K1000 for amp?

[smeggy]

I have a conundrum.
I own 2 pairs of K1000s, I was planning on getting a good/decent (not overly expensive) amp to use with them but life is getting in the way, things happened, cash was spent etc. You know the story...

So anyway, my question is this:
Do you think I should I swap one set for a good second-hand amp so I can run the other set really well or keep both and run both adequately?

I'd like to keep both as I use one for work and one for home but I'm hearing neither set optimally and have never heard them out of a good modern amp. I'm using a old NAD pre and Hafler MOSFET power amp for one set and a Firestone Big Joe for the other. It's ok and I love the sound though I'm sure they can do better. I certainly can't afford to buy a Firstwat or Sig 30 and if I did decide to swap what would be a good match and fair swap for a K1000?

Thoughts appreciated.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I would hang on to both pairs. I'd look at other options, especially building an amp.

 

[smeggy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would hang on to both pairs. I'd look at other options, especially building an amp.

I have all the electronics and soldering skills of a turnip. As much as I'd love to build my own amp I'm hopeless

 

[foo_me]

I'd sell one and get the best amp you can afford to really hear them shine.
And if it's still you're sound, look for another later down the road...

 

[Don Quichotte]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would hang on to both pairs. I'd look at other options, especially building an amp.

x2! Even if you feel hopeless with respect to the DIY realm, you should still try building something that's been done before if you can find all the steps carefully explained somewhere around here. Of course, there's a risk involved... Perhaps you could try the Firstwatt F2, there is at least one blog dedicated to it in the DIY forum. It supposedly sounds good and then you could teach me afterwards how to build mine

I would find very hard to part with one of my K1000s if I had two. And then, how would I choose which one stays and which one leaves?

 

[progo]

I don't know much about the markets of K1000 but aren't these gaining value over time? I wouldn't sell them for too cheap.

 

[smeggy]

Well it's a difficult problem just because I love them so but I'd really like to hear them properly and simply have no cash. I imagine even the parts for an F1/2 would add up to a lot. If I did make an amp and it didn't work once finished I'd have no idea where to turn that wouldn't cost far more to fix it as I'd have no clue being a thicky.

I guess I could always be more patient and wait until I can replenish some funds, that could mean a very long wait. It's annoying because I make a good amount but my expenses are equally high.

 

[Don Quichotte]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well it's a difficult problem just because I love them so but I'd really like to hear them properly and simply have no cash. I imagine even the parts for an F1/2 would add up to a lot. If I did make an amp and it didn't work once finished I'd have no idea where to turn that wouldn't cost far more to fix it as I'd have no clue being a thicky. I guess I could always be more patient and wait until I can replenish some funds, that could mean a very long wait. It's annoying because I make a good amount but my expenses are equally high.

The parts for an F2 would make something like $400 or 500. Check these two threads:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/fir...ld-log-218952/
and
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/ano...ld-log-233212/
I sympathize with your fears, but I suppose that, with all the help of the knowledgeable folks around here, you would end up with a functional amp no matter what. I am decided to build one myself and I am about as experienced a DIY-er as you are or worse (never soldered anything but cables in my whole life). There comes a time when one should grab the bull by the horns!

My time will be not so soon, unfortunately, as I will not be able to spend another half a grand in this hobby for another year or so.
Three things I like about the F2 idea:
1. seems reasonably easy to build, with few parts and the two threads liked above providing detailed explanations with pics
2. I like the idea of a warm and fast amp with full bass for the K1000
3. I feel safer as far as the K1000s are concerned with an amp which should have no DC offset on the outputs (unlike the F1!!)

Seriously, think about it.

 

[OptionTrader]

I would keep both K1000s. I'm actually looking for a third set now because I'm such a pig and I absolutely love mine through the F1!

 

[smeggy]

thanks all, I'll go read the logs and see what's involved.

 

[Sovkiller]

Get one fo the t-amps, for now, and keep both, I have Yu Long T-amp version that is not that espensive, and will drive them easily, of course it will not be a nirvana, but you will be happy for a while...

 

[kugino]

i'd sell one and get an amp worthy of the k1000. i'd much prefer having one awesome k1000/amp set over two so-so setups.

 

[snejk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sovkiller /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get one fo the t-amps, for now, and keep both, I have Yu Long T-amp version that is not that espensive, and will drive them easily, of course it will not be a nirvana, but you will be happy for a while...

If I'm not mistaken Smeggy has been using the Firestone Big Joe, which I believe is a t-amp design, for quite a while now and is looking for the next step without breaking the bank. As do I, so I'm also curious and intrigued by the DIY alternatives but being a total DIY-noob I'm a bit afraid of taking the step.

 

[smeggy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by snejk /img/forum/go_quote.gif If I'm not mistaken Smeggy has been using the Firestone Big Joe, which I believe is a t-amp design, for quite a while now and is looking for the next step without breaking the bank. As do I, so I'm also curious and intrigued by the DIY alternatives but being a total DIY-noob I'm a bit afraid of taking the step.

The Big Joe is Op Amp based, I use my t-amps for my Staxes.

 

[snejk]

Oops, sorry my wrong.

But I'm still interested in this topic