crossmd
100+ Head-Fier
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- Mar 21, 2009
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In looking around, I found that these two amps up for review were often thrown around in response to those many looking for options in driving their k701/2's..but had no solid analytical support between them. I am only using my 702's between them because of the supposed synergy with both amps as to serve those looking at the relationship between them and the k701.
The rig chain used here in testing involves Verified FLAC Files ripped from original CD copies taken USB out to a Gigalab Moon DAC (NOS) to the respective amps via RCA, out to 702(stock cable).
Background:
Heed Canamp-Purchased this past week from Semiaudiophile, who was an awesome seller, never hesitated to answer my incessant questioning, patient enough to wait for my paypal transfer, all at an incredibly affordable price for this amp. Anyone looking to do business with him in the future, know that he totally gets a green light from me, no hesitation. Semi reported having the Heed about a year, keeping it totally stock-unmodded, and to his knowledge fully burned in.
Head Direct- Bought about 3 months ago, fully burnt in. Have not rolled op-amp, and will use the stock Sylvania 12AU7 provided by Fang to give a clean slate from which others can apply other tube characteristics.
To the review—onward!
So even in immediately listening to the two, there are a lot of similarities between them, maybe more so than I expected from reading the reviews between them. To a good degree in this review, I’m splitting hairs in this way, and comparing minute differences that a lot of times are the only differences between them. Both really though, are stellar amps..ones that would not disappoint regardless of choice.
Starting with the Heed, the Canamp presents an authenticity of sound that is not as detailed, and “thorough” in regards to the individual elements of a song, but maybe more real. By this I mean that: to me, the EF1 will do justice to every layer of a song, every instrument in an orchestral piece, every tom in a drum kit, etc.—rendered perfectly. The difference lies in that the Heed seems to see those elements as being less essential to its presentation, than maybe those more forward, vocals, instrument solos, etc. To my ear, the Heed almost, in comparison, takes a lot of the recordings that you have and to some degree, turns them into a live mix instead. As maybe one would hear if they were hearing the music performed, rather than monitoring a recording.
The slight exception to this is the bass presentation of the Heed. The lower mids and upper lows are emphasized in a way that the EF1 (at least with stock Sylvania) can’t touch. To my taste, its almost at times a little too much..this though, is almost entirely due to the fact that I tend to favor just enough bass to do the recording justice. Anti-basshead Incarnate. So to other tastes, this could be the perfect amount. --Know though that, now sounds with an accentuation on the bass take on a new light compared to the EF1. Victor Wooten’s slap bass, for example, is a joy to listen to now, with a new punchiness and vitality that really does justice to the huge role that it plays in all of his Bela Fleck offerings. Triphop is a lot more fun with a more pronounced bass. Bass drums, timpanies, uprights, and even sampled bass pieces are more robust and full. Maybe more natural. More physical, for sure. Even as I listen to it now, in a variety of contexts, the EF1 can seem a little anemic at times because of this.
Additionally though, the EF1 seems to have the soundstage factor covered. While the difference isn’t night and day, the EF1 invites many recordings to envelop the listener, as opposed to the Heed’s wanting to “present” the music to you in a way that’s more “head-on,” maybe contributing further to this feeling of a live music setting, that I keep getting.
In conclusion, To a good degree, I see this as a matter of highs and lows. The emphasis, (however slight between the amps), and whichever way you apply yourself to your own tastes, is going to dictate largely the route taken for each individual. I’m still really trying to figure out where I’m really taking the 702’s, something though, I’m confident will expose itself in time. IMO, though, I think we need to re-evaluate our stance on consistently throwing out “HEED. GET IT NAO.” to anyone looking for an amp for the 70x. While I’m not suggesting that tubes are a 70x’s best friend, the ability to swap tubes to tailor sound is very appealing.
Gun to my head, have to pick one now? —EF1, maybe just in that it’s something that I’m used to, but the detail and the soundstage and my beloved upper mids leave me to believe that they won’t lead me astray in the future. Time with both though, will tell if this will indeed be the case in the end. If you’re looking to maybe tame the sibilance of the k70x, or if you find yourself overly sensitive to it’s brightness, the Heed is probably more your cup of tea. If you’re looking to accentuate the strengths of the akg flagship, you’ll probably be better off with the EF1. Also, the ability to tube roll, etc. allows for a significant amount of flexibility that is absent from the Heed.
DISCLAIMER: I understand that there are issues with this review. A greater degree of science should be had that cannot due to physical and financial limitations. The issue of relative subjectivity is always in effect, etc. Despite this, I, through this review, seek to illuminate and contribute to those niche interests stemming from those looking to compare the two amps, especially in their relationships with the akg 701/2.
