I'm completely the opposite. I bought almost everything without auditioning (except HD800 and HD820), and I love everything that I bought.
Hey Eyal, had a shot at this by cropping out everything except the headphones and doing a reverse image search. Since the shape of the badge on the slider looks quite distinctive I thought there was a good chance it'd yield a result. And happily it did lead to a couple hits on ebay for the Fisher HP-100:...
Part 1:
My very first headphone experience was what my father owned when I was a toddler around 1972-73. It had a long coiled cord that snaked across the living room to his vinyl system. I’d listen to classical records hours on end and, evidently, fall asleep.
It’s a question I’ve been trying to answer for the longest time.. perhaps some here know: what model are these headphones?
...
Hey Eyal, had a shot at this by cropping out everything except the headphones and doing a reverse image search. Since the shape of the badge on the slider looks quite distinctive I thought there was a good chance it'd yield a result. And happily it did lead to a couple hits on ebay for the Fisher HP-100:
Here's further literature for you courtesy of hifiengine (https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/fisher/hp-100.shtml)
fisher_hp-60_100_advert_en.pdf
fisher_audio_accessories_brochure_nl50776-143_en.pdf
fisher_audio_accessories_brochure_nl50776-169_en.pdf
fisher_the_handbook_1971_en.pdf
I actually found these Magnavox branded headphones first that feature the same headband before landing on the Fisher. Seems like they're both yet another OEM model meant to round out a large catalog of stereo equipment.
).I really envy You right now.
| Amplifier | Entries | ||
| 1 | Riviera AIC10 | 17 | 5% |
| 2 | Feliks Envy | 17 | 5% |
| 3 | ZMF/DIY Aegis | 17 | 5% |
| 4 | Holo Bliss | 16 | 5% |
| 5 | MASS-kobo 465 | 15 | 5% |
| 6 | Zähl HM1 | 15 | 5% |
| 7 | Woo WA23 LUNA | 8 | 2% |
| 8 | Decware // Reference ZMF OTL | 7 | 2% |
| 9 | DNA Stratus | 6 | 2% |
| 10 | Cayin HA-300 | 5 | 2% |
| 11 | Feliks Euforia | 5 | 2% |
| 12 | Cen.Grand 9i-906 “Silver Fox” | 5 | 2% |
| 13 | Woo WA33 Elite Edition | 4 | 1% |
| 14 | Woo WA33 Standard | 4 | 1% |
| 15 | DNA Stellaris | 4 | 1% |
| 16 | Icon HP8 | 4 | 1% |
| 17 | HeadAmp Blue Hawaii | 4 | 1% |
| 18 | Ferrum OOR | 4 | 1% |
| 19 | Violectric HPA V281 | 4 | 1% |
| 20 | Violectric HPA V222 | 4 | 1% |
| 21 | Eksonic T2 | 3 | 1% |
| 22 | Feliks Envy 25th Anniversary Edition | 3 | 1% |
| 23 | RAAL-requisite VM-1a | 3 | 1% |
| 24 | Glenn OTL | 3 | 1% |
| 25 | ampsandsound Bigger Ben | 3 | 1% |
| 26 | Enleum AMP-23R | 3 | 1% |
| 27 | Benchmark HPA4 | 3 | 1% |
| 28 | Schiit Mjolnir 3 | 3 | 1% |
| 29 | Schiit Jotunheim | 3 | 1% |
| 30 | Sennheiser HE 1 | 2 | 1% |
| 31 | Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU | 2 | 1% |
| 32 | Trafomatic Primavera | 2 | 1% |
| 33 | ampandsound Red October | 2 | 1% |
| 34 | Viva Egoista 845 | 2 | 1% |
| 35 | L0rdGwyn Airmid | 2 | 1% |
| 36 | Auris Headonia 300B | 2 | 1% |
| 37 | Eddie Current Balancing Act | 2 | 1% |
| 38 | Cayin HA-3A | 2 | 1% |
| 39 | Woo WA22 | 2 | 1% |
| 40 | Woo WA2 | 2 | 1% |
| 41 | Feliks Echo | 2 | 1% |
| 42 | LTA microZOTL MZ3 | 2 | 1% |
| 43 | Cavalli Audio Liquid Gold | 2 | 1% |
| 44 | DCS Lina | 2 | 1% |
| 45 | KG CFA3 | 2 | 1% |
| 46 | HeadAmp CFA3 | 2 | 1% |
| 47 | SAEQ Armageddon | 2 | 1% |
| 48 | Chord DAVE | 2 | 1% |
| 49 | Chord Hugo TT 2 | 2 | 1% |
| 50 | Bakoon Amp-13R | 2 | 1% |
| 51 | Enleum HPA-23RM | 2 | 1% |
| 52 | Xi Audio Formula S | 2 | 1% |
| 53 | Bryston BHA-1 | 2 | 1% |
