[Barthandelus]

 
Man you guys were right about this thing, it really needs an amp
Its sounding like the drivers are not performing optimally because of the lack of power from my zune or on-board soundcard
the high pitched sounds are painful and bass is weak .. starting to miss my old Bose triports
 
So my budget is 200 max and I'm looking for an amp which will save my K701s ... might need it with a DAC since i don't have a soundcard
Are there any mainstream ones that comes to mind?
 
 

 

[TheWuss]

there are lots of options for a dac/amp at $200.  take care to read through some other posts here.
and, once you find something interesting, look at the specs (inputs, outputs, etc.)
 
1.  audio-gd sparrow
2.  matrix m-stage
3.  audinst hud mx-1
4.  maverick audio tubemagic
 
i might recommend stretching your budget by 50 bucks or a little more.  that puts you into solid territory with some very well reputed products...
 
some words of "wisdom". 
steer away from the hifiman ef2a.  i have it, and it isn't suitable for the k701/k702.  not enough power, in my opinion.
 
also steer away from portable (battery powered), or small usb-powered options like the nuforce udac.  nice, for what it is, but simply not enough power to make a big difference over a soundcard with the k701.  the dac will give you an appreciable difference, but the amp... i dunno.  i've listened to that combo and didn't really feel that the k702 was being powered to its fullest.
 
and i'm hoping some other folks will chime in with more.

 

[Barthandelus]

 
thanks for the suggestions
 
ok new max budget is ~250
 
This is going to be stationary, space is not an issue.
 
I'm also looking for those amps with the  tubes sticking out (visible) ... or is that too much for my budget?
I've heard that tube amps need maintenance??
 
 
 

 

[TheWuss]

you may be able to get a little dot amp for 250.  but, certainly won't get the dac along with it.
probably best to stay solid state amp/dac... 
audio-gd sparrow, i think, represents the best quality at this price point, from all i've read.

 

[kunalraiker]

Quote:

you may be able to get a little dot amp for 250.  but, certainly won't get the dac along with it.
probably best to stay solid state amp/dac... 
audio-gd sparrow, i think, represents the best quality at this price point, from all i've read.

I would agree about the audio gd sparrow.

 

[kboe]

You might look at Whiplash Audio's Mini Starving Student.  Its 180.00.  Save up a little longer, and later get the uDAC to feed it a proper signal off your computer.  Just don't give up on those 701's.

 

[Happy Camper]

Instructions come with how to change oil in the caps, re-wrap resistors and transformers and top off the air in the tubes.
 
Problem with tube amps in the budget market is that the cheapest parts are used to meet the budget. Tube amps need a higher voltage/current power supply than an ss amp. The only thing a tube amp would need is a replacement tube. That may not be needed in your lifetime. Most of us like to tube roll the amp to get the sound we like best for the headphone used.
 
I do believe your 701s will get better as you use them. You won't get nearly the potential out of them unless you do amp them. The exception is a receiver with a good headphone out.

 

[kboe]

True,
Forgot to mention that TONS of burn in are "needed" to reach their potential.

 

[the_equalizer]

In my opinion the Millett 'Starving Student' hybrid is a great amp for the K701s and is less than 200 (much less if you DIY).

 

[Barthandelus]

starving student, sounds like it fits my demographic

It also looks great with visible tubes
Its 180 for the assembled version but where would i go to for DIY guide?
 
Other one that looks good is the maverick audio tubemagic as suggested by thewuss
 
and also, Little Dot MK III looks really nice and reviews are excellent from what I've read
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/309855/review-of-the-little-dot-mkiii-tube-headphone-amp-pre-amp
 
 
but the LD MKIII and starving student don't have a DAC so I am planning to buy a cheap x-fi for 40 ish to compensate
 
 
 
 

 

[Happy Camper]

For your budget, a hybrid would be your best bet. The gain stage is tube driven and the output stage is ss. This gives you the taste of tubes with the performance of ss for a decent price.

 

[Rotomoto]

Check this thread out regarding k701's and the Shanling PH100
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/475918/shanling-ph100/0

 

[Barthandelus]

 
Right now, I am leaning towards the Maverick D1's since its a hybrid (with tubes) dac/amp
 
the starving student is just an amp and I never tried any electronic DIYs so might screw it up
 
the little dot Mk3's are not even sold anymore
 
No point on buying it on a weekend since it won't ship any faster.
 
Still open to suggestions!

 

[Nakattack]

From what I've read, the Matrix M-Stage seems like a great match with the 701's. There are a few people with the combo who have posted positive things in the M-Stage thread.

 

[VALIENTE]

Hi Barthandelus, good to know you have a good headphone. My K701 with a porta amp PA2V2 sound leveled or even greater with my Grado SR60. I assume if you pair it with a big desktop amp that has synergy with K701, you will be in sound heaven. By the way my amp just costs $60. You have a bigger budget, definitely better than my set-up. Based on my research, the following amps has synergy match with K701, which one of them I am buying for myself.
 
1. Audio GD C2C or Audio GD C2 from Kingwa of China
2. Little Dot MKV from Audiophile China
3. Musical Fidelity X-Can V8
4. Woo Audio WA6
5. Burson HA-160
6. __________________
 
Any unit from the list above, I assume will guarantee you musical bliss, which many users agreed. I am also buying one from the list, and what will that be is a surprise one.

 
P.S. Below is my review of Grado SR60 VS AKG K701
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/463718/grado-sr60-vs-akg-k701/0