MaloS
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2004
- Posts
- 4,670
- Likes
- 13
Need more information for a700/a900. These are popular headphones, and being precise about a good, cheap amplifier for them would be very great for our new members of Team Audio-Technica.
We are talking amps, and here is what I want to learn from you:
(all points are considered equal).
1. Price - under $1000 (ability to acquire used counts).
2. Tube OR Solid-State OR Hybrid
3. Detailed, Fast
4. Strengthens bass
Include the AT you used with the amp for reference.
We all know Audio-Technicas benefit from certain synergies and I believe that most important ones are rounding up the high frequencies and boosting bass, especially really low in order to bring out the potential that the driver has.
Here are the amps I have used/tried with w5000:
Porta Corda
- neutral, nothing special, nothing bad.
Larocco PRII
- Bass-boost is awesome. Highs are suppressed, as are the upper mids.
Needs more headroom and detail.
Millet Hybrid (under meet conditions)
- Nicely warm rounded sound, bass might need help.
GS-X
- Very detailed but emphasizes weaknesses of w5000 which is not helpful.
(weak bass, slightly shrill).
RSA Stealth
- Example of where w5000 should be. Frankly does not fit into the $1000
price limit.
RSA Apache
- Also does not fit into the $1000 price limit. Limited bass and slightly shrill.
M^3 (Budget +++)
- Very similar to Millet Hybrid, slightly more neutral.
- There is a number of people here supporting this election, partly due to this amplifiers ability to deliver impact.
AL Mg Head OTL (Empirical Audio Modded)
- Very warm, highs are slightly recessed but in a pleasant manner.
Needs help in bass.
With EW9:
Porta Corda
- Capable combination, helps with bass and boosts headroom.
Millet Hybrid
- Also a capable combination, frankly gets even more help in bass.
Becomes very clear that ew9 does not benefit greatly from further
amplification as the differences between Corda and Millet are not drastic.
Add what you have to say, I'll try to organize the comments in this post in order to make a decent glossary which we hopefully all learn something from. I'll either quote explicitly or paraphrase.
Icarium:
Using w5000
"I've tried a few... and I think the best synergy with the w5000s I've heard hands down is the Zana Deux. Of course its something like 1600/1700 new. Maybe cheaper used? Close behind that is the Yamamoto HA-02."
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: Let's start with reviews, faithfully six-moons has a nice write up for Yamamoto:
Yamamoto HA-02: http://sixmoons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto4/ha02.html
I am failing to locate a full review of Zana Deux at the moment, but I can provide you with the homepage.
Zana Deux: http://www.eddiecurrent.com/Zanadeux.html
After some searching, I located the Yamamoto Sound Craft homepage, luckily in English:
Yamamoto Sound Craft: http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/index-e.html
- gotta admit...some of those tube amps look really stylish.[/size]
Slwiser
Using w5000 - HA5000, which can be fit under the $1000 limit if purchased used.
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: HA5000 is mainly an amp for w5000 and by many is considered to lack versatility for use with other headphones. Although, let it be noted, it seems that Slwiser is using with Ultrasone Edition 9's very happily.
AT HA5000 is marketed by AT in Japan, so I cannot give you the Audio-Technica page which I do not understand myself. Here is the Audio-Cubes page which does provide the specs and pricing for all interested:
http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Au...phone_Amp.html
[/size]
2deadeyes
"RSA Raptor synergizes quite well with the W5000. A little over the $1K mark new, but can easily be had <$1K used."
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: Pair of very raving reviews of the RSA Raptor here on Six-moons, one of which was done by a head-fier who subsequently became Six-Moon Headphone oriented reviewer.
Review Page: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/raptor/raptor.html
Here is the homepage for Ray Samuels Audio: http://raysamuelsaudio.com/index2.html
It is flash operated so I cannot link directly to the Raptor Amplifier.[/size]
Velogreg
"The best amp so far in all categories bass, detail, background blackness, and speed for the W1000s is the new EC/SS IMHO."
[size=xx-small]MaloS'S Note: I did a quick search about the ECSS amplifier, another mention of Eddie Current Amps here.
Impressions: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...ight=EC%252FSS by Recstar24 (another six-moons affiliate)
Amplifier Page: http://www.eddiecurrent.com/ECSS.html
Judging by the numbers, it is optimized for use with LOW impedance headphones, with wicked 3 watt output into a 32 ohm headphone. The power output into higher impedance greatly subsides, as opposed to the Zana Deux which has greater power output into a high impedance load.[/size]
JamesP / SK138 (Same suggestion)
JamesP: "I like Rockhopper M^3 with ATH-W5000 especially with the bass boost."
