[gordec]

I have been using the Atom as a speaker amp to drive KEF LS50 for the the past 2 months. I wanted a lifestyle piece of gear where I don't have to worry about stacking boxes, etc. It sounds just fantastic as a speaker amp. This week, I wanted to try it as a DAC/Preamp for Liquid Platinum. The result is actually fantastic. The Atom only has SE RCA output, and it's preamp only. So you are double amping if you use a dedicated headphone amp. However, many Liquid Platinum owners use it with a preamp anyways. The end result from Atom->LP->HD800 is a very musical, analogue sound. It takes all the edginess away from the HD800. Bass is spectacular for HD800 (this is probably more the LP than the Atom).

The Atom is not cheap, but if you want both speaker amp and a source for headphone amp, I think it's a very good option. I use it almost exclusively with Tidal.

 

[BreadMaster]

I have been using the Atom as a speaker amp to drive KEF LS50 for the the past 2 months. I wanted a lifestyle piece of gear where I don't have to worry about stacking boxes, etc. It sounds just fantastic as a speaker amp. This week, I wanted to try it as a DAC/Preamp for Liquid Platinum. The result is actually fantastic. The Atom only has SE RCA output, and it's preamp only. So you are double amping if you use a dedicated headphone amp. However, many Liquid Platinum owners use it with a preamp anyways. The end result from Atom->LP->HD800 is a very musical, analogue sound. It takes all the edginess away from the HD800. Bass is spectacular for HD800 (this is probably more the LP than the Atom).

The Atom is not cheap, but if you want both speaker amp and a source for headphone amp, I think it's a very good option. I use it almost exclusively with Tidal.

What happened to your slushvara?

 

[Catharus]

@gordec Are you still enjoying this combination? If comparing to the 3.5mm jack directly on your Atom, what are your thoughts?

Using a Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow, I’m enjoying the sound directly from my Atom. But every now and then the upgrade bug hits...

 

[gordec]

@gordec Are you still enjoying this combination? If comparing to the 3.5mm jack directly on your Atom, what are your thoughts?

Using a Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow, I’m enjoying the sound directly from my Atom. But every now and then the upgrade bug hits...

I left the headphone game. I upgraded from Atom to the Nova and use it in the livingroom with speakers. I think if you are only listening to headphones, get a dedicated headphone amp. If you are a hybrid listener, speakers and headphones, the Atom sounds really good consider it's just a 3.5mm output. I think there is a psychological bias when you are not using a piece of gear that's dedicated to headphones. You don't think it's suppose to sound as good as a dedicated headphone amp, but in reality, it may be just as good if not better. I would say if you love it keep using it. The headphone circuit comes off the main amp section for speaker's. Naim never released the measurements, but it's a class A amp so it's got power. It sounded very clean to me also.

 

[Catharus]

Thank you Sir. I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Happy Camper]

Have you considered having a HP adapter made to feed them from the speaker taps?

 

[Catharus]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Could you point me to some more information about this?
Are there companies making such adapters?

I have only seen references to this for Hifiman HE6 headphones. Never thought about it for other headphones.