[AcousticMatt]

Those are all nice amps. If you want something that can drive a Caldera down the line, you may want to narrow it down to OTC amps as they will do a better job with the Caldera than OTL amps.

+1! It's part of why the WA8 sounds so good with everything ZMF, planar and dynamic. I did just get the Icon Audio HP8 Signature Edition, which is another OTC option.

 

[AudioDuck]

I agree with @AudioDuck about not spending the entire budget on the amp if you plan to tube roll. Like him, I've had the Feliks Echo, an amp that greatly benefits from upgrading the tubes.
…

P.S. Greetings Egil, my Norne Drausk cable has been great so far.

Great note on customer service, given that tube amps have more flexibility and thus can benefit from a more informed owner.

Glad to hear you are enjoying your Norne cable! I use my Drausk frequently and continue to appreciate it greatly with my Verité Closed.

 

[robo24]

Leaning to the Pendant SE due to cost plus leaving budget for tubes. Can Pendant SE drive Caldera if I ever try that headphone?

When I had mine it drove it quite well. Even the power hungry 1266 TC was good on it, but not as good as higher powered amps. The Caldera isn't particularly difficult to drive, especially for a TOTL planar. It's even fantastic on the Mojo 2! The Pendant is really an amazing amp still, gorgeous looking too, but definitely budget for a G73-R which takes it to a whole other level.

 

[PineapplePizza82]

Those are all nice amps. If you want something that can drive a Caldera down the line, you may want to narrow it down to OTC amps as they will do a better job with the Caldera than OTL amps.

Definitely agree with a few of the above replies. I have the Euphoria EVO paired with AO, which I think is incredible. I recently picked up Caldera closed after a few people said Feliks amps play well even with planars(maybe Envy?), but that wasn't really my experience. It was a little too loose for my liking and sounded much cleaner and controlled on SS.

 

[robo24]

Definitely agree with a few of the above replies. I have the Euphoria EVO paired with AO, which I think is incredible. I recently picked up Caldera closed after a few people said Felix amps play well even with planars(maybe Envy?), but that wasn't really my experience. It was a little too loose for my liking and sounded much cleaner and controlled on SS.

The Envy isn't an OTL and most of the others from Feliks are. OTLs and planars are usually a bad combo.

 

[PineapplePizza82]

The Envy isn't an OTL and most of the others from Feliks are. OTLs and planars are usually a bad combo.

Yeah, I understand and agree. I wasn't expecting it to be a great combo, just wanted to test for myself. I've read a few people comment on various pages that it's decent and even the EVO product page says it works well with planars, but not to my tastes.

 

[Derivative]

Scored a cheap pre-built Bottlehead Crack for my VC. Clear upgrade on the Little Dot MK3, as expected.
I just love how weighty the music sounds, without straying into bloat. Lovely.

Guy I bought it from had just acquired a Cayin HA-300 and I got a demo with the VC - beast of an amp! totally engrossing sound... maybe one day!

 

[tutetibiimperes]

Just throwing this out there, but there’s a very affordable Eddie Current ZDT Jr in the classifieds right now (no connection to me) that’s supposed to be a pretty dang nice OTC amp for the money.

 

[AudioDuck]

Just thought I’d flag there is a Violectric V281 in classifieds for a fair price. It’s a bit of a unicorn these days (unless you snag a new limited edition from Power Holdings), and a great amp with ZMF headphones…

 

[robo24]

Just thought I’d flag there is a Violectric V281 in classifieds for a fair price. It’s a bit of a unicorn these days (unless you snag a new limited edition from Power Holdings), and a great amp with ZMF headphones…

And a V280 for about half the price of that one

 

[Derivative]

And a V280 for about half the price of that one

Love the V280 with the Verite Closed!

 

[goldwerger]

Hi guys,

Since this is an amp thread, I thought I'd share as it may be of interest to many of you (hope this is ok).

I just publishde the Watercoller HE 2024 summer poll, focusng on Amplifiers.

You are most warmly welcome to join the fun. I will publish the result in the WC HE thread in a few days.

Link to the poll below:

The 2024 Summer Amplifier Poll ​

Hi everyone,

I hope you're having a wonderful start for your weekends!!

It is time of our next Watercooler Headphone Edition Poll. This time.... AMPLIFIERS!

As before, the purpose is to have some fun together, sharing the amplifiers everyone is currently enjoying, excited about, or dreaming of... along with other fun tidbit

Please enter your replies here: https://forms.gle/Ykk3EQUrwdYwRa6r9

I will collect all answers over the coming days and share back your polls results here in the thread!



Eyal

 

[goldwerger]

I just published the results for the Watercooler HE 2024 Summer Poll: AMPLIFIERS, to which many of you have contributed (thank you):

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...sic-and-musings.972819/page-176#post-18271536

Haved a great weekend!

 

[dkaudiophile]

Hey guys. Just got my pair om zmf auteur classic in. And ive been looking for a tube amp for them. Ive been looking at the feliks audio echo 2. But idk if it has enough power to drive my auteurs? Do you guys have any experience with the echo 2? And or do you have any recommendations at the same price?

 

[Luckyleo]

Hey guys. Just got my pair om zmf auteur classic in. And ive been looking for a tube amp for them. Ive been looking at the feliks audio echo 2. But idk if it has enough power to drive my auteurs? Do you guys have any experience with the echo 2? And or do you have any recommendations at the same price?

Echo 2 replaced my Espressivio in the marketplace. There may be some technical differences between the two that I'm unaware of, but it drove my Atrium Open beautifully. Great sound, terrific timbre.