[Filipe]

My shortlist came down to the Creek CREEK OBH21 (w/ With OBH-1not SE) and the Musical fidelity X-can V2.
They both cost the same £150.

I'll be using the Senns HD580, with acoustic and hard edged rock.

Which of the two amps would sound better?

Cheers
Fil

 

[fewtch]

All I can personally say is -- don't use the OBH-1 power supply. I wouldn't use that thing to power a clock radio, after testing it with my OBH-11 (non-SE). If you can get an Elpac linear regulated wall wart instead (~US $28) it should seriously improve the OBH-21, even if it has regulation circuitry (not sure about that). Or just bite the bullet and get the OBH-21SE.

Sorry if that's all I can contribute... maybe it'll help you make a choice between the two. I haven't heard either, but did some testing and listening with my OBH-11 and was stunned at the improvement after deep-sixing the OBH-1 power supply -- it's junk.

Edit -- That's assuming all OBH-1's are created equal -- just wanted to be clear this was just my personal finding, and using a different amp. Thought you might like to know, tho.

 

[Filipe]

can always buy the OBH2 power supply as it is sold separately for not a lot of money..

 

[fjhuerta]

I have not posted in a while here, but I do remember the MF X-Can V2 & Sennheiser 580 combo as being thought of as the perfect marriage of headphone and amplifier. The X-Can, being a bit on the bright side, does wonders to the dark 580 sound.

I should know. I have owned the combo since 2000 or so, and love it!

Maybe someone can tell you about the OBH-21 and Sennheiser combo.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I'm not familiar with the OBH-21 (I've only heard the OBH-11 and OBH-11SE), but I would recommend going with the Musical Fidelity for several reasons:

(a) there's lots of room for improvement -- rolling tubes, rolling opamps, rolling caps, rolling the power supply; so you can upgrade piecemeal later; I have a lot of top-end amps, and I'm keeping the X-CANv2 just to have some fun with it;
(b) one of the best combinations I've ever heard was the X-CAN with the CD3000 (somewhat rolled);
(c) they just came out with the X-CANv3, so you should be able to negotiate on the price at least a little bit.

 

[appar111]

I wasn't aware that a regulated power supply made that big of a difference... all I've ever used is the power adaptors that come with equipment, or a Rat Shack adaptor, but never for anything other than portable cd players and the like....

appar111

 

[AIM9x]

fjhuerta tiene cojones grandes... nice avatar homie

 

[london luke]

Filipe

i spent some time looking at both these amps..The other one was the "Project" Which was better.

But since i discovered this forum I decided to buy a Chiarra(see my thread about it) Only thing that might put you of is building it or getting it built... Difference is night and day.

Your welcome to come and try it itf you want... Near Finchley.

Stop reading....madness!!

BUY THIS NOW. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT AT THAT PRICE!!!

 

[PinkFloyd]

Quote:

Originally posted by london luke Filipe i spent some time looking at both these amps..The other one was the "Project" Which was better. But since i discovered this forum I decided to buy a Chiarra(see my thread about it) Only thing that might put you of is building it or getting it built... Difference is night and day. Your welcome to come and try it itf you want... Near Finchley. Stop reading....madness!! BUY THIS NOW. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT AT THAT PRICE!!!

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Filipe]

How does it compare to the Creek OBH21SE?

 

[london luke]

Filipe

Are you refering to the Chiarra or the project


To save time i will answer both!!

The project has not been spoken about much on here.... I am sure it could be upgraded with some simple caps etc..

But when i listened for some time . Same music same headphones(Took my own). The project was the one that in its standard state worked best with my HD600's. The bass was better and it was a more relaxing sound. I also like the way it looked.

I was also tempted to buy the Xcan BUT only to get it upgraded straight away.

When I read and talked about the chiarra... A few thinks came to mind. The build quality of the supplied power units etc for the other amps looked terrible. Behind all good amps isa good power supply. The Chiarras looked like a proper power supply.

I am not worried about kits or buying S/hand hifi.. I bel;ieve you get great value for money!!!

Forget the look of the chiarra ...you can make it look as good as you want if you find the right case....

After the first 100 hours of burning in. My opinion of this amp compared to the others is very strong... It DRIVES a good set of headphones well. There is so much power to control the bass and give a wonderful clear undistorted sound. if you have followed my thread you will see its gone back for some other work (NOTE> IT WORKS GREAT AS STOCK> I'M JUST PLAYING AROUND WITH A FEW IDEAS)

Am I happy...you bet........... If I had been sat in the shop and this was for sale I would have bought this amp....

but here in UK dedicated headamps are very few and far between.

I am going to guess.......... If it was badged as a "creek or Music fidelity" it would sell for £500-600.


It is a bargain.


You are welcome to listen to mine.... But get out and try all the mainstream amps first. Best I found was Hifi experience in Tottenham court road. downstairs.

 

[Filipe]

Thanks for your review Luke, but can you compare them w/ the Creek amps?

 

[london luke]

Creek

Now I was a real fan of their stuff. Built well and sounded good.

from what i can remember the bass was a bit soft and the amp wasnt realy "Running " the HD600's I want a amp to take control of the situation..if you get what I mean!!

Also at the end of the day..I wanted great value for money. The Chiarra offers better VFM and a stronger..easier and more focused sound than the creek. Also the creek needs to be a bit heavier and bigger to give it a sense of quality... small thing but makes sense to me!!

 

[fjhuerta]

Quote:

Originally posted by AIM9x fjhuerta tiene cojones grandes... nice avatar homie

Heh. Thanks.

It was an old joke between Jude and me, a couple of years ago. I wonder if he remembers it.