[HK_Xclio]

For planars, the key factor in an amp is current, rather than voltage. The 28.38 is good with planars because it can provide a lot of current. Conversely, OTL tube amps are great with high impedance phones, but not with planars, because of their generally low current output. Besides high power amps like the Audio-gd, planars tend to do best with current amps, like the Violectric (IIRC) or Questyle.
http://www.apexhifi.com/specs.html

Unfortunately, most of the time power output is listed in wattage or voltage, which means doing some math.
http://www.digizoid.com/power.php
https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/Watt_to_Amp_Calculator.html

I have the Violectric v90 and it is excellent with the planars I have, including the X. I imagine the higher-end Violectrics only get better.

I might be able to try a V200 before actually deciding to buy it. But i cant find much information about its output power.

The 28.38 is probably the first amp i was looking at, but it is going to cost me allot since companies stopped taking them into the country many years ago. So i would need to order it directly. Can you Explain the sound characteristics on the 28.38?

 

[phthora]

I might be able to try a V200 before actually deciding to buy it. But i cant find much information about its output power.

The 28.38 is probably the first amp i was looking at, but it is going to cost me allot since companies stopped taking them into the country many years ago. So i would need to order it directly. Can you Explain the sound characteristics on the 28.38?

Here are the Violectric v200 specs (page 25): http://violectric-usa.com/download/Violectric V200 Manual.pdf
I've been told, but cannot confirm, that the Violectrics are current amps. This makes sense looking at the power output numbers, but I feel like Violectric would advertise their amps as such if that were the case. What I can say is that the v90's ~2W at 32 ohm is sufficient to drive anything I have very well. And, it's output impedance of 0.12 ohm makes it quite usable with even the most sensitive earphones.

As it says towards the beginning of the manual, the v200 does best with high-impedance dynamics. However, the v90 does just fine with planars, and I imagine the v200 will be about the same, but better. Very clean sound, with smooth treble. Enough power to control even the relatively hard to drive HE560 well. It's not as good as the balanced output on the 28.38, however, which gives more of a holographic feel to the sound. The 28.38 also has better control and power on the low-end. Other than that, the two sound very much the same in terms of tonality. Big and rich, life-like sound, but still quite neutral. Both have a tendency to sound less bright than other neutral amps. I realize that sounds odd and contradictory, but what I mean is that the Audio-gd has such great resolution and speed, even harsh treble (in the recording, that is) gets smoothed out a bit since there is no resonance or blur. The Violectric has that characteristic as well, but to a lesser degree.

 

[HK_Xclio]

Here are the Violectric v200 specs (page 25): http://violectric-usa.com/download/Violectric V200 Manual.pdf
I've been told, but cannot confirm, that the Violectrics are current amps. This makes sense looking at the power output numbers, but I feel like Violectric would advertise their amps as such if that were the case. What I can say is that the v90's ~2W at 32 ohm is sufficient to drive anything I have very well. And, it's output impedance of 0.12 ohm makes it quite usable with even the most sensitive earphones.

As it says towards the beginning of the manual, the v200 does best with high-impedance dynamics. However, the v90 does just fine with planars, and I imagine the v200 will be about the same, but better. Very clean sound, with smooth treble. Enough power to control even the relatively hard to drive HE560 well. It's not as good as the balanced output on the 28.38, however, which gives more of a holographic feel to the sound. The 28.38 also has better control and power on the low-end. Other than that, the two sound very much the same in terms of tonality. Big and rich, life-like sound, but still quite neutral. Both have a tendency to sound less bright than other neutral amps. I realize that sounds odd and contradictory, but what I mean is that the Audio-gd has such great resolution and speed, even harsh treble (in the recording, that is) gets smoothed out a bit since there is no resonance or blur. The Violectric has that characteristic as well, but to a lesser degree.

Thx, ye i guess 2w at 32ohm would be more than enough. Would you say that the 28.38 keeps the details in the trebble even if it holds it back a littlebit? And do you use the built in dac?

 

[phthora]

Thx, ye i guess 2w at 32ohm would be more than enough. Would you say that the 28.38 keeps the details in the trebble even if it holds it back a littlebit? And do you use the built in dac?

It's hard to explain, but yes. The detail is there, in fact, there is a ton of detail. It just controls the transducers so well that treble doesn't glare. It's sort of like a polarizing filter in photography.

The LCD-X doesn't have the treble issue, but the Audio-gd does a similar thing to the bass. Clearer, cleaner, more detailed, more impactful than something like the 789.

And yes, I use the built in DAC. It's pretty incredible.

 

[HK_Xclio]

It's hard to explain, but yes. The detail is there, in fact, there is a ton of detail. It just controls the transducers so well that treble doesn't glare. It's sort of like a polarizing filter in photography.

The LCD-X doesn't have the treble issue, but the Audio-gd does a similar thing to the bass. Clearer, cleaner, more detailed, more impactful than something like the 789.

And yes, I use the built in DAC. It's pretty incredible.

