Ampsandsound Kenzie Encore-impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Mithrandir41, May 9, 2017.

  1. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    I love the way the encore sounds so far, but I would probably save money on the caps and keep the input transformers. If you were going to spend the money on upgrade, that's the one.
     
  2. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    lol

    very interesting!
     
  3. dpump

    dpump New

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    Justin,

    You have me worried about having an extension cable plugged in with no headphones plugged into the extension cable. Does this hurt the amp if there is no input signal? I sometimes use a balanced to single ended cable and have probably had it plugged in with no phones connected, as I normally turn the amp on and let it warm up for 15 minutes before using it.

    Maybe I'll order the input transformers from you for my Kenzie. You say you may have 2 different input transformers, so should I wait a while before ordering? What is the price for the transformers?
     
  4. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    The short answer is you should not do this, at least for my amps. The same principal likely applies for most tube amps. If you have tubes flowing... they energy needs to go someplace. If no cable is in place, there is a resister internally used to absorb the energy. If you put a cable in place then the resister is taken out of circuit. I would change your behavior... if unhooking cable... unhook form the amp... whatever you do after that is up to you.
    Re: hurting the amp... likely no. The max output of a kenzie is around .3watts. The transformers are 7watts rated at full bandwidth and would have the bandwidth shrink as more power is applied... the 1626 wont output more and thus you will never ever saturate the core and unlikely you could open a winding in the transformer. Thus, the transformers are x23 larger than actually needed. If you were doing it, Id have the volume all the way down, BUT TRY NOT TO DO IT. :).

    The Kenzie encore is the only amp we have currently that can accommodate input transformers. Everyone who heard it dug the difference.

    Hope this helps
     
  5. MattRG

    MattRG Facebook Friend

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    And with that I just unplugged the XLR to SE adapter from my Night Blues Mini that I had been using! Thanks for the knowledge drop. Any day that I can learn something new about this hobby of ours is a good day.
     
  6. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    @Mithrandir41, have any more listening impressions from the weekend. I'm super curious about my HD650 out of that 600ohm jack...
     
  7. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    Funny thing is: I received a pair of HD650s this weekend and have been burning them in to complement my LCD 3s. They sound pretty bombastic out of the 600 ohm tap. Overall though, they sound really great and controlled out of the 32 ohm jack. It's a really solid pairing
     
  8. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    MOAR IMPRESSIONS!!!!

    Sorry, I'm being tormented by ZDSs for sale and I really want to know more about this amp...
     
  9. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    @ButtUglyJeff : I've been listening equally with my new HD650s and my LCD-3s (2016 revision). I run both headphones out of the 32 ohm jack and they sound as good as i've ever heard them. I listen most with my Siemens 12AT7 and the Westinghouse 12SL7. two words: lush midrange. The bass is truly excellent as well. The Encore (with input transformers) is very dynamic and has great transient impact. you notice it better with something like the LCD-3 which has bottomlesss bass extension. I never really go above 11:00 on the volume dial. A lot of my critical listening is done with my Rush 2015 remasters by Sean McGee, and my Joe Satriani remasters by John Cuniberti. I love the Encore just as I did my original Kenzie. It's very responsive to tube changes and just plain fun to listen to. And as mentioned before, it's quieter than the original Kenzie.
     
  10. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    Thanks for that @Mithrandir41, I was going bonkers over the Zana Deux Super yesterday. There is nothing out there about this amp. I know its an impossible dream now, but I'd love to hear from anyone who has heard a Kenzie Encore and a ZDS.

    Now I'm hoping @gbeast does get a loaner to hear and share his thoughts about. Heck, if I'm wishing for stuff, I want a loaner too... lol
     
  11. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    @Mithrandir41

    Thanks to @gbeast for earphiles and my introduction to ampsandsounds Kenzie I've been looking hard at the Kenzie/Encore for my Hd6XX and pending Atticus. Two points that seemed a miss about the Kenzie was the lack of a pre-out and it's noise.

    I know it's been some time, but you said it's quieter... would you say it's noise floor is comparable to other tube amps you've had experience with, so much to say that it's now a non-issue?
     
  12. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    Honestly I doubt I will demo the Kenzie Encore. I can ask, I mean we did talk about that and had it as something we would do but really I think I am going to pass for now. Not because I don't think it is going to be a good amp. In fact of all of the amps I have auditioned, the Kenzie has a sweet spot for me even if it is not as spacious and clean sounding as the ZD or fast as the Taboo MKIV. Now I imagine the Encore is a step up from the original Kenzie and if it is an improved Kenzie I would buy one.

    The problem for me is that I am going to be working overtime next month through January. SO much overtime that I won't even have time post reviews. I also think I have something else in queue.

    With all this overtime though, I may just buy one but after selling my Utopia and buying another car I need another TOTL headphone so we will see. I liked the Kenzie that much that I wouldn't even care to audition the Encore. I would just buy one on the spot and rock it next to the Aficionado.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2017
  13. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    That's high praise, considering how consistent people regard EC amps.

    I was considering the ZDS as well, but I'm leaning more towards the Encore for the simplicity of the tube setup. I've only had experience with SS and would continue does that road, but alas "tube magic" has captivated me, and the Kenzie's topology lends itself to simpler/limited tube rolling.
     
  14. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    One benefit of the Kenzie/Encore is that you only really need to roll one tube: the input tube. The 1626 output tubes sound amazing, and there's not a lot of substitutes/rebrands anyway.
    I was perfectly happy with the original Kenzie, but picked up the Encore for the preamp functionality.

    Edit: you don't "need" to roll the input tube, but it can be beneficial.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2017
  15. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    Gbeast... when time frees up Ill send you a Encore to try. The real question is if you dig the input transformers. Many designs are using input transformers again. The pros have always used them in their consoles.
    I do think Input transformers are not additive with a tube pre before the Amp. If like me you go, SS Dac into Amp... super sweet sounding with increase sub and mid bass.
     
  16. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    Cool beans,

    I look forward to hearing it!
     
  17. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    I just bought the original Kenzie, oh well. It was maybe the best amp I heard at the Atlanta meet last year.
     
  18. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    ICE-Man you can send in your amp, we can do coupling caps. I have a set of input transformers in external boxes I built for show duty. Call me up and we can discuss if it interests. Justin 323-868-9722. It wouldn't be a full encore but would have 95% of the upgrades.
     
  19. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Wow, that's just amazing. I'll contact you this week.
     
  20. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    @Mithrandir41

    How's the Encore's pre-out working for you?

    I'm wondering if the Kenzie's character as a headphone amp is due to it's pre-amp or power section (prob. both), and if said character carries over into a 2-channel system?
     

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