Black Widow [Update] - Second round official, 100 amps total, single chassis

That's a great description of the BW that I also feel has been very true of the ZDS and the HD800SD thus far. I have less hesitation about turning up the volume as I have with other amps, and the dynamic drivers just seem to blossom further at higher, albeit still safe, volume levels without incurring fatigue.

 

In what way did you find the LC colored the sound? If the BW fares well with the HD650 and HD800S/SD I might pull the trigger if they still make them (?).

 

I've had the BW for a couple of days now and I spent some of that time comparing it directly with the LC. I wouldn't say the LC "colors" the sound, but I'd agree with @sheldaze that things sound "edited" when compared directly with BW. The LC is still a very capable amp, but the BW -- to my hearing -- has a clear edge in both detail, dynamics, and stage. The LC sounds a bit compressed in comparison. That's how I would characterize the "edited" quality. (Chain has been Gungnir Multibit → LC/BW → HD650 stock, btw)

 

Thanks alot. Really appreciate it! Well.. my wallet doesn't

 

Has anyone tried it with the TH-X00 yet?

 

How far down the order list are we so far in production?

 

Yep, LA-900, briefly and haven't directly compared it to my Zana yet.
Sounded really nice right out of the box, definitely an EC amp signature, has character and sounds musical, not analytical.
Only listened for about one (enjoyable) hour yet though, still need to listen with my other cans and compare a bit with my Zana and some vintage receivers.

 

Have done some serious listening this weekend couple of more detailed thoughts. Listening through Gungnir Multibit (with conversion boxes in and out) & modded HD650's and HD800's.

- This is what solid state should sound like. I find alot of solid states to be lifeless, BW is a solid state with a soul.
- Warm sounding, but still close to neutral. BW took two steps toward the warm side, not ten like a BH Crack.
- Fast, punchy, powerful bass of a solid state. The more amps I try, the more I realize I like this more upfront sound.
- Detail retrieval is there - I've always associated warm with a bit smoothed over, this breaks that assumption and I now know they can be mutually exclusive.
- Def a Eddie Current gateway drug. Wondering how much better next steps up can sound, even if it won't be for a while.
- Power switch on front is a luxury after having to walk around my desk a bajillion times (ok, I'm lazy)

Still in honeymoon phase, I am sure I will find some gripes, but this is my favorite amp I've ever heard. I will at some point try and nit pick finer details vs. ragnarok, but BW is no doubt warmer sounding, which better fits my preferences. Rag is a Integrated amp with that excels at headphones, is balanced throughout, multiple inputs, three gain settings and plays speakers. Rag is super versitile and does alot of things very well on many different headphones. BW is a desktop headphone amp, no frills (other than that sweet sweet front power switch), just great sound.

 

@JoshMorr do you have the SuperDupont mod on your HD800?

 

I have the HD800 SBAF Menage a trois of mods: SBAF absorber, cork mod, and SD resonator.

 

Will there be more BW's in the future? I'm considering to replace my Liquid Carbon with it, or at least see how it fares against it.

 

And even then the HD800 + BW wasn't too warm? Colour me excited.

 

Too warm is subjective, but I feel that the BW does well to emphasize the HD800's low end. HD800 has awesome bass / mids when properly fed. I am infatuated with this new variation of warm that I haven't heard before - detailed, clean and tight warmth. I find myself listening to tracks that are bass heavy to see if it overdoes it, and BW keeps it together - tight and detailed, not overly smooth or boomy.

That said I could see some of the guys that are looking for true studio sound (or HD600 vs. HD650) finding it too warm. It still blows my mind that some find the HD650 super warm, so be careful when reading my tastes.

 

Ok I will try an pm Marv I guess.

 

I'm not sure I understand. So even if I place an order I'm not garuanteed?