Eddie Current Balancing Act

[markmaxx]

The Balancing Act will definitely not embarrass the WA 22...  In my opinion the Balancing act is a nicer sounding amp.  It just needs a bit more power,, in order to drive the K 1000. 
 
 
I would like to know why the Balancing act was built with out the power to drive the K 1000? If a pair of 300b can drive speakers why can't they drive the K 1000? That's a good question for Dr. Kevin or Spritzer..
Quote:

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I would love to hear your thoughts on how the WA22 compared to the Balancing Act using non-K1000 headphones, like the HD800s or HD650s.  
 
I assume the Balancing Act is a better amp.  After all, it is one of the most expensive amps on the market and yet still has a very loyal following here on Head-Fi.  At the same time, I seldom read anything about the WA22 on Head-Fi, even in the massive "Woo Owners Unite" thread.  Does the Balancing Act completely embarrass the WA22?  Or is the WA22 a great sounding amp that just falls short of the Balancing Act? 
 
If you have the time, I would love to hear your impressions.  Thanks.

 

[MuppetFace]

The Balancing Act is actually pretty competitively priced. I certainly wouldn't call it "one of the most expensive amps on the market" when you have:
 
RSA B-52, EAR HP4, Manley 300B, Millett 307a, Woo WES, Aristaeus, Blue Hawaii SE, A-10 Thunderbolt, Apex Pinnacle, etc.
 
All of which cost more than the Balancing Act.

 

[minimus]

The Balancing Act is actually pretty competitively priced. I certainly wouldn't call it "one of the most expensive amps on the market" when you have:


 


RSA B-52, EAR HP4, Manley 300B, Millett 307a, Woo WES, Aristaeus, Blue Hawaii SE, A-10 Thunderbolt, Apex Pinnacle, etc.


 


All of which cost more than the Balancing Act.

I am not trying to imply that the BA is overpriced. Craig seems to charge a fair price for all of his amps. I am just trying to get a sense from markmaxx how it performs relative to another balanced amp I am interested in, mostly because I own a lot of NOS tubes that I could use in the WA 22.

 

[markmaxx]

My advice....
 
 
I bought a used WA 22 for $1900.00 (  It is a nice sounding amp...) and when I sold it 3 months later I got $1900.00 give one a try, Jump fast! they sell in a day or two...
 
I liked the 6SN7GT TSRP.. and the Chatham Electronic 2399...
 
  Back on topic? 
 
Quote:

I am not trying to imply that the BA is overpriced. Craig seems to charge a fair price for all of his amps. I am just trying to get a sense from markmaxx how it performs relative to another balanced amp I am interested in, mostly because I own a lot of NOS tubes that I could use in the WA 22.

 

[jrisles]

I was unaware of the A-10 Thunderbolt it actually retails for $6,500.00!!! Alot more expensive that a BA. I would also hope alot more better than a BA for that price??
 
http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/purchasing

 

[vcoheda]

i really like the BA but am a little disappointed that i prefer my HD800 with my HeadRoom amp, which i thought i would sell. of course, i have not tried the PX4 tubes yet. not sure if that will change things. maybe it worked out, as it is always nice to have one tube amp and one solid state. two is a good number, as i also just purchased another CD player (Sony SCD-XA5400ES) to go along with my G08. i have a fair number of SACDs and the G08 only does redbook. it does it quite well, so i doubt i will sell it. nice to have different listening options - headphones, amps, players. all add to the enjoyment of the hobby/music.
 
as for PX4 tubes, are the ones from sophia electric my only real option. and does it matter which base (ceramic or black) i get.
 
thanks

 

[MuppetFace]

 
Quote:

I was unaware of the A-10 Thunderbolt it actually retails for $6,500.00!!! Alot more expensive that a BA. I would also hope alot more better than a BA for that price??
 
http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/purchasing

It's an electrostatic amp, so perhaps that explains some of the extra cost. The Apex Pinnacle however... it's not an electrostatic amp and it costs $10,000!
 
http://www.ttvjaudio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=336
 
It uses PX4 tubes. Given that the Balancing Act uses PX4 tubes and costs $6,000 less, I have to wonder if it's really worth the extra cost between amps. I've become an Eddie Current fan girl recently, I suppose.

