# TOTL tubed headpone amp **URL:** \ **Category:** I need advice!\ **Created:** [May 12, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514 "2020-05-12T21:50:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![JoeyGun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/joeygun/32/12408_2.png) [@JoeyGun](https://forum.headphones.com/u/JoeyGun)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 7:08am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/81 "2020-06-16T07:08:01Z")
ugh, you’re telling me! I am dead-set for the LCD-4 sometime this year, BUT as for the M-Scaler, I may just skip that and save up for the DCS Bartok instead as my end game. I know I can sell the TT2 for good money once I get the Bartok. ---
**Author:** ![JoeyGun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/joeygun/32/12408_2.png) [@JoeyGun](https://forum.headphones.com/u/JoeyGun)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 7:08am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/82 "2020-06-16T07:08:25Z")
Yeah I can’t believe how mint the condition on these NOS tubes! ---
**Author:** ![prfallon69](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/prfallon69/32/43781_2.png) [@prfallon69](https://forum.headphones.com/u/prfallon69)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 8:15am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/83 "2020-06-16T08:15:28Z")
Excellent setup. Truly a very nice space to enjoy your audio in. ---
**Author:** ![JoeyGun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/joeygun/32/12408_2.png) [@JoeyGun](https://forum.headphones.com/u/JoeyGun)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 9:17am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/84 "2020-06-16T09:17:45Z")
The $1700 pair of Wave Storm Reference BNC cables alone is pretty wild! But they do make a difference! ![20200611_184914_HDR](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/3/3da1776c929d443dd67c0b77f02ed293eb0692c7.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Dollar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/steve_dollar/32/6492_2.png) [@Steve\_Dollar](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Steve_Dollar)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 3:45pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/85 "2020-06-16T15:45:34Z")
Go for the Bartok, man! Although I really love the look of the Lampizat0r line. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Dollar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/steve_dollar/32/6492_2.png) [@Steve\_Dollar](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Steve_Dollar)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/86 "2020-06-16T15:46:16Z")
Is that the cable they used on the Nostromo? Serious HR Giger vibes. ---
**Author:** ![MrCypruz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mrcypruz/32/2617_2.png) [@MrCypruz](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MrCypruz)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/87 "2020-06-16T16:06:01Z")
Bartok is awesome, right up there with the HMS/Dave combo, just different for some and a tad better for others - just a matter of preference tbh…BUT at $13.5k (DAC only) and $15k (DAC+headphone output) MSRP and given how rarely they come by in the used market plus the difference in performance when compared to the HMS/TT2, you’ll be way deep into the diminishing returns territory for the extra $7-8k (when compared to a used HMS/TT2 combo) you’ll spend for the Bartok. You could easily scoop a HMS for $3.5k and those fancy BNC cables and be done…for now. If you have the means for the Bartok, heck go for it and you will be amazed! ---
**Author:** ![JoeyGun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/joeygun/32/12408_2.png) [@JoeyGun](https://forum.headphones.com/u/JoeyGun)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/88 "2020-06-16T16:11:57Z")
I know, it is enticing, although if you add the streamer in addition to to the TT2 and M-Scaler, since the Bartok has one, it’s actually roughly the same price ---
**Author:** ![JoeyGun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/joeygun/32/12408_2.png) [@JoeyGun](https://forum.headphones.com/u/JoeyGun)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/89 "2020-06-16T16:12:27Z")
Oh man, I wonder how the Lampizator sounds like. Is it that comparable to the Bartok? ---
**Author:** ![MrCypruz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mrcypruz/32/2617_2.png) [@MrCypruz](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MrCypruz)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:31pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/90 "2020-06-16T16:31:42Z")
Good point. The Bartok as a single box “do-it-all” seems like a good proposition and it has immense WAF (Wife Approval Factor). ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Dollar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/steve_dollar/32/6492_2.png) [@Steve\_Dollar](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Steve_Dollar)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:36pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/91 "2020-06-16T16:36:13Z")
I haven’t heard any of the higher end DACS. I plan to visit the Lampizat0r factory next time I’m in Poland (which could be this fall with any luck although the virus may be an obstacle). But those units can run up to and beyond 20k. I just love the idea of the Bartok because it can serve as a pretty much standalone _everything_ … just add headphones and a Qobuz subscription and you’re off to the races. Or run it through your Cayin. I’m kind of a less is more person, so the fewer boxes and cables and outlets needed, the better. The Lampizators look so cool and sci-fi though that is hard to resist the tech-lust. ---
**Author:** ![ValentineLuke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/valentineluke/32/9729_2.png) [@ValentineLuke](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ValentineLuke)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/92 "2020-06-16T16:42:09Z")
The Bartók is one I’d love to hear. Their design aesthetic also nice and subtle. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Dollar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/steve_dollar/32/6492_2.png) [@Steve\_Dollar](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Steve_Dollar)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/93 "2020-06-16T16:59:56Z")
Unless you simply have crazy money to spend on hi fi … it really seems like it’s a last-stop piece of gear. Especially if, like PS Audio and Bel Canto, they update the software routinely via download. And, yes, I agree … it’s beautiful to look at (if not curvy-wurvy like the other models). ---
**Author:** ![pennstac](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/pennstac/32/381_2.png) [@pennstac](https://forum.headphones.com/u/pennstac)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 1:22am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/94 "2020-06-17T01:22:31Z")
One of these days, there are going to be live concerts again. Life is short. Buy the good seats. And you’ll have a new standard. ---
**Author:** ![jfx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/fbc32d/32.png) [@jfx](https://forum.headphones.com/u/jfx)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 4:02am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/95 "2020-06-17T04:02:21Z")
Viva Egoista should be on any TOTL tube headphone amp list I think! Anyone try one? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Dollar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/steve_dollar/32/6492_2.png) [@Steve\_Dollar](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Steve_Dollar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 5:09am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/96 "2020-06-17T05:09:46Z")
Next time I am in NYC … In Living Stereo has one (or two) in its impressive headphone annex (various amps and 'phones there). Definitely on the pricey side of pricey. ---
**Author:** ![endre83](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/endre83/32/11213_2.png) [@endre83](https://forum.headphones.com/u/endre83)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 6:34pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/97 "2020-06-17T18:34:10Z")
Anyone tried the Bartok with ZMF headphones? ---
**Author:** ![MrCypruz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mrcypruz/32/2617_2.png) [@MrCypruz](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MrCypruz)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/98 "2020-06-17T20:27:47Z")
@tmarshl owns both the Bartok and ZMF VC. ---
**Author:** ![tmarshl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tmarshl/32/13119_2.png) [@tmarshl](https://forum.headphones.com/u/tmarshl)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/99 "2020-06-17T20:46:10Z")
Actually I am using the ZMF VC on my home setup from an exaSound Playpoint and e32 DAC, and it sounds fantastic there. In my office (man-cave) I am using the Bartok with my Raal SR1a (via SPL s800) or the Focal Utopia, direct from the Bartok+HP. I can bring in the ZMF VCs and see how they sound. ---
**Author:** ![MRHifiReviews](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mrhifireviews/32/13974_2.png) [@MRHifiReviews](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MRHifiReviews)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514/100 "2020-06-17T23:31:06Z")
> [@pennstac](#): > > One of these days, there are going to be live concerts again. Life is short. Buy the good seats. > And you’ll have a new standard. Looking forward to those days again! [Previous page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514.md?page=4) [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/totl-tubed-headpone-amp/6514.md?page=6)