[N15M0]

Can anyone compare this amp against the eddie current zana deux s and DNA stratus? I know that they are not on the same level in terms of pricing. I am mainly using the amp with the LCD3 and HD800s. Thanks. 

 

[comzee]

  Can anyone compare this amp against the eddie current zana deux s and DNA stratus? I know that they are not on the same level in terms of pricing. I am mainly using the amp with the LCD3 and HD800s. Thanks. 

I put in an order for an iha-1 a few days ago.
I just recently listened to ZDS, and have heard Stratus. 
I'll update you when I get it. 

 

[jelt2359]

It was a question of Size. Lundahl makes compact sized transformers. They fit perfectly in the left over internal space.

Thanks! Were the Lundahl power/opts ever considered as well? Just wondering how the final trafos were chosen- as you said Lundahl have a stirling reputation, so I'm curious why they weren't selected for the other trafos.

 

[Xcalibur255]

I would imagine they might be hesitant to give out information like this, but my personal assumption from the beginning was that they were coming from Cary Audio, or whoever custom winds them for Cary if it's not all in house.  That's just my own guess, not a fact.

 

[decoratingdiva2]

Thanks! Were the Lundahl power/opts ever considered as well? Just wondering how the final trafos were chosen- as you said Lundahl have a stirling reputation, so I'm curious why they weren't selected for the other trafos.

Lundahl output and power transformers for the Dragon Inspire IHA-1 tube headphone amplifier would be almost twice the size, thus requiring a bigger chassis.
 
The cost of the transformers are also substantially higher, meaning big price difference in the unit.
 
Maybe in the future we will do a version with these. We wanted a more affordable amp with top notch performance.

 

[drubrew]

  I would imagine they might be hesitant to give out information like this, but my personal assumption from the beginning was that they were coming from Cary Audio, or whoever custom winds them for Cary if it's not all in house.  That's just my own guess, not a fact.

The stock transformers do not come from Cary Audio. And neither does anything from the amp. Dennis is no longer affiliated with Cary Audio. He retired and sold his piece of the pie The Transformers are custom wound for us by a manufacturer that would not be well known.

 

[Xcalibur255]

My guess is going to be Edcor or Heyboer then.  I totally want a cookie if I guessed right. 
 
Or, if I want to throw a wild left field guess out there........ maybe O'netics?  They way people describe the sound of Bud Purvine's iron resembles the sonic signature of the IHA-1 a lot.
 
Either way thanks for checking in with this thread and being a good sport Drew.

 

[drubrew]

  My guess is going to be Edcor or Heyboer then.  I totally want a cookie if I guessed right. 
 
Or, if I want to throw a wild left field guess out there........ maybe O'netics? 
 
Either way thanks for checking in with this thread and being a good sport Drew.

No cookie for you yet But thanks for the info on these 2 companies. Edcor looks very interesting. May have to buy some samples.

 

[Xcalibur255]

Haha, you replied while I was editing my post. 
 
The only other name that comes to mind would be One Electron, but they don't seem like they'd do custom.
 
edit:  I'm not throwing Hammond out there either because they're too well known and honestly the Inspire sounds too nice to have Hammond iron in it.
 
edit edit:  I suppose Electra-Print could do a custom like this too, but I thought they were in the "well known" category too.

 

[jelt2359]

Cinemag?

 

[Xcalibur255]

Cinemag?

 
I would chance that Cinemag is too expensive given the selling price of the IHA-1, but it's not impossible. 

 

[jelt2359]

Step up transformers on the input side seems like as good a way to get more gain as any.  The additional transformers will put a bit of their own sonic fingerprint on the amp. 

I own an amp with Lundahls.  They sound good but tend to have a "forward" quality to them.  Since the output trannies in the Inspire are the most laid back I've ever heard the overall combination might actually be pretty ideal.  The Inspire's fatigue free sound is its best quality IMO, but there are moments here and there where I think it's almost too laid back for its own good.

Sent mine in for the upgrade!

 

[comzee]

Got my IHA-1 today.
Quick pick of it, plus fire-bottle in the back.
 

 
Now I just gotta wait for my Psvane tubes to really make it sing. 

 

[Xcalibur255]

You don't like your Melz tubes?

 

[N15M0]

How it compared to the ZDS and stratus?


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