[ChJL]

I did try Rockna WL and MSB Headamp and Viva Egoista 845.
....

I am guessing you are looking for a headamp setup or also speakers?

I would like to come across someone doing the same for amps like that one guy who posted on headphones.com some years ago. Don't know if he still posts but he actually tried out 20 or so DACs made a spreadsheet comparing them.

repeating myself

But has one actually given up on a TOTL amp in favor of the "only" 3k-ish "best" AGD amp?

Should have written... given up on a TOTL SS amp...

Only HPs unfortunately.

Just watched the DAC200 video of GS and read the Musician Taurus piece @Soundnews.net...

Since I want to replace both DAC and amp coming spring I also ponder going full AGD, owning the DI20HE already.

Could just add a WANDLA for full Ferrum set up
Holo combination
Somthing like DAC200 w Niimbus
Full AGD... (why I'm looking in this thread also)

Strictly theoretical but out of these four the answer could be easy, right?

 

[OCC7N]

Yeah it is a journey, you will eventually find your endgame setup.

From physical perspective the Ferrum stack does look appealing. I have a hard time explaining people my Audio-gd setup is for headphones

I hope that Kingwa would make an amp like the M19/9 in the same dimensions as my R1N and DI20HE. Could be tall/long as HE9LE, but with the width of R1N/DI20HE.

Leads me to the R27RE. If I could get the R1N sound and the Master19 or better in the R27RE, that is probably what I will go for next.

 

[Fibre101]

Is the master 9/19 actually pure class A? The ferrum is class a/b with similar power ratings but If the m9/19 is actually pure class a, then it has much more power.
The new schiit mjolnir 3 is pure class a and has around the same power ratings with the m9/19 being around 250mw more at 300 ohms.

 

[OCC7N]

Where do you get the specs from? I only find these between M19 and Schiit

EDIT: oh you meant at 300Ohms only?

 

[Fibre101]

Where do you get the specs from? I only find these between M19 and Schiit



EDIT: oh you meant at 300Ohms only?

Yes 300 ohm. Schiit=1000MW & Audio GD=1250MW. So M9/19 is just a bit more power. Both amps are class A hence why they get so hot since both amps are not as efficient.

 

[393699]

I asked Kingwa today about the difference in sound of the Master 9 and Master 19 compared to the HE-9 LE. This was his response.

Dear Sir
Compared to Master-9 and Master-19, the HE-9 LE sound quality is more transparent, better dynamics, smoother and much more detailed.
Best regards
Channel

 

[Terozzzz]

Here is how I have mine:

I got same but dual. At low setting noiseless.

 

[Pappas3278]

Thought this screenshot would be relevent for those wondering and spouting things about the difference between M9 and M19.

This was back from 2019.

 

[Fibre101]

Thought this screenshot would be relevent for those wondering and spouting things about the difference between M9 and M19.

This was back from 2019.

I remember seeing this and jumping on it. No regrets. Although I kinda agree, I still think the Master 9 alone is a bit better but once the M9/19 have clean power they end up sounding almost the same.

 

[Rayzilla]

But what about TOTL SS headamps like Niimbus, Zähl, Wells Audio, CFA3, Luxman, Enleum, Lina,...

Asking in this thread I can kinda guess the opinions...

But has one actually given up on a TOTL amp in favor of the "only" 3k-ish "best" AGD amp?

The chances of this is probably extremely low because the number of people to have tried those TOTL amps and the top
AGD amps would probably be less than 100 around the world.

 

[393699]

Thought this screenshot would be relevent for those wondering and spouting things about the difference between M9 and M19.

This was back from 2019.

The main discussion has not really been about the Master 19 vs 9. It has been about the Master 19 and 9 vs the HE-9 LE.

 

[ChJL]

The chances of this is probably extremely low because the number of people to have tried those TOTL amps and the top
AGD amps would probably be less than 100 around the world.

You're right even less adding Mass Cobo 394 lol into the mix...

 

[Rayzilla]

You're right even less adding Mass Cobo 394 lol into the mix...

I wish I could try the 394. I am only staying to listen to HPs at home again. The Master 9 has not been connected for a while now. I've mainly been listening with speakers since Covid started and when I have been listening with HPs, it's mainly been with the Tandberg integrated amp. I'm going to try connecting the Master 9 with my DAP as the source for simplicity. It's been so tempting since I started following this thread again recently.

 

[ChJL]

I see, lucky guys who can test, buy and sell their way through many devices, right?
On the other hand I can't imagine that there will be all that much difference between carefully designed built SS HP amps mentioned. (except Zähl due to feature set)
I'm under the impression there are a lot "fan" impressions/recommendations to be found (ZMF, Holo, AGD,... actually most threads/brands I've gone through)
Considering AGD HP amp I'm also under the impression (theoretically speaking) that combining it with AGD DAC using ACSS could be a good idea and somehow outperform mixed set ups. Of course being influenced of those who state just that over different AGD threads.

It's been so tempting since I started following this thread again recently.

agreed

 

[Pappas3278]

The main discussion has not really been about the Master 19 vs 9. It has been about the Master 19 and 9 vs the HE-9 LE.

Show me one thread that sticks to the "main" discussion. Duh.