[musickid]

does anyone know of a otl tube amp with a quality dac all in one combo for around 1000 pounds gbp max?

 

[peteham]

What's your take on DT880 (600 Ohm) vs DT1990 with analytical pads?

Honestly on first listen - they are really close - I'm astonished how the DT880 (600 Ohm) isn't in everybody's collection - they are superb - staggering for the price - but I need more time to do a meaningful comparison with the DT1990s

 

[Me x3]

Honestly on first listen - they are really close - I'm astonished how the DT880 (600 Ohm) isn't in everybody's collection - they are superb - staggering for the price - but I need more time to do a meaningful comparison with the DT1990s

Thanks for your reply! I look forward to it.
Since DT1990 with A pads is supposed to be a "Tesla DT880" I think a meaningful comparison would be very valuable.

 

[artnoi]

does anyone know of a otl tube amp with a quality dac all in one combo for around 1000 pounds gbp max?

there's one with $300 price tag. xduoo ta-03. it has dual WM8740s. I bought one but china post lost it during shipping

 

[Oscar-HiFi]

does anyone know of a otl tube amp with a quality dac all in one combo for around 1000 pounds gbp max?

Don't get a combo, as you won't ever be able to upgrade in the future. It is much better to have separates.

Take a look at the Feliks Audio Espressivo and the JDS Labs EL DAC, perfect pairing for the DT880

 

[musickid]

thanks oscar what about elise? can't get woo as im in uk. what other good otl amps?

 

[Oscar-HiFi]

thanks oscar what about elise? can't get woo as im in uk. what other good otl amps?

If you have the budget, Elise would be even better, they are based in Poland so getting them to the UK is easy. I own the Espressivo and have reviewed the Elise, Elise was better but I didn't have the money to buy it (I would have if I had the money).

 

[SHAMuuu]

Honestly on first listen - they are really close - I'm astonished how the DT880 (600 Ohm) isn't in everybody's collection - they are superb - staggering for the price - but I need more time to do a meaningful comparison with the DT1990s

I don't see too much point in comparing the 1990 Tesla with 880s. The 880 IMO is for critical listening moreso than a musical/consumer type. Its nice to know the 1990 come with analytical pads, and another for musicality. They're different enough, it seems one can have both. One for listening (either the 1990/Amiron), and the 880 as reference for checking other cans. Yes, you can listen to music with 880, but the details are so much the brain is always going left right and everywhere in between on the details, its hard to relax and "enjoy" the music as a whole. Though paying attention to the details is fun also Its often a relief to listen to a laid back type after some time with any detail monster types. One makes your brain work, the other (musical/laid back) is therapeutic. Wearing 880s puts brain in same place as playing chess. I think i will avoid detail monsters like hd800 . My endgame will be Hifiman I think.

 

[musickid]

i've tried maybe 15 headphones well known ones of all prices. dt880 600 premium so light and comfortable amazing for price. 295grams. oppo pm 1 different niche but lovely comfortable too. these are my two main cans. pm1 arriving tomorrow. i'm looking for a good otl amp for beyer in uk apart from elise nothing else showing up not keen on chinese stuff any ideas? dt880 does sound awesome from mojo. valhalla 2 not sure must be more otl's out there.

 

[ostewart]

i've tried maybe 15 headphones well known ones of all prices. dt880 600 premium so light and comfortable amazing for price. 295grams. oppo pm 1 different niche but lovely comfortable too. these are my two main cans. pm1 arriving tomorrow. i'm looking for a good otl amp for beyer in uk apart from elise nothing else showing up not keen on chinese stuff any ideas? dt880 does sound awesome from mojo. valhalla 2 not sure must be more otl's out there.

If you have the budget, the Icon Audio HP8 MKII is awesome too... very versatile

 

[musickid]

but HP8 is not otl or is it? i could not tell from their website. i think pure otl for dt880 600 must be best.

 

[Me x3]

Wearing 880s puts brain in same place as playing chess. I think i will avoid detail monsters like hd800 . My endgame will be Hifiman I think.

You've described them quite well. Stay away from the AKG K812, it's like playing against Kasparov.

 

[richie60]

i've tried maybe 15 headphones well known ones of all prices. dt880 600 premium so light and comfortable amazing for price. 295grams. oppo pm 1 different niche but lovely comfortable too. these are my two main cans. pm1 arriving tomorrow. i'm looking for a good otl amp for beyer in uk apart from elise nothing else showing up not keen on chinese stuff any ideas? dt880 does sound awesome from mojo. valhalla 2 not sure must be more otl's out there.

Have a go at building the Bottlehead Crack. Works really well with the dt880 600. Play around with different tubes and consider the speedball later. Easy to build.

 

[ostewart]

but HP8 is not otl or is it? i could not tell from their website. i think pure otl for dt880 600 must be best.

Its not OTL, if you want OTL the Elise is going to be your best bet

 

[peteham]

I don't see too much point in comparing the 1990 Tesla with 880s. The 880 IMO is for critical listening moreso than a musical/consumer type. Its nice to know the 1990 come with analytical pads, and another for musicality. They're different enough, it seems one can have both. One for listening (either the 1990/Amiron), and the 880 as reference for checking other cans. Yes, you can listen to music with 880, but the details are so much the brain is always going left right and everywhere in between on the details, its hard to relax and "enjoy" the music as a whole. Though paying attention to the details is fun also Its often a relief to listen to a laid back type after some time with any detail monster types. One makes your brain work, the other (musical/laid back) is therapeutic. Wearing 880s puts brain in same place as playing chess. I think i will avoid detail monsters like hd800 . My endgame will be Hifiman I think.

It's all subjective, but I fine the DT 880s a pretty relaxing listen. The DT 1990s with the 'B' pads, I found too bass heavy. With the analytical pads, I wonder if the DT 1990s have become a touch bass light, but I'm still getting a handle on those 'phones. The DT 880s just always satisfy me, and never overwhelm me with detail or sound light in the bass - the treble is never shrill, and mids are lovely. I used to have the HD 800s - they overwhelmed me.