Looking for a little advice here.
A while back,
@EdwardPL said that the 'hawks don't play well with tube amps, they don't in general terms provide enough current and anyone who thinks otherwise is a numpty (paraphrasing)
I took exception to my POV being disregarded but did wonder if he had a point.
Then heard the Nighthawk's via ifi iDSD Micro and it genuinely changed my view of what these cans should sound like.
I still like the sound I get from my Little Dot MkIII but from the iDSD it's just a completely different league - especially with regard to high frequency clarity and prominence.
I cannot justify spending that money on myself, and don't really have a way to 'save' so the iDSD is out for now.
I also can't stop thinking about the quality of sound, I'm being haunted by it!
So I need to find an amp (which does not have to be portable) which can provide much the same experience.
Obvious choice is the iCan Micro (about half the price). 3D and Xbass are there, power seems good, control of gain is also there. But not filter options (trying to match the experience as closely as I can) and much written about Tube State sound. Has anyone heard both ifi products with the 'hawks and could compare?
Today I also saw the Aune X1S written about on here, and that sounds like it might be a viable option (no 3D switch but perhaps it provides the same space OOTB). Has anyone heard this with the 'hawks (and ideally heard the iDSD as well) and could comment?
And are there any amps (or DAC/amps) around the same price as the iCan Micro (I think like 300-350 dollars or below) that they know provides a 3D soundstage with plenty of high end presence with the Nighthawks? And delivers enough power/current to drive them to their best?
Sorry for the rambling post. I'll try to find somewhere to audition the Aune, probably won't be able to audition the iCan. But any help in the meantime would be greatly appreciated!