[Patrick82]

Since Sonic Impact T-Amp is the best in the $20-$1000 range and Cary SLI-80 seems to be good in the $3000 range. How about $5000+? Are there any bang for the buck amps in this range?

I have:

Benchmark DAC-1
Nordost Valhalla
AKG K1000

Is the Cary SLI-80 still the best choice because my source is the weakness?

 

[noname]

Headroom sells the E.A.R.-Yoshino V20 for $5500. I've never heard one but it fits in your budget

- Justin

 

[Canman]

I have heard from another head-fier that he enjoys the Conrad Johnson Premier 12? monoblocks with the K-1000.

I would upgrade the source before buying a $5000 amp though.

 

[Sugano-san]

I have this amp, and while I had the K1ks that combo was my favorite. Highly recommended. Sounds excellent with Sennheisers, too.


Quote:

Originally Posted by noname Headroom sells the E.A.R.-Yoshino V20 for $5500. I've never heard one but it fits in your budget - Justin

 

[Old Pa]

My AudioValve RKV Mk II from Jan Meier drives my K100s very nicely. Meier Audio also has another tube amp built for them by AudioValve but with crossfeed (if that is of interest).

 

[Jorg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugano-san I have this amp, and while I had the K1ks that combo was my favorite. Highly recommended. Sounds excellent with Sennheisers, too.

I already said this, but I can say this many many more times: this is the most beautiful amp ever made. It's just ugly on the pics compared to how it looks in life

Sounds decent. Havn't heard with headphones, only with some speakers, can't remember 'cause it was at a Hi-Fi show in Moscow.

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canman I would upgrade the source before buying a $5000 amp though.

Agreed.

I dont really agree with Sonic T-amp being that good. Everybody has their definition of "good" so I wouldn't count on the amps in the expensive range varying that much in quality but more so in character. It'll all depend what you want in your sound.

 

[Patrick82]

Ok, thanks, the E.A.R. Yoshino V20 seems to be the amp for me.

 

[smuh]

wow, that was fast

but aren´t you going to look for some alternatives? i mean, it is a lot money you gonna spend, so better make sure it is worth it

don´t get me wrong, i agree with jorg... it is the most sexiest amp i´ve ever seen!

 

[Patrick82]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smuh wow, that was fast but aren´t you going to look for some alternatives? i mean, it is a lot money you gonna spend, so better make sure it is worth it don´t get me wrong, i agree with jorg... it is the most sexiest amp i´ve ever seen!

If Todd The Vinyl Junkie says it is the best amp he has heard with the K1000 I can't go wrong.

 

[smuh]

Okay!

 

[Mastergill]

Wait, wait! If you really have $10,000 to spend around K1000, you can buy a Manley Stingray with the "triode/ultra-linear" mode, maybe for around €3,000 in Europe and a killer high-end converter like Weiss DAC1 (€7,000).
And be done for the next 10-20 years.

 

[Patrick82]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastergill Wait, wait! If you really have $10,000 to spend around K1000, you can buy a Manley Stingray with the "triode/ultra-linear" mode, maybe for around €3,000 in Europe and a killer high-end converter like Weiss DAC1 (€7,000). And be done for the next 10-20 years.

Is Manley Stingray better than E.A.R. Yoshino V20?

Has anyone heard the Manley Stingray / Weiss DAC1 combo?

 

[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canman I would upgrade the source before buying a $5000 amp though.

i would buy a Ted Yost custom Delta Elite first

 

[gurus]

Save yourself some money! Get a Krell integrated, I use a 300i to drive my K1000s and in direct comparison it blew the pants off the EAR 859. I know that the EAR 20 is supposedly better than the EAR 859/869, but I still think it cannot beat the Krell.

And with the money that is left over you can pick up a nice Wadia 861 on the used market. And you have a system that can't be beat!

One of the best 'analoque sounding' SS + digital combo! What more could you ask for!