And below..are individual track comparisons for those looking for more detail! Huzzah! (Though, if you’ve gotten to the bottom of this, I would hardly blame you for skipping.) Later this week, I plan to take these findings over to an ATH-AD700 and maybe the DT770’s too. Questions welcome.
-Matt
The rig chain used here in testing involves Verified FLAC Files ripped from original CD copies taken USB out to a Gigalab Moon DAC (NOS) to the respective amps via RCA, out to 702(stock cable).
Background:
Heed Canamp-Purchased this past week from Semiaudiophile, who was an awesome seller, never hesitated to answer my incessant questioning, patient enough to wait for my paypal transfer, all at an incredibly affordable price for this amp. Anyone looking to do business with him in the future, know that he totally gets a green light from me, no hesitation. Semi reported having the Heed about a year, keeping it totally stock-unmodded, and to his knowledge fully burned in.
Head Direct- Bought about 3 months ago, fully burnt in. Have not rolled op-amp, and will use the stock Sylvania 12AU7 provided by Fang to give a clean slate from which others can apply other tube characteristics.
To the review—onward!
So even in immediately listening to the two, there are a lot of similarities between them, maybe more so than I expected from reading the reviews between them. To a good degree in this review, I’m splitting hairs in this way, and comparing minute differences that a lot of times are the only differences between them. Both really though, are stellar amps..ones that would not disappoint regardless of choice.
Starting with the Heed, the Canamp presents an authenticity of sound that is not as detailed, and “thorough” in regards to the individual elements of a song, but maybe more real. By this I mean that: to me, the EF1 will do justice to every layer of a song, every instrument in an orchestral piece, every tom in a drum kit, etc.—rendered perfectly. The difference lies in that the Heed seems to see those elements as being less essential to its presentation, than maybe those more forward, vocals, instrument solos, etc. To my ear, the Heed almost, in comparison, takes a lot of the recordings that you have and to some degree, turns them into a live mix instead. As maybe one would hear if they were hearing the music performed, rather than monitoring a recording.
The slight exception to this is the bass presentation of the Heed. The lower mids and upper lows are emphasized in a way that the EF1 (at least with stock Sylvania) can’t touch. To my taste, its almost at times a little too much..this though, is almost entirely due to the fact that I tend to favor just enough bass to do the recording justice. Anti-basshead Incarnate. So to other tastes, this could be the perfect amount. --Know though that, now sounds with an accentuation on the bass take on a new light compared to the EF1. Victor Wooten’s slap bass, for example, is a joy to listen to now, with a new punchiness and vitality that really does justice to the huge role that it plays in all of his Bela Fleck offerings. Triphop is a lot more fun with a more pronounced bass. Bass drums, timpanies, uprights, and even sampled bass pieces are more robust and full. Maybe more natural. More physical, for sure. Even as I listen to it now, in a variety of contexts, the EF1 can seem a little anemic at times because of this.
Additionally though, the EF1 seems to have the soundstage factor covered. While the difference isn’t night and day, the EF1 invites many recordings to envelop the listener, as opposed to the Heed’s wanting to “present” the music to you in a way that’s more “head-on,” maybe contributing further to this feeling of a live music setting, that I keep getting.
In conclusion, To a good degree, I see this as a matter of highs and lows. The emphasis, (however slight between the amps), and whichever way you apply yourself to your own tastes, is going to dictate largely the route taken for each individual. I’m still really trying to figure out where I’m really taking the 702’s, something though, I’m confident will expose itself in time. IMO, though, I think we need to re-evaluate our stance on consistently throwing out “HEED. GET IT NAO.” to anyone looking for an amp for the 70x. While I’m not suggesting that tubes are a 70x’s best friend, the ability to swap tubes to tailor sound is very appealing.
Gun to my head, have to pick one now? —EF1, maybe just in that it’s something that I’m used to, but the detail and the soundstage and my beloved upper mids leave me to believe that they won’t lead me astray in the future. Time with both though, will tell if this will indeed be the case in the end. If you’re looking to maybe tame the sibilance of the k70x, or if you find yourself overly sensitive to it’s brightness, the Heed is probably more your cup of tea. If you’re looking to accentuate the strengths of the akg flagship, you’ll probably be better off with the EF1. Also, the ability to tube roll, etc. allows for a significant amount of flexibility that is absent from the Heed.
DISCLAIMER: I understand that there are issues with this review. A greater degree of science should be had that cannot due to physical and financial limitations. The issue of relative subjectivity is always in effect, etc. Despite this, I, through this review, seek to illuminate and contribute to those niche interests stemming from those looking to compare the two amps, especially in their relationships with the akg 701/2.
And below..are individual track comparisons for those looking for more detail! Huzzah! (Though, if you’ve gotten to the bottom of this, I would hardly blame you for skipping.) Later this week, I plan to take these findings over to an ATH-AD700 and maybe the DT770’s too. Questions welcome.
-Matt