| 54 | MASS-kobo 475 | 2 | 1% |
| 55 | Nitsch Pietus Maximus | 2 | 1% |
| 56 | Lotoo Mjölnir | 2 | 1% |
| 57 | Violectric HPA V280 | 2 | 1% |
| 58 | KGSSHV Carbon CC (Mjölnir-Audio) | 1 | 0% |
| 59 | KGSSHV Carbon (John W McLean) | 1 | 0% |
| 60 | Stax SRM-T8000 | 1 | 0% |
| 61 | Stax SRM-700S | 1 | 0% |
| 62 | Woo 3ES | 1 | 0% |
| 63 | Woo WA7 Fireflies | 1 | 0% |
| 64 | Woo WA234-MONO | 1 | 0% |
| 65 | Benchmark AHB2 monoblocks | 1 | 0% |
| 66 | Riviera Levante | 1 | 0% |
| 67 | Sennheiser Orpheus HEV 90 | 1 | 0% |
| 68 | McChanson Super Ultimate | 1 | 0% |
| 69 | McChanson UltimatE | 1 | 0% |
| 70 | Eddie Current Aficionado | 1 | 0% |
| 71 | Eddie Current Studio T | 1 | 0% |
| 72 | UltraSonic Studios Telemachus | 1 | 0% |
| 73 | Glenn EL3N | 1 | 0% |
| 74 | Decware Taboo | 1 | 0% |
| 75 | Octave V 16 Single Ended | 1 | 0% |
| 76 | ampsandsound Nautilus | 1 | 0% |
| 77 | ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 | 1 | 0% |
| 78 | ampandsound ZMF Pendant | 1 | 0% |
| 79 | Radu Tarta Shiny Eyes 300B | 1 | 0% |
| 80 | Cary CAD-300SEI (modded) | 1 | 0% |
| 81 | Auris Nirvana | 1 | 0% |
| 82 | Trafomatic Head 2 | 1 | 0% |
| 83 | McIntosh MHA200 | 1 | 0% |
| 84 | LTA MicroZOTL Preamplifier | 1 | 0% |
| 85 | LTA Velo | 1 | 0% |
| 86 | Willsenton R8 (modded) | 1 | 0% |
| 87 | Schiit Folkvangr | 1 | 0% |
| 88 | Feliks Elise | 1 | 0% |
| 89 | Feliks Espressivo | 1 | 0% |
| 90 | Audio-Technica AT-HA5050H | 1 | 0% |
| 91 | Bottlehead S.E.X. | 1 | 0% |
| 92 | SAEQ HSA-1c | 1 | 0% |
| 93 | SAEQ PDA-1b | 1 | 0% |
| 94 | RSA B-52 | 1 | 0% |
| 95 | RSA B-21 Raider | 1 | 0% |
| 96 | RSA “The Apache” | 1 | 0% |
| 97 | RSA A-10 Thunderbolt II | 1 | 0% |
| 98 | Boulder 812 | 1 | 0% |
| 99 | Boulder 1161 | 1 | 0% |
| 100 | Krell KSA-150 | 1 | 0% |
| 101 | Mola Mola Kula | 1 | 0% |
| 102 | Denon AVR-2807 | 1 | 0% |
| 103 | LUXMAN P-750u Mark II | 1 | 0% |
| 104 | Sennheiser HDVD 800 | 1 | 0% |
| 105 | ECP DSHA-3F | 1 | 0% |
| 106 | Hifiman EF1000 | 1 | 0% |
| 107 | Hifiman EF400 | 1 | 0% |
| 108 | Chord Alto | 1 | 0% |
| 109 | Wells Audio Headtrip level II | 1 | 0% |
| 110 | Wells Audio Headtrip level I | 1 | 0% |
| 111 | iFi iCAN Phantom | 1 | 0% |
| 112 | iFi Pro iCan Signature | 1 | 0% |
| 113 | iFi ZEN CAN | 1 | 0% |
| 114 | MASS-kobo 394II | 1 | 0% |
| 115 | Cen.Grand 9i-806 “Little Silver Fox” | 1 | 0% |
| 116 | Burson Conductor 3X Performance | 1 | 0% |
| 117 | Burson Soloist Voyager | 1 | 0% |
| 118 | HeadAmp GS-X mk2 | 1 | 0% |
| 119 | HeadAmp GS-X Mini | 1 | 0% |
| 120 | HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2 | 1 | 0% |
| 121 | Violectric HPA V550 PRO | 1 | 0% |
| 122 | Violectric DHA V380 | 1 | 0% |
| 123 | Violectric DHA V226 | 1 | 0% |
| 124 | Violectric HPA V200 | 1 | 0% |
| 125 | Beyerdynamic A 20 | 1 | 0% |
| 126 | Bakoon PRE-7610 MK3 | 1 | 0% |
| 127 | Satri HDA-5230 mk2 | 1 | 0% |
| 128 | RME ADI-2 | 1 | 0% |
| 129 | Sony DMP-Z1 | 1 | 0% |
| 130 | iBasso PB5 | 1 | 0% |
| 131 | iBasso D16 Taipan | 1 | 0% |
| 132 | Centrance HiFi-M8 V2 | 1 | 0% |
| 133 | Questyle M12 | 1 | 0% |
| 134 | Schiit Ragnarok 2 | 1 | 0% |
| 135 | xDuoo TA-26 | 1 | 0% |
| 136 | xDuoo TA-22 | 1 | 0% |
| 137 | Topping A70 Pro | 1 | 0% |
| 138 | Topping L70 | 1 | 0% |
| 139 | Topping DX7 Pro | 1 | 0% |
| 140 | Topping A30 Pro | 1 | 0% |
| 141 | Geshelli Erish 3 | 1 | 0% |
| 142 | Aune S17 Pro | 1 | 0% |
| Amplifier | Entries | ||
| 1 | ZMF/DIY Aegis | 17 | 16% |
| 2 | Riviera AIC10 | 13 | 12% |
| 3 | MASS-kobo 465 | 13 | 12% |
| 4 | Feliks Envy 25th Anniversary Edition | 4 | 4% |
| 5 | Feliks Envy | 4 | 4% |
