So, after long thought and combing through
all the forums i have narrowed down my pairing choices for the Ether 2 down to three amps:
The Violectric 281(2000€), the Audio GD Master 9(1500€ but i have to buy the R8 later) and the SPL Phonitor XE for 2000€.
The V281 seems to be the favorite pairing with the Ether 2 with this reviewer:
https://www.fairaudio.de/test/mrspeakers-ether-2-magnetostatischer-kopfhoerer/
- where he states (google translate with a few corrections by me) :
"It was practicall, that at the same time I still had to test the bearish 3-watt transistor SPL Phonitor xe ), which would have been the ideal cast with its neutral authoritarian gait and in particular its unperturbed analytical presence in the midrange and treble. Had not a hifi-colleague paired the Ether 2 for fun with the Violectric V281 (price: 1.999 Euro). Voilá: Just a bit more resolving and more concise in the high tone, without robbing the elegant sound of Ether 2 analytically of his charm, the MrSpeakers had found in the power cube of Lake Constance his perfect counterpart. Everything there what you need, no false effects, no discoloration, no bugs in frequency, only music, music, music. Quite clear: This cloud filled with wonderfully "real" music around the listener's head, to which the MrSpeakers Ether 2 is capable, clearly carries the number 7 with carefully seasoned electronics."
The Audio GD Master 9 does not seem to do anything wrong compared with the other 2 and i can get it for 1500€, even tho it is a 30 pound monstrosity, i do have have enough space at my desktop setup for it.
The SPL Phonitor is the only one not truly balanced in this comparison but still has enough power to drive almost anything with its 120V circuit.
In my eyes its selling point seems to be the most advanced and mature crossfeed circuitry in
any below 5 figure headphone amp.
Big (and obviously superficial) bonus is the great looks the unit has with its VU-Meters which give me "Das Boot vibes" and the guilty-pleasure-red you can get its front painted in.
First of i have to mention that i am a high end audio novice of not even 12 months - still i managed to "work" myself through a few AMPs, DACs and headphones so far, i have owned HD599, HD700, LCD-2 2.2 pre-Fazor, Schiit Vali 2, Magni 3 and
i currently own an Audio GD NFB-28.18 and a Woo Audio Wa7d, the cans i am listening to on these amps are the HD800 SD-mod, HE1000, LCD2 Classic, Aeon Flow Open and my newest member - here to stay - the magnificent Ether 2.
My upper limit is around 2000€(-ish) and i am aware that any of these amps will be a huge improvement to anything i own and have ever owned.
So the only question still remaining is the one of synergy with my Ether 2 - with any of the other features of these amps being just added bonuses to my final decision.
Thanks in advance for your input and opinions on this - oh so bittersweet torment - of picking a 2000 bucks Headphone Amp guys (and grills).
