Your posting in the wrong forum.
How so? I wanted to ask people with high end gear a question.
Sold mine after I got an Audio GD Phoenix...the O2 just amplifies but also sucks out everything that makes music interesting and engaging.
No micro details,large soundstage,better instrument separation etc. and as stated before an absolute lack of authority.
Even the Fiio E10 is way better and musically more engaging.
Hype of the year!
My experience with audio gd was terrible, unfortunately. Also, personally, I find micro detail to be artificial sounding. Differences in "sound stage" to be the result of issues an amp has. Lack of authority is totally within the realm of understanding, considering the size and purpose of the O2.
However, I totally appreciate your input and value your opinion and sound preferences.
you've posted in the high end (expensive forum) but I imagine you did that to see how the o2 compares with the big boys. Maybe not the best place to get some love for the o2...
I bought the o2 I'll post a review when it arrives. Be using it with LCD-2 r2 I've read good comments about the combo.
Not necessarily looking for love, just opinons.
I have an O2 and an Apex Peak/Volcano among other amps. The O2 is a $150 amp and is probably pretty good for that price point but there is no comparison beyond that. I tried to use it exclusively for a couple weeks while one of my older amps was down and to see if it really lived up to the hype and by the end I just couldn't take it and stopped listening to music altogether. It was extremely fatiguing and just unmusical to listen to for me.
When you compare this to higher end amps it's very critical to understand that the amp can only reveal what the source provides. If you use a low end source and then compare the O2 to a higher end amp there very well may be little difference because the O2 may be fully able to resolve the source. Higher end amps do not "improve" the sound they simply better reveal what the source is providing. Use a better source and they'll allow more through and it's at that point the O2 shows it's limitations. It may be relatively transparent for its price point but put a really good source behind it and then compare it to a better amp and you'll see what it really does to the sound. It is not even close to as transparent and uncolored as is claimed.
I understand how one could think it was unmusical, but any fatigue I would want to blame your headphones on. Perhaps they really need some roll off on the treble. What headphones did you use?
Totally understand and agree about the source. I am curious, what amps you compared the O2 to?
Thanks for your opinion, I value your input
Having heard the Beta22 & EHHA rev2 with Mullard 1960 tubes i can say that the O2 is not far behind.What O2 lacks most in comparison to the above two amps is the scale & authority. Else it is quite good in terms of refinement & other attributes.
Understandable, perhaps the ODA will be better suited to comparison with end game gear.
ToTL price or ToTL performance? Two very different things. Price guarantees nothing. I have a Leckerton UHA6S, Eddie Current S7 and know the Balancing Act quite intimately. The O2 loses to all three on transparency and resolving power which is why it sits in a box atm. If I had some of the other pricier amps praised around here I'd likely be listening to the O2 instead.
This does need to be moved.
Both, but emphasis on performance. Not looking to stir up trouble, just genuinely curious how much better it gets than the O2.
Transparency and power are two areas where I could actually imagine improvement. I believe there could very well be a difference between your amps. Out of curiosity, ever try to pick em apart blind?
Were all amps on hand at the same time? What was the source? Did you volume match and what headphones were used?
Great questions
Beta 22 & EHHA rev2 side by side. O2 within a gap of say 2 hours.
Beta22 & EHHA were paired with some Adcom DAC.
O2 was via Xonar STX(with some exotic opamps....the lettering is too small to read) line out.
Headphones used- Yamaha HP1, HP50A, YH100, YHE50A, NAD RP18 (2 pairs one with LCD2 pads , the other with stax o2 pads), Peerless PMB 80 & LCD2 rev1 (modded...much different from stock sound).
O2 sounds as clean as the other two amps.I'd say even blacker. Mids & bass resolution is as good though lower treble is very slightly rough & thick(lacks air).
Everything considered the O2 has power to drive most but not the scale of bigger amps.
Good answer
In terms of intimacy, ambiance & emotion my sony A726 surpasses everything i've heard uptill now. I like colored sound myself but got the O2 just to experience the Flat FR headfi-ritual & i must say not bad at all
Thanks for your input!
My uncle an electronics engineer audio genius thought the 02 was a good design looking briefly at the schematic.
According to Nwavguy the o2 will drive the Lcd-2 with "power to spare".
I've seen that too. What kind of audio gear does you uncle use?
