I don't read many posts on this forum commenting on the Van Alstine preamps' headhone section, so here is my not so humble opinion - its Outstanding!
I purchased an Ultra SL & received it in August 2005 and have been mightily impressed. I compared it in home to a Bryston BP-26 dealer demo and preferred the Ultra in my system. One of my criteria for a preamp was to try & find one with at least a halfway decent headphone jack, as I do about 1/3 of my listening at night with headphones. In my opinion, the U ...
I’ve recently compared my T7 SLR’s headphone section to several headphone amps. I had a Bryston Preamp prior with a headphone section which the AVA bests in many ways. The AVA also performs well compared to some Meta 42 headphone amps I’ve heard, an ASL SET tube headamp and a Grado R1 headphone amp (two 9v batteries) I’ve listened to recently. The T7 has a higher level of detail, somewhat larger sound stage but overall less bass then the others mentioned.
I then started using my Decware Select SET amp with a 100ohm resistor in line with my phones. The Selects shear level of detail is astonishing, but its lack of bass was significant compared to the T7 which was already lacking some robust bass (colorization) that was needed. Understand that my primary (and favorite) headphone is a Sennheiser HD-600. This headphone is already heavier on the bass side compared to many other popular headphones. They also have a larger soundstage then most headphones and certainly are on the darker side then most, especially a Grado.
I introduced an ASL UHD device to the Decware Select. It takes the speaker leads from any amp and converts the signal in a palatable way for headphones. The device has been recently discontinued and it’s a shame since it works very well (ASL said they just didn’t’ get much request for them). I traded off a little bit of detail and stage for some needed weight in the bass. A fair trade off, certainly. The Select SET amp with the UHD device still has more detail and a larger sound stage then the T7’s headphone section. I also listened to a SinglePoint MPX3 headphone amp (retails for over $1000) which has even more authority (slam) and weight then the Select amp with somewhat less detail that again, is a very fair trade off.
All this says a lot for the T7 SLR since the cost of the two devices that best its headphone section were over $1000 each.
My only negative comments about the T7 is that its sound is somewhat un-involving and not very musical. Compared to the Grado, for example, its is a lesser sounding amp then the T7’s headphone section but was still somewhat more musical. Not that I prefer the Grado but what’s disappointing about the T7 is its dullness, or just its lack of anything exciting. It does what it does well and adds no color. Many of you may feel that’s what you want and that’s what’s best but after listening to my headphones for quite a number of years, I feel a lack of robustness and musicality is what’s commonly missing in the HeadFi world. When its done right, its makes the listening experience much more enjoyable.
But take my comments with a gain, since I’m one of ‘them’ that can hear the differences in wires, cables and power cords. I think RadioShack IC’s and copper wire robs my system of a substantial amount of detail and overall quality. I have several pairs of RadioShack Golds, I use them in uncritical places and on lower-fi equipment. I’ve compare them to many brands that are commonly known here at the AVA forum too sell snake oil and love potions but can certainly hear the difference. So beware my comments because it’s likely I’m one of those in the overwhelming majority of this hobby that is inherently insane and just plain stupid.
