[boxxi]

I read that the Auteur is relatively easy to drive - so can a modest-power tube amp do it well? If so, what's a good suggestion for something that won't break the bank? I planned on using a lake people RS02, which I can eq warmer, but should I look at something tube?

I think Schiit Mjolnir 2 is worth considering, its slightly U-shaped signature,powerful bass and dynamics will do the headphone justice. It is a plug and play amp, no tube rolling nervosa and it is flexible enough to be used with the solid state 'tubes' from Schiit if you are curious. Don't forget a decent source as well!
IMO Cavalli Liquid Carbon would be fine as well.
Try the Feliks Elise (non 2018 version), I think it may be a good match.
I briefly had the Cayin IHA-1. Very clean sounding amp with a slight treble tilt. A good pair if you find the Auteurs a tad dark.

The Auteur does not need alot of power to drive.
As always, try to demo gear before committing.

 

[Gym_Turtle]

I read that the Auteur is relatively easy to drive - so can a modest-power tube amp do it well? If so, what's a good suggestion for something that won't break the bank? I planned on using a lake people RS02, which I can eq warmer, but should I look at something tube?

The Auteur is a high impedance-high efficiency headphone, so it should be relatively easy to drive as long as your amp supports the impedance. If you want to smooth out the treble more or make it warmer, a tube should definitely be considered. I’d recommend Feliks Audio amps, but the price increase has made them less affordable.

 

[bmnathe]

The Auteur is a high impedance-high efficiency headphone, so it should be relatively easy to drive as long as your amp supports the impedance. If you want to smooth out the treble more or make it warmer, a tube should definitely be considered. I’d recommend Feliks Audio amps, but the price increase has made them less affordable.

Any review of the auteur driven by the bottlehead crack?

 

[Gym_Turtle]

Any review of the auteur driven by the bottlehead crack?

I don’t think so, but the Bottlehead Crack should be fine paired with the Auteur as long as warmer tubes are paired with it. As I’ve seen someone state that the Auteur doesn’t pair well with Woo-Audio or gooey tube amps, but I wouldn’t know as I have to wait until January for my Auteur.

 

[givemetacos]

I read that the Auteur is relatively easy to drive - so can a modest-power tube amp do it well? If so, what's a good suggestion for something that won't break the bank? I planned on using a lake people RS02, which I can eq warmer, but should I look at something tube?

Yeah the Auteurs aren't super power hungry or anything and can be driven well from lots of stuff. I ran it through with my NFB-11, R2R 11, Magni 3, and Valhalla 2. The Valhalla 2 was definitely my favorite but that's also because I just really prefer tubes for the high impedance dynamics. Zach actually posted in the Massdrop EC ZDT Jr discussion that he really likes that amp with all his ZMF stuff like Auteur and Atticus, as well as HD800. I ended up joining that drop as I think that amp should be a nice complement to Valhalla 2 when I want a little more "tubeyness" and warmth.

 

[Hansotek]

I don’t think so, but the Bottlehead Crack should be fine paired with the Auteur as long as warmer tubes are paired with it. As I’ve seen someone state that the Auteur doesn’t pair well with Woo-Audio or gooey tube amps, but I wouldn’t know as I have to wait until January for my Auteur.

It’s not as if all Woo amps sound or function the same way. I think the person who made that comment just chose Woo as their whipping boy example.

Also, the “gooey tube amp” comment is very subjective. Sounds great on the CSP3 and the Stratus... both can certainly run a little gooey, depending on the tube. Unless we mean different things by gooey.

 

[Zoomaz]

It’s not as if all Woo amps sound or function the same way. I think the person who made that comment just chose Woo as their whipping boy example.

Also, the “gooey tube amp” comment is very subjective. Sounds great on the CSP3 and the Stratus... both can certainly run a little gooey, depending on the tube. Unless we mean different things by gooey.

I agree, i wouldn't consider my WA5LE S2 gooey by any means, but am also hoping it will pair well with the Auteur.

 

[nScott89]

My WA6 Maxxed pairs just as well with Auteur as my Krell Klone does, IMO. Great if you want a bit warmer amp in your chain without going full syrup tube mode.

 

[boxxi]

Of course, not all Woo amps sound gooey. Most of their amps have thick mids that mask quite a bit of detail, especially WA3 and WA22. The only Woo amps with tastefully done tube coloration is the WA5LE and WA6SE imo, and I believe they will pair well with the Auteur.

 

[sacredgates]

All our Auteurs are not "pending" anymore !

 

[mwhals]

All our Auteurs are not "pending" anymore !

It has been that way for a couple of days and I am so happy to see pending go away.

 

[mysticstryk]

It’s not as if all Woo amps sound or function the same way. I think the person who made that comment just chose Woo as their whipping boy example.

Also, the “gooey tube amp” comment is very subjective. Sounds great on the CSP3 and the Stratus... both can certainly run a little gooey, depending on the tube. Unless we mean different things by gooey.

Gooey to me generally means an overly thick sound, possibly in the mids, sometimes accompanied by slow or overly bloomy bass. Small nuances in the music are glossed over.

The WA6SE is a good amp. I'd take it over much of their higher priced amps. Still a little over-priced new, but good sounding.

 

[gLer]

Gooey to me generally means an overly thick sound, possibly in the mids, sometimes accompanied by slow or overly bloomy bass. Small nuances in the music are glossed over.

The WA6SE is a good amp. I'd take it over much of their higher priced amps. Still a little over-priced new, but good sounding.

I just had an extended listen to the Woo WA3 and the Atticus. I know, not the Auteur, but given how the Atticus is considered warmer than the Auteur, and I found the warmth of the WA3 complementary rather than overly warm, I reckon it will match the Auteur beautifully, adding a lush warmth to what most reviewers are saying is a fairly neutral sound (unless of course fairly neutral is the sound you're going for!). Personally I like my warm sound like a fine port wine on a cold winter's evening

 

[mysticstryk]

I just had an extended listen to the Woo WA3 and the Atticus. I know, not the Auteur, but given how the Atticus is considered warmer than the Auteur, and I found the warmth of the WA3 complementary rather than overly warm, I reckon it will match the Auteur beautifully, adding a lush warmth to what most reviewers are saying is a fairly neutral sound (unless of course fairly neutral is the sound you're going for!). Personally I like my warm sound like a fine port wine on a cold winter's evening

Yea, the Auteur I think will actually have an easier time finding a good pairing than the Atticus. The Auteur has a much more linear FR which will allow it to tilt whichever way you want just a little easier with the right gear, whereas the Atticus can definitely sound off with certain gear.

Having said that, with the Auteur if you put crap in, your going to get crap out.

 

[Gym_Turtle]

I think one of my favourite things about the Auteur is its high impedance to pair well with tube amps. It’s gonna sound great when I plug it into my Feliks Euforia, just gotta wait until January...