[mocenigo]

I am considering purchasing a headamp for my AKG K812. The current shortlist is
 

• Audio-GD C-2 (11th Anniversary Edition)
• Gustard H10 (possibly with upgraded Burson discrete opamps)
• Schiit Lyr 2
• Matrix hpa-3u
• Burson Audio Soloist SL mk II

 
The cans are not modified and therefore run unbalanced.
in particular I am very interested in understanding the synergy with the Audio-GD C-2 - for some reason that product inspires me a lot.
 
Roberto

 

[PurpleAngel]

Darkvoice 336SE tube headphone amplifier, $214-$250
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/dark-voice-366se

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  I am considering purchasing a headamp for my AKG K812. The current shortlist is
 

• Audio-GD C-2 (11th Anniversary Edition)
• Gustard H10 (possibly with upgraded Burson discrete opamps)
• Schiit Lyr
• Matrix hpa-3u

 
The cans are not modified and therefore run unbalanced.
in particular I am very interested in understanding the synergy with the Audio-GD C-2 - for some reason that product inspires me a lot.
 
Roberto

C-2C or Lyr. Or the Heed Can-A-Lot. If you can spend more, there's the Burson Soloist.

 

[mocenigo]

 

C-2C or Lyr. Or the Heed Can-A-Lot. If you can spend more, there's the Burson Soloist.

C-2C or C2 (11th anniversary)? They seem to be different beasts, the C2 is a single ended baby-Master-9.
The Heed can-a-lot seems nice but it does not have much power.
 
Also, in Germany I can find the Burson Audio Soloist SL mk II for 599 EUR, which is less than cannot with its PS and comparable to C-2.
 
So let us add the Burson Audio Soloist SL mk II to my shortlist...
 
 Roberto

 

[mocenigo]

  Darkvoice 336SE tube headphone amplifier, $214-$250
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/dark-voice-366se

Sometimes I read this, but more often paired with the HD800. The Darkvoice 336SE is tube OTL, and must have a high output impedance - I fear I could lose some bass as a result. The K712 seem to pair, they have 62 Ohm, but I own the K812, that are rated at 36Ohm. What do you (and others) think?
 
 Roberto

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
C-2C or C2 (11th anniversary)? They seem to be different beasts, the C2 is a single ended baby-Master-9.

 

I'd go either way really.
 
 

  The Heed can-a-lot seems nice but it does not have much power.

 

The CanAmp had a reputation for current delivery that went great with the K70x headphones, which is why I included it as something you can look into, although not necessarily at the head of the list.

 

 
Also, in Germany I can find the Burson Audio Soloist SL mk II for 599 EUR, which is less than cannot with its PS and comparable to C-2.

 
There's one amp I forgot - look at the Meier Corda Jazz FF.

 

[mocenigo]

 

C2/C2C

I'd go either way really.

 
Thank you.  There's a lot to like in the audio-gd designs: clear and ordered construction, good power supplies, nice regulation, and in general some "over dimensioning" that inspires confidence. I heard once the little Sparrow and that thing indeed sang very well.
 

The CanAmp had a reputation for current delivery that went great with the K70x headphones, which is why I included it as something you can look into, although not necessarily at the head of the list.

 
Ok, The K812 may be a bit harder than the K70x, but if it has good current delivery it is something I should audition: there are sellers of that in Germany, as well as of the Burson Soloist, and the 14-30 days no-questions-asked return period is something I used to actually buy something in the end, so some sellers got lucky (otherwise I would have stalled for ever).
 

There's one amp I forgot - look at the Meier Corda Jazz FF.

 
I'll look into it, thanks.
 
 Roberto

 

[mocenigo]

  There's one amp I forgot - look at the Meier Corda Jazz FF.

 
Hi, and what about the Classic FF?
 
 Roberto

 

[ProtegeManiac]

   
Hi, and what about the Classic FF?

 
Even better than the Jazz I'd suppose, but the great part about it is that it will stack with the DACcord. 

 

[mocenigo]

   
Even better than the Jazz I'd suppose, but the great part about it is that it will stack with the DACcord. 

I understand. But I have a Gustard X20U and I am quite happy with that (and if I were not, I would have to be anyway, lest my wife be unhappy with me )
 
 Roberto

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I understand. But I have a Gustard X20U and I am quite happy with that (and if I were not, I would have to be anyway, lest my wife be unhappy with me )

 
I'd get the Gustard H10 to match it.

 

[mocenigo]

   
I'd get the Gustard H10 to match it.

This is indeed one of my options, and upgrading the opamps would bring it price-wise aligned to the other choices.
 
 Roberto