| 6 | Decware // Reference ZMF OTL | 4 | 4% |
| 7 | ampandsound Red October | 3 | 3% |
| 8 | Trafomatic Primavera | 3 | 3% |
| 9 | Holo Bliss | 3 | 3% |
| 10 | Woo WA33 Elite Edition | 3 | 3% |
| 11 | Woo WA23 LUNA | 2 | 2% |
| 12 | HeadAmp CFA3 | 2 | 2% |
| 13 | LTA Z10e | 2 | 2% |
| 14 | MASS-kobo 394II | 2 | 2% |
| 15 | Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU | 1 | 1% |
| 16 | Aries Cerat Genus | 1 | 1% |
| 17 | Riviera AFM50 | 1 | 1% |
| 18 | Riviera Levante | 1 | 1% |
| 19 | Viva Egoista 845 | 1 | 1% |
| 20 | ampandsound Red October XL | 1 | 1% |
| 21 | ampsandsound Nautilus | 1 | 1% |
| 22 | Angstrom Stella SHA20 | 1 | 1% |
| 23 | HeadAmp Grand Cayman | 1 | 1% |
| 24 | Cavalli Audio Liquid Tungsten | 1 | 1% |
| 25 | Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson | 1 | 1% |
| 26 | RSA B-21 Raider | 1 | 1% |
| 27 | Woo WA33 Standard | 1 | 1% |
| 28 | Cayin Soul U-170HA | 1 | 1% |
| 29 | Cayin HA-300 | 1 | 1% |
| 30 | Cayin HA-6A | 1 | 1% |
| 31 | DNA Stellaris | 1 | 1% |
| 32 | Eksonic T2 | 1 | 1% |
| 33 | Feliks - upcoming electrostatic amplifier | 1 | 1% |
| 34 | Eddie Current Studio T | 1 | 1% |
| 35 | Lina stack | 1 | 1% |
| 36 | SAEQ Armageddon | 1 | 1% |
| 37 | RAAL-requisite VM-1a | 1 | 1% |
| 38 | 1101 Audio Blue Halo+ | 1 | 1% |
| 39 | Chord DAVE / Hugo TT 2 -- future updates | 1 | 1% |
| 40 | Enleum AMP-23R | 1 | 1% |
| 41 | First Watt F8 | 1 | 1% |
| 42 | Solaja - upcoming direct-drive ribbon amplifier | 1 | 1% |
| 43 | Benchmark AHB2 | 1 | 1% |
| 44 | Benchmark HPA4 | 1 | 1% |
| 45 | MASS-kobo 475 | 1 | 1% |
| 46 | Ferrum OOR | 1 | 1% |
| 47 | Icon HP8 | 1 | 1% |
| 48 | Satri HDA-5230 mk2 | 1 | 1% |
| Amplifier | Entries | ||
| 1 | ZMF/DIY Aegis | 16 | 15% |
| 2 | Riviera AIC10 | 13 | 13% |
| 3 | MASS-kobo 465 | 13 | 13% |
| 4 | Cayin Soul U-170HA | 4 | 4% |
| 5 | ampandsound Red October | 4 | 4% |
| 6 | ampandsound Red October XL | 3 | 3% |
| 7 | Feliks Envy | 3 | 3% |
| 8 | HeadAmp CFA3 | 3 | 3% |
| 9 | Decware // Reference ZMF OTL | 2 | 2% |
| 10 | RSA B-21 Raider | 2 | 2% |
| 11 | Viva Egoista 845 | 2 | 2% |
| 12 | Auris Headonia 300B | 2 | 2% |
| 13 | Woo WA23 LUNA | 2 | 2% |
| 14 | Zähl HM1 | 2 | 2% |
| 15 | Cayin HA-2A | 2 | 2% |
| 16 | LTA (model not specified) | 2 | 2% |
| 17 | Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU | 1 | 1% |
| 18 | Viva Solista | 1 | 1% |
| 19 | Viva - new amplifier (not specified) | 1 | 1% |
| 20 | Sennheiser HE 1 | 1 | 1% |
| 21 | Eksonic T2 | 1 | 1% |
| 22 | HeadAmp Grand Cayman | 1 | 1% |
| 23 | Feliks - upcoming electrostatic amplifier | 1 | 1% |
| 24 | LTA Z10e | 1 | 1% |
| 25 | LTA microZOTL MZ3 | 1 | 1% |
| 26 | Trafomatic Primavera | 1 | 1% |
| 27 | DNA Stellaris | 1 | 1% |
| 28 | DNA Stratus | 1 | 1% |
| 29 | DNA (model not specified) | 1 | 1% |
| 30 | Woo WA33 Standard | 1 | 1% |
| 31 | McChanson 300B SET timE | 1 | 1% |
| 32 | Black Ice Fusion F35 | 1 | 1% |
| 33 | Bottlehead Mainline | 1 | 1% |
| 34 | Cayin HA-300 | 1 | 1% |
| 35 | Cayin C9ii | 1 | 1% |
| 36 | Pathos InPol Ear | 1 | 1% |
| 37 | Wells Audio Headtrip level III | 1 | 1% |
| 38 | SAEQ Armageddon | 1 | 1% |
| 39 | LUXMAN P-750u Mark II | 1 | 1% |
| 40 | Holo Bliss | 1 | 1% |
| 41 | Enleum AMP-23R | 1 | 1% |
| 42 | Nitsch DSHA-3FN | 1 | 1% |
| 43 | Flux MENTOR | 1 | 1% |
| 44 | Mérason - upcoming amplifier | 1 | 1% |
| 45 | Venture Electronics Defiant | 1 | 1% |
Very interesting and extensive (market) research!2024 SUMMER POLL: AMPLIFIERS - RESULTS
Hi everyone,
The Watercooler HE 2024 Summer Poll - Amplifiers is now complete. Below are your responses!
