Amps and Sound makes quality tubed headphone amps. I own a Kenzie Encore.
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Amps and Sound also make the ZMF Pendant I believe!
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On your current budget I would definitely recommend the Feliks Audio Espressivo Mark II. Especially since it’s a newer update. I haven’t heard it but have read nothing but good about it and IIRC, some compared it favorably to the Elise. This fine quality amp from a botique Polish amp maker should be a fantastic introduction to your tube amp journey.
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I also had a similar question about the Quad PA One + amp. The Quad representative at CanJam assured me their amp production in China goes through extensive quality standards and testing, using only high quality parts (that may very well originate from the west). After hearing it I was certainly a beleiver… and “spending (what?) kind of money”??? It’s only $1200 but competes favorably (in most regards) against the Euforia for around $3000 + has a highly resolving (bypass-able) internal DAC, gain switch and unbeatable sound for the price.
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I believe that is correct. I actually bought my A&S amp from Zach. My Kenzie Encore is pretty good powering all of my headphones. I also have a HE6se which needs more juice, so ends up pairing with GSX-mini, or Mjonir2.
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Good information but I still would want to see some internal pix.
For $1200 and the stated performance I agree this is a great deal…
thats juse the engineer in me…I like to look at stuff inside and see how the
put all the gorp in there…
Alex
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If you contact Quad they may very well let you see internal pics, or it may be online already.
The British Quad rep. seemed very straightforward and assured me their amps are assembled to very exacting specifications
I’m curious about this amp. Can you take a pic of yours? OEM pics are nice and all, but I like to see things in the wild.
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I didn’t mean to mislead you, I’m more of a fan of the Quad’s PA One + amp but my amp is the Feliks Audio Euforia. I have solid impressions of it from a good 5-6 sessions with various gear at a CanJam last year over 2 days (not always noisy environment). I was super impressed with its’ ability to drive such a wide range of headphones extremely well with authority / weight and clarity from the HEDDphone to the HD-600 even with plenty of headroom to spare. In the end I didn’t get it however because I’m going for a custom monster of a summit-fi amp of even higher caliber from a botique amp builder (Glenn Studios SET amp). The Quad amp was for me by far and large the best sound for such a modest size and affordable however, and I’ve gone to 12 meets.
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Ok, that’s good to know. Thanks anyway.
Hi, there. Also looking for some advice but I can’t post a topic yet. I’m looking to upgrade my Amp and or DAC.
I have the Schiit stack (Magni 3+, Modi, and the Loki. I’m wondering if I would see a dramatic difference if I purchased a SMSL SP200 over the Magni if I continued to use the Modi as the source. Eventually I’d also like to add the M200 but I can’t get them both at the same time. I also have the Loxjie “something” 20 tube that I use in the bedroom at night with a Earstudio M100 Mk2 as a preamp balanced in.
If one had about $550 to spend, what would be the best bang for you buck. I was thinking about yet another set of headphones, but I have quite a list going:
Monolith M570 - Really enjoy but heavy
Hifiman HE4xx - Probably my new favorite
Monolith M565C - Light and what I wear in bed to not disturb the wife at night… although needs a lot of EQ
Dekoni Blue - Love but a little unweidly
Fostex T40rp - Messing around with mods but still sound pretty solid with just a pad swap
What do you all think. Should I upgrade my amp and DAC? Also a very nice gentleman on here selling some Aeon Flow closed I’ve had my eye on. My concern is the sound as I really enjoy the exciting “V” shaped tuning. Also looking at the Sundara’s as well but I’m quite content with the 4xx’s right now. The money is burning a hole in my pocket. If I do get the SMSL amp and dac I’ll probalby sell the Schiit stack.
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That’s where I’ve gone from IEM to Koss Porta Pro. Has the advantage of being able to hear if she’s asking me something. I can fall asleep wearing Yaxi padded Porta Pros, although it takes high technology 4th dimensional pillow arrangement.
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I tried IEM’s, but smaller over the ear are just so much more comfortable.
Your DAC/amp setup generally corresponds to the potential of the headphones in your stable. I’d be inclined to move to higher-end headphones (e.g., $500 to $1,000) before replacing the Schiit stuff. Headphone upgrades will have a greater impact on the total experience…but you are now “content”…
If the money must burn a hole, maybe spend it on another hobby?
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Does anyone know of a combination amp/dac that has a balance control. I have old ears and one does not function as well as the other. I’d like to keep that price under $2,000.00
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Quick question, what are you using as your source? If you’re listening on a computer this might be solved by using something like APO. Otherwise, A lot people here like the RME ADI-2, and I believe that has balance and EQ functions that would do the trick.
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Off hand, I can say the RME ADI-2 DAC fs has adjustable L/R balance (and many other features).
Good software players can do it too, either directly or via free plug-ins.
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here is some further info. I currently have a Benchmark DAC 1 pre that I use at work but again no balance and since I will use it with some non computer sources a software add on or fix won’t help. I will be using it with Sony z1r headphones. Thanks again. You guys are great.
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for sources I will use four different ones: an Oppo DVD/SACD player, and esoteric cd player my television and sometimes a computer. I was looking at the Sony TA-ZH1ES but no balance control.