REVIEW: Purity Audio K.I.C.A.S. Caliente home headphone amp - updated with comments on regular KICAS

[sbulack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Both Iced Earth and Within Temptation are terrific. Funny that sbulack and I both used WT's "Jillian" in our reviews

I notice the "wink" - as you've figured out, not that funny at all, just an awesome track that I couldn't help plucking from your garden. I read your initial review of the Caliente, did some searches in the Music Forum for Within Temptation, where "The Silent Force" was getting strong appreciation. So, I purchased a copy, along with a Caliente to really appreciate it. Listening to that tipped my listening plane to add a few albums from The Gathering (How To Measure a Planet and Mandylion) and to get back into my Collide collection (Chasing The Ghost, Vortex and Beneath The Skin) - then to expand it with some new (to me) material from The Secret Meeting (the Ultrashiver album and two single EPs ShiverX and Shooting Laser Beams). It helps a lot with getting really excited about such music and bands when you've got a listening instrument like the Caliente which displays that awesome bass and percussion with such deep power while not losing any of the beauty, strength or intimacy from any part of the mids or highs in the rest of the performance. "Jillian" is a gorgeous juxtaposition of Epic-Scale Power and unsettlingly Up-Close Intimacy. Just a stunning listen!!! (as he shuffles off to his Rhapsody account and the Music Forum to do some searches on Iced Earth...)

 

[Skylab]

Wow, that is a great list of stuff for me to check out! Thanks!!!

W/r/t Iced Earth, they have more than a dozen records, but I am really partial to Framing Armagedon, the most recent.

 

[sbulack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wow, that is a great list of stuff for me to check out! Thanks!!! W/r/t Iced Earth, they have more than a dozen records, but I am really partial to Framing Armagedon, the most recent.

Glad to be able to return the favor - and thanks for the Iced Earth album recommendation!!

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

I'm sorry, but I can't stop thinking about "Spinal Tap" where I hear that music.

 

[sbulack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm sorry, but I can't stop thinking about "Spinal Tap" where I hear that music.

That had me laughing out loud. Thanks Larry, I needed that. And it reminds me that, while I really DO value the Caliente for its ability to convey the sheer size and mass of the power of industrial and metal (along with the aching lyrical beauty to be found there), I just as much value its presentation of all of the beautiful timbral subtleties of a single (often woodwind) instrument played as softly as only a really skilled player can make it sing at the opening of an orchestral piece. Even the name "Spinal Tap" for a band is just so funny, let alone the portrayal of the band in that mockumentary. Thanks for that good laugh.

BTW, Rhapsody has 18 albums for on-demand play by Iced Earth. I immediately fell in love with "Framing Armageddon", "The Melancholy EP" and "Iced Earth" (the 2002 re-issue).

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

The funny thing is sometimes the side effect of a Spinal Tap is a headache (about 50% of the time), and I think the band had that in mind when they chose their name (for the mockumentary).

As far as amps, I find my Single Power Square Wave discrete output balanced amp with HD600 is smoother and better with this music than my WA6 with RS-1.

 

[kool bubba ice]

All this hype reminds me of the Heed.. It was over hyped for what it was.. A great bang for the buck amp, that lost considerable steam, to the point of a mild backlash... 'Disco sucks' anyone? But I am intrigued by this.. Even more so then the heeds first impressions by Pink & Arroyo.. Chances are I have bought into this 'giant' killing of an amp & will by the other version.. I like detail & analtyical, over warm & lush, even though I tell myself I don't.. But me loving the DAC1 has proved this to be true.. I do think the anterior looks quite shi^^y, but do I really care? It could look like dog crap.. As long as it sounds like pure bliss I am happy.. & respect them for putting forth the majority of time & money on what truly matters.. The Sound!!

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

What was the point of that post ^ ?

 

[Head Whipped]

How does it compare to the EC/SS? has anyone listened to both to compare?

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif What was the point of that post ^ ?

umm.. They focus on the sound more then how it looks..

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif umm.. They focus on the sound more then how it looks..

Okay, I couldn't be sure if you were saying this will be FOTM or sounds better than it looks.

 

[flame]

My KICAS has over 150hrs on it now. I think it is an improvement over LDV, it is giving me the transparency that i am missing with LDV. LDV's bass sounds a little muff to me when comparing it to KICAS, but gives me a warmer touch.

 

[mr.khali]

I am very interested in hearing how this amp compares against Channel Islands Audio VHP-2 as I believe they are in the same price category. In due time I suppose as more people "warm up" to the Caliente.

I know... that was cheesy.

 

[s1rrah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.khali /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am very interested in hearing how this amp compares against Channel Islands Audio VHP-2 as I believe they are in the same price category. In due time I suppose as more people "warm up" to the Caliente. I know... that was cheesy.

I should have a K.i.K.A.S. review unit in my hands within the next week or two.

I'll be listening/comparing extensively against the VHP-2 amp and a Stello HP100 amp ... both of which I have here in-house.

Looking forward to the listen.

 

[mr.khali]

Quote:

Originally Posted by s1rrah /img/forum/go_quote.gif I should have a K.i.K.A.S. review unit in my hands within the next week or two. I'll be listening/comparing extensively against the VHP-2 amp and a Stello HP100 amp ... both of which I have here in-house. Looking forward to the listen.

Great! I will wait patiently to hear your thoughts. I am going to buy a desktop amp around the end of the year and have narrowed it down to these 2 for now.