AudioGal
100+ Head-Fier
One of the intriguing things about this amplifier is the fact that it is a direct drive amplifier. Tube -> headphones, with NO transformer (OTL) and NO capacitor (OCL) between the output stage and the headphones. Every other tube amplifier that I have ever listened to has had one of those components between the output tubes and the transducers. Jason's drive to hear *just the tube sound* means we'll get to do the same.
Headphone choice is always key, more so with tube amps. I've had great success with planar 'phones paired with tube amps, but it's a fussy arrangement that requires planars with impedances above 50 ohms that are also reasonably sensitive. The good thing about planar transducers is that they have a flat impedance vs frequency "curve" (is it still a curve when it's a straight line?) which plays really well with OTL tube headphone amps. I have had great results with HE400s on a Valhalla 2 and Incubus. I'm enjoying stellar sound out of a pair of LCD3 with my Incubus, sufficient to discern subtle differences between different tube combinations allowing me to zero in on an ideal sound for my ears.
Won't really know how this all "plays out" until the amplifier is here and set up. The anticipation is part of the fun.
Headphone choice is always key, more so with tube amps. I've had great success with planar 'phones paired with tube amps, but it's a fussy arrangement that requires planars with impedances above 50 ohms that are also reasonably sensitive. The good thing about planar transducers is that they have a flat impedance vs frequency "curve" (is it still a curve when it's a straight line?) which plays really well with OTL tube headphone amps. I have had great results with HE400s on a Valhalla 2 and Incubus. I'm enjoying stellar sound out of a pair of LCD3 with my Incubus, sufficient to discern subtle differences between different tube combinations allowing me to zero in on an ideal sound for my ears.
Won't really know how this all "plays out" until the amplifier is here and set up. The anticipation is part of the fun.