MayaTlab
1000+ Head-Fier
Hello,
I'm currently powering my HD650 with a TTVJ Slim as a temporary solution and looking for a better amp to power it. In, addition, I'm also looking, maybe, for a DAC and all that within 1000 euros if possible.
I've read conflicting things about pairing the Violectric amps or the Auditor with the HD600 / HD650. Has anybody tried those headphones (not the HD800 as it seems to be a different animal amping-wise) with those amps ? What were your impressions ? Any comparison with the BCL, or Apex Butte ?
I could simply buy one of them from Thomann and exchange / return it in case I'm not satisfied, but I certainly cannot buy two of them at the same time to return one later on.
Why those amps ? I'm looking for SS amps only, and from reliable, well-known manufacturers / designers. If you have any other ideas, please tell me. But I'm quite picky about what I see on a manufacture's website. As an example :
- I'lm very skeptical about the Burson HA160 despite it being mentioned as a good pairing with the HD650. Why ? First, Burson has changed several times the advertised specs - which doesn't seem much serious to me. Also, I'm skeptical about the virtues of a stepped atenuator on a 600 euros amp while some other amps with regular ALPS pots are also described as very detailed / articulated (example : the Butte). That seems like marketing BS to me.
- idem with SPL special op-amps reaching 120V peak to peak - not sure it's any more useful than regular op-amps for headphones (which will rarely use more than a few volts peak to peak). Also, SPL doesn't specify output impedance (but somehow I read somewhere it was 9 ohms).
- I'm very pleased when I see a thorough and detailed specification page à la Violectric, with clear power indications @ specific impedance, for example. It just feels professional (if the specs are right, which is another matter).
- I don't care about the internals as long as it seems it's roughly based on sensible ideas according to knowledgeable people. Example : I won't say that the fact the V100 uses "cheap" op-amps is boooooooo, as long as it's well implemented. I won't also say that SPL's fancy op-amps are bad, just that it seems the marketing around it is overblown.
- Another example of the stuff that makes me suspicious about amp design and marketing BS : while SPL clearly says that adding a relay in their circuit deteriorates SQ, Violectric says the exact contrary. Which one to believe ? Or is it because the different design topology has a different consequence on adding a relay or not ? In doubt I take the middle ground line : yes, it may have a small effect on SQ, but it's inconsequential in comparison to other design choices.
To conclude this paragraph : if an amp tends to satisfy both the so-called "subjectivist" camp and the "objectivist" one, then I'm getting even more interested by it.
It will only be using with the HD650, as I have no plans to upgrade (don't want to fall in the summit-fi wallet trap, even though I can clearly hear differences with lesser setups - it's just that I have other hobbies, so I'm looking for a good-enough setup). So it doesn't matter if the amp is reported as having a less than stellar performance with lower impedance headphones (I read that about the SPL - and it seems it was designed anyway for higher impedance headphones).
Many thanks if your have an opinion on the matter !
PS : As I'm looking for a new DAC a DAC + Amp combo is fine as well.
I'm currently powering my HD650 with a TTVJ Slim as a temporary solution and looking for a better amp to power it. In, addition, I'm also looking, maybe, for a DAC and all that within 1000 euros if possible.
I've read conflicting things about pairing the Violectric amps or the Auditor with the HD600 / HD650. Has anybody tried those headphones (not the HD800 as it seems to be a different animal amping-wise) with those amps ? What were your impressions ? Any comparison with the BCL, or Apex Butte ?
I could simply buy one of them from Thomann and exchange / return it in case I'm not satisfied, but I certainly cannot buy two of them at the same time to return one later on.
Why those amps ? I'm looking for SS amps only, and from reliable, well-known manufacturers / designers. If you have any other ideas, please tell me. But I'm quite picky about what I see on a manufacture's website. As an example :
- I'lm very skeptical about the Burson HA160 despite it being mentioned as a good pairing with the HD650. Why ? First, Burson has changed several times the advertised specs - which doesn't seem much serious to me. Also, I'm skeptical about the virtues of a stepped atenuator on a 600 euros amp while some other amps with regular ALPS pots are also described as very detailed / articulated (example : the Butte). That seems like marketing BS to me.
- idem with SPL special op-amps reaching 120V peak to peak - not sure it's any more useful than regular op-amps for headphones (which will rarely use more than a few volts peak to peak). Also, SPL doesn't specify output impedance (but somehow I read somewhere it was 9 ohms).
- I'm very pleased when I see a thorough and detailed specification page à la Violectric, with clear power indications @ specific impedance, for example. It just feels professional (if the specs are right, which is another matter).
- I don't care about the internals as long as it seems it's roughly based on sensible ideas according to knowledgeable people. Example : I won't say that the fact the V100 uses "cheap" op-amps is boooooooo, as long as it's well implemented. I won't also say that SPL's fancy op-amps are bad, just that it seems the marketing around it is overblown.
- Another example of the stuff that makes me suspicious about amp design and marketing BS : while SPL clearly says that adding a relay in their circuit deteriorates SQ, Violectric says the exact contrary. Which one to believe ? Or is it because the different design topology has a different consequence on adding a relay or not ? In doubt I take the middle ground line : yes, it may have a small effect on SQ, but it's inconsequential in comparison to other design choices.
To conclude this paragraph : if an amp tends to satisfy both the so-called "subjectivist" camp and the "objectivist" one, then I'm getting even more interested by it.
It will only be using with the HD650, as I have no plans to upgrade (don't want to fall in the summit-fi wallet trap, even though I can clearly hear differences with lesser setups - it's just that I have other hobbies, so I'm looking for a good-enough setup). So it doesn't matter if the amp is reported as having a less than stellar performance with lower impedance headphones (I read that about the SPL - and it seems it was designed anyway for higher impedance headphones).
Many thanks if your have an opinion on the matter !
PS : As I'm looking for a new DAC a DAC + Amp combo is fine as well.
