[Huck]

Hi: Anyone here using the CIAudio VHP-2 Head amp with the VAC.1 power supply with the Senn HD-600's?. Wonderin if it is worth looking into for my first solid-state amp.Any comments good or bad? Thanks, Keith

 

[Patu]

I'm interested in exactly the same combination. So have anyone tried this combo, or at least the amp + psu? All the information is much appreciated.

 

[tfarney]

I believe greggf uses just that combination.

Tim

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfarney /img/forum/go_quote.gif I believe greggf uses just that combination. Tim

Well let's hope he spots this thread.

I wouldn't like to bother him through PM.

 

[tfarney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patu /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well let's hope he spots this thread. I wouldn't like to bother him through PM.

No need. Here's what he said in a recent thread:

Quote:

I have a CIAudio VHP-2 and VAC-1 power supply combo, and have used it with an AKG K701 and use it with a Beyerdynamic DT770Pro80 and Sennheiser HD600 and HD650... ...and... it's 95% + of what these same headphones were with my Zana Deux (and vastly better than anything else I've had or used otherwise, including a PS Audio GCHA and a Naim Headline2).

...and here's the thread. It's long and contentious, but contains a lot of info about the CIAudio...

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/ci-...-match-323567/

Tim

 

[robinje]

I'm using the VHP2/VAC1 combo with both HD650's and RS1's. It sounds great! But, I ordered a Woo tube amp because I am infatuated with tubes and want to try something different. I am planning to sell my VHP2/VAC1 combo with upgraded RAL Parable power supply umbilical cable. PM me if interested...

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinje /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm using the VHP2/VAC1 combo with both HD650's and RS1's. It sounds great! But, I ordered a Woo tube amp because I am infatuated with tubes and want to try something different. I am planning to sell my VHP2/VAC1 combo with upgraded RAL Parable power supply umbilical cable. PM me if interested...

Thanks for the offer but I live in Finland so it should be 230V.

 

[greggf]

Yep, the VAC-1/VHP-2 with Senn 600 & 650 is what I've settled on after trying all the stuff in my sig.

Unless there's something terribly wrong with me - and this is Head-Fi, so someone is sure to come along and tell me that everything that I cherish is utter crap, and therefore I can't hear - the VHP and Senns is a great combo. World-class and a great value.

If the VHP came in a nicer case and cost $1100, it would probably be a bestseller here at Head-Fi. As it stands now, it simply does its job too well at too good a price.

I would have tried the GLite or GS-1, but have never wanted to wait for the build.........

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggf /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yep, the VAC-1/VHP-2 with Senn 600 & 650 is what I've settled on after trying all the stuff in my sig. Unless there's something terribly wrong with me - and this is Head-Fi, so someone is sure to come along and tell me that everything that I cherish is utter crap, and therefore I can't hear - the VHP and Senns is a great combo. World-class and a great value. If the VHP came in a nicer case and cost $1100, it would probably be a bestseller here at Head-Fi. As it stands now, it simply does its job too well at too good a price. I would have tried the GLite or GS-1, but have never wanted to wait for the build.........

Very interesting. I see Zana Deux and other impressive amplifiers in your signature and still you ended up with CIAudio. This combo can't be too bad then.

Maybe I should pull the trigger after my next paycheck.

 

[Bazile]

Hi folks,

I have a CI dac/amp chain that sounds great with my hd-580's. Depending on if your dac would support this output, let me recommend this thread to you.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/cha...ystems-256397/

Bazile

 

[greggf]

You know, it's strange, but the VHP-2 is the first headphone amplifier that I "can't hear." It has no sound of its own that I can describe. It just does its job.

The Lehmann and, especially, the Creek, sounded a bit unrefined and rough to me. The Musical Fidelity was especially harsh, the Headroom Millet Hybrid and the Woo3 nice but pretty darned flat sounding.

The Naim Headline2 and the PS Audio GCHA I could live happily with, but even they had discernible sonic signatures: the GCHA a bit too smooth and undynamic and at times a tad icy or metallic; the Naim a bit "buzzy," for lack of a better way of putting it.

The Zana Deux is a great amp, no doubt about it, and I could have happily lived with it, too, if it wasn't for its massive heat output and energy usage (200 watts!) But it tends to overemphasize things here and there, as if overdriving the headphone elements. I'm sure it doesn't, but, nevertheless, even if it's neutral as far as tubed units go, it produced an overly dynamic sound that was, to me, as artificial as the GCHA's undynamic one.

In the end, $2000 ($2500 now?) was too much for what seemed to be artificially-injected hi-fi spectacular values.

Then I got the VHP-2 simply because I needed something, and, damn!

It leaves no fingerprints on the music, and has plenty of power, drive, and dynamics.

