[punks15]

Hi,

I want to ask you about amps for this headphone. The "official" amp is quite expensive (for me). Can anybody who has the T1 recomend an amp for less money? Is there any amp that would work fine with these headphones for less than 300 eur?

Thanks for your answers in advance,

Daniel

Schiit asgard or graham slee novo would drive it sufficiently, refinement wise yes it's still not quite enough

 

[HaVoC-28]

Quote:

Hi,
 
I want to ask you about amps for this headphone. The "official" amp is quite expensive (for me). Can anybody who has the T1 recomend an amp for less money? Is there any amp that would work fine with these headphones for less than 300 eur?
 
Thanks for your answers in advance,
 
Daniel

 
M-Stage / Lovely Cube , or Lake People G103-S.

 

[Zombie_X]

Hi,
 
I'll toss in a vote for the Matrix M-Stage. Despite it's modest price this amp is a serious performer. Also despite the T1 being 600Ohms, they aren't that hard to amp at all. I think people are put off by the high impedance and price of this headphone. Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it need a pricey amp. Heck, some of the lower end Audio-GD amps can drive it well.
 
The M-Stage is a easy recommendation for me. It's versatile, powerful, affordable, and sounds great. It also sounds nearly the same as the Black Cube Linear to me. Some might not agree but I'd say it rivals amps in the $600 range. It's a true bargain.
 
Quote:

Hi,
 
I want to ask you about amps for this headphone. The "official" amp is quite expensive (for me). Can anybody who has the T1 recomend an amp for less money? Is there any amp that would work fine with these headphones for less than 300 eur?
 
Thanks for your answers in advance,
 
Daniel

 

[zenpmd]

Mine is brand new and serial number 9102. Bought in the UK from amazon.

 

[Focker]

Quote:

 Also despite the T1 being 600Ohms, they aren't that hard to amp at all. I think people are put off by the high impedance and price of this headphone. Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it need a pricey amp. 
 

 
I agree with this. That's a big reason why I always suggest the Meier combo. A brand new shiny T1 plus any of Jan's amps for a steal. Even his little Rock amp will drive the T1s just fine. You can get the T1 and one of his amps for less than the MSRP of the headphones in other places. 
 
But anyway, yeah, the point is that ZX is right...you don't need to break the bank to amp these guys if you're not in a postion to get something like that right now. 

 

[preproman]

Quote:

 
I agree with this. That's a big reason why I always suggest the Meier combo. A brand new shiny T1 plus any of Jan's amps for a steal. Even his little Rock amp will drive the T1s just fine. You can get the T1 and one of his amps for less than the MSRP of the headphones in other places. 
 
But anyway, yeah, the point is that ZX is right...you don't need to break the bank to amp these guys if you're not in a postion to get something like that right now. 

This is true.  Also,  my T1s run really well on all my DIY amps.  

 

[Dark Wizard]

So my friend is going to purchase the T1. However he has told me that he won't be buying an amp because he's sure that the sound card that he uses will be enough to drive the T1's. I'm not sure and I've never heard the card that he got with the T1's so I'm asking you experts here will my friend be able to enjoy these cans with the Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card?
 
I would let him try mine with his sound card but that's not possible at the moment as he's in a different country..

 

[Timmyw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Wizard /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I'm asking you experts here will my friend be able to enjoy these cans with the Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card?

 

Yes. I have that exact same sound card.

 

[Dark Wizard]

Quote:

 

Yes. I have that exact same sound card.

 
Thank you for that information. How does this sound card compare to a good stand alone amp?

 

[Timmyw]

It's OK. My stand alone amp is an SPL Phonitor, so a comparison there wouldn't be very fair. I can tell you it has nice bass response and is fairly laid back and warm though articulate. I found the top end to be a little recessed (although not absent) which would probably suit some T1 owners from what I have read. I will say your friend will not be disappointed.
 
I think I've been spoiled by my amp to be honest though, I really miss the crossfeed circuit listening to some music right now through my STX alone. Pretty impressive bit of kit though for 160 bucks.
 

 

[Houbi]

Well, mostly yes. But if a track is very bass heavy, it may introduce some distortion sometimes.

Tell him also to change the OpAmps, makes a huge difference.

 

[Timmyw]

Quote:

Well, mostly yes. But if a track is very bass heavy, it may introduce some distortion sometimes.
Tell him also to change the OpAmps, makes a huge difference.

Odd, I have never experienced any distortion with it at all. Listening to electronic music and heavy metal the bass seems pretty well presented. I thought it sounded pretty good with the opamps that came with it so never saw a need. Might try it though just out of curiosity.

 

[Houbi]

...it really is only occasionally.

 

[Dark Wizard]

Quote:

Well, mostly yes. But if a track is very bass heavy, it may introduce some distortion sometimes.
Tell him also to change the OpAmps, makes a huge difference.

 
Thank you Houbi for your input I will tell him about this, appreciate it!
Maybe he already has changed them..
 
Quote:

It's OK. My stand alone amp is an SPL Phonitor, so a comparison there wouldn't be very fair. I can tell you it has nice bass response and is fairly laid back and warm though articulate. I found the top end to be a little recessed (although not absent) which would probably suit some T1 owners from what I have read. I will say your friend will not be disappointed.
 
I think I've been spoiled by my amp to be honest though, I really miss the crossfeed circuit listening to some music right now through my STX alone. Pretty impressive bit of kit though for 160 bucks.
 

 
Thanks for the clarification Timmyw. I didn't honestly know that this sound card is this good.
I appreciate the information

 

[Bloodflowerz]

Quote:

Schiit asgard or graham slee novo would drive it sufficiently, refinement wise yes it's still not quite enough

 
I'd be interested to hear more about the Asgard + T1 combo if anyone has it.