Participation has again been overwhelming, with 115 of you responding
Which are the 3 best amplifiers you’ve ever heard (owned or demoed)?
6 amplifiers were mentioned as "best ever heard" by nearly 30% of the community.
Amplifier Entries 1 Riviera AIC10 17 5% 2 Feliks Envy 17 5% 3 ZMF/DIY Aegis 17 5% 4 Holo Bliss 16 5% 5 MASS-kobo 465 15 5% 6 Zähl HM1 15 5% 7 Woo WA23 LUNA 8 2% 8 Decware // Reference ZMF OTL 7 2% 9 DNA Stratus 6 2% 10 Cayin HA-300 5 2% 11 Feliks Euforia 5 2% 12 Cen.Grand 9i-906 “Silver Fox” 5 2% 13 Woo WA33 Elite Edition 4 1% 14 Woo WA33 Standard 4 1% 15 DNA Stellaris 4 1% 16 Icon HP8 4 1% 17 HeadAmp Blue Hawaii 4 1% 18 Ferrum OOR 4 1% 19 Violectric HPA V281 4 1% 20 Violectric HPA V222 4 1% 21 Eksonic T2 3 1% 22 Feliks Envy 25th Anniversary Edition 3 1% 23 RAAL-requisite VM-1a 3 1% 24 Glenn OTL 3 1% 25 ampsandsound Bigger Ben 3 1% 26 Enleum AMP-23R 3 1% 27 Benchmark HPA4 3 1% 28 Schiit Mjolnir 3 3 1% 29 Schiit Jotunheim 3 1% 30 Sennheiser HE 1 2 1% 31 Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU 2 1% 32 Trafomatic Primavera 2 1% 33 ampandsound Red October 2 1% 34 Viva Egoista 845 2 1% 35 L0rdGwyn Airmid 2 1% 36 Auris Headonia 300B 2 1% 37 Eddie Current Balancing Act 2 1% 38 Cayin HA-3A 2 1% 39 Woo WA22 2 1% 40 Woo WA2 2 1% 41 Feliks Echo 2 1% 42 LTA microZOTL MZ3 2 1% 43 Cavalli Audio Liquid Gold 2 1% 44 DCS Lina 2 1% 45 KG CFA3 2 1% 46 HeadAmp CFA3 2 1% 47 SAEQ Armageddon 2 1% 48 Chord DAVE 2 1% 49 Chord Hugo TT 2 2 1% 50 Bakoon Amp-13R 2 1% 51 Enleum HPA-23RM 2 1% 52 Xi Audio Formula S 2 1% 53 Bryston BHA-1 2 1% 54 MASS-kobo 475 2 1% 55 Nitsch Pietus Maximus 2 1% 56 Lotoo Mjölnir 2 1% 57 Violectric HPA V280 2 1% 58 KGSSHV Carbon CC (Mjölnir-Audio) 1 0% 59 KGSSHV Carbon (John W McLean) 1 0% 60 Stax SRM-T8000 1 0% 61 Stax SRM-700S 1 0% 62 Woo 3ES 1 0% 63 Woo WA7 Fireflies 1 0% 64 Woo WA234-MONO 1 0% 65 Benchmark AHB2 monoblocks 1 0% 66 Riviera Levante 1 0% 67 Sennheiser Orpheus HEV 90 1 0% 68 McChanson Super Ultimate 1 0% 69 McChanson UltimatE 1 0% 70 Eddie Current Aficionado 1 0% 71 Eddie Current Studio T 1 0% 72 UltraSonic Studios Telemachus 1 0% 73 Glenn EL3N 1 0% 74 Decware Taboo 1 0% 75 Octave V 16 Single Ended 1 0% 76 ampsandsound Nautilus 1 0% 77 ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 1 0% 78 ampandsound ZMF Pendant 1 0% 79 Radu Tarta Shiny Eyes 300B 1 0% 80 Cary CAD-300SEI (modded) 1 0% 81 Auris Nirvana 1 0% 82 Trafomatic Head 2 1 0% 83 McIntosh MHA200 1 0% 84 LTA MicroZOTL Preamplifier 1 0% 85 LTA Velo 1 0% 86 Willsenton R8 (modded) 1 0% 87 Schiit Folkvangr 1 0% 88 Feliks Elise 1 0% 89 Feliks Espressivo 1 0% 90 Audio-Technica AT-HA5050H 1 0% 91 Bottlehead S.E.X. 1 0% 92 SAEQ HSA-1c 1 0% 93 SAEQ PDA-1b 1 0% 94 RSA B-52 1 0% 95 RSA B-21 Raider 1 0% 96 RSA “The Apache” 1 0% 97 RSA A-10 Thunderbolt II 1 0% 98 Boulder 812 1 0% 99 Boulder 1161 1 0% 100 Krell KSA-150 1 0% 101 Mola Mola Kula 1 0% 102 Denon AVR-2807 1 0% 103 LUXMAN P-750u Mark II 1 0% 104 Sennheiser HDVD 800 1 0% 105 ECP DSHA-3F 1 0% 106 Hifiman EF1000 1 0% 107 Hifiman EF400 1 0% 108 Chord Alto 1 0% 109 Wells Audio Headtrip level II 1 0% 110 Wells Audio Headtrip level I 1 0% 111 iFi iCAN Phantom 1 