I look forward to what others have to say about it..........a simple and fascinating piece of gear.

 

[MaZa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patu /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the offer but I live in Finland so it should be 230V.

Just to let you know, VAC-1 has a switch inside to let you choose between 110V and 220V (or atleast it used to have such). Mine came from USA too.

 

[jpelg]

Maza, how do you like the VHP-2 with your Ultrasones & other low-impedance cans?

I recently purchased the VHP-2 with the VAC-1 for use with my Proline 750's. I was looking for a solid-state amp that had sufficient current reserves for low-impedance headphones. The VHP-2 is advertised as being able to handle low-impedance headphones equally as well as those of higher impedance. I also liked the idea of an easy-to-access gain switch on the front panel, as I listen at moderate levels & don't need much gain. The many positive reviews here on Head-Fi were instrumental as well.

I ended up returning the CIAudio combo for a few reasons:

1. The gain settings were wrong for my Ultrasones. The low-gain setting lacked dynamics, while the high setting was too forward sounding, as well as a bit hissy, with my Prolines (they are very resolving of anything coming down the audio pike). Sort of a "Goldilocks" thing.

2. The umbilicle between the amp & PS would often generate a feedback hum depending on its position. Hold the cable with my hand, or sometimes just reposition it, and it would stop. I've never had any feedback issues with even unshielded silver IC's, so I don't understand what problem was.

Funny how greggf found the Zana Deux forward sounding in comparison. Based on my experiences listening to the Zana many times, and owning an EC/SS for a time, I find the Eddie Current signature to be quite laid back (too much so for me, frankly). I found the VHP-2 to be too forward sounding with my headphones, while he thinks it imparts no signature of its own. Interesting...

Keep in mind that my headphones are very different than the Sennheisers that most of you are using with the CIAudio. Despite the advertising, I feel that the VHP-2 may be more suited toward higher-impedance Senns.

 

[MaZa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maza, how do you like the VHP-2 with your Ultrasones & other low-impedance cans? I recently purchased the VHP-2 with the VAC-1 for use with my Proline 750's. I was looking for a solid-state amp that had sufficient current reserves for low-impedance headphones. The VHP-2 is advertised as being able to handle low-impedance headphones equally as well as those of higher impedance. I also liked the idea of an easy-to-access gain switch on the front panel, as I listen at moderate levels & don't need much gain. The many positive reviews here on Head-Fi were instrumental as well. I ended up returning the CIAudio combo for a few reasons: 1. The gain settings were wrong for my Ultrasones. The low-gain setting lacked dynamics, while the high setting was too forward sounding, as well as a bit hissy, with my Prolines (they are very resolving of anything coming down the audio pike). Sort of a "Goldilocks" thing. 2. The umbilicle between the amp & PS would often generate a feedback hum depending on its position. Hold the cable with my hand, or sometimes just reposition it, and it would stop. I've never had any feedback issues with even unshielded silver IC's, so I don't understand what problem was. Funny how greggf found the Zana Deux forward sounding in comparison. Based on my experiences listening to the Zana many times, and owning an EC/SS for a time, I find the Eddie Current signature to be quite laid back (too much so for me, frankly). I found the VHP-2 to be too forward sounding with my headphones, while he thinks it imparts no signature of its own. Interesting... Keep in mind that my headphones are very different than the Sennheisers that most of you are using with the CIAudio. Despite the advertising, I feel that the VHP-2 may be more suited toward higher-impedance Senns.

I havent used my PL750 much lately, but I havent noticed any lack of forwardness on low-gain setting and absolutely no hiss on both gain settings. High gain, which I generally use with K601, does SEEM to sound bit different than low now that I try it but I do not notice any lack of forwardness issues. But then again only direct comparison I can do now is LD MkIII (corda ha-2 MkII SE was more dry sounding than VHP2, compared from memory) It does sound very different depending on source I use though and I havent noticed any attributes that are clearly coming from the amplifier. But then again, you probaply have more experience with this stuff than I. Was it burned in? Dusty reported rather long burn-in times because of the caps or something.

That feedback hum thing sounds very wierd...

Are you sure yours wasnt faulty?



Why would gain setting affect the sound that much on low impedance headphones though? Doesnt it just adjust the sensitivity of volume control?

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg /img/forum/go_quote.gif 2. The umbilicle between the amp & PS would often generate a feedback hum depending on its position. Hold the cable with my hand, or sometimes just reposition it, and it would stop. I've never had any feedback issues with even unshielded silver IC's, so I don't understand what problem was.

This sounds more like a problem with connectors. For example I've had same kind of problems with some of my headphone amps. I only have to slightly twist the cable or grab it with my hand and the rattle/hum would stop. I can't imagine that the wire itself would be the problem.