[Sugano-san]

The above product is a cute-looking little amplifier with 10 W/Class A tube power. While it is recommended for "real" (high-efficiency) loudspeakers, I was wondering if anyone has ever tried one (or one of their more expensive models such as the 300B or the 845) for use with headphones?

 

[Bostonears]

The EL 90 A appears to almost identical to the Sophia "Baby" tube amp shown on the Sophia Electric web site http://www.sophiaelectric.com/ and in this review from this year's CES show http://6moons.com/industryfeatures/c...3/ces2003.html

(The "Baby" does not have the selector switch on the right in the EL90 photo, and perhaps the exact tube complement is different.) The pictures don't really show it well, but these amps are tiny, at 9 x 7 x 5 inches.

Since these amps do not have headphone output jacks, it limits the applicability for most headphones. But a tube amp with 10 watts is probably ideal for the AKG K1000 phones. And I'm about to find out.

Last week I ordered a pair of K1000s, which are due to arrive today. And earlier today, I just ordered a Sophia Baby directly from the manufacturer.

Once I have this set up running for a while, I will attempt to do a head to head comparison between the K1000 with the Sophia tube amp and my current headphone reference system, HD580 with Cardas cable and Sugden Headmaster. It should be an interesting comparison of two very different approaches to high end head-fi.

 

[Sugano-san]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bostonears The EL 90 A appears to almost identical to the Sophia "Baby" tube amp (The "Baby" does not have the selector switch on the right in the EL90 photo, and perhaps the exact tube complement is different.).

I completely agree, the EL 90 A amp shown is the "baby" with an input selector switch, and the only reason why I did not attach the pic of the standard "baby" was the size of the jpeg file. To my knowledge, there are no further differences, in particular not regarding the tubes.

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bostonears Last week I ordered a pair of K1000s, which are due to arrive today. And earlier today, I just ordered a Sophia Baby directly from the manufacturer. Once I have this set up running for a while, I will attempt to do a head to head comparison between the K1000 with the Sophia tube amp and my current headphone reference system, HD580 with Cardas cable and Sugden Headmaster. It should be an interesting comparison of two very different approaches to high end head-fi.

That's cool. I am curious to hear your opinions on a baby amp. I have heard it along with their 300b amp and I actually prefered the little one.
( lot better pacing and didin't think it sacrifice much of midrange 300Bs are famous for )

I was tempted to order one to drive Grado RS-1.

 

[Sugano-san]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bostonears But a tube amp with 10 watts is probably ideal for the AKG K1000 phones. And I'm about to find out. Last week I ordered a pair of K1000s, which are due to arrive today. And earlier today, I just ordered a Sophia Baby directly from the manufacturer. Once I have this set up running for a while, I will attempt to do a head to head comparison between the K1000 with the Sophia tube amp and my current headphone reference system.

Hi Bostonears -- any news?

Thanks!!

 

[Bostonears]

Yes, I received the Sophia EL90A Baby tube amp last week.

I need to do a lot more listening and experimentation, including a cable upgrade and more burn-in time, before I write up a full evaluation of the K1000/Sophia combo. However, I will say my initial reaction is that the sound is much brighter than the HD580/Sugden combo, and the spatial imaging is INCREDIBLE!

I'll post a detailed evaluation in a couple of weeks.