SK138: "That was my best combo as well when I had my W5000. My Rockhopper had all blackgate caps and steps power."
[size=xx-small]MaloS'S Note: M^3 is mainly a DIY amp, but also offered by some manufacturers. Further information can be found here:
http://www.amb.org/audio/mmm/
This joins the Millet for interesting options for those with interests in DIY as it can be made for a relatively low cost comparing to others amplifiers here. (Approximately $200 in parts, or $300 if you max it out. Please correct me, these are estimates).[/size]
Andrew-WOT
"I don't know if it can get any better than with GS-1/DA100 combo. GS-1 has hint of warmth in upper mids and highs and Stello some emphasis on lows, exactly what W5000 need."
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: I am not quite certain that w5000 needs a hint of warmth in upper mids and highs, it frankly starts out with a bump in that area, so I definitely suggest you hear this combination first. The Stello DA100 is the same source I use, and it has a signature that is complimentary to that of w5000, so I can see this working very well also (Frankly I am getting a w5000 soon).
Here are some websites:
Distributor's page for Stello: http://www.hifi500.com/product/da100.htm
HeadAmp Page for GS-1: http://www.headamp.com/home_amps/gs1/index.htm[/size]
wower
Does not recommend using Corda Aria with ad2000.
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: This definitely makes sense, the ultra-neutral nature of the Corda amplifiers does not seem something to mate with the dry flavor of ATs. A juicy tube amplifier just makes alot more sense. Here is the webpage, this amp is well-known here:
http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/aria.htm[/size]
sghound
"the Higher Fidelity HF-HA01 makes a great combo with the AD2000 & W5000"
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: Not an amp I have heard of, here is some information though:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=188898
If you can call that something, search engines did not bring much up. If you can help me out here guys.[/size]
tuatara
"I've been burning in my new Opera Analog using the AD2000s(1st phones I happened to pick up) and I have to say I like the combo alot possibly more so than with the Yamamoto on some recordings.
Because all my phones are low impedence Jan lowered the gain for me on the Opera so I can run the ATs around 11 oclock and have better use of the volume control."
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: that would make sense, since AD2000 can benefit from extra treble strength that solidstate amps seem to deliver.[/size]
We are talking amps, and here is what I want to learn from you:
(all points are considered equal).
1. Price - under $1000 (ability to acquire used counts).
2. Tube OR Solid-State OR Hybrid
3. Detailed, Fast
4. Strengthens bass
Include the AT you used with the amp for reference.
We all know Audio-Technicas benefit from certain synergies and I believe that most important ones are rounding up the high frequencies and boosting bass, especially really low in order to bring out the potential that the driver has.
Here are the amps I have used/tried with w5000:
Porta Corda
- neutral, nothing special, nothing bad.
Larocco PRII
- Bass-boost is awesome. Highs are suppressed, as are the upper mids.
Needs more headroom and detail.
Millet Hybrid (under meet conditions)
- Nicely warm rounded sound, bass might need help.
GS-X
- Very detailed but emphasizes weaknesses of w5000 which is not helpful.
(weak bass, slightly shrill).
RSA Stealth
- Example of where w5000 should be. Frankly does not fit into the $1000
price limit.
RSA Apache
- Also does not fit into the $1000 price limit. Limited bass and slightly shrill.
M^3 (Budget +++)
- Very similar to Millet Hybrid, slightly more neutral.
- There is a number of people here supporting this election, partly due to this amplifiers ability to deliver impact.
AL Mg Head OTL (Empirical Audio Modded)
- Very warm, highs are slightly recessed but in a pleasant manner.
Needs help in bass.
With EW9:
Porta Corda
- Capable combination, helps with bass and boosts headroom.
Millet Hybrid
- Also a capable combination, frankly gets even more help in bass.
Becomes very clear that ew9 does not benefit greatly from further
amplification as the differences between Corda and Millet are not drastic.
Add what you have to say, I'll try to organize the comments in this post in order to make a decent glossary which we hopefully all learn something from. I'll either quote explicitly or paraphrase.
Icarium:
Using w5000
"I've tried a few... and I think the best synergy with the w5000s I've heard hands down is the Zana Deux. Of course its something like 1600/1700 new. Maybe cheaper used? Close behind that is the Yamamoto HA-02."
