[Capunk]

I would suggest you to take a good tubes amp, instead of solid state amp.

 

[rds]

I know a lot of people recommend tube amps for the k701s, but my experience is that tubes are not suited to these headphones for 2 reasons:
1. The k701s need an amp with good low frequency response to bring out the bass
2. They already have a strong midrange which becomes overblown by tubes.
My vote for a good solid state. A Gilmore or PPA are great choices if your budget can handle it.

 

[Capunk]

I'm using Lisa III for my recabled K701,
I agree the mids is already strong, but the bass is quite subtle, even I already crank up the bass knob.

K701 will benefit a lot from the tubes amp's sonic characteristic , this cans is just purely too dry.

 

[peepee-king]

Oh my. I want both a DV336i and k701... How do AD-900s fair with the DV336i? I may get an amp first. I'm actually waiting on the k702! (; Much prefer the dark blue to the mac white.

 

[Palantiri7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capunk /img/forum/go_quote.gif K701 will benefit a lot from the tubes amp's sonic characteristic , this cans is just purely too dry.

You know, I didn't realize this until I plugged them into the LD Mk II. The LD makes the K701 sound organic and smooth compared to their dry, rather cold, and analytic sound while attached to the NAD C352. I didn't really think that an amplifier could alter the sound of a pair of headphones like this, but now I'm a believer. I still have to get a handle on the changes in the bass. Also, break-in of the amp. continues...

 

[kres]

Thanks all and palantiry for your feedback

It seems the tubes amps are really worth trying.

I think I'm gonna get a little dot III (i have an opportunity so ...)

Keep discussing

 

[Cthulhu]

A UB 1202 or the new xyenix thing from behringer MIXERS / POWERED MIXERS - UB SERIES MIXERS - EURORACK UB1202 : Ultra Low-Noise Design 12-Input 2-Bus Mic/Line Mixer both have inbuilt headphone amplifiers that have sufficient power to drive any headphone (except electrostatics or others that need a specialist power supply) linearly to well above comfortable listening levels. You can pick them up for about 40 bucks with a bit of hunting around for clearance stock, 60-80 tops.

Downside is they are totally the ugliest things ever and may not be what you want in your listening area, or fit conveniently in the available space. No crossfeed either. But seriously way cheaper than your other options.

 

[dgbiker1]

I would argue that my source has made a bigger difference than the amp. Between the LD MkIII and my Mini^3 I hear maybe a 10% improvement in the MkIII. But when I upgraded my source from the line-out of my iPod to a proper DAC, it was easily a 20-30% improvement.

I absolutely recommend some kind of amp for the K701, but I would just bias my budget more towards the source side.

 

[ciphercomplete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgbiker1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would argue that my source has made a bigger difference than the amp. Between the LD MkIII and my Mini^3 I hear maybe a 10% improvement in the MkIII. But when I upgraded my source from the line-out of my iPod to a proper DAC, it was easily a 20-30% improvement. I absolutely recommend some kind of amp for the K701, but I would just bias my budget more towards the source side.

Yeah what he said. If you have a bad source that is your biggest issue. I owned a Little Dot MKIII for about a month before buying a Zero Dac. I can say without a doubt that upggrading my source was the biggest sound improvement I had ever experienced. Your amp is only as good as your source.

 

[wfranklin]

I can recommend both the MAD HD200 (same as HD+ Super) and Woo WA6 (max'd). Both around the same pricepoint (about $1K).

 

[kendal3334]

i think so
OTL tube amps commonly have the output impedance problem with low impedance phones, like k701
i also have 701, and lost in finding its partner as well

Quote:

Originally Posted by rds /img/forum/go_quote.gif I know a lot of people recommend tube amps for the k701s, but my experience is that tubes are not suited to these headphones for 2 reasons: 1. The k701s need an amp with good low frequency response to bring out the bass 2. They already have a strong midrange which becomes overblown by tubes. My vote for a good solid state. A Gilmore or PPA are great choices if your budget can handle it.

 

[pataburd]

The all-tube Darkvoice 336i and the tube/mosFET hybrid Bada PH-12 both served the K701 well, IMHE.

In the end, I preferred the Bada. : )

 

[robojack]

I'm in the process of getting a Darkvoice 332 for the K701s, anyone know if they'll fare well together?

 

[Murugesh]

I would suggest to look at Heed CanAmp or HeadRoom MicroAmp. Based on my expereince the above two amps would go well with K701