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[size=xx-small]Wadia 861 and Twin Head Mark II. Headphone is Sennheiser HD-600. Interconnects are Cardas Golden Reference, and headphone cable is also by Cardas.[/size][/align]
Okay, first things first....Nick Dangerous, prepare to see me take at least a nibble of crow. I used to tease NickMan about the tubes-in-headphone-hi-fi thing. Over the years, I've had some experience with what good tube gear can do in terms of driving speakers. My first foray into the world of tubed headphone amplification was with the first-generation Antique Sound Labs' MG Head. When it was working, it sounded very good for the price; however, even at its best, it was a good amp, with impressive price-performance, but one that didn't do much to separate itself from the solid state crowd in terms of general character. I did quite a bit of tuberolling with it, and, through this, was able to extract changes in tonal balance, alter its general presentation, and make minor adjustments in terms of headstaging ability -- but, again, no tube combination resulted in any aspect of performance that significantly differentiated it from solid state. In fact, I've since tried and owned several solid state amps that were more impressive (and, admittedly, more expensive), a few of which were substantially better in every way.
Needless to say, this first-generation MG Head experience had me wondering whether tubes in the world of headphone hi-fi really were worth the effort, and I've posted as much here in the forums. Additionally, two World of Headphones stops here in Detroit, and my experience with headphone hi-fi tubes ranged from not-so-great to great -- the overly syrupy Holmes-Powell; very pleasant, but not remarkably exciting, Cary; very impressive, but not astounding (to me), EAR HP-4; and, of course, the absolutely glorious Sennheiser Orpheus (I assumed it was more the Orpheus system’s headphone than its amp). NOTE: Before fans of these amps go jumping down my throat, I accept that the World of Headphones Tour, though insanely valuable for allowing us to experience so much different headphone hi-fi gear, isn't necessarily the ideal setting for critical listening. After these experiences -- the first-generation MG Head, and the World of Headphones Tour -- I had my doubts about whether tubed amplification was really capable of providing anything particularly special, anything truly different (than good-to-great solid state can) when it comes to headphone-amplifying (as opposed to speaker-amplifying, where, again, I’ve heard fundamental differences). I've had a few interesting exchanges with my friend Nick Dangerous on these forums, and even seriously suggested that maybe tube-lovin’ headphone hi-fi'ers simply dig the tube nostalgia, the fun(?) of tuberolling, and the warm glow of those pretty glass bottles. Well, about a couple of weeks ago, the Antique Sound Labs Twin Head Mark II arrived at my office. Based on the experiences I’ve just described, I wasn’t expecting much. But then....then I set up the Antique Sound Labs Twin Head Mark II and powered it up, and it quickly changed everything I previously thought about the role of tubes in headphone hi-fi -- and it made me wish I had Nick Dangerous’ phone number. Go ‘head, Nick, say that you told me so.
What I’ve written above is probably the rough, rough draft of the beginning of still another review that I’m going to have to write, but one that I’ll look forward to developing as I continue to listen to this piece of gear that has so far been phenomenal. It’s still early, and so I don’t want to say too much more yet, but I can say that the Twin Head Mark II is part of what might possibly be the best headphone hi-fi I’ve ever heard. Name a musical instrument, and if I’ve heard it through the Twin Head Mark II, it was more genuinely represented -- in terms of timbre, three-dimensionality, and sheer presence -- through it than any other headphone amp I’ve yet plugged my beloved Sennheiser HD-600 into. Same goes for any vocals I’ve heard through it. It is quiet (with careful, but easy-to-do, adjustment of two small adjustment knobs), and also capable of being very grand sounding, with the most realistic headstaging ability I’ve yet experienced from non-crossfeed headphone listening. And does it ever have touch.