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: Let's start with reviews, faithfully six-moons has a nice write up for Yamamoto:
Yamamoto HA-02: http://sixmoons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto4/ha02.html
I am failing to locate a full review of Zana Deux at the moment, but I can provide you with the homepage.
Zana Deux: http://www.eddiecurrent.com/Zanadeux.html
After some searching, I located the Yamamoto Sound Craft homepage, luckily in English:
Yamamoto Sound Craft: http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/index-e.html
- gotta admit...some of those tube amps look really stylish.[/size]
Slwiser
Using w5000 - HA5000, which can be fit under the $1000 limit if purchased used.
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: HA5000 is mainly an amp for w5000 and by many is considered to lack versatility for use with other headphones. Although, let it be noted, it seems that Slwiser is using with Ultrasone Edition 9's very happily.
AT HA5000 is marketed by AT in Japan, so I cannot give you the Audio-Technica page which I do not understand myself. Here is the Audio-Cubes page which does provide the specs and pricing for all interested:
http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Au...phone_Amp.html
[/size]
2deadeyes
"RSA Raptor synergizes quite well with the W5000. A little over the $1K mark new, but can easily be had <$1K used."
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: Pair of very raving reviews of the RSA Raptor here on Six-moons, one of which was done by a head-fier who subsequently became Six-Moon Headphone oriented reviewer.
Review Page: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/raptor/raptor.html
Here is the homepage for Ray Samuels Audio: http://raysamuelsaudio.com/index2.html
It is flash operated so I cannot link directly to the Raptor Amplifier.[/size]
Velogreg
"The best amp so far in all categories bass, detail, background blackness, and speed for the W1000s is the new EC/SS IMHO."
[size=xx-small]MaloS'S Note: I did a quick search about the ECSS amplifier, another mention of Eddie Current Amps here.
Impressions: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...ight=EC%252FSS by Recstar24 (another six-moons affiliate)
Amplifier Page: http://www.eddiecurrent.com/ECSS.html
Judging by the numbers, it is optimized for use with LOW impedance headphones, with wicked 3 watt output into a 32 ohm headphone. The power output into higher impedance greatly subsides, as opposed to the Zana Deux which has greater power output into a high impedance load.[/size]
JamesP / SK138 (Same suggestion)
JamesP: "I like Rockhopper M^3 with ATH-W5000 especially with the bass boost."
SK138: "That was my best combo as well when I had my W5000. My Rockhopper had all blackgate caps and steps power."
[size=xx-small]MaloS'S Note: M^3 is mainly a DIY amp, but also offered by some manufacturers. Further information can be found here:
http://www.amb.org/audio/mmm/
This joins the Millet for interesting options for those with interests in DIY as it can be made for a relatively low cost comparing to others amplifiers here. (Approximately $200 in parts, or $300 if you max it out. Please correct me, these are estimates).[/size]
Andrew-WOT
"I don't know if it can get any better than with GS-1/DA100 combo. GS-1 has hint of warmth in upper mids and highs and Stello some emphasis on lows, exactly what W5000 need."
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: I am not quite certain that w5000 needs a hint of warmth in upper mids and highs, it frankly starts out with a bump in that area, so I definitely suggest you hear this combination first. The Stello DA100 is the same source I use, and it has a signature that is complimentary to that of w5000, so I can see this working very well also (Frankly I am getting a w5000 soon).
Here are some websites:
Distributor's page for Stello: http://www.hifi500.com/product/da100.htm
HeadAmp Page for GS-1: http://www.headamp.com/home_amps/gs1/index.htm[/size]
wower
Does not recommend using Corda Aria with ad2000.
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: This definitely makes sense, the ultra-neutral nature of the Corda amplifiers does not seem something to mate with the dry flavor of ATs. A juicy tube amplifier just makes alot more sense. Here is the webpage, this amp is well-known here:
http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/aria.htm[/size]
sghound
"the Higher Fidelity HF-HA01 makes a great combo with the AD2000 & W5000"
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: Not an amp I have heard of, here is some information though:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=188898
If you can call that something, search engines did not bring much up. If you can help me out here guys.[/size]
tuatara
"I've been burning in my new Opera Analog using the AD2000s(1st phones I happened to pick up) and I have to say I like the combo alot possibly more so than with the Yamamoto on some recordings.
Because all my phones are low impedence Jan lowered the gain for me on the Opera so I can run the ATs around 11 oclock and have better use of the volume control."
[size=xx-small]MaloS's Note: that would make sense, since AD2000 can benefit from extra treble strength that solidstate amps seem to deliver.[/size]
