Help me out of mid-fi hell. Amp advice

I'm struggling with some upgrade-itis and where to go. Current chain is Bifrost 2/64 -> Lokius -> Woo Wa7tp -> HD800 with SDR mod. BF2 and Lokius are fairly new additions, replacing a Modi Multibit. Upgrading from the Modi to BF2 was a good change, going from BF2 to BF2/64 was amazing. Adding in Lokius was a nice, though smaller, improvement too. I've had the Wa7 for a long time and have generally been happy with it. I'd like to try to find if there is something even better though, particularly in terms of imaging/soundstage and resolution, as I listen mostly to classical.

I've recently tried: Asgard 3, Jotenheim 1, Jotenheim 2, Folkvangr, and iFi iCan Pro Signature. For the Schiit stuff, Folkvangr was best to my ears, but not by a big enough margin to justify the price, heat, and desk space. I'm also a bit concerned about the cost of tubes these days...After that it was all very close but Jot 2>Jot 1>Asgard 3. Still preferred the imaging from the Wa7 a bit more than the Jot 2 though.

I've only had the iFi for a couple of days but so far am not very impressed. in particular The dynamics seem to be pushed to extremes - quiet passages are too quiet and loud passages are too loud.

I also tried the Valhalla 2, Vali, Vali 2, and Lyr 2 a few years ago. Valhalla 2 beat out all of those, but the Wa7 beat out the Valhalla in the end.

Things I'd want to consider in a new amp:
Under $1,500 new or used.
If it uses tubes, have replacements not cost a significant % of the amp cost and not necessarily require rolling from stock tubes.
Needs to fit on a fairly average-sized desk
Balanced would be nice.
Silver would be nice.

Lyr+ looks interesting, but I'll want to wait for some reviews first. I'm also wondering if I just don't quite love the Schiit house sound. I'm also looking a bit at a used Auralic Taurus MkII, but am still researching it.

 

Never underestimate the power of changing the thing between your ears. Pot helps.

 

Mjolnir 2. Yes, large but maybe is what you're looking for. You can read my comparison with Folkvangr here (bottom of page)

Maybe Bryston BHA-1?

 

What you need, friend, is a Quicksilver headphone amp.

You have an SDR modded 800, so you're going to need some tubes, and they'll need to be better than your current Woo amp. This amp is $1200 brand new, and the best you'll find under $2k.

Our pal @Azimuth uses a BF2/64 with Quicksilver and (non SDR I believe) HD800, so I'm sure he can share some impressions.

I think this is the path you're seeking.

 

I find taking a few moments to savour silence really helps you to open your ears and enjoy the music afterwards.

 

Yep. I talk about 'the ritual' of vinyl being the reason why people like it, and I fully appreciate that it is about frame of mind (and body!). I get the upgrade bug the hardest when I don't take the time to *properly* listen to my music, when I just treat it like an everyday thing, rather than relaxing, chilling out, and getting into that proper frame of mind. Sometimes it's quiet contemplation. Sometimes it's exercise. Sometimes it's pharmaceutical. But 'the ritual' is just as valuable as good gear.

I think a lot of people in mid-Fi 'hell' might be like this. They have pretty damn great gear, but they blame the gear for a lack of *whatever*. Maybe a shift in perspective or ritual is enough to better enjoy the experience. If that doesn't work, then you can spend, upgrade, consume, CONSUME.

 

I listen to 99% classical, and have similarly been trying various upgrades, but ultimately realized that with a headphone I love, the amps and DACs just didn't make enough consistent difference. I too have the new BF2 2/64, and currently use the Burson Soloist GT. Sometimes things sound amazing, sometimes kind of bleh. After a trip without my gear, everything sounds awesome.

I think trying more headphones is worthwhile. The HD800 is terrific with classical, but I ultimately switched to the Hifiman HE1000, which to my ear sounds less bright and more open and detailed.

 

I’m partial to some good tequila myself, but your point is good.

 

I hadn’t really considered switching headphones since I’ve been so happy with the HD800 and they’ve stood against everything else I’ve tried. I’ll keep an eye out for the chance to try the HE1000 though. They sound interesting.

 

The Bryston has been on and off the short list for a while. I’ll read more about it. From what I’ve read the M2 doesn’t really sound like what I’m looking for, but if I see one at a good price I might give it a try.

Interesting. I’ve never seen this amp before but it ticks a lot of boxes for me. I’ll have to do some more research.

