An amp for k501

[Shak]

I intend to buy the AKG k501 next thursday - only then it'll arrive to my country - the importer/distributer of AKG in Israel told me he doesn't import these models (k401,k501) on a regular basis - I guess HeadphoneMania is not developed enough in my region, but I intend to change it...

To the point: I would like to buy an amp for the k501, mainly for my home CD (not portable) but also for my MD player (portable).
I thought the Porta Corda is a good idea , but any other suggestion in that price range would be more than gladdly acceptable.
I would like to know about good - not too expensive - cables for the amp ,too.
Thanks
Shak

 

[PC Corp]

Talking about an AMP for AKG 401 and 501, I think you should ask Neruda and kwkarth. Esp kwkarth, I'll bet my lunch money on which amp he would suggest.

But there are only a handful of headphone AMPs out there, so...do a research here. I think some people are getting tried of the same questions again and again.

 

[kwkarth]

Hi PC Corp!!

I am sorry to disappoint you but recommending my Creek to Shak is probably not practical, although if he wanted to buy it I would not complain.

I think there may be a more cost effective approach for him though...

Shak,
I would imagine that you may be able to purchase Rega equipment there? Rega has a headphone amp that looks like it may be a reasonably good solution to your quest. It’s called the “EAR”
I can't vouch for it's sound, but Rega is a good company and the published specs for the amp look good.

EAR Amp

Best of Luck!

 

[PC Corp]

ouch, my lunch.

Yeah, the Rega is a very beautiful amp and has a quite reasonable price. And I've read one good review from the web.

 

[Shak]

I would like to put some light on a few facts:

1. I like to listen to music A LOT - I realy LOVE MUSIC
(Jazz, Progressive Rock and many more...).

2. I have a cheap CDP (Kenwood dp2030) at home
and a portable MD (Sony MZ-R55).

3. I KNOW I MUST upgrade my system, but I'm A
Non-Working ,broke ,3rd year student.

4. I Like to spend "a lot" of money (which I don't have)
on proffesional stuff in all the areas, so music Time has arrived!

5. I'm going to buy my first Headphones this week.(AKG K501).

6. I really want to buy an amp for the cans, and I'm willing to put
up to 350$ (which is a lot for a first amp I think).

7. I shell buy cables(soon) and CDP (far future).

8. Amps that can be affordable: Creek OBH11/se(180$/280$),
Porta-Corda(160$) , Corda(325$), Grado's(~350$) ,
Rega EAR(225$) and some more.

9. I tend to the expansive Creek, but:

10. I spent about 6 Hr. every day (night) in the last couple of
weeks in this forum, but couldn't find an answer to this:

AM I BECOMING INSANE? AM I BECOMING INSANE?

going to spend money I don't have on equipment I cannot check, without upgrading my source/cables!?
Some may say - Why Am I in a hurry? get the cans and start checking easily the amps
- answer: There are 3 problems:

I. Most of the Amps are not available in my COUNTRY - I have to
order it from US or UK!!!

II. Meiers special offer on the Porta Corda is going to sllip
between my fingers in a few days - and I'm broke! if this is
the amp - I should better order it now!

III. I have no patiance - I want Cans and Amp Right Now!

Please Help Me

Shak

 

[Shak]

BTW - Don't ask me why I chose the AKG k501 -
ask - Neruda
kwkarth
Xander
Beagle
legoman
and other Team AKG members where ever they are!
I blame them for infecting me with THE disease
(The Headphone and The AKG)

Have a Good Day and Life
Shak

 

[Xander]

I wish I could recommend an amp for you. Right now, I'm driving them out of my Sansui integrated amp in my bedroom, which actually has a very good headphone output stage. I have listened to the AKGs with the Creek OBH11, and the two do make a very good pair. The reason I don't have one, is because the differences between the OBH11 and my Sansui are almost none. It's been a while since I've listened to the OBH11, but most others here tend to agree that it couples well with the K401/501s.

