monstrance
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2009
- Posts
- 17
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- 0
I've been reading this forum with great interest for some while, and have been really impressed by the range and quality of information available as well as the good-spirited nature of the community here. It has allowed me to put together a shortlist of possibilities for audition, but there's one thing that I can't find much information about. And so, I need to ask for your help!
I would like to know what you consider to be the best amplifier for listening at relatively moderate volume levels.
I do not have a strict budget in mind - £1000/$1500+ is fine. New, used and vintage options all considered.
I have been considering lots of options - Earmax Silver, RudiStor HP7C, a Melos SHA-1/Gold (relaibility?), Grace amp/dac, Bayerdynamic A1, Sugden Headmaster, Luxman... These are the models I can source (and perhaps audition) here in the UK. Import options include amps by ASL (the 2A3 based model), Moth Audio, Singlepower, Ray Samuels, though there is nowhere here to try them out before purchase.
Anything that I'm missing here that I should be thinking about? How about quiet listening on a Stax system, or big-bucks options such as deadicated head amps from Cary and EAR? Will OTL designs provide the more satisfying listening at gentle levels? Please let me know!
I am aware that each of these amps have their own distinct qualities, but what I am most interested to know is how much of these qualities - be it refinement, involvement, sparkle or whatever other commendable traits - remain present when used at lowish volumes.
Matching an amplifier with my specific headphones is not important - I currently use a pair of Ultrasone HFI-2200 (open version of Proline 650), but will add whatever will work best (within reason!).
Your help would be greatly appreciated!!
I would like to know what you consider to be the best amplifier for listening at relatively moderate volume levels.
I do not have a strict budget in mind - £1000/$1500+ is fine. New, used and vintage options all considered.
I have been considering lots of options - Earmax Silver, RudiStor HP7C, a Melos SHA-1/Gold (relaibility?), Grace amp/dac, Bayerdynamic A1, Sugden Headmaster, Luxman... These are the models I can source (and perhaps audition) here in the UK. Import options include amps by ASL (the 2A3 based model), Moth Audio, Singlepower, Ray Samuels, though there is nowhere here to try them out before purchase.
Anything that I'm missing here that I should be thinking about? How about quiet listening on a Stax system, or big-bucks options such as deadicated head amps from Cary and EAR? Will OTL designs provide the more satisfying listening at gentle levels? Please let me know!
I am aware that each of these amps have their own distinct qualities, but what I am most interested to know is how much of these qualities - be it refinement, involvement, sparkle or whatever other commendable traits - remain present when used at lowish volumes.
Matching an amplifier with my specific headphones is not important - I currently use a pair of Ultrasone HFI-2200 (open version of Proline 650), but will add whatever will work best (within reason!).
Your help would be greatly appreciated!!