ECP Audio T4 Headphone Amplifier

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by TomB, Aug 6, 2018.

  1. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Mine gets most of my time at home.

    My Af was tuned for the Auteur down to the caps, so the T4 pairs much better with the Verites, which work more for the genres I mainly listen to.

    Not only that but I'm not running down expensive tubes if I just want to casually listen, to the point I game through it. Brimar CV-4024s are that cheap.

    At this level it's about synergies. T4 goes really well with fast dynamics like focals, verites and such.

    Not what I would choose for something that only has midrange like a 650 - they won't make use of its strengths and the T4 can't make up for the transducers weaknesses.
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2020
  2. joch

    joch Friend

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    I can confirm that Brimars are good on this (4033--rugged version of the 4024). I prefer these with over the already excellent Mullards that TomB included in the initial batches. I would like to try the T4 with the non-12AT7 variants, but these already sound excellent and the AX/AU ones tend to cost more for similar.
     
  3. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    My memories of the T3 are tempting me towards it’s big brother... Pairing would be Focal Clear, current amp being Lyr 3 which doesn’t do it for me. Need more opt’s in my life.
     
  4. StageOne

    StageOne Friend

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    I picked up a set of Brimar 4024 and have had a few listening sessions with them. Overall very pleased and I like them a little better than the Mullards. I found a slight bump in bass quality but most importantly they eliminated the slight midrange congestion I heard with the Mullards. Just clearer and really woke the amp up for me. This was paired with Focal Clears, my headphone of choice with the amp. Only negative I heard was a slight amount of grain/texture in the treble.
     
  5. Marutks

    Marutks New

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    Does this amp sound good with ZMF Verite ? No background noise?
     
  6. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    That will be subjective and I haven't heard ZMF Verite on the T4.

    This is definitely objective. There will be no noise observed.

    Residual noise of T4 is -100 dBu. ZMF Verite has a published sensitivity of 99dB SPL/mW at 1KHz and impedance of 300Ω. Verite would produce 2 dB SPL from T4 residual noise. A typical quiet listening environment would require 25 dBA SPL to hear the faintest of noise. My acoustic lab often achieves 10 dBA SPL ambient. With HD800, which have a very similar specification to Verite, I can not detect any noise. Nothing.

    More T4 specifications may be found using this link:
    ECP Audio T4 technical measurements
     
  7. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Yes. No.

    I've never heard noise on good tube amps, you'd behave to plug IEMs into them.

    Best amp ever for Veritè? Not sure about that. Haven't heard all the amps in the world.
     
  8. Marutks

    Marutks New

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    does it cost almost 500 extra to get this amp in UK ? from China it is only 28 gbp
     
  9. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    No idea, I'm not in the UK.

    But given the amp its made in the USA i don't see how you can get it from China.

    Anyway, you might get lucky - I didn't pay any import tax on the Auteur somehow - but expect to pay full Vat on everything on import.
     
  10. Marutks

    Marutks New

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    How long is the wait time?
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Best to ask Beezar or @TomB. Member data or experience will not be reliable as no member will have insight of the current production queue.

    Be aware that many of the more expensive amps favored by SBAF members tend to bespoke from smaller vendors. Patience is advised. Buy, wait, forget, be suddenly surprised is the way.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2020
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It is what it is with shipping, insurance, customs, etc. I'll talk to Trump and see what we can do to get the UK and US into a free trade zone.

    China shipments are subsidized by the Commies. I'm always amazed how cheap and fast I can get stuff that I buy from AliExpress. If shipping costs are too much from the USA, feel free to buy ChiFi tube amps from China. There is always choice.
     
  13. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    That and they always mark it as being worth 5 dollars and being a gift, confident that no other country will give them grief about it.

    My Auteurs i got without paying import despite being marked correctly by zach because #JustItalyThings, but the fun part is when the tax man gets up time wrong side of the bed and wants to tax China, and I get a mail from them with a label that has nothing to do with what I ordered.

    They just write a random thing, 5 dollar, gift, and I have to figure out how random name shenzen equates to a company I bought from.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL. If you look at the materials, parts, and R&D cost of what say goes inside a USA (not just USA, but California*) assembled $699 Bifrost 2, the Gustard DAC-X26 should cost $249 at most (cheaper Chinese labor, high volume ESS parts, etc.) But instead it's $1200. So the $5 really isn't that far off, when it comes to replacement parts.

    *Last time I checked, Schiit pays their people a living wage. Same people at the factory all these years that I see, only with greater responsibilities over time.
     
  15. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    There is one built and in stock, right now. It may be a month or two for more.
     
  16. Marutks

    Marutks New

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  17. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Hmm.

    I prefer the Brimars, but it will depend on your dac, preferred pad, and wood.

    Luckily they're cheap - if you avoid stupid unobtanium audiofool bs tubes, all the good stuff for the T4 is pretty cheap.
     
  18. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    What is best, FOR YOU, will be a matter of personal preference. No one can determine that but you.

    As you point out, Watfordvalves is practically in your backyard. They don't appear to be gouging like ebay sharks. Acquire a couple of sets. Spend a decent amount of time with each. Report your findings.

    For what it is worth, I think the JJ ECC81 shipped with T4 lean toward a more accurate presentation while Mullard CV4024 provide more euphonic presentation. Often I prefer the latter, but there are periods of time I spend using the former and enjoy that sound as well.
     
  19. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    Well said! My thoughts exactly, but I wouldn't have stated it that well.

    From a business perspective, the JJs ensure that a customer hears what the amp can really do, first. The Mullards provide more long-term musical enjoyment (but are disappointing to some at first listen).

    Told you I couldn't state it as well ...
     
  20. Marutks

    Marutks New

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    My T4 arrived today. It sounds fantastic with Verite cans. Better than solid state amps I have been using. thank you !
     

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