[Spareribs]

Ok, my other question about the Ming Da:

Does it have a transformer or is it OTL?

 

[Spareribs]

Nevermind. I just e mailed Pacific Valve and the representative just informed me that it does have a transformer.

 

[Skylab]

The Ming-Da has an 8-ohm output impedance, which is pretty low and wouldn't seem to make the use of low-impedance headphones too big a problem...but I have still had some hum issues with it using lower impedance headphones.

One small gripe about the PV&E site - even though I told them a long time ago the rectifier tube is a 6E2, not a "6EZ", they have not changed the site. They just misread the tube - it's a 6E2, which is equivalent to the 6HU6/EM87.

 

[jdmoorman]

Skylab:
You have recommended, over various threads, several amps for use with the Beyer 600 ohm headphones,
Among them are the Ming-Da and the Woo 3/3+.
Could you comment on the relative suitability of these amps (or others of note?) for the 600s and how tube options impact the experience?
For folks who own Beyer 600s, and are entertaining an amp in the $400-$700 range, your experience and opinions would be quite beneficial.

 

[Skylab]

Well, the Ming-Da works very, very well, and with good tubes will run about $500. For the 600 ohm DT880 and DT770, the J Sound Lab works quite well, and is $400, but it's not a good match with the DT990 since it's quite warm and bassy, regardless of tubes used.

The Decware CSP-2 is actually my favorite with the 600 ohm Beyers, but it's $800.

 

[jdmoorman]

Thanks for the great input.
The CSP-2 recommendation can't be ignored, research underway.
What tubes have you found to complement the Beyer 600s for the Ming-Da and the CSP-2?

 

[Skylab]

Well...I like the ones I am using

Listed in my sig.

 

[jdmoorman]

Oh (duh!). Those Amperex are $$$!
Can you recommend a reasonable source?

 

[Skylab]

Unfortunately not really - you just have to poke around

 

[regal]

An SET headphone amp with an 8 ohm tap? It would seem that this would have trouble driving high impedance phones like Senns ?

 

[moodyrn]

It may seem like that, but it's actually the opposite. It excels at high impedance cans. It mates with my 600ohm cans better than my senns(which it also does a remarkable job at). I never go past 9:30-10:00 on my senns. At 12:00 on my 600ohm cans is insanely loud. Anything about 300 ohms or higher mates very well with this amp. Lower impedances not so much(which is why I use a 300ohm resistor with my ad1000s).

 

[jsplice]

I'm considering this amp to use with my HD650s. I bought an Audio-gd Compass thinking it would be a good match, but it's turning out to sound a bit too bright with this combination. Has anyone heard both the Compass and the Ming Da with the HD650s and care to comment on the differences? Thanks

 

[moodyrn]

I don't have the 650s, but do have the 580s. I also owned the compass and my mingda at the same time. The mingda sounded more organic and natural in comparison to the compass. There's also more slam and impact in comparison to the compass. Everything just seemed right to me. Believe it or not, treble was even more detailed without being bright with the mingda. The compass was brighter, but not as balanced. But don't get me wrong, I loved the compass. For what it cost, it's a very good value. But I think the mingda is the absolute best value when it comes to amps. You can pay a lot more and still get less.

 

[jsplice]

Thanks moodyrn for your input. I've contacted Pacific Valve about upgrading to the Ming Da, and am awaiting their response (they seem a bit hard to get in touch with). I've always had a low tolerance to even slightly bright sound, but I had hoped that all the reports of the HD650s sounding "warm" would balance out with the Compass; however, the 650's supposed warmth was not enough to counter act the brightness of the Compass for me. It will end up costing me a bit more in the end because I'll have to buy another Dac, but I think it will be well worth it, especially since you say the Ming Da has more power and sounds smoother at the same time.

 

[jsplice]

Well I went ahead and started the process to swap out the Compass for the Ming Da at Pacific Valve. They aren't in stock at the moment so I may have a short wait. In the meantime, I'll just the equalizer in Foobar to deal with the Compass. This thread is what gave me the push to do it. I do love smooth tube sound and I think I will be very pleased with this unit.