Tubes/Tube Amps for Low Impedance Headphones

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by takato14, Dec 13, 2015.

  1. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Ah, yeah, that's a decent option too. I can't remember if the Vali 2 was available when I posted my thoughts.

    That said, I wasn't super duper crazy about the Ember II. Not bad, but a bit grainy sounding for my tastes. Then again, you're not going to find a perfect amp until you spend the big bucks, IME.
     
  2. dubiousmike

    dubiousmike Friend

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    Aren't the project amps all hybrids or solid state anyways? I don't believe any of them have tube output stages. As a general matter, hybrids should easily drive low ohm phones. True tube amps that pair well with insensitive low ohm phones are a much rarer beast.
     
  3. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    Honestly... you guys are going to make me Buy a Freaking Project Amber and a HE 6 <.< my NFB10ES2 has more power output, but I hear it's only "just enough" more and more I hear the Ember can drive the HE 6 at only like 2.4wpc... I dunno I really like my Starlight, I just rolled a GE 6sn7 GTA an it's very nice now ... I swear if any one amp pushes me over the edge it's the stinking ember man!
     
  4. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    I have to say my Elekit TU-8200DX does very well with Fostex T50RP's and LCD2's. Seems to take out the bite and smooths the treble nicely. Not too mention it works great with the HD650.
     
  5. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    It's nice looking! What tubes are you using with it, and... I'm curious as to what kind of Bite the LCD 2 has [is it pre fazor]
     
  6. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    Power tubes I usually use the Philips 7581A or GE 7581A/6L6GC, and pre tubes the Philips 6189W or the Amperex 7316. The Philips (both power/pre) generally sound more neutral, and the GE and Amperex are more bloomy with a richer mid range.

    My LCD2's are fazors with the late 2015 revised driver. I find the treble to have a slight glare and it's no where near as smooth as the HD650's with most SS amps.
     
  7. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    yah JK47's Elekit is something I've heard twice, but need to do so again with a great DAC behind it (Gungnir Multibit minimum) and a TOTL headphone (HE1K, HD800).
    and no, I don't consider a modded HD650 a TOTL headphone from past listens. (I taunt, I taunt my fellow pyrates)
    :p
     
  8. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    Where did you get a chance to listen to the Elekit? My Gungnir Multibit feeds it SE and feeds my Mjolnir 2 Balanced ;)
     
  9. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    is this not the same Elekit that made it to the CCCP Boulder meet back in fall 2015?
    it wasn't fed by a Gungnir Multibit at that time.....
     
  10. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    That must have been Effusion's Elekit, as he is known on HF. I have the same model, and chatted with him a bunch on the HF Elekit thread. I met up with him at RMAF 2015, and went out to lunch with you guys and Tyll at the Mexican place. I haven't heard from Effusion since RMAF though...
     
  11. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    ah cheers mate, indeed you are correct. got my pyrates mixed up at that margarita lunch. didn't know there were two of those Elekit amps in such close circles.
    bowing out....
     
  12. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    I take it the Gungnir Multibit is short for Gungir
     
  13. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Gungnir Multibit to be precise.
     
  14. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    ahh that's a pretty cool nick name for it :3
     
  15. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    yah, I actually made up that nickname 55min ago and trademarked it.
    you can paypal me tomorrow for using it without express written permission.
    :rolleyes:
     
  16. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    Oh crap... I'd better get my check book ;P
     
  17. beemerphile

    beemerphile Friend

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    My Cavalli Liquid Glass has been a treat with phones from 25 - 300 ohms. Doesn't work well with IEM's, but I wasn't expecting it to. They show up used occasionally at decent prices. ETA: It is a hybrid design, if that matters. It does a good job of showcasing the attributes of different tubes.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2016
  18. Dr4Bob

    Dr4Bob New

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    I have found the RSA Raptor drives low impedance cans well; excellent with the Fostex TH-X00.
     
  19. Afghan Vet

    Afghan Vet New

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    The EC ZDS is what I'm aiming at to drive my Fostex TH900's. I've heard them on an original ZD, and they were spectacular - I'm expecting a similar experience on the ZDS.
     
  20. Afghan Vet

    Afghan Vet New

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    An update to this - I was provided a link to a WTB thread for an AURALiC Taurus MKii amp....worked out perfectly to make the sale, and I put in my order for the ZDS (though I haven't received confirmation that the order was received). So no headphone amp for 6 weeks or so. Ironically, I'm going to attend a headphone meet in Cornelius, NC on the 19th - I'll set up the Aries & Vega for anyone who wants to plug in their amp.
     

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