wmacky
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2009
- Posts
- 42
- Likes
- 3
I snagged one of these after reading the review here. I wasn't sure about the looks, but seeing it in the flesh, i'm digging it. Very unique, as it does look like a tiny vintage Westren Electric amp. Cool!
After a listening test, I'm liking alot of whatt i'm hearing, but not everything. Testing with only fair headphones, and original tubes, the sound is very very dynamic, and alive. I'm hearing things that i've never heard. All the instuments are distinct, and everything stands out and dazzles. This is in contrast to my other basic headphone sources which compared to the 301 sound flat, and dead.
Here's the issue. Almost all the vocals are deadly to the point of pain. Whats going on here? During soft passages the vocals are great, and so realistic. They sound Live. Then as the vocals pick up steam, they turn into a blinding glare! I'm not good at audio speak, but would describe it as Peircing, harsh, glaring. I didn't read any comments to this effect in the many from the review. Why would I have this issue? Could it be a upper midrange boost from the amp? Distortion? Headphone mismatch? The amp seems to be OK otherwise. No crackling, No obvious distortion from the rest of the music. The amp is also dead quite at full volume. I can't believe it would be a part, or wiring issue, as both channels appear the same. There's the issue of the stock tubes, but I can't believe that would change much, as the issue is really bad. To the point where I have to pull the phones off my head, or grab for the volume. (It's actually hurts a little).
The only other thing I can think of, is that the excess of available volume has me pushing the phones harder than the other cheap low volume sources I have. THis could be bringing out hidden defects in the phones. The issue is better at much lower volume. Still, it almost sounds like a upper midrange boost setting right on top of the vocals.
BTW, I do have audio generators, a THD analyzer, and an oscilloscope to test the unit if I knew what to look for. I'm new to test equipment! Also, I'll try hooking up speakers tommorow, as the real purpose for the amp, is nightstand bed time music.
This amp is so inexpensive, and looks so cool, that if I can't figure this out, i'd probally just keep it, and rewire for a different topology, as it is supposed to be P2P construction. Based on the review, I shouldn't have to do this?
After a listening test, I'm liking alot of whatt i'm hearing, but not everything. Testing with only fair headphones, and original tubes, the sound is very very dynamic, and alive. I'm hearing things that i've never heard. All the instuments are distinct, and everything stands out and dazzles. This is in contrast to my other basic headphone sources which compared to the 301 sound flat, and dead.
Here's the issue. Almost all the vocals are deadly to the point of pain. Whats going on here? During soft passages the vocals are great, and so realistic. They sound Live. Then as the vocals pick up steam, they turn into a blinding glare! I'm not good at audio speak, but would describe it as Peircing, harsh, glaring. I didn't read any comments to this effect in the many from the review. Why would I have this issue? Could it be a upper midrange boost from the amp? Distortion? Headphone mismatch? The amp seems to be OK otherwise. No crackling, No obvious distortion from the rest of the music. The amp is also dead quite at full volume. I can't believe it would be a part, or wiring issue, as both channels appear the same. There's the issue of the stock tubes, but I can't believe that would change much, as the issue is really bad. To the point where I have to pull the phones off my head, or grab for the volume. (It's actually hurts a little).
The only other thing I can think of, is that the excess of available volume has me pushing the phones harder than the other cheap low volume sources I have. THis could be bringing out hidden defects in the phones. The issue is better at much lower volume. Still, it almost sounds like a upper midrange boost setting right on top of the vocals.
BTW, I do have audio generators, a THD analyzer, and an oscilloscope to test the unit if I knew what to look for. I'm new to test equipment! Also, I'll try hooking up speakers tommorow, as the real purpose for the amp, is nightstand bed time music.
This amp is so inexpensive, and looks so cool, that if I can't figure this out, i'd probally just keep it, and rewire for a different topology, as it is supposed to be P2P construction. Based on the review, I shouldn't have to do this?