I think i should do some more research on the 28.38, it sounds like i would like it. May i ask what kind of music you listen to? I listen to allot of electronic music, House, Dubstep. That is why it is important for me to have impact and fullness all over the line. Ofc i do listen to all kinds of music, and i noticed myself going to different types more often when i recieved the X's, just because of the quality and beauty in their sound. I do hope they wont take a dump on me again

 

[phthora]

I think i should do some more research on the 28.38, it sounds like i would like it. May i ask what kind of music you listen to? I listen to allot of electronic music, House, Dubstep. That is why it is important for me to have impact and fullness all over the line. Ofc i do listen to all kinds of music, and i noticed myself going to different types more often when i recieved the X's, just because of the quality and beauty in their sound. I do hope they wont take a dump on me again

I'm all over the place, but lots of prog metal, prog rock, and death metal. Some breakcore like Venetian Snares or experimental electronic like Satanicpornocultshop, even some really experimental electronic like Ryoji Ikeda. The X holds up. Fantastic speed and clarity, plus bass impact and deep extending sub-bass. The X is wonderful for the electronic I listen to. Though, I like the HE560 quite a bit for that too.

 

[CreditingKarma]

I just received the LCD 4Z so far I am really liking them. Different than the LCD X it is like sitting in the audience at a concert there is more depth to the sound stage. The imaging is more precise too. They are a bit darker than the X but not too much. Bass wise I think they are faster than the x but the x seems to have more slam. I was hoping to be able to keep one but we will see after the 4z burns in where it ends up.

I will post more after some more listening.

 

[514077]

If I remember correctly, someone here bought a Headamp Gilmore Lite in the past few months. That might be another amp to consider.

 

[the finisher]

Lots of cool headphone amps out there for a reasonable price nowadays.

I just wish people wouldn't judge the Jotunheim with an internal DAC.

I know that's how Jason kind of design them. But I don't think they're that great from everything I've heard.
I have an original 4490 and was never very impressed.

However with my Yggy it is fantastic with the X, it is even better as a preamp to my active speaker system.

I now have a Lyr 2 and it is mind bending good with some great tubes.

It is definitely a sweeter sounding headphone amp then a Jotunheim. Unfortunately you can't just run out and buy one.

And I believe it is @commtrd who has a Headamp Gilmore Lite.

 

[commtrd]

If I remember correctly, someone here bought a Headamp Gilmore Lite in the past few months. That might be another amp to consider.

GLMk2 is a fine little amp with the caveat that it is SE only. Which worked out OK for me since Hugo 2 is also SE only. For whatever reason. SO that was the main reason for that, plus a great reputation for the GSX Mk2. As it turns out, the amp is a wire with gain. Imparts zero color or anything else, just crystal clear amplification and midnight black sound floor. For budget-minded audiophiles certainly an enticing option. Just remember that single-ended thing. Absolutely does make all my Audeze products sing out loud. One could do far worse for the relatively miserly sum of 500 clams.

 

[514077]

GLMk2 is a fine little amp with the caveat that it is SE only. Which worked out OK for me since Hugo 2 is also SE only. For whatever reason. SO that was the main reason for that, plus a great reputation for the GSX Mk2. As it turns out, the amp is a wire with gain. Imparts zero color or anything else, just crystal clear amplification and midnight black sound floor. For budget-minded audiophiles certainly an enticing option. Just remember that single-ended thing. Absolutely does make all my Audeze products sing out loud. One could do far worse for the relatively miserly sum of 500 clams.

I thought it was you, but not sure. I thought the straight wire with gain idea might be worth his consideration.

 

[mixman]

Looking for a possible amp to go in front of my RME ADI DAC . I figure if I get one I want it as powerful and of course clean sounding a possible for my X under $500. Thinking either the Jot, without DAC or the NFB-1. Now I am hearing the JOT adds it own sort of compressed sound to the mix and of course the guys in Audiosciencereview just creamed the AudioGd Which is the cleanest with lots of power? So which sounds better with the X?

 

[the finisher]

Looking for a possible amp to go in front of my RME ADI DAC . I figure if I get one I want it as powerful and of course clean sounding a possible for my X under $500. Thinking either the Jot, without DAC or the NFB-1. Now I am hearing the JOT adds it own sort of compressed sound to the mix and of course the guys in Audiosciencereview just creamed the AudioGd Which is the cleanest with lots of power? So which sounds better with the X?

Buy and try both, don't trust audio scientist and measurebaters to tell you which sounds best

This is my opinion, my friend has Audio god, and I'm a schiithead, both are good.

Lyr 3?

 

[Byronb]

Buy and try both, don't trust audio scientist and measurebaters to tell you which sounds best

This is my opinion, my friend has Audio god, and I'm a schiithead, both are good.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[the finisher]

Now I am hearing the JOT adds it own sort of compressed sound to the mix

Here's a funny thing with what you said and I have no explanation for this.

With my headphones (LCD X and HD 6xx) the Lyr2 is much more expansive, it has great sound staging which isn't something I normally used to describe headphones.

It's very clean and punchy and lots of bass.
A wonderful headphone amp with the tubes I have in there now.

But it absolutely sucks as a preamp to my speaker system.

The Jot on the other hand does not sound stage particularly well if at all with headphones. It however has tons of power and for EDM and stuff it's got slam and will shake your brain inside your head.

It has incredible sound staging with the speaker system.
it is a very good preamp for my speaker system and a damn good headphone amp for certain kinds of music.

Also I leave it on 24 hours a day it does sound better when warmed up, I would not describe my Jotunheim as edgy or bright at all.


So you really can't go wrong with trying things and having a variety of things in this hobby.

I use pro gear as well