[Spawn300Z]

nice setup! i have a dx320 and a c9. would you suggest skipping the amp on the ibasso and going direct to cayin c9?

I’m not familiar with the use of the DX320. But from what I seen I would go 4.4mm bal to C9 4.4mm bal input. Use the pre mode and use the DX320 to control the volume.

 

[gadus]

2 'portable' combinations that I find to be absolutely good:
a&k kann max> c9<dca expanse
qls qa361<c9<dca expanse
It changes my mind a bit that I need a monster amplifier for the Babylon expanse, of course such an amplifier will get the most out of the expanse, but these are definitely nice!

 

[Spawn300Z]

Also include the Chord Hugo 2 with Cayin C9.

 

[Vyyy]

Bought from fellow headfier expanse to use with the Chord Dave, looking forward of what it will bring to ears. Amyone have this combo particularly with Dave?

 

[thePhones]

Bought from fellow headfier expanse to use with the Chord Dave, looking forward of what it will bring to ears. Amyone have this combo particularly with Dave?

It is fantastic with Dave. I am at -12db for most music and might end up at 0db with quieter classical recordings. Don‘t know if you have experience with them but to me they are like Hifiman Arya V1 with lots more detail. It is also the first headphone that needs absolutely no equalizing. It is the best headphone in my collection, only if I crave dynamics I go for the Utopia.

 

[Vyyy]

It is fantastic with Dave. I am at -12db for most music and might end up at 0db with quieter classical recordings. Don‘t know if you have experience with them but to me they are like Hifiman Arya V1 with lots more detail. It is also the first headphone that needs absolutely no equalizing. It is the best headphone in my collection, only if I crave dynamics I go for the Utopia.

Well actually i used Stealth for 1.5year with the HUgo2 and now Dave recent 6months. Looking forward to experience the Expanse

 

[Spawn300Z]

Well actually i used Stealth for 1.5year with the HUgo2 and now Dave recent 6months. Looking forward to experience the Expanse

If your just running the DCA Stealths / Expanse just off the Chord Dave your leaving a lot of performance behind. These headphones scale like the Susvara. Run off speaker taps using your Etude or add another headphone Amp.

 

[Vyyy]

Any other good recommendations for headphone amp that would be yet transparent weighty and sweet? I used to have Violectric V281 and it was soo good.

 

[xtr4]

Any other good recommendations for headphone amp that would be yet transparent weighty and sweet? I used to have Violectric V281 and it was soo good.

One of the most transparent amps I've owned and highly recommend is the SPL Phonitor series. I owned the X previously and it was a great pre-amp too

 

[alxw0w]

Any other good recommendations for headphone amp that would be yet transparent weighty and sweet? I used to have Violectric V281 and it was soo good.

One of the most transparent amps I've owned and highly recommend is the SPL Phonitor series. I owned the X previously and it was a great pre-amp too

Which is not really a great option for low impedance headphones like Expanse.
If you have high impedance headphones Phonitor is very good, for anything lower than 50-100ohm or so, look for something better.

look here

 

[Spawn300Z]

Any other good recommendations for headphone amp that would be yet transparent weighty and sweet? I used to have Violectric V281 and it was soo good.

Given the Gear you have listed. I would highly suggest the Riviera AIC-10, Mass Kobo Model 465 & Zahl HM1. I’m using the AIC-10. I’m also hearing a lot of good things about the Cayin Soul 170HA.

 

[plumpudding2]

Rob Watts himself just runs them off the Dave, I agree with Spawn300Z if you go for an external amp you should go big (HM1 with Stealth/Expanse is heaven) because otherwise the performance difference might be too small for the money.

 

[Vyyy]

Hi,

May i ask to ask what cable you use with Stealth, if thats not stock Vivo, whats the model of it and why in the first place you preferred over Vivo? Huge thanks!

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Any other good recommendations for headphone amp that would be yet transparent weighty and sweet? I used to have Violectric V281 and it was soo good.

As much as I like tube amps, I always prefer solid state amp for Expanse. So far my favourite is Cen Grand Silver Fox, as what you describe for transparent and sweet.

 

[mrspeakers]

One of the most transparent amps I've owned and highly recommend is the SPL Phonitor series. I owned the X previously and it was a great pre-amp too

Unfortunately, the SPL amps do poorly with loads under 75 ohms. The power falls off sharply and distortion rises pretty fast. They really designed this to be “powerful” only for high Z headphones, which means more for dynamic than planar magnetic. See the Power vs Load graph in the measurements below….

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pl-phonitor-x-review-dac-headphone-amp.21114/