[N3XED]

I want some suggestions, thoughts, opinion and general sentiment of what amps might be good for Modhouse tungsten. I'm currently using the Cayin IHA6, which for the most part feels like it's doing the job. I'm not specifically after buying advice, but if a recommendation is cheap and the item of said price is quality enough, I might give it a shot. So if you think you could make an impression give it a shot!

 

[psy472]

I want some suggestions, thoughts, opinion and general sentiment of what amps might be good for Modhouse tungsten. I'm currently using the Cayin IHA6, which for the most part feels like it's doing the job. I'm not specifically after buying advice, but if a recommendation is cheap and the item of said price is quality enough, I might give it a shot. So if you think you could make an impression give it a shot!

What’s your DAC? The best improvement in your sound will be your DAC, followed by amp, then finally your headphone. The Tungsten would likely need expensive gear to bring out its best so you’ll need a budget. Ironically, getting that headphone which is notorious for being the most difficult to drive of all will force you to upgrade your chain. Uggg.

It’s like getting a Corvette but you are using a horse and buggy to pull it. Yes it moves and it looks pretty but you’re not getting the best out of it. If it was me I’d try to find a used Schiit Yggy for 1,200 usd or so. Upgrading your amp wouldn’t make sense.

 

[Strayngs]

For the most part I disagree with the previous reply. I have found that exactly the opposite is true with the headphone making the biggest impact with sound followed by amp and finally dac. Dac is very important too but you can have a $36,000 dac, but if you are using a weak amp with your Tungsten, you will not have a good sound at all. With a power amp and a decent enough dac….you will love the sound of your Tungsten.

Here is my advise for an affordable amp setup. Get a used speaker amp. There are always a ton available. Then get what I have for my Tungsten….this

https://www.zynsonix.com/Speaker-Amp-to-Headphone-Converter-Box-Bypass_p_54.html

Hifiman makes an even cheaper speaker amp to headphone adapter (around $100). With this type of setup….you will have ample power with the ability to use speakers to boot! Now my speaker amp isn’t a budget model….but you can get a very good one for not a lot money these days.

 

[bagwell359]

3rd opinion.

No question that transducers are the biggest factor. You've got that covered. Since its a planar, The more power the better, assuming decent quality (to me sliding bias Class A to Class AB like my Rag 1), but Class AB or D can do the trick too. If the power is really an issue, than yes, it will be a big problem, but assuming you are over a threshold into enough of an amp, the DAC will then have more of an effect than going from a more than good enough to amp to some superb $7k job vs going from some standard $400 DAC to a R2R DAC of say $1500.