ampsandsound (aka Amps & Sound)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Luckbad, Mar 20, 2016.

  1. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    From my experience as a prior Kenzie owner, and a current BW2 & ZMF owner, I'll say outright that you'd love the Encore. Hell you'd probably really dig the Kenzie, but coming from the BW, you'd be missing the slam, so spring for the Encore with the input transformers. The varying output impedance options are confusing, but I'd say the 32/300 option would be the way to go. My Atticus sounded great from both, but a touch more open on my 600 output. It doesn't follow conventional thought on output impedances, but the sound is what matters, and it's good. :)

    As for upgrades, I'd argue that the input transformers are a must. Justin lent me his XLR>RCA boxes for a bit, and the differences are subtle, but quite appealing. There was a touch more clarity, and weightier dynamics*. The upgraded caps are simply an added option that I think Justin is offering to appeal to those looking for a bit more clarity. I can't comment if they're worth it, but can only say that the added $100 would be worth it just to stave off the resale jack-hole insisting you have a lesser product because you didn't spring for all the options.

    I'll don my HF ass-hat and say the my understanding of the Mogwai (from reading, ugh), is Justin's amp that adds a more meaty-romantic-tube colored sound. Less clear than the Kenzie, but with MOAR power and better dynamics. Sorry to say that I can't comment more, unless I really dig in and lace my conjecture with sweet BS.

    I moved on from the Kenzie, but I wouldn't hesitate to take an Encore if it were possible. Time will tell.

    I'd love to see a @ampsandsound's loaner. More peeps should hear these amps.

    * My comments on the input transformers could simply be a bearing on the Gungnir Multibit's XLR outs compared to the RCAs. The difference being the balanced-outs are the magic, not the boxes; but that would follow that the trans. boxes are getting out of the way and letting the DAC do it's thing. Whether it's the boxes or simply the better output; I'd spring for the upgrade either way.
     
  2. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    @allegro what transformer is in it? How much?
     
  3. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    If we really can order a separate unit transformer without any sacrifice on sound quality, it would be a more attractive solution than sending the amp back to Justin.
     
  4. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    For the record, I know someone who has the encore(or similar version) and Mogwai SE. They think the SE is stellar and even better than the Encore.

    Justin says its his best amp. It has some of the tonal sweetness of the kenzie but the power and slam of the Mogwai.

    It is very resolving with my NOS 6550 tubes and Cossor rectifier. It can be an end gamer for a lot of ppl.
     
  5. Erikdayo

    Erikdayo Friend

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    I wanted to go for the Mogwai SE but found that the passive speaker outs on it wouldn't really fit my current usage with my PC while the Kenzie Encore would. I switch between speakers and headphones often multiple times daily so constantly unplugging the speakers every time I want to switch to headphones seems less than ideal. In addition, my desk space is very very limited so I'd have to find some passive speakers that are similar in size to small PC speakers.

    Did I make the wrong decision?
     
  6. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    I believe the 2 upgrades also are built on larger plates. Bigger plates mean a larger footprint, better ergonomics, and room for transformers. But still, let Justin tell you all that.

    Also the Mogwais have speaker taps, and the Kenzies have pre-amp outs...
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2018
  7. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    I don't see any plans to add pre-amp outs to the Mogwai SE (may not be feasible, @ampsandsound would have to comment.)

    From the website a fully optioned Kenzie Encore with input transformers and upgraded coupling caps is $2545.

    Not sure if Mogwai pricing is set in stone yet but @ampsandsound has commented in past:

    So about $2900 for fully optioned Mogwai SE. If you want the badass Mullard 5AR4 rectifier mentioned by @Luckbad might be an extra charge don't think that is standard.
     
  8. Erikdayo

    Erikdayo Friend

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    I’m pretty sure that’s true that preamp outs cannot be added to the current Mogwai SE, but Justin would know best. I settled on the Kenzie Encore after exchanging a few emails with him and considering my usage.

    It’s always possible that in the future new models will be released or my typical usage will change and allow me switch over to the Mogwai SE.
     
  9. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    No, but we make some cool things that I never seem to publish. Most of this type stuff, the XL to RCA included is born of my own needs. I'm never sure what others need unless asked and then find out its more common than I might have realized. For input transformers... RCA to RCA or XLR to RCA, I default to stereo boxes, however for my own uses I make them mono blocked. The RCA to RCA is the same as in the amps, the XLR to RCA requires different transformer specs but the performance is the same... just the nature of the balanced signal.
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2018
  10. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    Forgot just how cute that turned out. Little back boxes do in fact look better that brushed aluminum :0).
     