0% 112 iFi Pro iCan Signature 1 0% 113 iFi ZEN CAN 1 0% 114 MASS-kobo 394II 1 0% 115 Cen.Grand 9i-806 “Little Silver Fox” 1 0% 116 Burson Conductor 3X Performance 1 0% 117 Burson Soloist Voyager 1 0% 118 HeadAmp GS-X mk2 1 0% 119 HeadAmp GS-X Mini 1 0% 120 HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2 1 0% 121 Violectric HPA V550 PRO 1 0% 122 Violectric DHA V380 1 0% 123 Violectric DHA V226 1 0% 124 Violectric HPA V200 1 0% 125 Beyerdynamic A 20 1 0% 126 Bakoon PRE-7610 MK3 1 0% 127 Satri HDA-5230 mk2 1 0% 128 RME ADI-2 1 0% 129 Sony DMP-Z1 1 0% 130 iBasso PB5 1 0% 131 iBasso D16 Taipan 1 0% 132 Centrance HiFi-M8 V2 1 0% 133 Questyle M12 1 0% 134 Schiit Ragnarok 2 1 0% 135 xDuoo TA-26 1 0% 136 xDuoo TA-22 1 0% 137 Topping A70 Pro 1 0% 138 Topping L70 1 0% 139 Topping DX7 Pro 1 0% 140 Topping A30 Pro 1 0% 141 Geshelli Erish 3 1 0% 142 Aune S17 Pro 1 0%
Note: the following were consolidated into single entries for ease of analyzing multiple free-form replies:
Riviera AIC10 = AIC10 / AIC10-Bal
Feliks Envy = Standard / Performance
ZMF/DIY Aegis = ZMF Aegis / DIY Aegis
Holo Bliss = Standard / KTE
Icon HP8 = MkI / MkII / Signature Edition
HeadAmp Blue Hawaii = Blue Hawaii / Blue Hawaii SE
Feliks Euforia = Euforia / Euforia EVO
Cayin HA-300 = HA-300 / HA-300MK2
Violectric HPA V280 = HPA V280 / HPA V280-FE
Which amplifier is at the top of your bucket list?
3 amplifiers are at the top of the bucket list for nearly 40% of the community, while 14 amplifiers are the top wish for nearly 70% of respondents.
Amplifier Entries 1 ZMF/DIY Aegis 17 16% 2 Riviera AIC10 13 12% 3 MASS-kobo 465 13 12% 4 Feliks Envy 25th Anniversary Edition 4 4% 5 Feliks Envy 4 4% 6 Decware // Reference ZMF OTL 4 4% 7 ampandsound Red October 3 3% 8 Trafomatic Primavera 3 3% 9 Holo Bliss 3 3% 10 Woo WA33 Elite Edition 3 3% 11 Woo WA23 LUNA 2 2% 12 HeadAmp CFA3 2 2% 13 LTA Z10e 2 2% 14 MASS-kobo 394II 2 2% 15 Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU 1 1% 16 Aries Cerat Genus 1 1% 17 Riviera AFM50 1 1% 18 Riviera Levante 1 1% 19 Viva Egoista 845 1 1% 20 ampandsound Red October XL 1 1% 21 ampsandsound Nautilus 1 1% 22 Angstrom Stella SHA20 1 1% 23 HeadAmp Grand Cayman 1 1% 24 Cavalli Audio Liquid Tungsten 1 1% 25 Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson 1 1% 26 RSA B-21 Raider 1 1% 27 Woo WA33 Standard 1 1% 28 Cayin Soul U-170HA 1 1% 29 Cayin HA-300 1 1% 30 Cayin HA-6A 1 1% 31 DNA Stellaris 1 1% 32 Eksonic T2 1 1% 33 Feliks - upcoming electrostatic amplifier 1 1% 34 Eddie Current Studio T 1 1% 35 Lina stack 1 1% 36 SAEQ Armageddon 1 1% 37 RAAL-requisite VM-1a 1 1% 38 1101 Audio Blue Halo+ 1 1% 39 Chord DAVE / Hugo TT 2 -- future updates 1 1% 40 Enleum AMP-23R 1 1% 41 First Watt F8 1 1% 42 Solaja - upcoming direct-drive ribbon amplifier 1 1% 43 Benchmark AHB2 1 1% 44 Benchmark HPA4 1 1% 45 MASS-kobo 475 1 1% 46 Ferrum OOR 1 1% 47 Icon HP8 1 1% 48 Satri HDA-5230 mk2 1 1%
Which amplifier are you most excited to demo next?
Unsurprisingly, there is a significant overlap between everyone's bucket lists and what they wish to demo next. The top 3 entries are identical in both lists, with differences in the detailed list.
