The best headphone amplifier for AKG K701

[Gradino]

What is the better amplifier for the 701?

 

[halcyon]

You'll probably get more answers in the amplification forum:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3

Maybe the mods will move this thread there, if you ask nicely.

 

[aaroncort]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradino What is the better amplifier for the 701?

I think its a little early for this question to have very many answers just yet. The headphones a really new and most people have only 1 or 2 amps max. In a few more months more people will have passed them around and head0fi meets and hooking them up to more amps. I think most answers you're going to get now are going to be people that have only heard them on thier home and portable amp or people that will tell you want amp they will sound best on in theory based on how people report the sound the headphones to be. People like to throw around theory here but for me the proof is in the pudding!


P.S. no offence to people that throw around theory here. It makes for interesting reads some of the time. And lord only know how many times i've barfed up a half baked theory and opinion here!

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaroncort I think its a little early for this question to have very many answers just yet. The headphones a really new and most people have only 1 or 2 amps max. In a few more months more people will have passed them around and head0fi meets and hooking them up to more amps. I think most answers you're going to get now are going to be people that have only heard them on thier home and portable amp or people that will tell you want amp they will sound best on in theory based on how people report the sound the headphones to be. People like to throw around theory here but for me the proof is in the pudding! P.S. no offence to people that throw around theory here. It makes for interesting reads some of the time. And lord only know how many times i've barfed up a half baked theory and opinion here!

You're right, but... they sound pretty damn amazing in my system, and that's just running single ended.

 

[brat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradino What is the better amplifier for the 701?

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=152956

 

[bjackson]

LOL well if no one else will, I'd suggest a Pimeta. For around 100 bucks (in parts or used), you can get a really sweet amplifier, that has buffers, so its great at low impedance cans like the 701. I haven't heard the combo together, but on paper its a great combo.

Not that I think properly made non cliping or into high harmonic distortion SS amps sound any different from any other SS amp...

 

[Gradino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brat http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=152956

I can say that my g&w is beautiful with the 701 (i have changed the russian electro harmonic 6922 with siemens e88cc).

I now think that in future can be interesting the rudistor system for 701.

S.

 

[cheechoz]

It is way to early to tell which is the better amps for the K701, although tube amps make them sing praises. Over time, there will be many debates, and in the end, it will all come down to personal preference.

 

[Gradino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheechoz It is way to early to tell which is the better amps for the K701, although tube amps make them sing praises. Over time, there will be many debates, and in the end, it will all come down to personal preference.

The low impedance of the headphone removes in departure a few amplifiers. Besides (Imho) will be able to himself in the future to tell if they are better the solid or tube amplifiers.

S.

 

[mrarroyo]

Currently I only have two amps, the HeadAmp AE-1 and the Mapletree Ear Purist + HD100. My K701 sound beautifully with either one

I guess I am easy to please (my wallet thanks my ears)

 

[Wmcmanus]

The K701's sound pretty good with practically any amp. They're kind of like the HD650's in this regard. I think a little tube warmth helps, but I'd imagine they will sound excellent with solid state amps as well. The Maestro ZR is my favorite with either the K701 or HD650 at this time, but they're very versatile and a fairly easy load to drive.

 

[Gradino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmcmanus The K701's sound pretty good with practically any amp. They're kind of like the HD650's in this regard. I think a little tube warmth helps, but I'd imagine they will sound excellent with solid state amps as well. The Maestro ZR is my favorite with either the K701 or HD650 at this time, but they're very versatile and a fairly easy load to drive.

I would not neglect the matter of the low impedance as regards 650. For my experience, the headphones to low impedance, if they do not have a good amplifier, give many sibilance and the sound is very bad.

S.

 

[sean-xenos]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmcmanus The K701's sound pretty good with practically any amp. They're kind of like the HD650's in this regard. ....

No, I'd strongly contradict your opinion.
The K701 and the HD650 have quite different needs in amplification.
It's not only a matter of impedance (62 Ohms versus 307 Ohms), it's also matter of the sonic differences of these two cans.
The HD650 needs am amp that is capable to controll its otherwise rather bloated midbass (and an upgrade cable might help as well) in terms of precision
whereas the K701 needs an amp that delivers a lot of current for a good and deep bass response, it really needs a "heavy punch" in the low end.

 

[Gradino]

Do you think that is, on the paper, the ascent 2 (or ascent1) a good amplifier for 701??

S.

 

[Andrea]

Gradino,


be aware that Drew of Shellbrook has had problems with head-fi and Jude (head-fi's administrator) recently (...), so you're not bound to get many answers (if any) here about his amps.