One tube amp to rule them all (planars and dynamics)

[seacard]

I know there are some end-game tube amps that are best with dynamics, and some that are best with planars, but is there something that works equally well with both? I mostly listen to the HE1000, but also want it to play well with the HD800 and ZMFs. Considering WA33, but would like to hear about other options.

 

[draytonklammer]

I know there are some end-game tube amps that are best with dynamics, and some that are best with planars, but is there something that works equally well with both? I mostly listen to the HE1000, but also want it to play well with the HD800 and ZMFs. Considering WA33, but would like to hear about other options.

I can tell you that if I were going to purchase a high-end tube amp again, it would be the WA33.
Maybe the Viva Solista if I wanted something a bit more spendy...

 

[Spawn300Z]

If you don’t mind a Hybrid amp. Look into the Riviera AIC-10. It will play nicely with all headphones and use speaker taps for the Susvara.

 

[ardbeg1975]

Used Eddie Current 2a3 or 300B based amp - Aficionado, Studio Jr or B, etc.

 

[paradoxper]

The best headphone amp I've heard is the Primavera, it also happens to be very flexible.
AIC10 is pretty good likewise the WA33 or Envy.

You'd want to frame a budget and divulge your sound preference to better dial in what amps would fit you most.

I'd warn that mixing for best results isn't likely to work out. Everyone always tries the best AIO approach and fails.

If you opened to DHT DACs, you'd be more free to encompass all the drivers you listed.

HD800 is very fickle. Best I've heard there is Studio T which only amplifies what the HD800 is rather than trying to disguise.

 

[tunes]

The best headphone amp I've heard is the Primavera, it also happens to be very flexible.
AIC10 is pretty good likewise the WA33 or Envy.

You'd want to frame a budget and divulge your sound preference to better dial in what amps would fit you most.

I'd warn that mixing for best results isn't likely to work out. Everyone always tries the best AIO approach and fails.

If you opened to DHT DACs, you'd be more free to encompass all the drivers you listed.

HD800 is very fickle. Best I've heard there is Studio T which only amplifies what the HD800 is rather than trying to disguise.

Not to mention the Hifiman EF 1000 paired with the Susvara!!

I don’t want to get into the Primavara as it takes so long to get and concerned about warranty issues etc

Same for A1C which has a new price that makes no reasonable sense to buy new.

So for me it comes down the the WA33, EF1000 and Envy with upgraded driver tubes e.g. Elrogs.

Plan to audition at the NYC CANJAM in March. I am looking for the most out of head holographic sound stage for the Susvara from a tube or tube hybrid. Any thoughts comparing that aspect with the above three possibilities?

 

[normie610]

The one tube amp to rule them all

 

[vcoheda]

*Big Tube Amps*
Feliks Envy $8000 / $8800
Woo WA23 $8500
Woo WA33 $8000 / $15000
Trafomatic Primavera $15000
Viva Egoista $18500
Riveria AIC-10 Bal $20000

 

[theveterans]

ampsandsound Red October (no volume pot) + ampsandsound Yellowstone Preamp

$13000 + $35000 = $47000

 

[slumberman]

Riviera AIC-10 is sublime with both dynamic and planars in my opinion. I use it mostly with 1266 and I love it!

 

[geoffalter11]

The best headphone amp I've heard is the Primavera, it also happens to be very flexible.
AIC10 is pretty good likewise the WA33 or Envy.

You'd want to frame a budget and divulge your sound preference to better dial in what amps would fit you most.

I'd warn that mixing for best results isn't likely to work out. Everyone always tries the best AIO approach and fails.

If you opened to DHT DACs, you'd be more free to encompass all the drivers you listed.

HD800 is very fickle. Best I've heard there is Studio T which only amplifies what the HD800 is rather than trying to disguise.

I didn't like the Envy in Dallas. I was underwhelmed. I have not heard the Primavera or AIC-10, neither were there to try. I did try the WA33, and wasn't wowed. I tried the Envy 2 different times, hooked to a Lina DAC and Clock and then to the May KTE. Neither did anything for me. Don't remember the source with the WA33. I used my own D8K Pro with both the Envy and WA33 to give me a good baseline. I also tried the Envy with a Caldera. I love my 2A3 Aficionado, especially with a pair of 1932 Single plates. I don't feel at any point that I am giving up anything sonically with 2A3s versus 300bs in my small sample. Clarity, resolution, saturation and pacing are top notch. Plenty of power for everything I own and use and I love the way it looks. Something about a 90 yr old pair of tubes that gets me going. I will forever love this amp, whether or not I try a 300b amp down the road. I would be more apt to use a 300b as a preamp vs a headphone amp. Maybe there are other 300bs I'd like more, but I didn't find what I heard worth the money. In speaking with my tube broker he doesn't believe that 300bs are necessary for headphone amps. I don't know if it was how the Envy's were set up, but I couldn't get a single headphone past 8:30-9 on the volume pot without blasting my ears into oblivion. I tried every headphone available, but kept my D8K Pro as my baseline since I know it so well. Most headphones were on low gain and never went above 8:30 on the volume pot. That could be more an issue with voltage from the DAC and gain, but I found the 300b headamps I heard to sound good, at times great, but not consistent enough to make me buy one. The Envy and WA33 were both quiet which I liked, and the Envy is flat out gorgeous. I was surprised I didn't like either more. Preferences still rule the day...