Amplifier Entries 1 ZMF/DIY Aegis 16 15% 2 Riviera AIC10 13 13% 3 MASS-kobo 465 13 13% 4 Cayin Soul U-170HA 4 4% 5 ampandsound Red October 4 4% 6 ampandsound Red October XL 3 3% 7 Feliks Envy 3 3% 8 HeadAmp CFA3 3 3% 9 Decware // Reference ZMF OTL 2 2% 10 RSA B-21 Raider 2 2% 11 Viva Egoista 845 2 2% 12 Auris Headonia 300B 2 2% 13 Woo WA23 LUNA 2 2% 14 Zähl HM1 2 2% 15 Cayin HA-2A 2 2% 16 LTA (model not specified) 2 2% 17 Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU 1 1% 18 Viva Solista 1 1% 19 Viva - new amplifier (not specified) 1 1% 20 Sennheiser HE 1 1 1% 21 Eksonic T2 1 1% 22 HeadAmp Grand Cayman 1 1% 23 Feliks - upcoming electrostatic amplifier 1 1% 24 LTA Z10e 1 1% 25 LTA microZOTL MZ3 1 1% 26 Trafomatic Primavera 1 1% 27 DNA Stellaris 1 1% 28 DNA Stratus 1 1% 29 DNA (model not specified) 1 1% 30 Woo WA33 Standard 1 1% 31 McChanson 300B SET timE 1 1% 32 Black Ice Fusion F35 1 1% 33 Bottlehead Mainline 1 1% 34 Cayin HA-300 1 1% 35 Cayin C9ii 1 1% 36 Pathos InPol Ear 1 1% 37 Wells Audio Headtrip level III 1 1% 38 SAEQ Armageddon 1 1% 39 LUXMAN P-750u Mark II 1 1% 40 Holo Bliss 1 1% 41 Enleum AMP-23R 1 1% 42 Nitsch DSHA-3FN 1 1% 43 Flux MENTOR 1 1% 44 Mérason - upcoming amplifier 1 1% 45 Venture Electronics Defiant 1 1%
Which amplifier type are you currently using?
The most common amplifier type used by this poll respondants is a transformer-coupled tube amplifier, followed by a solid-state amplifier.
Amplifier properties - what importance do you place on the following?
Most notably, respondants most value an amp's sonic value-added characteristics and a low noise floor. The amp toplogy and measurements are, in themselves, not determinant factors.
Each histogram shows the distribution of answers from "Not important" on the left side to "Very important" on the right.
This poll was extensive in scope, and in the end, it was very rewarding to read through the results and compile them into this report. I hope you find this summary interesting!
Have a great weekend everyone...
I was surprised to see 58.2% using tube amps. Or actually I am not; they just sound so good! Glad to be of assistanceAlan, wow. I'm blown away. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!
I've been looking for this answer for nearly a year and posted on Head-Fi a couple of times. A few have tried to crack this riddle, including me, and we have we have failed until now. I can't tell you how greatful I am. I missed a heart bit when I saw your post. It is so very kind of you to take this effort.
I will be ordering these ASAP. I can't wait to listen again to my very first headphones... I'll post here with thoses as soon as I'm able to make that happen (perhaps, a comparison photo, who know..
Thank you sincerely my friend!!!
Zach tuned all his closed back variants a little warmer/smoother. That is true for the Caldera closed as well, in relation to the Caldera open. To me personally all his headphones have plenty of bass and while I think ZMF makes the best tuned closed backs, I still prefer their open counterparts. This is true for the Caldera too.
It's again interesting to see how many in here are true ZMF Fans. The headphones poll also had them very prominent and now the Aegis comes in surprisingly strong.2024 SUMMER POLL: AMPLIFIERS - RESULTS
Hi everyone,
The Watercooler HE 2024 Summer Poll - Amplifiers is now complete. Below are your responses!
Participation has again been overwhelming, with 115 of you responding
Which are the 3 best amplifiers you’ve ever heard (owned or demoed)?
6 amplifiers were mentioned as "best ever heard" by nearly 30% of the community.
