[HeadFierUsername2022]

Hello,


I would need some help to decide between the Amps in the title.
Yes, I know the price range and (at least sound) quality (when thinking of the HPA4) is to the level of comparing oranges with apples.

But I want to know if it's worth for me to pay that much more. For example the Phonitor is around 2.5x more expensive than the R7, and the HPA4 is of course the top one.

Headphones I will mostly use them with:
Meze Elite
T1 2nd Gen.
DC Aeon 2 Noire

Headphones I hope I will get to use them with:

ZMF Closed (Atrium or Verite)
Dan Clark E3


Thanks in advance!

 

[tesarpa]

I have no experience with R7 or SPL, only with HPA4, which is IMHO end game for headphone listening, if you appreciate neutrality. It provides clean, almost clinical – in a good way – sound. It is the proverbial wire with gain. It also serves as a perfect preamplifier, if needed. But it doesn't fit to someone who seeks some altered tonality, expects that the amp somehow improves the sound by making it warmer etc.

But in general scheme, I'd not spend multiples of price of my best headphone for an amplifier. I believe most money should go to transducer, so from this point of view, HPA4 is maybe overkill in your case. Or, another view, in long term, you'll be done with amps and you can try another HPs in the future.

 

[HeadFierUsername2022]

I have no experience with R7 or SPL, only with HPA4, which is IMHO end game for headphone listening, if you appreciate neutrality. It provides clean, almost clinical – in a good way – sound. It is the proverbial wire with gain. It also serves as a perfect preamplifier, if needed. But it doesn't fit to someone who seeks some altered tonality, expects that the amp somehow improves the sound by making it warmer etc.

But in general scheme, I'd not spend multiples of price of my best headphone for an amplifier. I believe most money should go to transducer, so from this point of view, HPA4 is maybe overkill in your case. Or, another view, in long term, you'll be done with amps and you can try another HPs in the future.

You probably need a good DAC for an 'endgame amp' - which is extra money.


Thanks for your time, btw.

 

[tesarpa]

I "ended" (quotes means you never know, so I guess it’s just temporary end) with Hugo TT2 purchased used for 3000 Eur. For this price great value as it is DAC and Amp together. Sonically it’s slightly on warm side of neutral, but I like it.

 

[HeadFierUsername2022]

I "ended" (quotes means you never know, so I guess it’s just temporary end) with Hugo TT2 purchased used for 3000 Eur. For this price great value as it is DAC and Amp together. Sonically it’s slightly on warm side of neutral, but I like it.

That's Double my comfort zone of spending.

 

[tesarpa]

Ok, but then why even thinking of HPA4, which itself is in this price range?

 

[HeadFierUsername2022]

Ok, but then why even thinking of HPA4, which itself is in this price range?

3k with a non so good DAC,is not really worth it. 1.5 to 2k.