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

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Oct 5, 2015.

  1. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    So I got a Black Widow V1. I've been using the external power supply in my main listening setup but was wondering if I wanted to use it in my bedroom rig and used the 12V wall wart, how much of a sound quality hit will it be? Has anyone compared the two? How about compared to Jot, at least in technicalities...I know Jot has a brighter more strident sound in comparison.
     
  2. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Belated thanks. Lean tonality is already covered with ADI-2 Pro, so a lusher presentation for PMx2 would actually be a good thing.

    BW2 located.

    Amp rolling :rolleyes:. At the very least I know it’s amazing with HD600.
     
  3. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Anyone advise if the BW2 benefits from a good warm-up prior to listening?

    I usually do a drive-by and turn the tube amp on roughly 30 min or so before I sit down and wondering along the same lines....
     
  4. snoogans

    snoogans New

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    When I picked mine up last year, Craig told me that it wasn't necessary. If I remember correctly, he said it sounds 5% better after warming up. I also asked him if it was better to leave it on all the time, and he said no (I can't remember why).
     
  5. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Cool. Thanks for the feedback
     
  6. Carlos CPA

    Carlos CPA Friend

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    I posted a similar picture a few days ago in the “Best Amps for the HD800” thread, but I just couldn’t resist sharing a snapshot of my current BW2 rig in this thread as well:

    [​IMG]

    Resolution out of the Black Yggdrasil (Gen 5 USB) into the HD800 (SDR) is phenomenal. This combination of amp and DAC, to my ears, produces a detailed and warm sound. As such, I think it pairs perfectly with a modded HD800 or an unmodded HD600.

    This might be the endgame setup for my home rig. I think only an EC Aficionado could could tempt me at some point in the future.
     
  7. MrButchi

    MrButchi Gear Master Europe

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    @Carlos CPA This used to be my rig (with AES input instead of Gen5)... and I moved up to The Af. Do it. You won’t regret it.
     
  8. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    BW2 in the house.
    [​IMG]

    How have I been missing this?
    [​IMG]
     
  9. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Following up with some initial impressions relative to my other gear:

    The BW2 is super resolving with exceptional macro/micro dynamics. The EC soundstage and sense of immersion that I've read about, is immediately apparent; offering a touch more width and depth than my Kenzie, but with a clarity that makes this small difference substantial*. This clarity adds to a sense that it may resolve better, aided by it's better dynamics to yield more genuine sounding details/plankton. Need more time to compare.

    The BW2 owns my HD6XX - a pairing that is truly intoxicating. Like my Jot, the BW’s power and tonality work exceedingly well with my kiss modded HD6XX. Much of my above statements relate to the Senn.

    I was a bit hesitant about pairing the Atticus with the BW. Some may find it a touch too warm, but I’m pleasantly surprised that it works. The Atticus pairs exceptionally well with the Kenzie’s tonality, but it isn't perfect. The BW offers the slam and drive that’s missing with the Kenzie, and the previously mentioned clarity and stage adds a new level to the Atticus’s capabilities. It's as if I'm hearing the Atticus anew, and rediscovering just how good this can is. I don’t get the same resolution and sense of space* open-ness as I do with the HD6XX but that’s a given(closed vs open) and the Senn just seems to milk out every available detail.

    *Edit for clarification - not related to soundstage.
    __

    All gear is owned by me and purchased used, save the Atticus, which was purchased new.

    Mac Mini > Audirvana+ > Gungnir MB Gen5 > [BW2 / Kenzie] > [Atticus / HD6XX-K]
    Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
    Sound and Color - Alabama Shakes
    Doin’ it Right and Instant Crush - Daft Punk
    Sigh no More - Mumford and Sons
    Holocene - Bon Iver
    Angel and Paradise Circus - Massive Attack
    Disarm - The Civil Wars
    Gaucho - Steely Dan
    Sister - The Black Keys
    Ghost Towns - Radical Face
    Awake - Tycho
    Brasilia - Robert Len
    I heard it through the Grapevine - Bill Frisell
    Fugue in G Minor - Canadian Brass
    Adagio for Strings - Samuel Barber
    Songbird - Fleetwood Mac
    Everybody’s Kissing in Paris - Anne Bisson (Thanks Matt)
    Seven Bridges Road - The Eagles
    South City Midnight Lady - The Doobie Brothers
    Blue Friday - Kenny Dorham
    Night Mist Blues - The Monty Alexander Trio

    [​IMG]

    * You were definitely right @PacoTaco about the Kenzie's veil. Even with better tubes, the Kenzie can't match this EC's clarity.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2017
  10. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    I found a nice little cosmetic upgrade to the BW2. It's just a little $8 machined solid aluminum black knob. It's fits perfectly. You will need a tiny flat head to remove the old knob, and a small hex driver (2mm) to tighten the new one. I use the same knob on my Crack.

    Note, after extensive A/B testing, I can hear no difference between the knobs :)

    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X773QEU

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2018
  11. joeexp

    joeexp Don't ship this man FD-X1 ever

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    Blasphemy!
    :D
     
  12. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Hard not to love big knobs. ;)
     
  13. joeexp

    joeexp Don't ship this man FD-X1 ever

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    That's what he said ... \/
     
  14. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    Well, the picture of my knob is much larger than it is in real life, but I’m told that that its size in no way affects its performance.

    That’s my story and I’m stickin' to it.
     
  15. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    I like the plastic knob. It's like Craig was saying "FU y'all, listen and tell me you still need a badass knob."

    Nice find though @AllanMarcus . It seriously looks top-notch.
     
  16. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    I like the old knob. And the one on the BW too. :D
     
  17. geniekid

    geniekid Facebook Friend

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    I could use some advice. Please let me know if there is a more appropriate thread for this.

    I recently acquired a BW V2 and am noticing significant channel imbalance at low volumes (below 8 o'clock) with Focal Clears using either output (SE or balanced). It doesn't seem to be an issue with my HD 6XXs. Given that I'm at least the 3rd owner of this unit I think it's on me to fix the issue.

    Does what I'm describing sound like an issue with the volume pot (or any specific part, really)? I'm comfortable with soldering/desoldering so if the problem is likely a single component I can replace it.
     
  18. Mr.Sneis

    Mr.Sneis Friend

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    Alps blue velvet can and will do that but it should clear up by at least 8 or 9 oclock usually.

    If you go through the trouble of replacing it, you should look at some higher end options for sure!
     
  19. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    If you have a preamp try to use that for volume control with the BW set to max. If you don't hear any imbalance then it's the volume pot in the BW for sure. If there's still imbalance, even at max, then it could be something with the circuit.
     
  20. geniekid

    geniekid Facebook Friend

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    @Cspirou
    Using the Magni 3 as a pre-amp, I can only hear imbalance below 8 o'clock (low) or above 4 o'clock (high). Past 4 o'clock though, the Magni is turned down so low (near mute) I wonder if the imbalance isn't coming from the Magni at that point.

    @Mr.Sneis
    I'll do my research on alternative pots. I'm not sure how much a volume pot affects the overall sound of an amp, but I would like to keep my BW as *stock* as possible for comparison purposes.

    Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.
     

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