[VolkswagenFox]

I'm starting to feel the urge to upgrade lately, so I've been thinking of a pair of AKG K701/2. Is there any amp in the $300-and-lower range that adequately drives them?

 

[TLY]

I've heard many good things about the Head Direct EF1 and the K-701/2. I'm also seriously considering it for my K-702s. I'm just about to pull the trigger on it. It's only $299 + plush shipping of course, from Head-Direct.com.

 

[tintin47]

What is your source? I would look for a used HEED canamp, as it has wonderful synergy with the 701. Also take a look at the Shanling PH-100, which goes for around $200.

One more suggesstion: if you are up for adventure, you can always try DIY. There are pretty many cheaper DIY amps that can power the 701 well, because many are hybrid or SS.

 

[VolkswagenFox]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll do some research on those amps. I'm going to use two sources; an EMU 0404 USB and an old early 90s Pioneer CD player. Of course those will be upgraded someday too.

 

[K_19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLY /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've heard many good things about the Head Direct EF1 and the K-701/2. I'm also seriously considering it for my K-702s. I'm just about to pull the trigger on it. It's only $299 + plush shipping of course, from Head-Direct.com.

Yup, EF1 is great with my K701's. Right tube is the key however; it can sound awful with certain tubes while sounding great with some. I'm using a Tungsram tube with it right now (which extends the top and bottom end while leaving the middle uncoloured) and enjoying it a lot.

I've also tried the Shanling and it matches the K701's very well. Haven't heard the Canamp but the compatibility with that seems to be great as well.

 

[AmanGeorge]

x2 on EF1 + K701, excellent combination to my ears

 

[tintin47]

Maybe the EF-1 I tried out didn't have the right set of tubes, because I didn't think that it was anything special with the 701, and that seems to be against the general consensus. Diffrnt ears.

 

[tswise]

would a Cute Beyond + Supplier drive a pair of K701s?

 

[VolkswagenFox]

What do you guys think of the Little Dot MKIII?

 

[tswise]

should the EF2 be as good as the EF1 with the K701?

 

[TLY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VolkswagenFox /img/forum/go_quote.gif What do you guys think of the Little Dot MKIII?

I've also been doing a lot of research on an amp that would pair well with the K-701/2, and I'll share with you from what I've found. These are some of the opinions that I've seen in multiple threads.

I've read in many threads that an all-out tube amp does not pair well with the K-701/2 because of their high output impedance. Transformer coupled tube amps (like the higher end Woo amps), on the other hand do very well with the K-701/2. I've also read a couple negative reviews on the LD MKIII paired with K-701/2. Many of the amps that I've seen recommended for the K-701/2 are either Solid state (like the Heed) or Hybrids (like the EF1 or X-Can V8). Again, these are all opinions that I've read on multiple threads and not everyone may agree with them.

Hope this helps.

 

[tintin47]

I didn't like the mk III with the K701 when I had both. Their lack of synergy was probably the main thing that drove me to completely reconstruct my rig. Just don't use an otl tube amp with low Z phones.

The reason you don't want an otl amp, as a general rule (excluding super high end/high output OTL amps like the zana which power pretty much any phones fine) is because otl amps have high output impedance. When paired with low z phones, this causes an impedance mismatch, which leads to all sorts of undesirable consequences. You lose a lot of the output power the amp can provide, which is especially an issue with current hungry low Z phones. You also get an annoying midbass hump and, IMO, some loss of detail.

 

[lescanard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VolkswagenFox /img/forum/go_quote.gif What do you guys think of the Little Dot MKIII?

My setup is Macbook--->d10 Dac--->Little Dot mkIII--->k701s and I absolutely love it. I only have about 80+ hours on the LD and have started to roll tubes which is great fun - lots of tube choices to really pair well with your K701s. After I bought my mkIII I emailed David from Little Dot about the k701s as I was going to buy them from another Head-fier and here's his reply:

"The Little Dot MK III will pair very well with the K701s as they are among the many headphones we use during design, and actually are a favorite of mine. The K701s are probably the second or third most common headphone Little Dot owners are pairing with (above that would be the Senn HD600/650s)."

For what it's worth - just another opinion. I've heard the same things as stated about the LD/k701 synergy but I really am ecstatic about my choice and the price and service are phenomenal.

 

[triode12]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tintin47 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maybe the EF-1 I tried out didn't have the right set of tubes, because I didn't think that it was anything special with the 701, and that seems to be against the general consensus. Diffrnt ears.

I also had the same finding with the EF-1/701 combination with the RCA cleartop tube. It wasn't a great pairing - just passable.