K1000--a Solid state amp that works

[Jon L]

Just wanted to let you know a great SS amp to try with K1000. Just on a whim, I hooked up my K1000 to Marsh A200S solid state amp (125 WPC 8 ohms), and the combo was smoking. I was expecting a letdown after listening to my VAC Renaissance 30 tube amp, but not SO. The combo is detailed, extended, neutral, with that dose of extra sexy midrange magic. It's working so well, I honestly can't choose between the VAC and Marsh for K1000.

For those of us who want to assemble a great non-headphone system but want to retain first-rate headphone system without much expense, set up a system around Marsh A200S/decent speakers, then get the K1000. It's a real killer.

FYI, all my results are with DIY Vampire wire K1000 cable (wouldn't be caught dead with the stock cables...)

 

[HappymaN]

Interesting.

How did the Vampire cable change the sound of your K1000?

I've found that my nOrh SE9 sounds so good driving my speakers, that my K1000's are getting minimal use.

Oh well.

 

[Nightfall]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon L Just wanted to let you know a great SS amp to try with K1000. Just on a whim, I hooked up my K1000 to Marsh A200S solid state amp (125 WPC 8 ohms), and the combo was smoking. I was expecting a letdown after listening to my VAC Renaissance 30 tube amp, but not SO. The combo is detailed, extended, neutral, with that dose of extra sexy midrange magic. It's working so well, I honestly can't choose between the VAC and Marsh for K1000.

Wow, thats really saying something. I wouldnt think there were many amps anywhere that could hang with the VAC. Impressive.


JC

 

[wallijonn]

http://www.800stereo.com/prods/marsh-A200s.html

well, that's out of my price range...

 

[kuma]

I'll bet Rowland or Primare 30.1A also would work well with K1k for solid state choices.
Or I didn't try it when we had a pair, but, Nagra MPA would have been good, too.

 

[Jon L]

The DIY vampire wire actually does NOT soften the sound over stock cord. The stock cable's problem IMO is that it has fairly sizzly treble which is out of proportion to compressed/recessed midrange. Bass is also attenuated compared with treble, so treble stands out like a sore thumb.

The Vampire wire does not attenuate the treble at all, extending and cleaning it more. Main thing it does is bring forward the midrange and bass to match the treble for an even balance and more revealing of upstream. Listen to a good female vocal with stock and Vampire, and you'd be surprised how much detail was missing.

Of course, DON't try this without impeccable front-end components/cables/power cords. I'm running Resolution Audio Opus 21 direct into VAC or Marsh with Nordost quattro Fil, using Electraglide Fatman as power cord for amps...

 

[HappymaN]

How much does the Vampire cables cost to construct?

 

[Calanctus]

I suppose ANY good solid state amp would work well with the K1000...? Too much power might not be good (too easy to blow the drivers) but otherwise the K1000 could probably be considered to be a pair of speakers that you just happen to hang off the sides of your head.

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by Calanctus I suppose ANY good solid state amp would work well with the K1000...?

Like you said, k1k is a ear SPEAKER. As long as power is available, most solid state can drive 'em. But, beyond that, you can *flavor* k1k as you like. For my preference, I like a warmish amp that can add some harmonic richness to otherwise generally lean sounding k1k.

When I tried the pair with ATC preamp and Bel Canto's eVo, I wanted touch more body, for instance.

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by Calanctus I suppose ANY good solid state amp would work well with the K1000...? Too much power might not be good (too easy to blow the drivers) but otherwise the K1000 could probably be considered to be a pair of speakers that you just happen to hang off the sides of your head.

I agree. I don't think the K1K requires anything fancy to sound great. I use mine with a Philips 963SA and Yamaha A1000 IA and am perfectly satisfied. IMO, this setup sounds better than my HA-2-CD3K/W2002/DT880/HD600, etc.

 

[printed_jim]

Quote:

Originally posted by Spad IMO, this setup sounds better than my HA-2-CD3K/W2002/DT880/HD600, etc.

Wow!!! Pretty head-on statemet there, Spad. So does this mean that if I get the K1K and match it with, say, a PPA in the future, I'd get more than enough oomph of a mini system that can satisfy most thirst that members here crave?

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by printed_jim Wow!!! Pretty head-on statemet there, Spad. So does this mean that if I get the K1K and match it with, say, a PPA in the future, I'd get more than enough oomph of a mini system that can satisfy most thirst that members here crave?

Nope. Trust me, nothing will satisfy that craving that most of us here have.

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by printed_jim Wow!!! Pretty head-on statemet there, Spad. So does this mean that if I get the K1K and match it with, say, a PPA in the future, I'd get more than enough oomph of a mini system that can satisfy most thirst that members here crave?

i would bet that k1k with even modest electronics would give pretty satisfaying experience. but, k1k is ear speakers. not sure if you can say 'better' than other fone system. surely diffrent.

 

[TimSchirmer]

The fact that you can put your potential headphone amp money towards a REAL amp is too good to pass up. After hearing them with the CAV-50, I'm tempted.

 

[Spad]

The only downside I find to them is being tethered to a huge amp. But when things get serious and I really want to focus on the music, nothing does it for me like the K1000 with a big ol' class A amp.

I think of my various amp and 'phone combinations almost like rooms or concert halls. Some present like small jazz clubs (Etys) and others like the Met (CD3K, W2002). Better than any I've heard, the K1K does both. Despite this, they are actually the least versatile of the lot because of their power requirements.

See, we really need a couple of dozen of these damnable things.