 

[legoman]

Hi,

yep, I am happy with my 501s, but have heard only 2 amps with it: 1) The Total Airhead which I subjectively felt was not a good match and I sent it back and 2) the Headroom Little (old version) which I like, again the pros are a) clear upgrade path, b) crossfeed and the cons are a) no on/off switch, b) can only be mailordered from Headroom.

If you are trying to save money, when you order from Headroom, make sure to ask for B-Stock, I saved quite a bit of money that way.

I am mostly listening to jazz/classical/singer-songwriter so I cannot tell you about its pop-rock credentials.

Again, the AKG 501 sound is very relaxed and musical, no in your face impact, but everything is there.

Also: There is no easy way around judging for yourself. E.g., if I remember correctly, some people here love the AKG-Creek combo, some don't.

Good luck,

Legoman

 

[kwkarth]

Hi Shak,
Here are my thoughts...
Firstly, the K501 headphones are truly wonderful. You’ve made a great choice there.

They are without question, the best all around sounding headphones that I have. I like them better than my Sony CD-3000, Sennheiser HD-580, Beyer DT-250, modified Grado SR-200, Etymotic ER-4P/4S, and even the AKG-K1000. Now, that's a qualified "best all around."

Let me explain...

Each of the headphones that I have exhibits characteristics that I really like which are unique from each of the others that I have or I would remove them from my "inventory."

I would not keep the AKG K-1000's without the SAC K-1000 amp and the subwoofer that I have. The K1000’s need those other two components to be complete. Together with the SAC amp and the subwoofer, the K1000’s give me the most complete, thrilling, accurate, lifelike listening experience I’ve ever had in my home.

The Etymotics I like for the isolation and portability they provide. They’re very accurate, but not as good as the K-1000 combo setup nor as good as the K-501’s in most respects.

The Grado I like for it’s wonderful midrange and sentimental reasons. They are is very special to me.

The Beyers I use for monitoring live recording sessions. I may begin using my Ety’s for that purpose in the future. Not so sure at this point.

The Sennheiser HD-580’s (I have 2 pair) are good headphones, but have been dethroned by the AKG-501’s and I will probably sell at least one pair.

The Sony CD-3000’s used to be one of my favorites for their wonderful high end detail and ability to be driven directly from a CDP without a special amp. Now that I have dedicated headphone amps, and frankly, since getting the K501 and K-1000’s I have no more need for the Sonys and may sell them as well.

The bottom line of it all is that as a stand-alone headphone, without auxiliary subwoofers and the like, the AKG-501’s are the single best sounding headphone that I have when used with an appropriate amp. They work very well with the Creek OBH-11SE amp, but have shown themselves to be able to use even more power at times. They sound absolutely remarkable with the SAC amp which has quite a bit more power than the Creek.

The reason that I suggested the Rega amp to you is because its specifications indicate that it has more power than the Creek and it is less money for your pocketbook's sake. Potentially, it might even sound better with the 501's because of its higher power. Similarly, the Corda Amp should be a good match with your new K501’s as well, since it is also more powerful. Neither of these amps is Class A as the Creek is, so micro-dynamics may suffer, but there's no way to tell without auditioning.

Happy Listening!

 

[Fortune]

kwkarth,

Based on the specs of Jans porta corda, how do feel about it's ability to drive the K501's.

I am seriously considering getting a pair but do not want to buy another amp at this time. The porta corda is the only amp I have for now.

 

[kwkarth]

I suspect that it will do a better job than the TA, but other than that, I couldn't say. If you wait a few weeks, I'll tell you because I have one on order.
Happy Listening!

 

[Neruda]

damn kev, you just don't stop!

 

[nick danger]

I just listened to the Headroom Little, ASL MG Head, and the Creek OBH11-SE and can recommend them. Of the six that I listened to in this price range, these three seemed to have the power necessary to drive the 501s.
nick

 

[kwkarth]

Hey Nick,
Were there any Corda's in the bunch that you listened to?

 

[Tim D]

Nick, you say out of the six you listed in that price range you recommend three. But what are the other three since I never saw the six listed?

The Headroom Little was one amp I've tried with AKG501's as well. Course Neruda likes to tell me that I need an SAC amp to hear its glory and everything else sucks bigtime.