Which headamp sounds like Audio Research?

[davebot]

I'm slowly realizing a few things about my audio quest. One of them is that I really like Audio Research amps, and they have a reputation for being more laid-back or tubey, in contrast to Krell, for example. One friend described it to me like this: She said the Audio Research amp I was thinking of (and eventually bought) would be like sipping cognac before a warm fire on a winter evening, and the Krell would be like an expresso on our lake-side terrace on a bright summer day. The music is the same, but the attitude and presentation are different.

I'm hearing folks talk about "house sounds" for different brands. For example, Dr. Gilmore said his house sound is Krell-like, not at all like the Audio Research. I respect that, and I know he's designed some terrific amps. But I'm looking for the headphone amp equivalent of my Audio Research components (LS 3b / D130, for the curious).

So which head-amps sound like they could have been made by Audio Research?

It would be cool if we could get some kind of correspondence between speaker amps and headphone amps.

Thanks,

=davebot=

 

[ampgalore]

Digital EQ, and you can save a bucketload.

Or better yet, use DSP settings.

 

[WSLam]

While Audio Research is certainly more 'tubey' than say Krell (as you pointed out) in most cases, Audio Research is probably known to be the one tube brand that sounds the most 'rational' among tube equipments.

If you want true tubey sound, try Jadis. You can't get more tubey than that imo.

I have owned both brands.

and FYI, a Mark Levinson No.32 sounds MORE tubey than the AR REF 2 MK II to me and all the people in the room when I had them side by side comparing. You can have tubey sound from solid state.

ws

 

[kevin gilmore]

You need to listen to the BIG VTL tube amps and the
atmasphere tube amps. Both of which sound very very nice,
neither of which sould like an audio research, krell or levinson.

Other than the heat they generate (and the nusance of changing
tubes every 8 months) i could be happy with either of them.
Especially the wotan.

 

[Tuberoller]

A rare agreement with KG?

The VTLs and Atmaspheres do sound terrific. The Audio Research "signature sound" is kinda "traditional tube sound" ,meaning it fits the notions of what folks think tube amps should sound like,be that good or bad. The Singlepower stuff sounds very "tubey" to me but I have found that I like a faster, more complete sound and really don't care much for the extreme, euphoric sounds of the overly lush tube gear anymore. If you're after the most "tubey sounding" gear,try singlepower.

 

[davebot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSLam While Audio Research is certainly more 'tubey' than say Krell (as you pointed out) in most cases, Audio Research is probably known to be the one tube brand that sounds the most 'rational' among tube equipments. If you want true tubey sound, try Jadis. You can't get more tubey than that imo.

No, I don't want tubey for the sake of tubey. I just want a headphone amp that sounds like my solid-state Audio Research LS 3b / D130 combo, since I already know I really like that.

Any suggestions, < $500? I was thinking Corda or RP4. . .

 

[sacd lover]

The Singlepower stuff sounds very "tubey" to me but I have found that I like a faster, more complete sound and really don't care much for the extreme, euphoric sounds of the overly lush tube gear anymore. If you're after the most "tubey sounding" gear,try singlepower.[/QUOTE]


I dont know how long its been since you heard the ppx3 and mpx3 but the new versions are noticeably more neutral. In addition, I think the current versions have a new found purity plus a higher degree of refinement along with this more neutral character. The mpx3, old or new version, never was particularly tubey sounding like the original ppx3 was to me. I dont find the current house sound tubey or solid state sounding; the sound seems to be the best of both. The newer designs are in no way euphoric or overly lush IMO.

 

[WSLam]

davebot,
why not a hybrid?
i actually have a all solid state setup for my home audio, but for headphone amps, i decided that it's 'safer' for my ears to add a tube somewhere along the signal path. audio research actually sounds quite 'steril'e to my ears. look at the rudistor line. they have a few hybrid that should fit your budget.

 

[davebot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSLam audio research actually sounds quite 'steril'e to my ears. look at the rudistor line. they have a few hybrid that should fit your budget.

Yes, the RP4 interests me. Maybe. . .

I respect the fact that the Audio Research sound isn't your favorite--but so far, it's mine. So allow me to re-ask my question in a slightly different form:

Which of these amps do you think will sound closest to my solid-state Audio Research LS 3b / D130 combo:

Corda HA 1, Mk II
Corda HA 2 (over my budget unless used)
Ray Samuels amp (over my budget, unless used)
Rudistor RP4
NAD 7175PE receiver from 1986 (costs $0, since it sits in my living room)

The Audio Research stuff seems a good match to my Vandersteen speakers. The headamp needs to be a good match to my new Beyerdynamic DT 880. I think one point in favor of the Corda amps is that Jan Meier seems to like Beyer, making me think that the Corda / Beyer combination works well.

