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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    The pre outs work great. Using my emotiva Airmotivs, there is much more travel on the volume knob than when using headphones. The pre outs for me are a bonus feature. The prime attraction will always be the headamp.
     
  2. Ice-man

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    I wanted to add some early impressions of my Kenzie. This is the original with Auri cap upgrade and stock tubes. First of all this is a exceptionally good headamp and I mean damn good.. There is an addictive quality about the sound coming from it. I stayed up till 2am listening to music through different headphones for several nights in a row. Actually I had a very tough time unplugging the 650 from this amp. The 32 ohm tap was best for the 650. The 600 ohm tap worked best for the hd800. The Kenzie is easily an end game amp for dynamics. ( I haven't even gotten to planars yet ). :oops:

    I won't go into great detail about the particulars of the amp but here are a few highlights:

    *beautifully constructed and crafted. Pictures don't do this amp justice. It's a show piece for sure.
    *great dynamics and control over dynamic drivers headphones. This matches the best that I've heard the 650/800.
    *slightly warmer and more dynamic than tiii
    *bass extension is not shy, but with good control and texture

    And then there's the x factor. When you find yourself saying "wow" over and over with extended listening sessions you know that you've found something special. Often this comes down to preferences. And I find that the Kenzie fits me like a glove in that regard. I didn't quite have the funds to buy the LG that came up for sale here just a few weeks ago. I was very sad about that. The Kenzie has made me forget about that regret almost completely. The Glass is a damn fine amp. No question. But the Kenzie fits me better if I'm honest. Better form factor, easier on the wallet....
     
  3. Ice-man

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    The Kenzie continues to impress. Just when everything was at that near perfection level, one of the output tubes crapped out....buzzing and such. I picked up another set of RCA for output as well as taking a crapshoot with a somewhat more expensive Tung Sol. The TS took forever to get here from South Korea, but they were worth the wait. They easily outclass the RCA in terms of tone and transparency. Just a very nice tube that doesn't do much wrong.

    I'm putting some hours on the Tung Sol's to get there final signature but so far they are impressive and my favorites.
     
  4. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    I haven't even heard the Kenzie with different tubes. Can only imagine.
     
  5. PacoTaco

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    Not going to lie, the Kenzie Encore seems to be the one tube amp that is challenging the Dragon Inspire IHA-1 as my next purchase. Unless I just go with the Raggy/Yggdrasil combo, this is probably going to be it. That, or I find a really, really good deal on a Taboo IV that I don't have to wait months on.
     
  6. Mithrandir41

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    I've settled on a Siemens 12AT7 as my favorite for the Encore (and the original Kenzie) I found the RCA to be a little too rolled off at the extremes, and the Sylvania to be slightly harsh in the lower treble. I would like to find a proper 12sl7 that I really like, though. Maybe I'll check out the Tung Sol.
     
  7. Ice-man

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  8. Mithrandir41

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  9. Ice-man

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    I would consider if temporary swap if you want to hear the Tung Sol's.
     
  10. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    I'll pm you
     
  11. PacoTaco

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    Zach (ZMF Headphones) is lending his Kenzie to me for my Auteur review (plus be knows I'm looking for a high end amp.)
     
  12. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    Have a few new surprises to the kenzie.
    The Kenzie and Enocre will have options for 32ohm/300ohm for the ZMF and Sennheiser camps and 16ohm/32ohm for the MrSpeaker Aeon.
    Have a month or so of R&D in front of us for tweaking but should be pretty awesome. We will still default to 32/600ohm but wanted to try and offer more tailoring for all these wonderful headphones that are out.
     
  13. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Best news of the day!
     
  14. Mithrandir41

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    Good stuff, Justin! These changes will make the Kenzie a better fit for even more cans.
     
  15. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    Wish I could put 16, 32, 300 and 600 tapps in one amp... just not possible, but it will allow customers to pick the best combo for themselves.
    Id imagine 32/300 and 16/32 will be the most popular choices for a while.
    The combo amps will stay 8ohm for speakers and 32ohms for cans.
     
  16. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    As an HD650 and Atticus fan, that 32/300 option is super appealing...
     
  17. PacoTaco

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    Out of curiousity, how much does the upgrade make a difference for the Kenzie Encore?
     
  18. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    The Auris HA2SE, Cayin iHA 1A, Trafomatic Head 2, have this figured out with a knob to turn for each impedance. You can do it!!! I believe in you even if it is not now. Plus the Kenzie sounds better than those anyway. If I were buying one I would probably go with a 16 ohm and 300 ohm tap.
     
  19. Ice-man

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    If you can only somehow manage 16/300, then you are my new best friend. :bow:
     
  20. ampsandsound

    ampsandsound MOT - Ampsandsound

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    16/300 is doable but would create yet another part number we have to stock and the lack of 32ohm would impair the performance of the preamp function of the encore.
    Re multiple impedances; a switch is doable, but doesn't sit well with me. Then you have a switch in the food chain as it were.
    Not sure how others are managing numerous impedances but our approach is to have a secondary winding that is specific. Its a simple approach and works well for us.
    I could go to a larger transformer core to get the 3 output impedances but costs and size go up. The Transformer cores would need to double and wouldn't fit on a encore let alone a kenzie. Ive toyed with the design a few times. We may offer it at some point but not now. Im working to get a Mr. Speaker a new Kenzie for CAF with 16/32ohm which Dan felt would match his products really well. Zach is getting a Kenzie set for 32/300 though it won't be in time for CAF.
    Hope you guys will make it to CAF to hear. We will be able to swap in new transformers for existing customers but won't be able to replace topplates. In practice this would be 32 stays 32ohm but the 600 could become 16 or 300 depending on which transformer was selected.
     

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