 

I would suggest checking out the new Violectric V222 if it is already available. It is the same as the V226 I own but has no DAC and Pre, instead it has XLR inputs(and thus would fit well with the 2/64) and is 200 bucks cheaper.

Fed by my Yggi A2/Pi2AES combo it is the best solidstate I heard so far, it bests the V281 in stage and tone, and is just as good in resolution and control. It comes quite a bit closer to that elusive, flowing and "lit from within" tube sound we all are looking for minus the hassle.

It sounds wonderful with my KISS-mod 6XX with ZMF fenestrated pads as well as my ZMF Atrium with Auteur Hybrid pads.
Would go as far as to call it "early endgame" as it is a clear step or two above the Wa7d or anything else below 1k.
Try it, you might like it - I did, and I'm a sworn tubefile.

 

@purr1n If you haven't heard the Quicksilver, it's actually a very nice amp. It's not a Stratus or a ZDS, but it's as close as a man on a budget will get and it's a good step above many of the tube amps we regularly talk about here.

Getting into esoteric territory brings a whole other level as you know, but dude is trying to work his way up. Steps up the ladder make it easier because you can park your money into a piece of gear and save up while you enjoy your investment. When you're ready to climb more you sell that gear and add what you've saved, and buy the better thing.

You already know all this, I'm just stating it for the newer folks. This is how you work up to the great gear if you're not rich, one rung at a time.

I think Quicksilver is better than most, and I think it deserves this rung for where this gentleman is in his audio journey.

 

@nojwe - another option, and this is a more radical move, might be to consider getting the Raal Requisite SR1a with the Jot R. I suggest this for five reasons:

1. you mention that you mostly listen to classical. The SR1a is excellent for classical music. I have the BF2 --> Stratus --> HD 800 SDR as well as the same DACs to the Jot R --> SR1a. I prefer the Raal for classical music. It's not vastly superior. But there are improvements in some areas like imaging, separation, layering, resolution, transient attacks, and the timbre of some instruments. Frankly, I've never heard the piano sound so good as I do from the SR1a. Two caveats, though: the SR1a doesn't necessarily work as well for other genres (especially with its bass rolloff), and its presentation is sufficiently different from ordinarily headphones that it takes some getting used to. It's best to buy used or to audition the SR1a before buying.
2. if still available, one of the members of SBAF is selling his SR1a setup for an excellent price here. $1900 for the SR1a + Jot R + stock cable is about the best deal I've seen for this gear. Just sign up and make a donation to become a Contributor to the site.
3. I realize this amount might be out of your budget. But you could buy the SR1a setup and compare it directly to your own current one to see which you prefer. If you sell the SR1a, your loss should be minimal; if you keep it, you can offset the expense of the SR1a by selling your old amp and the HD 800 SDR.
4. you mentioned desktop space as an issue: the Jot R will sit nicely on top of your Bifrost 2/64.
5. the Bifrost 2 --> Jot R combination works very nicely.

Edit: sorry, all this assumes you're in the US.

 

It's big, it's over budget, but this is a step up:
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/fs-ec-aficionado-lots-of-tubes.12613/

 

I agree with what Erroneous is saying. The Quicksilver is an amp know well. It sounds great with lots of headphones and has lots of power to keep engagement high but what you really want for your HD800 is a DNA Starlett. Its such a phenomenal amp pairing with Senns. Its an experience you need to try out.

I ended up getting out of midfi purgatory by grabbing a EC BA and could not be happier. I compared it directly with the Starlett and it was hard to decide which to keep. The starlett is a presentation that is holographic and euphoria inducing. Truly a great experience. Tubes are also at a reasonable rate.

In both cases, the Starlett and QS tube price is limited by your choices!

I resisted tubes for a long time, but it turns out they really are the answer, IMO!!!

Good luck!

 

How does the DNA Starlett compare to the Woo Wa2 or 22? I get the impression tubes for the Woo are fairly pricey.

 

I would say Quicksilver would be more attainable. Unless you get lucky on the used market, any DNA amps have over a year waiting period currently.

 

Yeah, emailed Donald and he said 12-15 months. I think I might go for the Starlett and keep an eye out for the others mentioned here - Bryston, Quicksilver, and maybe a Woo, on the used market and just see what I end up liking and selling anything else off.

 

Sent a message about the Raal. I’m intrigued and it’s a good deal. Plus the Jot would stack on my other Schiit (although it’s black and not silver).