 

[jrisles]

Quote:

i really like the BA but am a little disappointed that i prefer my HD800 with my HeadRoom amp, which i thought i would sell. of course, i have not tried the PX4 tubes yet. not sure if that will change things. maybe it worked out, as it is always nice to have one tube amp and one solid state. two is a good number, as i also just purchased another CD player (Sony SCD-XA5400ES) to go along with my G08. i have a fair number of SACDs and the G08 only does redbook. it does it quite well, so i doubt i will sell it. nice to have different listening options - headphones, amps, players. all add to the enjoyment of the hobby/music.
 
as for PX4 tubes, are the ones from sophia electric my only real option. and does it matter which base (ceramic or black) i get.
 
thanks

Hmmmm now you have made me start to think. I have actually got my G08 up for sale on another forum in Australia. I must admit it is a nice player for redbook. But i need the funds to upgrade to the Playback Designs SACD player. I heard that over 12mths ago with some top notch SACD recordings and it is the only thing digital that i have heard that is nearly comparable with vinyl. Vinyl still edges it out due to consistency ... but boy on the day had i not known i was listening to a digital device and someone told me it was a vinyl rig i could have easily been convinced it was that good. So i am biting the bullet .. and selling stuff for my upgrade.
 
Re the PX4 tubes i know that Craig recommends the PX4 tubes from KR
 
http://www.tubesusa.com/KRtubes.html

 

[jrisles]

Quote:

 

It's an electrostatic amp, so perhaps that explains some of the extra cost. The Apex Pinnacle however... it's not an electrostatic amp and it costs $10,000!
 
http://www.ttvjaudio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=336
 
It uses PX4 tubes. Given that the Balancing Act uses PX4 tubes and costs $6,000 less, I have to wonder if it's really worth the extra cost between amps. I've become an Eddie Current fan girl recently, I suppose.

Oh come on .... is this hobby getting ridiculously expensive or what ....

... $10k for a headphone amp .... anyone here tried one? Perhaps not on this thread .. ok i will search head-fi for reviews. Although an A/B comparison with a BA amp could easily sit in this thread? I know that Craig recommends the KR PX4 tubes ... again not too sure how much better (if at all) the Sophia's are? Looking at the rig though it appears to have everything the BA offers ... 3 pin or 4 pin balanced and single ended. Tube compliment is the same 6SN7 and PX4 (or 300B & 2A3/45 for the BA) and a few minor differences with input options between the two. But that is some price gap.

 

[MomijiTMO]

Haha, you're thinking about it, aren't you?
 

 

[MuppetFace]

 
Quote:

Oh come on .... is this hobby getting ridiculously expensive or what ....

... $10k for a headphone amp .... anyone here tried one? Perhaps not on this thread .. ok i will search head-fi for reviews. Although an A/B comparison with a BA amp could easily sit in this thread? I know that Craig recommends the KR PX4 tubes ... again not too sure how much better (if at all) the Sophia's are? Looking at the rig though it appears to have everything the BA offers ... 3 pin or 4 pin balanced and single ended. Tube compliment is the same 6SN7 and PX4 (or 300B & 2A3/45 for the BA) and a few minor differences with input options between the two. But that is some price gap.

I, for one, would LOVE to read a comparison review between the Balancing Act running PX4 tubes and the Apex Pinnacle. Sadly, only a few people seem to have heard the Pinnacle at this point. TTVJ mentioned that they'd let serious potential buyers audition it for a week. That's good, considering $10,000 is a lot to spend blindly on something!
 
It's definitely something to keep an eye and ear out for at meets.

 

[markmaxx]

Are you kidding,,, Why not try the KR? 
 
Quote:

i really like the BA but am a little disappointed that i prefer my HD800 with my HeadRoom amp, which i thought i would sell. of course, i have not tried the PX4 tubes yet. not sure if that will change things. maybe it worked out, as it is always nice to have one tube amp and one solid state. two is a good number, as i also just purchased another CD player (Sony SCD-XA5400ES) to go along with my G08. i have a fair number of SACDs and the G08 only does redbook. it does it quite well, so i doubt i will sell it. nice to have different listening options - headphones, amps, players. all add to the enjoyment of the hobby/music.
 
as for PX4 tubes, are the ones from sophia electric my only real option. and does it matter which base (ceramic or black) i get.
 
thanks

 

[jrisles]

Quote:

Haha, you're thinking about it, aren't you?
 

Well for $10K i think it is a statement suggesting that it is the quintessential headphone amplifier ever??!! I guess it is fair to say that the more expensive something is then the better it ought to be?? Thinking about it yes ...... but i think given i already have a BA i wouldn't mind trying an electrostatic amp.

 

[markmaxx]

Quote:

 but i think given i already have a BA i wouldn't mind trying an electrostatic amp.

Remember you sold it? (http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518624/fs-eddie-current-balancing-act-headphone-amp-australia)

 

[jrisles]

Quote:

Remember you sold it? (http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518624/fs-eddie-current-balancing-act-headphone-amp-australia)

Yes as per the ad ... i sold this one .. to upgrade to the latest model