As you’ve probably noticed, Joe Lau is quickly evolving Antique Sound Labs’ entire product line. It seems to be paying off already, with ASL’s new Hurricane monoblock (speaker-driving) amplifier receiving what might be the highest praise I’ve ever read Harry Pearson of The Absolute Sound heap on a piece of audio gear of any type. This Twin Head Mark II seems to be doing for me, so far, what the Hurricane did for Pearson. Even the MG Head has received a big design overhaul that has, as with this newest Twin Head, moved the power supply into its own completely separate chassis -- a very important move in my opinion. And, if this Twin Head Mark II is any indication, build quality is substantially improved since the days of the first-generation MG Head.
Any downsides to comment on at this early stage? Though the Twin Head Mark II has been absolutely glorious when driving the Sennheiser HD-600, it hasn’t been ideal with my Grado HP-1, sounding soft, and a bit blurred with it. I’m going to try tuberolling to see if there’s a combination I can find that’ll let the Twin Head Mark II do for the HP-1 what I know it can do for the HD-600. I haven’t yet tried this amp with my Etymotic ER-4S, but will be playing around with that combination beginning this coming weekend. The only other downside that comes to mind is a lack of crossfeed. As some of you may know, I’m a crossfeed kind o’guy, and stopped using it a couple weeks before the Twin Head Mark II arrived, in preparation for its arrival. I’m not over crossfeed, and don’t yet know if I could ever completely be. We’ll see -- if any amp could wean me off it, I'm guessing this could be the one. Again, though, i still find myself pining for crossfeed from time to time.
More comments about the Twin Head Mark II to come from me as I try more tube combos and headphones, leading to a full review. After some advice from Tash Goka (of Divergent Technologies) on which of the many tubes to roll first (between the Twin Head Mark II and its tubed power supply, there are ten tubes in total), I just picked up some NOS Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8's from a local tube seller to try in place of the stock JJ E88CC tubes. Thanks to Tash and Joe for answering all of my many questions so far.
Nick Dangerous, buddy, if you’re reading this: I think I’m starting to get the headphone hi-fi tube thing now; and, yeah, you told me so. Oh, and if you put together another tuberolling pack that would be compatible with this amp, please, man, sign me up!
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[size=xx-small]
The Twin Head Mark II (amp on the left, power supply on the right).[/size][/align]
[size=xx-small]Wadia 861 and Twin Head Mark II. Headphone is Sennheiser HD-600. Interconnects are Cardas Golden Reference, and headphone cable is also by Cardas.[/size][/align]
Okay, first things first....Nick Dangerous, prepare to see me take at least a nibble of crow. I used to tease NickMan about the tubes-in-headphone-hi-fi thing. Over the years, I've had some experience with what good tube gear can do in terms of driving speakers. My first foray into the world of tubed headphone amplification was with the first-generation Antique Sound Labs' MG Head. When it was working, it sounded very good for the price; however, even at its best, it was a good amp, with impressive price-performance, but one that didn't do much to separate itself from the solid state crowd in terms of general character. I did quite a bit of tuberolling with it, and, through this, was able to extract changes in tonal balance, alter its general presentation, and make minor adjustments in terms of headstaging ability -- but, again, no tube combination resulted in any aspect of performance that significantly differentiated it from solid state. In fact, I've since tried and owned several solid state amps that were more impressive (and, admittedly, more expensive), a few of which were substantially better in every way.
Needless to say, this first-generation MG Head experience had me wondering whether tubes in the world of headphone hi-fi really were worth the effort, and I've posted as much here in the forums. Additionally, two World of Headphones stops here in Detroit, and my experience with headphone hi-fi tubes ranged from not-so-great to great -- the overly syrupy Holmes-Powell; very pleasant, but not remarkably exciting, Cary; very impressive, but not astounding (to me), EAR HP-4; and, of course, the absolutely glorious Sennheiser Orpheus (I assumed it was more the Orpheus system’s headphone than its amp). NOTE: Before fans of these amps go jumping down my throat, I accept that the World of Headphones Tour, though insanely valuable for allowing us to experience so much different headphone hi-fi gear, isn't necessarily the ideal setting for critical listening. After these experiences -- the first-generation MG Head, and the World of Headphones Tour -- I had my doubts about whether tubed amplification was really capable of providing anything particularly special, anything truly different (than good-to-great solid state can) when it comes to headphone-amplifying (as opposed to speaker-amplifying, where, again, I’ve heard fundamental differences). I've had a few interesting exchanges with my friend Nick Dangerous on these forums, and even seriously suggested that maybe tube-lovin’ headphone hi-fi'ers simply dig the tube nostalgia, the fun(?) of tuberolling, and the warm glow of those pretty glass bottles. Well, about a couple of weeks ago, the Antique Sound Labs Twin Head Mark II arrived at my office. Based on the experiences I’ve just described, I wasn’t expecting much. But then....then I set up the Antique Sound Labs Twin Head Mark II and powered it up, and it quickly changed everything I previously thought about the role of tubes in headphone hi-fi -- and it made me wish I had Nick Dangerous’ phone number. Go ‘head, Nick, say that you told me so.
