Hello everybody – my first post!
I’m tentatively venturing into the audiophile rabbit hole starting with reviving some old gear and tweaking/adding or upgrading until they give up on me
Limitations are: space (read clutter headroom -until I move) and budget (<£1k until I have more experience)
My current set-up is therefore very simple:
Hifiman 601 —> B&O Beolab3
I’ve always liked the bias to warmer musical sound the 601 gives, so I’d like to continue in this direction and go next level by putting tube hardware into the mix. Variations I’ve researched are:
1) Tube pre-amp (rather than full amp which would be too much for the Beolabs’ inbuilt amps right?)
601 —> pre-amp (integrated for volume control?) —> B3
Eg: Icon Audio LA4 MkIII Valve Pre Amplifier (c.£2,000)
I'm realising this is more of an aspirational option as even this entry level example exceeds my current budget - but is a buffer version (sub-£1k) worth considering?
...or what about “too cheap to be true” offerings like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fosi-Audio-P3-Headphone-Preamplifier-Black/dp/B0CJBKWF43
2) Desktop DAP w/tubes
DAP —> B3
Eg: Astell&Kern Acro CA1000T (c.£1,800)
I was considering this when I saw a price drop to £999…so maybe worth investing some patience and waiting some months to see if this is realistic, especially if a newer model is launched? How long-term would its software and OS be supported is also a question..
3) Portable DAP w/tubes
DAP —> B3
Eg: Cayin N3 Ultra (c.£450)
This last option is the most simple (cost wise too!) - would sound quality difference be very noticeable from those above? It would mean a redundant/retired 601, and although a definite upgrade, not sure it would be as future durable due to reliance on an OS (though same could be said of the A&K)
Additional info:
Unplugged from speakers I’ll typically use the 601 with the now almost as venerable RE2000 IEMs (bought recently at the knocked down price), or classic Grado sr60x (with DIY washing-up sponge ear pads
)…
Thanks y’all (be kind!)
I’m tentatively venturing into the audiophile rabbit hole starting with reviving some old gear and tweaking/adding or upgrading until they give up on me
Limitations are: space (read clutter headroom -until I move) and budget (<£1k until I have more experience)
My current set-up is therefore very simple:
Hifiman 601 —> B&O Beolab3
I’ve always liked the bias to warmer musical sound the 601 gives, so I’d like to continue in this direction and go next level by putting tube hardware into the mix. Variations I’ve researched are:
1) Tube pre-amp (rather than full amp which would be too much for the Beolabs’ inbuilt amps right?)
601 —> pre-amp (integrated for volume control?) —> B3
Eg: Icon Audio LA4 MkIII Valve Pre Amplifier (c.£2,000)
I'm realising this is more of an aspirational option as even this entry level example exceeds my current budget - but is a buffer version (sub-£1k) worth considering?
...or what about “too cheap to be true” offerings like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fosi-Audio-P3-Headphone-Preamplifier-Black/dp/B0CJBKWF43
2) Desktop DAP w/tubes
DAP —> B3
Eg: Astell&Kern Acro CA1000T (c.£1,800)
I was considering this when I saw a price drop to £999…so maybe worth investing some patience and waiting some months to see if this is realistic, especially if a newer model is launched? How long-term would its software and OS be supported is also a question..
3) Portable DAP w/tubes
DAP —> B3
Eg: Cayin N3 Ultra (c.£450)
This last option is the most simple (cost wise too!) - would sound quality difference be very noticeable from those above? It would mean a redundant/retired 601, and although a definite upgrade, not sure it would be as future durable due to reliance on an OS (though same could be said of the A&K)
Additional info:
Unplugged from speakers I’ll typically use the 601 with the now almost as venerable RE2000 IEMs (bought recently at the knocked down price), or classic Grado sr60x (with DIY washing-up sponge ear pads
)…Thanks y’all (be kind!)
Last edited:
