Tube headphone amp

mca · « **on:** 17 Feb 2006, 07:01 pm »

I was all ready to purchase a MF X-CAN3 from a local dealer. After listening to it though, it has more of a SS sound than a tube sound. It did not seem to mate well with my ATH-900 headphones.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good tubalishious amp in the 400.00 - 500.00 range? Unlike the post below, I do not want a kit.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 07:20 pm »

I'd post this on head-fi. The only one I can think of is that ASL OTL Tube head amp.

Michaelh

chadh · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 07:50 pm »

You might want to look at the Woo Audio 3 (http://wooaudio.com/products/wooaudio3.html) which lists for $470 + shipping, or the Mapletree Ear+ Purist(http://www.mapletreeaudio.com/kits.htm) which lists for $515 assembled. Notice, the Ear+ comes assembled or in kit form - obviously cheaper as a kit.

Eddie Current has just released the EC-01 for around $349. There have been some minor issues with it, mainly involving the tracking of the pot at low volume levels, but this is likely to be remedied shortly by the use of a different pot. It looks like extremely good value. (http://www.eddiecurrent.com/EC01%20Product%20Release.pdf ). If you look at the webpage, ignore the other offerings as they are all discontinued. The webpage is about three generations of amp behind production.

The entry level offering from Singlepower is the PPX3. It might be slightly more expensive than $500, and they offer an awful lot of tempting upgrades that might make it hard to stay even close to your $500 budget. However, these are purportedly excellent amps. (http://www.singlepower.com ).

The HA-101 from Space Tech Labs (http://www.space-tech-lab.com/HeadPhonePage.htm) lists for C$680 (which is closer to US$600).

Chad

chadh · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 07:54 pm »

Sorry. The parenthses messed up all my URLs there. Here they are again:

http://wooaudio.com/products/wooaudio3.html

http://www.mapletreeaudio.com/kits.htm

http://www.eddiecurrent.com/EC01%20Product%20Release.pdf

http://www.singlepower.com

http://www.space-tech-lab.com/HeadPhonePage.htm

Chad

Brad · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Feb 2006, 07:54 pm »

I would second the Mapletree recommendation.
Excellent sound and Dr. Lloyd is a great guy to deal with.

mca · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 02:17 am »

I hope I don't regret it, but I ended up going in the opposite direction. I bought a Meier Corda Aria today that should be here in about two weeks.
For the price, it seems like an amazing piece and the USB part appealed to me so I could try it out with my computer. It seems to have a very good following over at headfi also.

chadh · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 04:08 am »

I agree. The Aria is a very appealing option, and looks pretty sexy too. Not quite as sexy as my Sugden headmaster, but definitely not far behind.

Reviews from the head-fi folk seem to suggest it's truly great value amp for the money. But the crowd has been oddly silent regarding its performance as a USB DAC. I suspect this is because most people using it in this capacity simply don't have units that are easily compared. The USB DACs that are most common there are include the Micro DAC from headroom (which doesn't use L and R RCA outs), external soundcards, and a handful of small items that retail for around $100.

Regardless, I have my eye on one of these for my office system. Although, I might be more tempted to try the Scott Nixon USB Chibi DAC paired with something like the Eddie Current/Laconic EC-01. The Scott Nixon USB DACs take the USB directly to I2S, which potentially makes for a cleaner result.

I hope the Aria works well for you. I'd love to hear how you find it after some break-in.

Chad

dorokusai · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 02:17 am »

I've owned a few HA and my favorite so far has been the Consonance, Cyber series. I miss that piece, and have been using a MF XCan v3 to get by for now.

mca · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 04:51 am »

I have had the Aria for about three weeks now, enough time to break in. The sound with the ATH-A900 was just too squeeky clean for me. No warmth to the music and bass was very tight but light.

I found a good deal on a pair of HD 650's and they just arrived today. Much better sound for my tastes than the AT. The difference in sensitivity is obvious, as you have to almost double the volume control to get the same volume.

It almost seems as if it's running out of power at a decent volume. Bass is fuller but a little more flabby. This may be a fault of the phones though as this is the first time I have ever heard them on any setup.

I spoke with Jan and decided to take advantage of his return policy. I think in the long run I will enjoy tubes more. Now I just have to decide between a Single Power or a Mapletree amp.

By the way, the amp itself is very well built and beautiful to look at, but the blue led on the front is so bright, it can light up a dark room.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 02:24 am »

I heard the Corda Aria is a great amp, but it is supposedly super neutral, so if you desire some bloom to the sound, it won't give it to you. Surpising that it didn't get on well with the HD650's, as I would think the darker tonal nature of the Senns would love the Meier amp. Oh well, good luck on the next one and thanks for the update. I hope to hear the Corda Aria at the natl. head-fi meet.

Michael

chadh · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 04:10 am »

I've just bought an Aria, I think. It's on its way to me now. I hope. I bought it used, and the seller says he sent it yesterday. But after three emails in the past two days requesting shipping details, he still hasn't provided a tracking number or even the name of a shipping company. I really hope I haven't flushed $400 down the toilet.

Anyway, the reason I went with the Aria is that it has the built in USB DAC. I intend to use it in my office, direct from the PC. Given that I am buying it (very lightly) used, I feel that I won't lose much on it if I have to sell it.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying my other new headamp purchase (for home...or maybe for work, if the Aria doesn't work out) - a Channel Islands VHP-1.

Having had a chance to compare the VHP-1 to my Sugden Headmaster, I have little fear that the Aria will be "too neutral". I've always liked the Sugden sound, but listening to it in comparison to the VHP-1, I almost get a headache now. It's very revealing and very cold (in comparison). I doubt that the Aria will be more extreme than the Sugden.

Chad

mca · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 05:06 am »

I hope the seller follows through for you

chadh · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Mar 2006, 04:51 am »

I'm pleased to report that the package arrived safely today!

Suddenly I have three head-amps, and only one pair of ears with which to listen! Sounds like I'll need to be working hard.

Chad

bluemeteor · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Jun 2006, 12:07 am »

Also:

Try the Ming Da MC 66AE - great with Grado(s) and the state of the art Bada(s) - they make a tube amp that can be had in the states for $175.00

djbnh · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Jun 2006, 01:50 pm »

Another offering from Eddie Current / Laconic - as per Head-Fi forum - check out these Class A tubed "Lunch Boxes" @ $160 delivered. I note these are for high impedance phones only; however, Eddie Current sells that EC/DC thingamabob that would probably help the Lunch Box mate with Grados.