Heard the new Fostex HP-V8 headphone amp?

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Gray, Dec 9, 2015.

  1. Gray

    Gray Friend

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    Has anyone on SBAF heard the new Fostex HP-V8 vacuum tube headphone amplifier? B&H Photo has it on pre-order for $7,999, with an expected availability date in late January 2016. Perhaps this amp has been the subject of discussion on other audio boards, but I did a search today and did not see any references to the HP-V8 on SBAF.

    Scot Hull of Part Time Audiophile posted two months ago: "E88CC drivers into 300b power tubes will put out a very conservative 2 watts. Power rectification through a pair of KT88 tubes will permit an SNR of 115dB (that’s really quiet, especially for a tube amp). Inputs are RCA, outputs are transformer-coupled with options for both XLR and RCA, and settings for low impedance (16Ω and up) and high (48Ω and up)."

    I am especially interested in your thoughts as to how this Fostex amplifier might compare to other high end headphone tube amps like the Eddie Current Studio or the Viva Egoista (different tubes I know). My guess is that the Fostex will not include expensive interstage transformers and similar costly components. What do you think?
     
  2. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    8 grand huh.

    Nearly twice the cost of a Strauss, Liquid Gold or EC Studio.
    It CAN'T be worth the premium over them.
     
  3. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    It was at RMAF apparently. I'm sure some people have heard it. $8k is ridiculous though..
     
  4. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    Studio is 7k.
     
  5. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    All I heard it with was the TH900. Hard to tell what it really sounded like.

    It sure is big and pretty!
     
  6. Gray

    Gray Friend

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    The Fostex HP-V8 is $8k with the tubes, while the Eddie Current Studio is $7k without the tubes. The Studio could end up costing $8k to $10k depending upon the choice of tubes. So price aside, I was wondering about how they might compare in sound quality.

    Interestingly though, I see that Audio Research have replaced their KT88 based amplifiers with ones based on the KT150. I wonder why Fostex did not design their new headphone amp around the newer KT150 tubes.
     
  7. Gray

    Gray Friend

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    I see that "greekgod" of AudioAficionado.org posted the following comments back in October:

    "I went to have a listen at RMAF..."

    "The only 430ha that I came across was in the Abyss room. With the Abyss it only sounded okay. It wasn't that it was bad, it just wasn't anywhere near as good as the Viva Egoista amp. After hearing the Egoista, there was just no going back to the Moon. The Egoista has this incredible ability to make music sound very three dimensional."

    "My favorite amp at the show was the Fostex HP-V8. It sounded absolutely incredible! It had a very warm and dynamic sound that made me want to listen forever. I would buy one in a heartbeat if I had the money. The price in not yet confirmed but I was told to expect $8000. I may have to sell a kidney to buy one."

    "I should also mention that I was very impressed by the new Audeze amp called The King that was paired with the new LCD-4 headphones. They currently have a promo on The King for 25% off. I wish I could do a direct a/b comparison between Audeze The King and the Fostex HP-V8. Both were amazing sounding amps."

    Any additional feedback on the Fostex HP-V8 vacuum tube headphone amplifier?
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2016
  8. Gray

    Gray Friend

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