wundi
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2008
- Posts
- 15
- Likes
- 0
Hey guys, I'm one of those people who want something but don't know if it's what they need. So I figured I should put it in writing. I'm sorry if it gets lengthy -- I'm new to this but I'll try to add in jokes and weird arguments. Please bear with me.
Firstly, my current setup is Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (aka. bass monster phones) amped by Corda Arietta. Sennheiser HD650 are already on their way though, just didn't make it in time for Christmas. PC (X-Fi XtremeMusic, high bitrate MP3s) as source and a Denon PMA-700AE integrated amplifier as preamp. The music I listen to is mostly rock, both indie-type (The Killers) and metal (In Flames).
So I've been drooling over Lehmann's BCL for a while now. The reason for that may be somewhat unprofound for this specific forum: the looks. I'm after a black headphone amp that fits well with the rest of my gear, which is all black. While my current amp, the Arietta, is a good looking amp on its own, it just doesn't "look right" in its surroundings. I could write an essay about my frustration with the whole issue but I think you'd lose your interest pretty soon.
Let's just say the headphone amp sits on a very visible place in my small apartment and I can't have something there that sticks out.
The other reason why I'm looking for a new amp is that with the DT770 Pro, I can't hear a damned difference between the Arietta and the Denon's headphone output. I suspect this is for one (or several) of the following reasons:
- The Denon has a very good HP output
- The DT770 Pro doesn't "differentiate" between amps that much (pardon my English)
- My source, mostly the X-Fi's DAC, sucks
- I'm not a very good listener
However I'm confident I'll start to hear differences when my new phones, the HD650, arrive. No, I couldn't simply wait till that to start this thread.
At this point you are likely thinking of one word: tubes. They are great for my music, are inexpensive, look cool and come in black. True. Wooaudio, Darkvoice, yummy. But, I still don't want them. I don't want to get stressed about remembering to turn them off before passing out on the couch (I do that, a lot), changing tubes every two years, or telling everyone not to burn their fingers. I'm like a mouse ogling a mouse-trap: yes, there's cheese -- but also potential death. Ok, fine, it probably won't burn my house down and kill me. But there's no cheese either. Anyway, tubes are not for me, at this point anyway.
Soooo I was wondering if anyone would like to give me alternatives, talk some sense to me or to at least give the BCL a thumbs-up? I've done my research and I know it has great, if perhaps not the best sound for its price (~600€). I'm also going to keep my DT770, if that matters, and also I'm in Europe.
I'd be grateful for any input.
P.S. I mean, come on!
Firstly, my current setup is Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (aka. bass monster phones) amped by Corda Arietta. Sennheiser HD650 are already on their way though, just didn't make it in time for Christmas. PC (X-Fi XtremeMusic, high bitrate MP3s) as source and a Denon PMA-700AE integrated amplifier as preamp. The music I listen to is mostly rock, both indie-type (The Killers) and metal (In Flames).
So I've been drooling over Lehmann's BCL for a while now. The reason for that may be somewhat unprofound for this specific forum: the looks. I'm after a black headphone amp that fits well with the rest of my gear, which is all black. While my current amp, the Arietta, is a good looking amp on its own, it just doesn't "look right" in its surroundings. I could write an essay about my frustration with the whole issue but I think you'd lose your interest pretty soon.

The other reason why I'm looking for a new amp is that with the DT770 Pro, I can't hear a damned difference between the Arietta and the Denon's headphone output. I suspect this is for one (or several) of the following reasons:
- The Denon has a very good HP output
- The DT770 Pro doesn't "differentiate" between amps that much (pardon my English)
- My source, mostly the X-Fi's DAC, sucks
- I'm not a very good listener

However I'm confident I'll start to hear differences when my new phones, the HD650, arrive. No, I couldn't simply wait till that to start this thread.

At this point you are likely thinking of one word: tubes. They are great for my music, are inexpensive, look cool and come in black. True. Wooaudio, Darkvoice, yummy. But, I still don't want them. I don't want to get stressed about remembering to turn them off before passing out on the couch (I do that, a lot), changing tubes every two years, or telling everyone not to burn their fingers. I'm like a mouse ogling a mouse-trap: yes, there's cheese -- but also potential death. Ok, fine, it probably won't burn my house down and kill me. But there's no cheese either. Anyway, tubes are not for me, at this point anyway.
Soooo I was wondering if anyone would like to give me alternatives, talk some sense to me or to at least give the BCL a thumbs-up? I've done my research and I know it has great, if perhaps not the best sound for its price (~600€). I'm also going to keep my DT770, if that matters, and also I'm in Europe.
I'd be grateful for any input.
P.S. I mean, come on!