[MarkO]

I have HD600 and ety 4s. Sources are DCM70 with ART Di/0, and iPOD. Planning to try a 963sa soon.

My current amps are Creek OBH-11 for home, and Total Airhead for the road (with the iPod).

I'm trying to get a sense of how worthwhile it would be for me to upgrade the amp. I know in the end my ears must be the judge, but before I start driving around to audition amps, I'd like to know if we're talking subtle improvements or night and day. And where is the point of diminishing marginal returns?

I'd very much appreciate it if any former Creek/HD600 or ety users out there could describe what they upgraded their amps to, and how dramatic the improvement was.

I should say that I enjoy my Creek, as well as my Airhead. I find the Creek has more of everything -- more air, more bass, more detail. I don't find it harsh or fatiguing, but I also get the sense that I'm missing something. It doesn't knock my socks off, in other words.

Thanks.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I'm not a big fan of the Creek OBH-11 -- I pretty much went, in quick succession, to the Creek OBH-11SE and MF X-CANv2, and finally to the AudioValve RKV.

You're already getting near the point of diminishing returns, but you're still getting returns after the OBH-11, I find. It's more of a threshold thing -- there's a minimum quality that I desire, and the OBH-11 does not meet it, whereas the others do.

But it does already have that 90-95% of the performance of the others. But it's that last little bit that I crave, which is why I'm happy I upgraded.

 

[MusicLover]

You should try the Headroom Supreme amp. I use it with my hd600's and it's great. It can drive the Senns to a pretty damn high level, plus it has crossfeed and a brightness filter. Those 2 extra features just seem to go perfectly with the hd600's. Also, if you didn't already know, all of Headroom's items have a 30-day return policy, so if you don't like it, just bring it back for all of your money back.

 

[spaceman]

I have the OBH11-SE and it works well coupled with my 963SA and ETYs. However, I was looking for a little bit more as well, and crossfeed, so I went with the Corda HA-2. Should be arriving this week

 

[Nick Dangerous]

I started with the Creek OBH-11, moving to the X-Cans and finally to the MG Head OTL. I agree with what Dusty said above, but found the "diminishing returns" point to kick in at the MG Head level, rather than with the Creek. Upgrading the amp in my case was a huge improvement... obvious and spectacular.

 

[AdamP88]

I started with the Creek too (listening to it now in my computer setup, actually), and upgraded to the Gilmore V2. I'm extremely satisfied with the upgrade. Like Nick said regarding the MGHead, the difference between the Creek and Gilmore is obvious and spectacular. A far more neutral balance across the spectrum, incredible transparency throughout the range (you'd be amazed how much high frequency info you're missing with the Creek - hell, you'd be surprised how much bass and midrange info you're missing, too!

), a much more believable soundstage with pinpoint imaging - and overall the Gilmore powers my 580 with far more authority than the Creek. And then there's the added benefit of a second input, preamp capabilities (I can't wait to try this out...), and far more power than the Senns would ever need.

I think pretty much any of the more popular headphone amps in the $300-600ish range will offer you a VAST improvement over the Creek in pretty much every area.

 

[tom hankins]

I second the Headroom amps for the Senn's. I had the MOHR w/stepped attenuator and it was nice with the Senn's. I also had an A.S.L. OTL32 and it brought the HD600's alot livlier and more forward than they were normally.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

What is your budget for a new amp?

This will determine a lot in and of itself. I fyou can afford a Gilmore or the Emmeline HR-2 those are incredible little amps, but cost $550 and $800+ respetively.

On the cheaper end you could have a META42 built to run your cans to death for a decent price.

 

[MarkO]

This is a dangerous and wonderful place. Thanks, all, for your input.

In terms of my budget, I think I could go anywhere up to $1000, but the closer I get to $1000 the more spectacular the spectacular difference has to be. I remember seeing someone's report here on the German HiFi Mag that rated the multiformat SACD players, with percentages assigned to each. Anybody ever take a crack at doing that for amps? Like this:

Amp % of Audio Nirvana

Creek OBH-11 75%
XCans 80
MG Head OTL 90
Gilmore V2 92

etc.

I'm willing to spend a fair amount for a 10% improvement; not willing to spend much at all for a 2 or 3% improvement.

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[tom hankins]

See if Mikhail at Singlepower audio still has the Supra's on sale for 900.00 plus shipping. sales@singlepower.com

 

[MERTON]

THE GImore v2 se has a whole lotta inputs and cost $700 about... get it!!!!

 

[dave-the-rave]

Two years ago, I had but a Senn 580 and Creek OBH-11. When I got the Creek, I was impressed, as it was significantly better than straight out of either my CDP (Denon DCM-370) or receiver (Proton 950). Then, however...

I listened to Aeberbach's Melos SHA-1. Suddenly, the lid was off the sound, and instruments separated as if they were in an "exploded view" diagram. I knew I had to have tubes. But the Melos didn't have enough bottom for me. Now look at me: Senn 580, Senn 600, Grado 325, Sony MDR-CD3000, Microzotl & Earmax Pro. I am now just starting to sort all this stuff out. My advice, if you want to hear a qualitative difference from the Creek, rather than just a quantitative difference: Listen to tubes— IMHO, they just better.

 

[Geek]

Maxed Out Home Reference modules $1150. Go all out! >

Lots of good DIY amps in the ~$500 range, as well as good tubed amps.

Glad to see someone upgrading. The HD600s will respond favorably to a decent amp improvement.

w00t.

Cheers,
Geek

 

[kentamcolin]

I would strongly recommend a tuberolled MG Head/OTL or new MG Head OTL MK2 with the HD600's. I had this combo and it was wonderful. If you prefer solid state, I was greatly impressed by Ray Samuels "Emmeline" HR-2 at the Chicago meet. If you want tubes and need an amp for multiple sources like I do, consider a Fisher 400-X.

 

[markl]

Hi, maybe you should consider using $400 of that $1000 budget on a new source (say the Phillips 963SA)? If you attach a $1K amp to your ipod, disappointment in your investment might ensue. "Garbage in, garbage out" is a good rule of thumb. All an expensive amp can do is give you a clearer picture of the doo doo coming in to it. Good luck!

Mark