ilikebands
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2005
- Posts
- 39
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I'm somewhat of a noob in the realm of headphone amplifiers, having never heard a tube amp in my life and only budget solid state amps like the udac and pa2v2. Although I've read much in the debate between solid state and tube, I'm still not entirely clear on their differences. People may use words like "warm" and "lush" to describe tube amps, for instance, but that doesn't really explain much to me. I think the sound of the solid state gear I have been using can be very lush and warm.
I am currently pairing Sennheiser HD650 with a Yamaha AX-497, a solid state integrated amp. I love the detail and richness I perceive from the HD650 with this amp, but I'm wondering if I can improve the phones even more with a headphone amp more suited to my particular taste. I find that in most speakers and headphones that I've listened to, the sound can seem a little bit grainy and tinny. It is hard to describe, but often it just doesn't seem to me that the music I hear is pure, sparkling and unadulterated. Whily my HD650 sound excellent, they seem to be missing this sort of liquidy smooth sound that I'm searching for in my gear and can seem a bit grainy. Another way of putting this is that I have a tendency to prefer a more live and raw sound. I'd be willing to sacrifice detail if it meant I'd get this sort of sound out of my gear.
Will a tube amp give me what I'm looking for?
I am currently pairing Sennheiser HD650 with a Yamaha AX-497, a solid state integrated amp. I love the detail and richness I perceive from the HD650 with this amp, but I'm wondering if I can improve the phones even more with a headphone amp more suited to my particular taste. I find that in most speakers and headphones that I've listened to, the sound can seem a little bit grainy and tinny. It is hard to describe, but often it just doesn't seem to me that the music I hear is pure, sparkling and unadulterated. Whily my HD650 sound excellent, they seem to be missing this sort of liquidy smooth sound that I'm searching for in my gear and can seem a bit grainy. Another way of putting this is that I have a tendency to prefer a more live and raw sound. I'd be willing to sacrifice detail if it meant I'd get this sort of sound out of my gear.
Will a tube amp give me what I'm looking for?