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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.

Page 7 of 49
  1. cardigan

    cardigan Facebook Friend

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    I'll post an unboxing video of my tracking number email when I get it.
     
    cardigan, Dec 30, 2015
    #121
  2. BioniclePhile

    BioniclePhile The Terminal Man - Friend

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    If it don't ship quick as Schiit, don't get it!
     
    BioniclePhile, Dec 30, 2015
    #122
  3. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    Man, I need to hear this. This against a liquid carbon. And I've been saying this for months.
     
    insidious meme, Dec 30, 2015
    #123
  4. Bourne Perfect

    Bourne Perfect Friend

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    For the price-it had better beat the Carbon handily.
     
    Bourne Perfect, Dec 30, 2015
    #124
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Balanced input transformers to SE. The amp is SE. Some people who have used DACs with properly implemented balanced outs feel that the balanced inputs sound slightly better. I believe @atomicbob said this was the case with the Jensen Isobox and Gungnir MB. I don't recommend the balanced inputs, unless you are one of those people who need to explore that last -2% to 5%. One argument against it is higher distortion, especially in the bass. The counter argument is that this distortion negligible and that these kinds of transformers are used all over the place in studio environments.

    $300 can buy some awesome Lego kits or an electric motorized scooter. So something to think about.
     
    purr1n, Dec 30, 2015
    #125
  6. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    Yeah you're probably right. I'm signing up regardless.
     
    insidious meme, Dec 30, 2015
    #126
  7. SeaBupter

    SeaBupter Friend

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    I assume that if I specify balanced inputs, the amp will have those in addition to the standard single-ended ones. If that's not the case, please let me know; I'm interested in the balanced option, but only if I still get the single-ended inputs as well.
     
    SeaBupter, Dec 30, 2015
    #127
  8. Gravity

    Gravity Friend

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    Looking foward to your impression of it against Liquid Carbon. My Carbon arrives soon :)
     
    Gravity, Dec 30, 2015
    #128
  9. Bourne Perfect

    Bourne Perfect Friend

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    Ditto.
     
    Bourne Perfect, Dec 30, 2015
    #129
  10. Xen

    Xen Friend

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    The temptation.... so real...
     
    Xen, Dec 30, 2015
    #130
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    One upgrade option CineMag balanced transformer inputs with one pair of XLR, and one pair RCA plus rear panel switch for input select.

    So yes, with balanced inputs, you will get both RCA and XLR with a toggle switch on the back.
     
    purr1n, Dec 30, 2015
    #131
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Just realized that I am being totally preferential to SuperBAF folks. Still on vacation and not updating the EC site yet.
     
    purr1n, Dec 30, 2015
    #132
  13. Bourne Perfect

    Bourne Perfect Friend

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    So the $300 extra edition includes the Cinemags too? Also-is there an all black option?

    This is the way it should be.
     
    Bourne Perfect, Dec 30, 2015
    #133
  14. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Yeah from the reviews/impressions, people said the Black Widow was on par with the $1,800 Ragnarok & near $3,000 GSX Mk II.
     
    Thenewerguy009, Dec 30, 2015
    #134
  15. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I thought the BW stomped all over the GSX MKII. Then again, I thought the GSX MKII just sounded bad in general, with the worst offense being how rough it sounded. The BW and Rag are on a similar playing field, but I just happen to prefer the BW's signature.
     
    Hands, Dec 30, 2015
    #135
  16. Olor1n

    Olor1n Friend

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    What are the signature differences between the Rag and BW?
     
    Olor1n, Dec 30, 2015
    #136
  17. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    To everyone: talked to Marv today, these things are going faster than he expected. If you're on the fence, I'd jump. I doubt the run will last forever.

    Different class of amp.

    Stomps the GSX MK2. The Rag does too on a purely technical level, but I can see how headphone folks might prefer the MK2. The BW is definitely a step above the MK2 though.

    With regard to signature differences, BW has a wider stage and a hint of the EC liquidity that is so incredibly addictive while retaining ridiculous amounts of resolution..
     
    zerodeefex, Dec 30, 2015
    #137
  18. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    There is no goddamn end to the cycle of upgrading! I would definitely jump on this, but funding is prohibitive. The LC is already a step up for me, will see what shakes out in a year or so. Will be interesting to see how Copperhead develops and compares to BW, sounds like you lucky peeps who are grabbing one on the way out will have a real gem in hand.
     
    rott, Dec 30, 2015
    #138
  19. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Really?
    Every review I read of the GSX Mk2 said the soundstage is the widest they ever heard from a SS amp. If there is one thing besides the neutral aspect of the amp (and the etch/glare) that is always getting brought up is the wide stage it can produce.

    All the impressions of the BW & even the Ragnarok never go out of their way to mention how impressed they are with the soundstage.
     
    Thenewerguy009, Dec 30, 2015
    #139
  20. jelt2359

    jelt2359 Friend

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    Are people posting impressions of the 2-Chassis BW or the Widebody BW? What are the differences (sonically) between the two?
     
    jelt2359, Dec 30, 2015
    #140
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