when it comes to Classical.  It must be stressed that the same does not apply to music other than classical with the HD800/CSP-2 combo...the Darkstar/HE-6 beats them probably in all other kinds of music where a huge soundstage is not needed or wanted (i.e., like the aforementioned tracks from the Graceland album).  Thus, the Darkstar/HE-6 is an extremely versatile system where everything you throw at it sounds great...but in order to climb the highest peaks of classical music - the most demanding type of music when it comes to headphone/headamp performance - it is the HD800/CSP-2 for me.  I am so satisfied with my current systems that I had not other option than to cancel my order for the Blue Hawaii Special Edition amp/SR009 combo, which was already in the works, as I don't think $11K will be enough to supplant my current systems.  I've definitely lost my craving for Electrostatic Headphones...not motivated anymore.  I've never been so happy or satisfied in my life...yes, in my whole life.  Classical music is everything to me and I've finally reached nirvana. 

Best post I've read on here

 

[bwmarrin]

I've just read through this thread and I as I'm considering getting the TH-900's I was wondering if anyone has tested them with either the Woo WA7 or Yulong DA8 and have any thoughts on those pairing options?
 
Thanks

 

[Byrnie]

  I've just read through this thread and I as I'm considering getting the TH-900's I was wondering if anyone has tested them with either the Woo WA7 or Yulong DA8 and have any thoughts on those pairing options?
 
Thanks

I would love to know this too as I'm pretty much sold on the TH-900 with either the Conductor SL9018 or one of the Woo Audio options like the WA7 or WA6

 

[ariesq]

  I would love to know this too as I'm pretty much sold on the TH-900 with either the Conductor SL9018 or one of the Woo Audio options like the WA7 or WA6

I found the DAC in the WA7 on the bright side. Paired with the TH900, the treble was a little too much. Connecting the WA7 (amp) to a dedicated "warm" DAC (JK Ciunas) helped smooth out the treble.