[broski]

im seriously considering the AKG K701's as my next pair of cans to purchase and was wondering which amp would be a better buy, the little dot mk III or the total bithead,
ive heard tube amps are great with the 701's, but im not exactly sure what a tube amp is, im a huge nooob when it comes to amps so if somebody could explain what the difference is that would be swell
thanks

 

[Paganini Alfredo]

I had the bithead and K701 as my first rig. I ended up getting rid of the K701s as they weren't my style of headphone so, I don't know how to answer your question of whether or not the Bithead is good enough! Well, I do remember the Bithead started clipping at fairly low listening levels.

 

[broski]

what exactly do you mean when you say it "starting clipping"??

 

[Paganini Alfredo]

The amp couldn't give enough juice to maintain a good level of sound quality at that particular volume you have it set to. I think that's what clipping is. The K701s aren't a particularly amp friendly headphone though and have special needs, and the Bithead isn't exactly a big enough fish for them. If you're looking for something further up in the HeadRoom line I'd suggest the Desktop amp.
 
But if you were still looking at a tube amp then I'm sure the Little Dot would be okay, but I have no experience with those. The nice thing about HeadRoom's stuff is that you get a DAC and the amp all in one box so you don't have to worry about interconnects and finding good "synergy" between the DAC/amp/headphones.

 

[broski]

yea i dont really wanna spend 800 dollars on an amp quite yet, im looking to spend no more than 350 on this one, and if theres a better one for the 701's somebody please let me know

 

[TheWuss]

my $.02 the k701/702 pairs well with the K.I.C.A.S. Caliente. the caliente is a somewhat warm sounding SS amp, and allows the k701 to be what it is - which is a fast, detailed phone. and, the caliente helps fill in (somewhat) the lack of bass and warmth. $349

 

[Bloodhowler]

Wuss how do you feel the WA6 is with th k701's?

 

[TheWuss]

 
Quote:

Wuss how do you feel the WA6 is with th k701's?

pretty good.  but, i don't like it as much as the caliente.

 

[SanJoseCanJunkie]

The Bithead is completely inadequate for the 70x.  The Headroom Microamp works just fine, however, and it is $350.

 

[baka1969]

Hi,

I hate to recommend something I have up for sale but I assure you I would suggest this either way. The 701 and the Millett Starving Student Hybrid Tube amp (MSSHT) match up very nicely. With the amp you get a taste of what tubes are about without spending a fortune.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Hi,

I hate to recommend something I have up for sale but I assure you I would suggest this either way. The 701 and the Millett Starving Student Hybrid Tube amp (MSSHT) match up very nicely. With the amp you get a taste of what tubes are about without spending a fortune.

I agree. When I heard the pairing it was very nice. The K701s work with hybrid amps, but IMHO, not so much with tube amps.