Amplifier Entries 1 Riviera AIC10 17 5% 2 Feliks Envy 17 5% 3 ZMF/DIY Aegis 17 5% 4 Holo Bliss 16 5% 5 MASS-kobo 465 15 5% 6 Zähl HM1 15 5% 7 Woo WA23 LUNA 8 2% 8 Decware // Reference ZMF OTL 7 2% 9 DNA Stratus 6 2% 10 Cayin HA-300 5 2% 11 Feliks Euforia 5 2% 12 Cen.Grand 9i-906 “Silver Fox” 5 2% 13 Woo WA33 Elite Edition 4 1% 14 Woo WA33 Standard 4 1% 15 DNA Stellaris 4 1% 16 Icon HP8 4 1% 17 HeadAmp Blue Hawaii 4 1% 18 Ferrum OOR 4 1% 19 Violectric HPA V281 4 1% 20 Violectric HPA V222 4 1% 21 Eksonic T2 3 1% 22 Feliks Envy 25th Anniversary Edition 3 1% 23 RAAL-requisite VM-1a 3 1% 24 Glenn OTL 3 1% 25 ampsandsound Bigger Ben 3 1% 26 Enleum AMP-23R 3 1% 27 Benchmark HPA4 3 1% 28 Schiit Mjolnir 3 3 1% 29 Schiit Jotunheim 3 1% 30 Sennheiser HE 1 2 1% 31 Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU 2 1% 32 Trafomatic Primavera 2 1% 33 ampandsound Red October 2 1% 34 Viva Egoista 845 2 1% 35 L0rdGwyn Airmid 2 1% 36 Auris Headonia 300B 2 1% 37 Eddie Current Balancing Act 2 1% 38 Cayin HA-3A 2 1% 39 Woo WA22 2 1% 40 Woo WA2 2 1% 41 Feliks Echo 2 1% 42 LTA microZOTL MZ3 2 1% 43 Cavalli Audio Liquid Gold 2 1% 44 DCS Lina 2 1% 45 KG CFA3 2 1% 46 HeadAmp CFA3 2 1% 47 SAEQ Armageddon 2 1% 48 Chord DAVE 2 1% 49 Chord Hugo TT 2 2 1% 50 Bakoon Amp-13R 2 1% 51 Enleum HPA-23RM 2 1% 52 Xi Audio Formula S 2 1% 53 Bryston BHA-1 2 1% 54 MASS-kobo 475 2 1% 55 Nitsch Pietus Maximus 2 1% 56 Lotoo Mjölnir 2 1% 57 Violectric HPA V280 2 1% 58 KGSSHV Carbon CC (Mjölnir-Audio) 1 0% 59 KGSSHV Carbon (John W McLean) 1 0% 60 Stax SRM-T8000 1 0% 61 Stax SRM-700S 1 0% 62 Woo 3ES 1 0% 63 Woo WA7 Fireflies 1 0% 64 Woo WA234-MONO 1 0% 65 Benchmark AHB2 monoblocks 1 0% 66 Riviera Levante 1 0% 67 Sennheiser Orpheus HEV 90 1 0% 68 McChanson Super Ultimate 1 0% 69 McChanson UltimatE 1 0% 70 Eddie Current Aficionado 1 0% 71 Eddie Current Studio T 1 0% 72 UltraSonic Studios Telemachus 1 0% 73 Glenn EL3N 1 0% 74 Decware Taboo 1 0% 75 Octave V 16 Single Ended 1 0% 76 ampsandsound Nautilus 1 0% 77 ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 1 0% 78 ampandsound ZMF Pendant 1 0% 79 Radu Tarta Shiny Eyes 300B 1 0% 80 Cary CAD-300SEI (modded) 1 0% 81 Auris Nirvana 1 0% 82 Trafomatic Head 2 1 0% 83 McIntosh MHA200 1 0% 84 LTA MicroZOTL Preamplifier 1 0% 85 LTA Velo 1 0% 86 Willsenton R8 (modded) 1 0% 87 Schiit Folkvangr 1 0% 88 Feliks Elise 1 0% 89 Feliks Espressivo 1 0% 90 Audio-Technica AT-HA5050H 1 0% 91 Bottlehead S.E.X. 1 0% 92 SAEQ HSA-1c 1 0% 93 SAEQ PDA-1b 1 0% 94 RSA B-52 1 0% 95 RSA B-21 Raider 1 0% 96 RSA “The Apache” 1 0% 97 RSA A-10 Thunderbolt II 1 0% 98 Boulder 812 1 0% 99 Boulder 1161 1 0% 100 Krell KSA-150 1 0% 101 Mola Mola Kula 1 0% 102 Denon AVR-2807 1 0% 103 LUXMAN P-750u Mark II 1 0% 104 Sennheiser HDVD 800 1 0% 105 ECP DSHA-3F 1 0% 106 Hifiman EF1000 1 0% 107 Hifiman EF400 1 0% 108 Chord Alto 1 0% 109 Wells Audio Headtrip level II 1 0% 110 Wells Audio Headtrip level I 1 0% 111 iFi iCAN Phantom 1 0% 112 iFi Pro iCan Signature 1 0% 113 iFi ZEN CAN 1 0% 114 MASS-kobo 394II 1 0% 115 Cen.Grand 9i-806 “Little Silver Fox” 1 0% 116 Burson Conductor 3X Performance 1 0% 117 Burson Soloist Voyager 1 0% 118 HeadAmp GS-X mk2 1 0% 119 HeadAmp GS-X Mini 1 0% 120 HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2 1 0% 121 Violectric HPA V550 PRO 1 0% 122 Violectric DHA V380 1 0% 123 Violectric DHA V226 1 0% 124 Violectric HPA V200 1 0% 125 Beyerdynamic A 20 1 0% 126 Bakoon PRE-7610 MK3 1 0% 127 Satri HDA-5230 mk2 1 0% 128 RME ADI-2 1 0% 129 Sony DMP-Z1 1 0% 130 iBasso PB5 1 0% 131 iBasso D16 Taipan 1 0% 132 Centrance HiFi-M8 V2 1 0% 133 Questyle M12 1 0% 134 Schiit Ragnarok 2 1 0% 135 xDuoo TA-26 1 0% 136 xDuoo TA-22 1 0% 137 Topping A70 Pro 1 0% 138 Topping L70 1 0% 139 Topping DX7 Pro 1 0% 140 Topping A30 Pro 1 0% 141 Geshelli Erish 3 1 0% 142 Aune S17 Pro 1 0%
Note: the following were consolidated into single entries for ease of analyzing multiple free-form replies:
Riviera AIC10 = AIC10 / AIC10-Bal
Feliks Envy = Standard / Performance
ZMF/DIY Aegis = ZMF Aegis / DIY Aegis
Holo Bliss = Standard / KTE
Icon HP8 = MkI / MkII / Signature Edition
HeadAmp Blue Hawaii = Blue Hawaii / Blue Hawaii SE
Feliks Euforia = Euforia / Euforia EVO
Cayin HA-300 = HA-300 / HA-300MK2
Violectric HPA V280 = HPA V280 / HPA V280-FE
Which amplifier is at the top of your bucket list?
