[applevalleyjoe]

Any recommendations for headphone amplifiers which are best suited for classical, guitar, and piano music? I recently read an evaluation which suggested the RSA SR71 followed by the Hornet (M). It looks like the new Lisa III might also be suitable. I've not personally heard any of these three. What do you think? I have a Senn HD600 and a AKG701.

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by applevalleyjoe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Any recommendations for headphone amplifiers which are best suited for classical, guitar, and piano music? I recently read an evaluation which suggested the RSA SR71 followed by the Hornet (M). It looks like the new Lisa III might also be suitable. I've not personally heard any of these three. What do you think? I have a Senn HD600 and a AKG701.

Does it have to be portable? Cause all of the above are, but you will get better bang for the bug with home amps. Honestly any amp should be great with classical, but my guess is the best one would be the most neutral one, so GS-1 should be worth taking a look at.

 

[AudioDwebe]

In their price range I think the Heed Canamp is a good choice. I've got the 701's and a pair of HD650's and the amp drives them both superbly with all types of music.

Sorry for suggesting a home amp if you were specifically looking for a portable one. But since you're retired in Apple Valley, I thought you might want to stay indoors and out of the baking sun.

Good luck in your search.

Go Jackrabbits!

 

[wae5]

The thing that matters most in a classical amp is the ability to create a layered 3D soundstage. My LD MKIV SE does this is spades and I'm sure there must be others I haven't heard that do this too but after hearing this there's no way I'd own an amp that doesn't do this.

 

[Frihed89]

To make the most of classical music you will need a n amp with a large power supply with lots of filtering capacity. I have a Rega Ear and a Single Power MPX3 SLAM SE. The two don't sound vastly different on pop music, but on big, fast symphonic music, the Rega just cant keep up with the music. In fact the SP is also a little slow.

A really good head amp for classical is made by NAIM Audio in the UK, provided you buy it with the desk top power supply.

 

[tbonner1]

Quote:

you will need a n amp with a large power supply with lots of filtering capacity.

This is so important and I do not know why this is not discussed more often.

I would say you should go with a tube amp with a lush sound for classical.

 

[wae5]

Large is more than just heavy, right? Please explain what a large power supply is.

 

[F107plus5]

"Large" is a power supply bigger and more powerful than the power supply in my home theater receiver designed to drive 135 watts per channel times 7....

....for an amp that puts out a total of 1 watt.

Yes; I'm being silly here; but it is interesting, innit?

....I think of the difference between the Elpac wal-wart and the Dedicated Power Supply for the Glite; for example.

 

[ADD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbonner1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is so important and I do not know why this is not discussed more often. I would say you should go with a tube amp with a lush sound for classical.

Yes, In my opinion only tubes can claim to approach any sort of accuracy in reproducing string sound. I played the violin for nearly 30 years and it always grates on me that recording and audio reproducing technology is still not especially accurate at reproducing the live timbre of a violin (though lower pitch strings seem to fare better). Still, tubes are much closer to the live sound of a violin than solid state.

 

[spacemanspliff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADD /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, In my opinion only tubes can claim to approach any sort of accuracy in reproducing string sound. I played the violin for nearly 30 years and it always grates on me that recording and audio reproducing technology is still not especially accurate at reproducing the live timbre of a violin (though lower pitch strings seem to fare better). Still, tubes are much closer to the live sound of a violin than solid state.

Agreed. The Darkvoice Amps do a superb job with Classical. I have the 332 and it does strings NICE.

 

[audiofil]

Earmax SE

 

[Agent Kang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by applevalleyjoe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Any recommendations for headphone amplifiers which are best suited for classical, guitar, and piano music? I recently read an evaluation which suggested the RSA SR71 followed by the Hornet (M). It looks like the new Lisa III might also be suitable. I've not personally heard any of these three. What do you think? I have a Senn HD600 and a AKG701.

Hi, what is your source? I'd personally go for tubes. Darkvoice seems like a safe bet, although I've never heard it personally so I can't give my support for it. I own the Woo6 and it sounds fantastic for classical. But mind you, I've heard greater improvements in upgrading my DAC than my amp.

 

[warsurferX]

Mapletree Ear+ - tube
Lehmann Black cube - SS

 

[tbonner1]

Which headphone do you prefer for classical, or do you you use both?

 

[wae5]

If big power supplies are absolutely essential why would we ever have threads like this?

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...ight=reference