Thanks,

=davebot=

 

[kevin gilmore]

i've spent an hour looking at the schematics for the two audio
research pieces you have and have come to the conclusion that
the closest thing sound wise would likely be the borbely headphone
amp. Unfortunately unless you plan on building it yourself i don't
know where you can actually buy it.

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuberoller A rare agreement with KG? The VTLs and Atmaspheres do sound terrific. The Audio Research "signature sound" is kinda "traditional tube sound" ,meaning it fits the notions of what folks think tube amps should sound like,be that good or bad. The Singlepower stuff sounds very "tubey" to me but I have found that I like a faster, more complete sound and really don't care much for the extreme, euphoric sounds of the overly lush tube gear anymore. If you're after the most "tubey sounding" gear,try singlepower.

Out of the four Singlepower amps I have spent time with, only one of them fits your description. The first model PPX3. The ASL amp I owned was very lush and tubey with not alot of extention in either direction and fat full bass. The Singlepowers are full sounding compared to SS but have not lacked speed or deep bass.
I find AR gear to be less tubey than most tube gear out there. The Singlepower amps may be what your looking for if you want a full sound without sacraficing detail or extention in both directions.

 

[SteveA]

I can’t say I’ve ever spent any time with any of the solid state ARC components. However, I have listened extensively to the Classic 30 and 60 amps and I currently have a D125 in my home system. That 80 + pound beast predated the Classic series and used solid state devices in the first gain stage and driver section for the (8) 6550A tubes in the current gain stage. Coupled with Eminent Technology LFT-8 planar speakers and the slightly tubey Cary SLP-30 preamp, I get a sound I am very comfortable with. There is plenty of detail and air, good frequency extension, and excellent presence in the critical mid frequencies.

I also have not heard the Beyers, so I can’t say how good the synergy might be with any of your candidates. The pairing is critical. My experience with Vandersteens is they are a little on the soft side of reality which might make for great pairing with your ARC gear. The Vandies are GREAT speakers and I could live with them with no regrets.

I guess what I am trying to say is you would be best served being able to actually audition these amps with your Beyers. Easier said than done no doubt. Just don’t take anyone else’s opinion as gospel. My Ear+ sounds wonderful playing through my Sennheiser HD600s yet drives me up the wall when using my Grado SR80s. Others on this board feel just the opposite. Their experiences are just as valid as mine. Just choose the sound you like and listen. That’s what it’s all about!

Very best regards,
Steve

 

[Tuberoller]

Since Dave is talking about the Solid State Audio Research amps,my comparison to tube products does not apply. I should have read his thread closer.

 

[davebot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin gilmore i've spent an hour looking at the schematics for the two audio research pieces you have and have come to the conclusion that the closest thing sound wise would likely be the borbely headphone amp. Unfortunately unless you plan on building it yourself i don't know where you can actually buy it.

Sir Gilmore, you da man! Thanks for having a look at the schematics!

I found Borbely online, and the amp looks really cool. Audiokits sells kits for the amp's main board, the power supply, and also sells (separately) an enclosure, power transformers, a 24-step attenuator, and other niceties such as headphone jacks. Adding it all up, it's clearly over my budget, even as a kit (although I sent a query about having them build it, just in case I win the lottery). Here are some Borbely links:

Borbely Audio's page on the EB-602/210 Headphone Amplifier

Audiokits.com Product Page for the Borbely headphone amp

Here's a picture of the completed project:

Head-Fi thread on the Aural Audition headphone amp, which some posters thought was similar to the Borbely

So, if I could afford this, it would probaby be the cat's meow, for this cat, at least. For now, I'm still hoping for something under $500. . . any advice? I'm still wondering about the Corda HA1-Mk II . . .

 

[Jupiter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin gilmore i've spent an hour looking at the schematics for the two audio research pieces you have and have come to the conclusion that the closest thing sound wise would likely be the borbely headphone amp. Unfortunately unless you plan on building it yourself i don't know where you can actually buy it.

I think this is the commercial version of the Borbely headphone amp: http://www.auralaudio.com/products.asp?prodid=1094
It's reviewed here: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aural/audition.html