[daba]

So I've been in the neighborhood for a balanced amplifier. There have been several threads listed already on this topic but they're scattered. However, many are inconclusive and frustrating as to where to get these amps, and at what price. I've included discussions and impressions as links in the following text:

Balanced Gilmore - $795 (sft Audio)
Balanced M3 - $880 (sft Audio) to $1500 (Rockhopper Audio); Discussions: Link
Headamp GS-X - $1600 (Headamp); Discussions: Link
Dynamight - $1800 to $3000+ (sft Audio); Purchases: Link, Link
Headroom balanced amplifiers ($2300-6000, approx.)
Supra XLR - $3500 (SinglePower)
SDS XLR - $7500-15 000 (SinglePower); Purchases: Link

Other discussions/purchases links:
Balanced amps for HD650

Anyone else want to add to this list? I was surveying my options and figured this information would be useful to all.

Edit: Thanks to many for the price correction.

 

[Salt Peanuts]

Current line of HeadRoom's balanced amps start at $2300, not $1000.

 

[TheSloth]

You can spec up a balanced max to about $6000, so you might want to update that too.

 

[grandenigma1]

Hawaii... there are two of you going so thats balanced right

 

[woodcans]

Supra XLR is offered by Singlepower. Not sure base price but probably in low $thousands.

 

[Hirsch]

Singlepower has a balanced Supra which is far less expensive than the SDS-XLR.

 

[PFKMan23]

If I'm not mistaken, the SDS XLR is around $11-15k. The Supra XLR is 3.5k.

 

[Jahn]

I believe a Benchmark DAC1, a Grace m901 or m902, and the Apgoee MiniDAC all have balanced outputs with adjustable line out, so you can use them to directly amp your can.

 

[grandenigma1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn I believe a Benchmark DAC1, a Grace m901 or m902, and the Apgoee MiniDAC all have balanced outputs with adjustable line out, so you can use them to directly amp your can.

He is using the DAC1 right now

the Grace 901 only has blanced inputs, no outputs.

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKMan23 If I'm not mistaken, the SDS XLR is around $11-15k. The Supra XLR is 3.5k.

My SDS-XLR was $7.2K. Might have been a little low due to the fact it was the first but I would think pretty close to what the base models are now.
Also Mikhail will build any model he makes in balanced form.

 

[PFKMan23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins My SDS-XLR was $7.2K. Might have been a little low due to the fact it was the first but I would think pretty close to what the base models are now. Also Mikhail will build any model he makes in balanced form.

Now I don't know when your SDS was built, but I've seen figures from 8k-15k for an SDS XLR. Just looking at the state of the market, I'm guessing no lower than about 10k, for it's current price. Now I know that PATB just ordered one a short while ago, so perhaps he could lend his thoughts. And yes, he can build any mobel balanced. I've discussed with Mikhail about getting a balanced MPX3, but he tells me that he'd need a different chasis for it.

 

[Teerawit]

OP, i really don't think Rockhopper's balanced M3 will be $1500.

 

[daba]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandenigma1 He is using the DAC1 right now ...

Yes, that's right. I'm using the DAC1 balanced out and I'm not too pleased with it. I've been very tempted to get that Lavry Black DA10. On that note, Jahn, we could use a balanced headphone on the DA10 as well, or any DAC with balanced outputs.

 

[PFKMan23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teerawit OP, i really don't think Rockhopper's balanced M3 will be $1500.

I've PMed thrice and he even psoted the prelimanary price on his website which would be 1500 USD, what makes you thin it won't be around there?

 

[tkam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teerawit OP, i really don't think Rockhopper's balanced M3 will be $1500.

It clearly states $1500 here: http://homepage.mac.com/skatsaounis/...erAudio/m3.htm

PFKMan the sds-xlr does start at around $7k mark.