[Paladin79]

No. Not even close. Can't drive even 35 ohm 'phones in stock form.

You're going to have to search far and wide for an OTL amp that will drive 17 ohm 'phones. Not saying there isn't one out there, just that low impedances and OTL's are not good mates. You might look at the Schiit Lyr 3 (or even Vali 2), but I don't have any experience to offer with what else is out there that may work well.

I want to say Ripper drives some very low impedance headphones with the Incubus, but I never go below 50 ohm impedance myself, 80 up is even better.

 

[InstantSilence]

The Cavalli CTH shines with Planars too and the Xduoo Ta-20 is a good contender as well

The Xduoo actually can? Which one you recommend?

 

[Paladin79]

Sigh. At least I can tell Hoosier red from purple.


Yes, mine is 1" thick copper which totally impressed me.

Try not to drop the amp on your foot. I once told Bill it takes two men and a small boy to lift an amp I built, he offered to be the small boy.

 

[HTSkywalker]

I want to say Ripper drives some very low impedance headphones with the Incubus, but I never go below 50 ohm impedance myself, 80 up is even better.

Heard the Focal Elear rated @ 80 Ohms mates very well with the DV

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Can any of the dark voice varients power a 17ohm sensitive planar?
I have the lcd 4z and want to dabble into tube amps.
Is this amp capable? What other do you recommend if not?

Like @bcowen said (I am captain echo chamber today), if you want a tube amp that can do 17ohms, you would want to go with a transformer coupled amplifier or a hybrid.

 

[bcowen]

The woodwork brings lots of temptation, should grease my router and start looking for wood soon

Lend that router to @Paladin79 when you're done. Although the splines are supremely cool, I want dovetailed corners on my next Incubus (just to be more different).

 

[HTSkywalker]

The Xduoo actually can? Which one you recommend?

The Ta-20

 

[Paladin79]

Lend that router to @Paladin79 when you're done. Although the splines are supremely cool, I want dovetailed corners on my next Incubus (just to be more different).

I have a feeling you have been "more different" your whole life. No doves will be harmed in the making of my cabinets, sorry.

 

[HTSkywalker]

I have a feeling you have been "more different" your whole life. No doves will be harmed in the making of my cabinets, sorry.

Yeah a "Green" amp working on solar power lol

 

[Paladin79]

Like @bcowen said (I am captain echo chamber today), if you want a tube amp that can do 17ohms, you would want to go with a transformer coupled amplifier or a hybrid.

@bcowen had some 13 ohm headphones as I recall, building a circuit to match those was something. Wait, now I realize I have done more for the guy than I should have lol. Bill you owe me, think Balvenie, no $2.95 scotch, no wine in boxes.

 

[bcowen]

I want to say Ripper drives some very low impedance headphones with the Incubus, but I never go below 50 ohm impedance myself, 80 up is even better.

The Incubus will drive the 35 ohm HE-4XX's and sounds quite nice at low-to-mid level volumes. It won't get to rock levels, but for casual listening it's enjoyable. With the (stock) Darkvoice there is NO bass, and can't get above even low levels without obvious distortion. If I crank the bass control on the Loki fully clockwise I can get some bass, but it's not good bass. Conversely, the HE-4XX's into either the Vali 2 or Lyr 3 will jam, and they aren't a bad sounding cheap 'phone with those amps. I still prefer the HD-6XX's though regardless of the amp.

 

[HTSkywalker]

@bcowen had some 13 ohm headphones as I recall, building a circuit to match those was something. Wait, now I realize I have done more for the guy than I should have lol. Bill you owe me, think Balvenie, no $2.95 scotch, no wine in boxes.

Well you have a point there, won't lift a screwdriver for the boxed wines or the cheap scotch (normally used as a bonfire starter)

 

[bcowen]

@bcowen had some 13 ohm headphones as I recall, building a circuit to match those was something. Wait, now I realize I have done more for the guy than I should have lol. Bill you owe me, think Balvenie, no $2.95 scotch, no wine in boxes.

Say no more....it's on the way. It was $4.99, so don't ever call me a cheapskate.

 

[DeweyCH]

Sigh. At least I can tell Hoosier red from purple.


Yes, mine is 1" thick copper which totally impressed me.

You know, in Missouri the word “Hoosier” means redneck. I didn’t know that wasn’t a universal thing until I was a teen.

 

[DeweyCH]

Say no more....it's on the way. It was $4.99, so don't ever call me a cheapskate.

Send him some Malort.