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

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Caliente really is a nice amp, isn't it? I'd say if the beta 22 is a 10, the KICAS is a 7.5, which is giving it very high marks indeed.

I'm not gonna ask you to rank other amps, or it will go on forever.

What would help more is to know (1) what would be the lowest score on a scale of 10 that you personally can still enjoy, and (2) name one amp that earns that minimum acceptability score?

 

[XXII]

Skylab, so besides the bass, how does the Opera compare with the Caliente?

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm not gonna ask you to rank other amps, or it will go on forever. What would help more is to know (1) what would be the lowest score on a scale of 10 that you personally can still enjoy, and (2) name one amp that earns that minimum acceptability score?

Sorry Larry, but I can't do that - that wasn't the question I was asked. I did NOT say I thought the Beta 22 was a 10 in absolute terms. I was just asked that if it WERE a 10, what would the Caliente be? If I were to try (and as you point out, it's far too much work) to come up with a ranking scale for all my amps, then my answer would be different, since I prefer the SinglePower Extreme and MPX3 over the Beta 22, so it can't be a 10 in that case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXII /img/forum/go_quote.gif Skylab, so besides the bass, how does the Opera compare with the Caliente?

The Opera is a little more refined sounding, and a little higher resolution, IIRC. It also has more features (crossfeed, multiple gain settings, multiple inputs, etc). But the Caliente is remarkably close in performance for the price, and as such represents an exceptional value.

 

[Gradofan2]

Your ranking is helpful...

1. Extreme
2. MPX3
3. DV337
4. ..., ..., ...
5 Caliente

Or... whatever your ranking may be.

I understand - It may be a good SS amp... but... no one should expect it will quite measure up to the capabilities of the tube amps noted.

Is that about it?

 

[Skylab]

OK, of the amps I own at the moment:

1. SP Extreme
2. SP MPX3
3. DV 337
4. Decware CSP-2
5. Blue Circle SBH
6. Ming-Da MC 84-C
7. KICAS Caliente
8. DV 336SE
9. Travagan's White
10. TNS Sweet 2

But I have confessed my predilection for tubes

 

[digger945]

I didn't mean to insinuate that I thought the Beta 22 was a 10, I was just using that number as a frame of reference only. All ears being different, someone could possibly regard the Beta as thier favorite amp, possibly.
What suprised me about the Caliente was how effortlessly it performed on the low end with my music, even with my almost stock D2k's.

 

[nick20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif OK, of the amps I own at the moment: 1. SP Extreme 2. SP MPX3 3. DV 337 4. Decware CSP-2 5. Blue Circle SBH 6. Ming-Da MC 84-C 7. KICAS Caliente 8. DV 336SE 9. Travagan's White 10. TNS Sweet 2 But I have confessed my predilection for tubes

Rob, where would the Opera fit in, if you still had it?

-Nick

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Rob, where would the Opera fit in, if you still had it? -Nick

Below the Blue Circle and above the Ming-Da.

 

[malldian]

Then per price that places the KICAS very high up relative to other amps?

 

[Skylab]

Yes, I believe the KICAS provides excellent value for the money compared to other home amps I have heard.

 

[P_1]

Skylab is it possible for you to review the Shanling PH100 next? The KICAS/Caliente and the Shanling PH100 seem to be the most promising "budget" amps.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by P_1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Skylab is it possible for you to review the Shanling PH100 next? The KICAS/Caliente and the Shanling PH100 seem to be the most promising "budget" amps.

Sure, if someone wants to loan me one

 

[Hatmann]

Skylab,

How would the Caliente compare to the current generation of Headroom amps?

Not stupid expensive stuff, like the balanced amps, but something decent, with the Max module?
Not feature for feature, but how would the Caliente compare in sound quality?

Thanks,

-- Hatmann

 

[dcpoor]

someone loan him a little dot mk V too.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatmann /img/forum/go_quote.gif Skylab, How would the Caliente compare to the current generation of Headroom amps? Not stupid expensive stuff, like the balanced amps, but something decent, with the Max module? Not feature for feature, but how would the Caliente compare in sound quality? Thanks, -- Hatmann

Unfortunately I cannot answer this question either, as I have not heard the current generation of Headroom amps.