Cayin / Spark amp

[martini1]

Hi guys, I have been reading posts here for a while, but this is the first time I contribute.

After going back and forth whether I should go for a dedicated headphone amp or something that can drive both cans and speakers, I have finally decided to go for the later. Although I have yet to test its headphone potentials (because I haven't get a nice pair of cans yet), this baby is already rocking the speakers.

This amp is called the Spark Mt-45. Spark is the co that makes Cayin products. They use the Spark brand name for the Asian market. It is really a bit big for a desktop amp but I figure if I needed something good to drive the speakers I can live with that. I originally have considered the Audio Space Galaxy mini but I don't like where the headphone plug is (on the back). The tube sound is also not as good as this one (w/ the KT88). I also like the idea of having the triode/ultralinear switch on the bigger amps.

With the high Yen Luxman or Leben are too expensive.

This is my currently setup:

itunes (lossless files and some AACs), V-Dac, amp, Kef iq1.
When i use the ipod as source obviously I skip the DAC.
My 3rd source is a PS3 connecting to the V-DAC via Optical

Overall I think I got a pretty good deal. I was tempted to get a SACD player but there is just no space on the desk to fit that. Unless there is a compact SACD player I guess I have to give up the SACD option. I think I only have 4-5 SACD from the past anyway. Not much of a collection.

The next thing I want to find out is how the phones are being driven but the MT-45. Is it transformer driven or not?

There are a few cans I am consider to choose from:
DT-880 (600 Ohm perhaps?), ATH-w1000, HD-600, or AKG 601.

I listen to all kinds of music but if I have to benchmark a system I would pick a miles davis Kind of Blue and/or a 1812 overture CD.

Any suggestions??

 

[The Seventh Taylor]

Why not use the PS3 for SACD playback? Or did you get the wrong model?

Just make sure you use analog output instead of optical because for SACD it will just give a 44.1 kHz 16-bit PCM conversion digitally whereas the analog output is really good. (For multichannel you'll need HDMI but that's not applicable in your set-up, I figure.)

See the PS3 SACD FAQ for more details.

 

[martini1]

Only the first gen PS3 have SACD playback. Mine is bought last year after they have taken the SACD feature out to cut cost.

Anyway, it seems like with my set up I may not even able to tell a big difference between SACD and CD upsampled.

I bought a couple SHM-CD samples that are supposed to sound better but so far I can't really tell the difference.

Perhaps lossless + V-dac is already enough for this setup.

 

[mbd2884]

Did you also search the forum for headphones well suited for blues? Or create a thread in the Headphone section?

Not sure if I read the info right, but think the Cayin MT-35 is transformer driven, would that suggest the Spark MT-45 is also?

That's a very sleek looking amplifier!

 

[fhuang]

have you thought about ha-1a instead? do you really need the pre-amp function? even ha-1a has that or can be use as an integrated amp. and ha-1a is a great headphone amp. or simply this, ha-1a is more like a headphone amp with other function and mt45 is more like a pre-amp with a headphone jack. one more options, the sale clerk from the audio shop told me ha2 is just like ha-1a without the preamp and such. ha2? by the way, i tried ha-1a years ago for many many times and my experience was, it sound great with akgs and senns, not so much with beyer. i was using a dt990 pro though.

 

[martini1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbd2884 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did you also search the forum for headphones well suited for blues? Or create a thread in the Headphone section? Not sure if I read the info right, but think the Cayin MT-35 is transformer driven, would that suggest the Spark MT-45 is also? That's a very sleek looking amplifier!

I did a search but since this amp is pretty new I can't find anything. I went back to the shop and asked, they told me it is transformer driven. I wonder if that means the tubes have a lesser effect on the sound going out to headphones? The MT-45 is similar to a Spark MT-40, which comes with EL-34's and the output is lower (can't drive KT-88).

Thanks for the comment. I am liking the look more and more. It really grows on me. It's no Luxman but it's also at a fraction of the price

 

[martini1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fhuang /img/forum/go_quote.gif have you thought about ha-1a instead? do you really need the pre-amp function? even ha-1a has that or can be use as an integrated amp. and ha-1a is a great headphone amp. or simply this, ha-1a is more like a headphone amp with other function and mt45 is more like a pre-amp with a headphone jack. one more options, the sale clerk from the audio shop told me ha2 is just like ha-1a without the preamp and such. ha2? by the way, i tried ha-1a years ago for many many times and my experience was, it sound great with akgs and senns, not so much with beyer. i was using a dt990 pro though.

I agree with you. I don't expect the Mt-45 to sound as great as a dedicated headphone amp. But since I only listen to headphones at late night and the rest with speakers, I am sold on how well the KT88 sound on speakers. BTW the MT-45 is actually an integrated amp, not a pre-amp only.

I am kind of leaning towards getting a pair of 600 ohm cans. I am sure I will be using an amp either way. May be later I will get another small headphone amp for the bedroom.