I really don’t understand the whole thing about all the class amps like A/B and Class-D amps, but many amp reviews talk about great Class-A amps in the profile sound, which I like. So I am a bit blind in this area, and I am open to direction and opinion.
Balanced and single-ended, I always like to have a dual-featured device. I don’t know about the change in sound from bal to unbal.
With your Burson Soloist 3XP experience being warm, that’s what I was looking for, and Class-A is not so important for me.
You could pick up a Feliks Echo MK2 and a Burson Playmate 2 with $1k to spare. Or the Echo plus the CH-Amp and have $500 to spare.
While I agree with the posts above that your headphones don’t really need it, that doesn’t mean it won’t sound good and also be future proof for when you do upgrade headphones.
The Echo works great with the HD650 (disclaimer: I have a love/hate relationship with the HD650/6XX) and the CH-Amp is really impressing me at the moment (I am currently testing it).
That way you get a full OTL tube set up with the Echo, a full solid state (also balanced if you want) with the CH-Amp and an option of running the Echo tube preamp into the solid state amp if you want to flavour the solid state with planars or whatever.
All with money to spare and plenty of power for whatever you may need.
Just to make sure you didn’t miss this, he does NOT think they’re “warm and fun”. I owned a Burson Soloist 3X GT for a bit and really liked it, and also would NOT consider it to be “warm and fun”. I thought it was a very capable, detailed amp with fairly neutral warmth (aka - sounds natural - not clinical, not warm blanket). It also has a wider than typical stage, which it sounds like you like.
Nothing wrong with going the all-in-one route. All amps have a “class” (solid state, tube, and hybrid). Frankly, I’d ignore it. You want something that sounds the way you want it to. Sure some classes tend to lean toward a signature, but it’s never a hard-and-fast rule. Do your best to demo if you can, and if you can’t, read the opinions of multiple people (never trust a single person). Ideally, find someone experienced who feels the same way about gear you have heard, and then weight their findings a little more.
I haven’t heard the ifi ican pro myself, so won’t point you one way or the other, but I generally think ifi does a good job.
I know I’m Captain Obvious, but the only negative of an all-in-one unit is the inability to upgrade the DAC or amp individually.
If the amp dies, the DAC probably will be useless, too. If you end up wanting an amp with more power or a DAC with a different colorization of sound, you’ll need to buy another DAC or amp, too.
This is solid advice. It’s why I always ask what headphones someone is using when they’re asking for amp or DAC recommendations.
@Ameer_Mak I’d recommend auditioning headphones of the kilobuck variety rather than dumping $2500 into an amp at this time. Find a headphone that makes your really happy, then upgrade the electronics to get that last bit of performance.
Not to pile on but I will also say your next purchase $ are better spent on headphones than necessarily a Class A amp or something potentially in the $2500 range at this time.
What others have said regarding different amps from Burson and some of the others is excellent. I also have a Burson Soloist 3X GT and what @andris and @PaisleyUnderground is correct.
Our forum is full of good information and reviews. Another good source is on Youtube, Passion for Sound (Lachlan Fennen). He has lots of good reviews, and he is an intelligent and perceptive guy who explains things well, and is not boring or pedantic. I find what he hears often agrees with what I do, and since he is an Aussie he also has a lot of Burson reviews! And much else of course. He is worth checking out.
One thing you might consider for your Fostex T50rp Mk3 is sending them into Modhouse Audio for the Argon conversion.
I still use my Mk2s sometimes when I want a (basically) closed back to block out external sound or prevent sound leakage, especially when watching shows or movies.
The Argons sound much better than stock, and what Ryan charges is very reasonable. Something to consider anyway.
Honestly, this is one of the most versatile communities I have ever experienced, and with great advice, I am very happy to be joining the headphones community.
Absolutely and take your time. Enjoy the adventure. Building a system around a great headphone of your choosing is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects with in this hobby of ours.
If you want to just try a warm and fun Class A amp for a lot less money, you could get the RebelAudio RebelAmp. I like mine a lot, and it would at least give you a taste of what class A sounds like without having to drop so much money.
I collect headphone amplifiers (new and used never over $1,200) and they probably now outnumber my headphones. One of my collection is the HeadAmp GS-X mini that you are considering. It is a good sounding/performing headphone amplifier as all HeadAmp headphone amps are. Dynamic and bright compared to my others if you want adjectives. However, I feel that when based only on performance the GS-X mini is priced slightly too high. For instance, my Questyle headphone amplifiers cost less and outperform the GS-X mini. On top of that the GS-X mini is large and puts out quite a bit of heat while the Questyle amplifiers barely get hot. The build quality and finish of all HeadAmp amplifiers are however top notch and justify their asking price.
I also own the same headphones as yours except for the HarmoniDyne-Zeus. My guess is that you intend on increasing your collection. The suggested Rebel Audio RebelAmp is one of my favorite headphone amplifiers and is an absolute bargain. It drives my planar magnetic headphones to equal levels of performance as the big boys according to my ears. (I must divulge that there are reputable audio enthusiasts that I trust that disagree with my assessment.) However at your $2,500 budget you will definitely achieve better performance spending the money on a higher end amplifier that might excel at driving more headphones to their upper potential. I would recommend that you fish for more recommendations from other members on this board to find the best outrageously good amplifier closer to the top end of your budget, that might drive all of your current headphones and future collection. Who wouldn’t want to smile more often?
Airpods Max, Sennheiser Momentum 4, or Focal Bathys?
I have a few coins that have been burning a hole in my pocket. And I don’t have any wireless, noise cancelling, closed back headphones. Unless I’m missing something (Audeze Maxwell?) these are, as a young Marlon Brando would say, the contenders.
I am generally in the Apple ecosystem. Source would likely be iPhone. I rarely do gaming, but when I do, I like precise location. I do listen to Disney+ and Apple TV for some series, and often prefer headphones for clarity. (Ashoka promises to be good, but not up to Mandelorean or Boba Fett quality - I listen to that on MacBook Pro, BiFrost 2/64 and either Hive Nectar Estats on the Stax/Mjolnir amp or on Lyr3 and Senn HD6xx - obviously wired)
I suppose Dolby Atmos capability is a plus, and I think the Airpods are the only ones that do that.
I’ve proven sensitive to reflections in closed-backs, witness my juvenile thrashing review years ago of the Audeze LCD-2C Closed. Almost unlistenable, I’d hear both the closed space and the recorded space.
But the Cicadas are LOUD these nights. And Wireless with ANC will feel better then sticking the Etymotics deep into my ears until the tips touch.
So what’s the story with sound? Y’all know my general tastes. Favorite- My speakers, followed by the RAD-0, Nectar Hive, Grado RS1e with the right pads, and all the rest. And I love my Audeze LCDi4.
Please provide a Lively back and forth flame throwing argument about which, if any of the contenders I should buy.