  11. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    The loaner is a bit hard. We are a small shop. We have product out to reviewers, a sales agent and alike. We try really hard to run lean. Luckbad can attest to me recent efforts to support growth with reorganizing my space some.

    Please always feel free to call me, Im up late/odd hours as my on call... Im also pretty responsive with texts. Justin 323-868-9722.

    Re: the amps and choices... I probably will do a video shortly after our new site goes live in the next 30 days, but Ill try to abridge and provide cliff notes. GBeast can tell you that getting flowing expansive descriptions from me is difficult.

    Kenzie... 1s try at headphone amp. Used circuit we've employed for years... custom iron made the magic happen. I wanted it to be as small a foot print as possible. Also I thought the user wouldn't own an audio rack but rather be like my friends and I and use ikea furniture, side tables or bookshelf as their racks. Thusly, jacks/connectors come from the top and to save on depths. I still believe this to be important. Loved LCD2s, HD600s, T1 600ohms and anything Grado... These were used in voicing. The desire for 32/600 was to provide compatibility with the headphones I most enjoyed... also 600ohm out can be used for a line out/pre. Uses really old tubes that sound amazing. Tubes are inexpensive and NOS. The 1626 is known as the baby 300b for good reason. TONE... I think tone with the kenzie. Its super quite, goes low, goes high and have that tone!
    Now has choice of 32/300, 16/32, 32/600.

    Mogwai... distilled from the Bigger Ben amp. Allows for tube rolling... 6L6GCs, EL34s, KT66, KT77, KT88 1.5watts into cans... when your headphones or choice of music requires dynamic swings this is your choice. If you own a Zu, Klipsch, Tekton speaker... you have a dual purpose amp. Though less warm than the kerne for sure, its still much warmer than other manufactures sounds. The mogwai is also quit, goes low, goes high but has drive. BTW, Mogwai is because my daughter is super cute like a mogwai... just don't get her wet... youlll end up with a gremlin. The project was called monster initially.

    Encore, Its the redo to the kenzie. Same sound, increased power supply filtering, HUGE choke, and my attempt to solve for most of the request I got. 2 inputs, pre amp output, jacks up front, better general ergonomics, can accommodate upgrades.
    Now has choice of 32/300, 16/32, 32/600. Its a better version of a kenzie and more usable.

    Mogwai SE, redo to the Mogwai. Wanted to make an amp that could have been made 70 years ago. Transformers got bigger, output increased. 2.8watts into 300ohms big. I wasn't trying for more power. I wanted tube rectified as I think it adds something truly special to the sound. The larger iron improved sonics and bandwidth. More importantly... jacks were moved, volume pot was spaced out better, multiple inputs (were a ongoing challenge for months to make happen). When I think about the Mogwai SE, I think power and tone. The ability to roll rectifiers and power tubes really differentiates itself.

    Leeloo
    Like a Mogwai but quieter an uses famed EL84/12AX7 combo.

    Agartha
    My homage to Single ended designed from Shindo and alike. 50' American Hifi and 70's Japanese Bestspoke... the KISS approach. The circuit is very very simple, but the realism it brings is its calling card.

    Hope the cliff notes made sense :).
     
  12. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    Can anyone share re the loaner program. At head-fi when I tried it was a bit of a cluster... 7-10 days lost to each person in shipping... seemed like it dragged on and people didn't post feedback/impressions.
     
  13. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    Mogwai.....now i get it. Nice name. Much better than monster for sure
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2019
  14. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    My experience is that the loaner programs here, are much more efficient and better organized. This is a smaller and more thoughtful community than most. I think you'd find that you'd get good mileage from a loaner here.
     
  15. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I promise to write a review.
     
  16. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    Plus loaners are organized by location to minimize both shipping time and expense.
     
  17. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Loaners at SBAF are much better organized than Head-Fi, but we are still undisciplined about providing feedback on the loaner. My opinion is that if you get a loaner and don't provide feedback, you should be disqualified from future loaners. But I don't run things.
     
  18. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    Im going to try to be able to send a unit to meet ups. Seems a good starting point.
     
  19. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

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    So the Mogwai SE will not have any problem driving Hifiman HE6 or Susvara in terms of power output? Looking forward to some user impressions...
     
  20. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    @gbeast how does your Mogwai SE compare to your Aficionado? Soundstage and detail as good?
     

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