3 amplifiers are at the top of the bucket list for nearly 40% of the community, while 14 amplifiers are the top wish for nearly 70% of respondents.
Amplifier Entries 1 ZMF/DIY Aegis 17 16% 2 Riviera AIC10 13 12% 3 MASS-kobo 465 13 12% 4 Feliks Envy 25th Anniversary Edition 4 4% 5 Feliks Envy 4 4% 6 Decware // Reference ZMF OTL 4 4% 7 ampandsound Red October 3 3% 8 Trafomatic Primavera 3 3% 9 Holo Bliss 3 3% 10 Woo WA33 Elite Edition 3 3% 11 Woo WA23 LUNA 2 2% 12 HeadAmp CFA3 2 2% 13 LTA Z10e 2 2% 14 MASS-kobo 394II 2 2% 15 Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU 1 1% 16 Aries Cerat Genus 1 1% 17 Riviera AFM50 1 1% 18 Riviera Levante 1 1% 19 Viva Egoista 845 1 1% 20 ampandsound Red October XL 1 1% 21 ampsandsound Nautilus 1 1% 22 Angstrom Stella SHA20 1 1% 23 HeadAmp Grand Cayman 1 1% 24 Cavalli Audio Liquid Tungsten 1 1% 25 Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson 1 1% 26 RSA B-21 Raider 1 1% 27 Woo WA33 Standard 1 1% 28 Cayin Soul U-170HA 1 1% 29 Cayin HA-300 1 1% 30 Cayin HA-6A 1 1% 31 DNA Stellaris 1 1% 32 Eksonic T2 1 1% 33 Feliks - upcoming electrostatic amplifier 1 1% 34 Eddie Current Studio T 1 1% 35 Lina stack 1 1% 36 SAEQ Armageddon 1 1% 37 RAAL-requisite VM-1a 1 1% 38 1101 Audio Blue Halo+ 1 1% 39 Chord DAVE / Hugo TT 2 -- future updates 1 1% 40 Enleum AMP-23R 1 1% 41 First Watt F8 1 1% 42 Solaja - upcoming direct-drive ribbon amplifier 1 1% 43 Benchmark AHB2 1 1% 44 Benchmark HPA4 1 1% 45 MASS-kobo 475 1 1% 46 Ferrum OOR 1 1% 47 Icon HP8 1 1% 48 Satri HDA-5230 mk2 1 1%
Which amplifier are you most excited to demo next?
Unsurprisingly, there is a significant overlap between everyone's bucket lists and what they wish to demo next. The top 3 entries are identical in both lists, with differences in the detailed list.
Amplifier Entries 1 ZMF/DIY Aegis 16 15% 2 Riviera AIC10 13 13% 3 MASS-kobo 465 13 13% 4 Cayin Soul U-170HA 4 4% 5 ampandsound Red October 4 4% 6 ampandsound Red October XL 3 3% 7 Feliks Envy 3 3% 8 HeadAmp CFA3 3 3% 9 Decware // Reference ZMF OTL 2 2% 10 RSA B-21 Raider 2 2% 11 Viva Egoista 845 2 2% 12 Auris Headonia 300B 2 2% 13 Woo WA23 LUNA 2 2% 14 Zähl HM1 2 2% 15 Cayin HA-2A 2 2% 16 LTA (model not specified) 2 2% 17 Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU 1 1% 18 Viva Solista 1 1% 19 Viva - new amplifier (not specified) 1 1% 20 Sennheiser HE 1 1 1% 21 Eksonic T2 1 1% 22 HeadAmp Grand Cayman 1 1% 23 Feliks - upcoming electrostatic amplifier 1 1% 24 LTA Z10e 1 1% 25 LTA microZOTL MZ3 1 1% 26 Trafomatic Primavera 1 1% 27 DNA Stellaris 1 1% 28 DNA Stratus 1 1% 29 DNA (model not specified) 1 1% 30 Woo WA33 Standard 1 1% 31 McChanson 300B SET timE 1 1% 32 Black Ice Fusion F35 1 1% 33 Bottlehead Mainline 1 1% 34 Cayin HA-300 1 1% 35 Cayin C9ii 1 1% 36 Pathos InPol Ear 1 1% 37 Wells Audio Headtrip level III 1 1% 38 SAEQ Armageddon 1 1% 39 LUXMAN P-750u Mark II 1 1% 40 Holo Bliss 1 1% 41 Enleum AMP-23R 1 1% 42 Nitsch DSHA-3FN 1 1% 43 Flux MENTOR 1 1% 44 Mérason - upcoming amplifier 1 1% 45 Venture Electronics Defiant 1 1%
Which amplifier type are you currently using?
The most common amplifier type used by this poll respondants is a transformer-coupled tube amplifier, followed by a solid-state amplifier.
Amplifier properties - what importance do you place on the following?
Most notably, respondants most value an amp's sonic value-added characteristics and a low noise floor. The amp toplogy and measurements are, in themselves, not determinant factors.
Each histogram shows the distribution of answers from "Not important" on the left side to "Very important" on the right.
This poll was extensive in scope, and in the end, it was very rewarding to read through the results and compile them into this report. I hope you find this summary interesting!
Have a great weekend everyone...
Very true, although I always wonder how representative the Head-Fi consumer community is compared to the general Hi-Fi enthusiast community. ZMF is awesome, but they do have a strong presence on this site. (Which IMO is good, but might affect the result of such poll.)