What I’ve written above is probably the rough, rough draft of the beginning of still another review that I’m going to have to write, but one that I’ll look forward to developing as I continue to listen to this piece of gear that has so far been phenomenal. It’s still early, and so I don’t want to say too much more yet, but I can say that the Twin Head Mark II is part of what might possibly be the best headphone hi-fi I’ve ever heard. Name a musical instrument, and if I’ve heard it through the Twin Head Mark II, it was more genuinely represented -- in terms of timbre, three-dimensionality, and sheer presence -- through it than any other headphone amp I’ve yet plugged my beloved Sennheiser HD-600 into. Same goes for any vocals I’ve heard through it. It is quiet (with careful, but easy-to-do, adjustment of two small adjustment knobs), and also capable of being very grand sounding, with the most realistic headstaging ability I’ve yet experienced from non-crossfeed headphone listening. And does it ever have touch.
As you’ve probably noticed, Joe Lau is quickly evolving Antique Sound Labs’ entire product line. It seems to be paying off already, with ASL’s new Hurricane monoblock (speaker-driving) amplifier receiving what might be the highest praise I’ve ever read Harry Pearson of The Absolute Sound heap on a piece of audio gear of any type. This Twin Head Mark II seems to be doing for me, so far, what the Hurricane did for Pearson. Even the MG Head has received a big design overhaul that has, as with this newest Twin Head, moved the power supply into its own completely separate chassis -- a very important move in my opinion. And, if this Twin Head Mark II is any indication, build quality is substantially improved since the days of the first-generation MG Head.
Any downsides to comment on at this early stage? Though the Twin Head Mark II has been absolutely glorious when driving the Sennheiser HD-600, it hasn’t been ideal with my Grado HP-1, sounding soft, and a bit blurred with it. I’m going to try tuberolling to see if there’s a combination I can find that’ll let the Twin Head Mark II do for the HP-1 what I know it can do for the HD-600. I haven’t yet tried this amp with my Etymotic ER-4S, but will be playing around with that combination beginning this coming weekend. The only other downside that comes to mind is a lack of crossfeed. As some of you may know, I’m a crossfeed kind o’guy, and stopped using it a couple weeks before the Twin Head Mark II arrived, in preparation for its arrival. I’m not over crossfeed, and don’t yet know if I could ever completely be. We’ll see -- if any amp could wean me off it, I'm guessing this could be the one. Again, though, i still find myself pining for crossfeed from time to time.
More comments about the Twin Head Mark II to come from me as I try more tube combos and headphones, leading to a full review. After some advice from Tash Goka (of Divergent Technologies) on which of the many tubes to roll first (between the Twin Head Mark II and its tubed power supply, there are ten tubes in total), I just picked up some NOS Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8's from a local tube seller to try in place of the stock JJ E88CC tubes. Thanks to Tash and Joe for answering all of my many questions so far.
Nick Dangerous, buddy, if you’re reading this: I think I’m starting to get the headphone hi-fi tube thing now; and, yeah, you told me so. Oh, and if you put together another tuberolling pack that would be compatible with this amp, please, man, sign me up!
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The Twin Head Mark II (amp on the left, power supply on the right).[/size][/align]