The Primavera, Riviera, and Viva are beautiful amps and the top of the heap. They are out of my budget so I don't entertain them as possibilities in the next 1-2 yrs. I have not heard the WA23, but at that price point I think I would look for a Auris Headonia and roll in my Single Plates.

 

[geoffalter11]

If you don’t mind a Hybrid amp. Look into the Riviera AIC-10. It will play nicely with all headphones and use speaker taps for the Susvara.

Another option would be the Pathos InPol if hybrid is ok. Pathos is pretty much vertically integrated, and makes amps that sound far better than their price. The InPol is really good and has tons of power. I thought it had plenty of headroom for the Susvara.

 

[paradoxper]

I didn't like the Envy in Dallas. I was underwhelmed. I have not heard the Primavera or AIC-10, neither were there to try. I did try the WA33, and wasn't wowed. I tried the Envy 2 different times, hooked to a Lina DAC and Clock and then to the May KTE. Neither did anything for me. Don't remember the source with the WA33. I used my own D8K Pro with both the Envy and WA33 to give me a good baseline. I also tried the Envy with a Caldera. I love my 2A3 Aficionado, especially with a pair of 1932 Single plates. I don't feel at any point that I am giving up anything sonically with 2A3s versus 300bs in my small sample. Clarity, resolution, saturation and pacing are top notch. Plenty of power for everything I own and use and I love the way it looks. Something about a 90 yr old pair of tubes that gets me going. I will forever love this amp, whether or not I try a 300b amp down the road. I would be more apt to use a 300b as a preamp vs a headphone amp. Maybe there are other 300bs I'd like more, but I didn't find what I heard worth the money. In speaking with my tube broker he doesn't believe that 300bs are necessary for headphone amps. I don't know if it was how the Envy's were set up, but I couldn't get a single headphone past 8:30-9 on the volume pot without blasting my ears into oblivion. I tried every headphone available, but kept my D8K Pro as my baseline since I know it so well. Most headphones were on low gain and never went above 8:30 on the volume pot. That could be more an issue with voltage from the DAC and gain, but I found the 300b headamps I heard to sound good, at times great, but not consistent enough to make me buy one. The Envy and WA33 were both quiet which I liked, and the Envy is flat out gorgeous. I was surprised I didn't like either more. Preferences still rule the day...

The Primavera, Riviera, and Viva are beautiful amps and the top of the heap. They are out of my budget so I don't entertain them as possibilities in the next 1-2 yrs. I have not heard the WA23, but at that price point I think I would look for a Auris Headonia and roll in my Single Plates.

It'd be diligent to use a chain within a known reference rather than piecing together random bits for tangible context.

However, judging any gear with any meaningful weight isn't to be done at a meet to begin.

 

[number1sixerfan]

It'd be diligent to use a chain within a known reference rather than piecing together random bits for tangible context.

However, judging any gear with any meaningful weight isn't to be done at a meet to begin.

Definitely agree here. You can still get really good insight under these conditions if savvy enough, but I definitely wouldn't close the door on things in unfamiliar or differing chains (i.e. Amp A on source A vs. amp B on source B) heard in a meet, unless the was just extremely out of expectation (w/assumption that there was no issue with the system setup).

To the OP, I would say that a lot of good options have been thrown out there. I would just say try to avoid the trap of thinking that the most expensive = the absolute best, which is a common trap in this hobby. Try to see if you can get a home demo or take your source/phones to a dealer to spend a few hours testing something out. If you make it clear that you intend to buy and/or build a relationship, might be doable depending on where you live. But if they go through that trouble, you should try to follow through and buy *something* from *them*.

 

[geoffalter11]

It'd be diligent to use a chain within a known reference rather than piecing together random bits for tangible context.

However, judging any gear with any meaningful weight isn't to be done at a meet to begin.

Thanks for the lesson. My system isn’t thrown together. Just giving impressions on what I heard. And when I heard them there wasn’t a lot of noise. Meet conditions aren’t optimal, but I heard what I heard.