Amp that helps with the midrange?

[Cris]

Hy

At the moment I can't afford a home amp but hopefully in the near future. So I am on a little research trip. I hope you can help me narrow it down to some devices.

I want to combine the amp with my Ultrasone Proline 750. While I am very satisfied with these cans and they have their strengths in bass and detail they have their problems with the midrange (esp. female vocals and string instruments - as pointed out by wakked1).

If I can choose I would:
- not choose a tube amp
- like to spend less than 1000$
- a DAC would be a plus (not a must)

Maybe it's stupid to assume an amp can help with the midrange. But their should be amps that sound better combined with the PL750 than others.

Any recommendations?
Thanks Cris

 

[patrox89]

headroom makes the micro line, seperate amp and dac but total package is $600. they also make the desktop line, which combines the amp and dac into one package for $850 base price, but can be upgraded to an even $1000 easily. as far as i can tell with my brand new micro amp, the mids are helped a lot with my beyer dt660's and the highs are taimed to a much more reasonable level.

www.headphone.com and go into the amps section.

 

[YngwieJMalmsteen]

Midrange is definately one of headroom's strong suits. I would go as far as to say that I prefer their midrange to all other solid states that I've heard.

 

[fr4c]

I find the Gilmore Lite to push the mids on my HD650's.

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr4c I find the Gilmore Lite to push the mids on my HD650's.

The Lite is the amp I would suggest also... Do you need portability?

 

[kuma]

cris,

One of the reason I moved from Gilmore amp to the Naim Headline 2 is its midrange performance.

The latter sounds so much more natural than most solid state amps I have heard.
Headline 2 and iSupply or NAPSC external power supplies should be had for less than a grand.

When you have a chance, give it a try.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I really liked the OBH-11SE, but they don't make them any more. See if you can find a used one. Not recommending the current line, as they've redesigned it, and I haven't heard it.

Too bad you said "no tubes", otherwise I'd recommend the X-CANs...

 

[Cris]

Thanks for all your replies so far. I appreciate your help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrox89 headroom makes the micro line, ... as far as i can tell with my brand new micro amp, the mids are helped a lot with my beyer dt660's

Even if I had to ship it to Europe an interessting choice. But from what I have heard is the DT660 an excellent phone for the midrange - so I am suspicious that the amp has a hard job to do (in your case).

Quote:

Originally Posted by YngwieJMalmsteen Midrange is definately one of headroom's strong suits. I would go as far as to say that I prefer their midrange to all other solid states that I've heard.

Thanks too, what cans did/do you use?

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr4c I find the Gilmore Lite to push the mids on my HD650's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpalmer The Lite is the amp I would suggest also... Do you need portability?

Thanks for that suggestion. No I don't need portability. But I would prefer an amp that I can take to work with my backpack (let's say once a week) - oh this is some kind of portability

. (But it is only a nice to have.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuma One of the reason I moved from Gilmore amp to the Naim Headline 2 is its midrange performance.

This is what I was afraid of

a different opinion like fr4c and gpalmer. Or is this not a contradiction?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk Too bad you said "no tubes", otherwise I'd recommend the X-CANs...

Well I am a little bit put off by the need of getting replacement tubes (effort and costs).

 

[dizza]

The Lite might take a while to ship though. I ordered mine last month and still haven't received it.

 

[Cris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizza The Lite might take a while to ship though. I ordered mine last month and still haven't received it.

On the order page it says 21 days lead time. Thanks for the info.

 

[drarthurwells]

This is a real easy recommendation:

Made in Germany.

Lehmann Black Cube linear: Class A output with no opamps in the output stage and no negative global feedback and an unequaled power supply.

Used by Sennheiser in show demos.

Midrange as clear as can be - as are the highs and lows. Should easily get for 700 Euros or less if you have any discounts available oin Europe.

 

[Cris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells ... Made in Germany. Lehmann Black Cube linear: Class A output with no opamps in the output stage and no negative global feedback and an unequaled power supply. ...

I like recommendations from European countries - they should be easier to get for me.
Must search for reviews now...

 

[Cris]

Well, that was easy. I thought I would get either too many recommendations or no replies.

So are there any other midrange strong amps I should consider?
So far we got:
- headroom, micro line
- Gilmore Lite
- Naim Headline 2
- OBH-11SE
- Lehmann Black Cube linear

Thanks
Cris

 

[Jazper]

I'm gonna say the M³ again, because with the right opamps for the occasion (I think 8065s might be right for this) I think it has a very strong midrange.

 

[renesis_au]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazper I'm gonna say the M³ again, because with the right opamps for the occasion (I think 8065s might be right for this) I think it has a very strong midrange.

Hi Jazper, how does the 8065's compare to either the 8610 or 627 in the M3, since I was under the impression that the later two were held in higher regard as they are more 'refined'?