Ampsandsound Kenzie Encore-impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Mithrandir41, May 9, 2017.

  1. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    from a price stand point there is no change. The same to be said for performance. The output impedance would be more closely matched to the specific needs of the headphones you've selected.

    Hope this helps :).
     
  2. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Thanks for responding Justin. I for one appreciate your approach to design. I know that you want the best possible sounding amp and that adding a switch in the chain takes away from the purity of the design. The bottom line is that the way that you've designed the amp is reflected in the performance and ultimately enjoyment of your products.

    While I would LOVE to have 16/300 ohm taps on my Kenzie, I appreciate the difficulty in you being able to offer those changes. And regardless I'll go on enjoying my Kenzie as it is.
     
  3. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    Sorry, I was a bit off the immediate topic. I meant the basic Kenzie Encore vs. The Deluxe one with the upgraded coupling caps and transformer.
     
  4. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Kenzie in the house. I haven't had a lot of time with the little guy yet, but initial thoughts are quite favorable.

    Detailed impressions and comparisons (w/ Jot and Atticus / HD6xx pairing) in time.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    Enjoy it. It's a hell of an amp.
     
  6. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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  7. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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  8. PacoTaco

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    I got Zach's Kenzie in today, and have been listening to the Auteur through the 600 ohm output. While I'm waiting to write the review for when I have a bit more experience with it, here's some things I've noticed:

    1) This thing is heavy and rock solid. I was surprised.

    2) The soundstage and separation out-paces the magni 3 very, very easily.

    3) The treble presentation is suddenly different than the Magni 3s. The Magni 3 (while it isn't much of an issue compared to how bad the 2U has it) has a slight steely aftertaste in the treble I didn't noticed until I heard the Kenzie. It kinda surprised me.

    4) This is a lot more neutral than I expected from a tube amp while keeping a musical touch to it.

    Again, I've only had this here for about six hours now. I'll be posting more impressions and then my review as I spend the upcoming weeks with this amp. This is all being used with the Amethyst as the DAC with the Auteur and HD580 as the headphones.
     
  9. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    Yep, the Kenzie is a neutral ish tube amp. That's one of my favorite things about it. You get the benefits of a tube amplifier without too much editorialisation
     
  10. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    Anyone going to the Capital Audio Show next week. We will be there... Mr. Speaker will have a keznie with 16 and 32ohm options.
    The kenize with 32/300 options are headed to a customer and ZMF.
    Please stop by and say hello. (My 1st time on the east coast).
     
  11. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    I’ve really been diggin my new Kenzie. My Senn sounds best from the 32 tap(surprisingly), and my Atticus likes the 600.

    I’m intrigued about the 300 tap and will likely call to discuss swapping it out.
     
  12. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    Still jonesing for the Encore even after having the Aficionado.
     
  13. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    And owning the Encore, I'd love to hear the aficionado
     
  14. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    @gbeast

    I’d love to hear some rough comparisons of the AF and what you recall of the Kenzie.

    Just curious.
     
  15. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    In 3mo we are coming out with a Mogwai Sp Edition.
    8ohm for speakers, 32 and 300ohm. tube rectified and the iron gets bigger.
    Oh and Ergonomics resolved. (At least in my eyes .)
     
  16. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    [​IMG]
    (as my memory has it)
    the thickness in the lines represent where I think it sounds the richest

    The AF is more spacious and holographic, more clean, more controlled, a little more snappy, and probably more nuanced.
    The Kenzie(stock) is just a little more rich and natural in the midrange. It nails midrange tonality almost like no other but it is not as technically capable as the AF and the AF has good tonality as well.

    I think having both makes sense as they are different enough for sure. The Kenzie is a little more soulful and tubey sounding without going overboard. Still don't remember an amp putting an IV of music straight to my soul like the Kenzie but the AF would win by merit.
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2017
  17. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    Give the delta on price, Ill take that as a serious compliment. EC stuff is lovely.
    The Mogwai Sp Ed may be a better match... Guess time will tell.
     
  18. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Excellent, thank you kindly. This is the most original way of illustrating an amp comparison I've seen. It says a heck of a lot more than most can do in prose.
     
  19. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    I guess knowing a comparison of the Encore to the the(my) new Mogwai Special Edition is pretty much not going to happen unless at a meet.

    @ampsandsound, how similar in sound is the Special Edition to the original Mogwai? What is better about it?
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2017
  20. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    Just placed an order for a Kenzie to go with my HD 800S. Hard choice between models and options but decided to just go with the base model as the back mounted jacks don't bother me and space is somewhat limited. Look forward to reviewing; hope the order queue is not too long. I went with the 32/300 ohm option.
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2017

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