Stuck at choosing amp.

Hello,

i need some help from experienced folks. I am on stuck on current setup Bifrost Multibit -> polaris -> hd 600/LCD 2 rev2 and upcoming hd 800. As i see it polaris is the weakest link in the chain, and i would like to get rid of it. Now, here are some attributes i would like my amp to have:


- tubesss,
- worth upgrading from polaris
- cost around 1200$ max
- good with hd 800 while being able to drive planars

basically i dont see many options. What comes in mind is Mjolnir 2, but i dont have balanced dac. I am not really sure how important is to get balanced source with mjolnir, if someone could elaborate on this i would be glad.

other things i considered is woo audio, wa7 or wa6se, but i have doubts about these, they are not perceived as good here for a reason.

thanks for any help.

 

From my experience the criteria of being able to drive the HD800 well (high Z), planars well (low Z), and have tubes is a tricky one. I feel that this question is often asked, in one way or another, and what everyone comes up with is that there is a gap in the market - the $1,000 tube amp that isn't specialized for one set of cans.

The T3 DIY amp w/ cinemags transformers has been the answer for most, and can be purchased for around $1,000 built through Beezar, but off the top of my head, no idea how it drives planars. Mjolnir does work best balanced (both inputs and outputs), but haven't heard a ton about people running it single ended (its almost a Lyr 2 run single ended). Ragnarok can drive both well, but doesn't have tubes, still sounds better balanced and is over your budget (I bought one used for $1,300). The MicroZOTL fits most of the criteria, but everyone that has heard it says its just a bit off. I've heard a few Woo's, and its not that they don't sound good, they can, its just that they aren't particularly good values.

 

i just realised zmf is making new SET amp around 1000$ which might just satisfy all my needs, so i probably wait anyways

 

Ha, I was going to recommend that as an option, but; it isnt out yet, and I have no idea how it will do with the HD800.

 

what about the ampsandsound ones that velvetx and others were digging at canjam?

 

I have a Polaris, Woo Audio 2, Schiit Asgard 2 and Valhalla 2. Honestly, I think I like the Polaris more than any of them overall(but a big part of this is the low cost and fact that I built it myself). The Polaris sound signature is similar to the few Woo amps I've heard, but has more micro detail than my WA2 while the Schiit are noticeably brighter, but done right. Don't know if the Mjoliner shares a common house sound. Personally, I'm saving for a Zana Deux, but isn't the Black Widow around your budget?

 

oops, you said tubes…disregard

 

I personally rock a Project Horizon III and ampsandsound Mogwai.

I'd consider both a Project Sunrise III and Project Horizon III with a Garage1217 linear power supply once it's out. I prefer those to the other G17 amps and the pair will drive pretty much anything.

 

What about Ifi pro iCan? Its not cheap (but not that far from 1200$) and I would wait for more reviews but from what I read so far it is very interesting- maybe it could be final solution (if there is any...). Solid state, tubes, 8-600ohm, balanced and unbalanced, dual headphone output, even some special effects if one would want...and the rumor is it sound great.

http://hifiphilosophy.com/review-ifi-pro-ican/1/

 

This thing looks to me like features because features. Jack of all trades master of none but perhaps it sounds good who knows. But personally if i wanted tubes i'd go with a tube only amp and not having to pay for a solid state amp as well is a bonus.

 

A little birdie told me its a versatile little amp that does play well, even with the HD800.

Its a shame that Donald North doesn't still make the Sonett or Sonett 2, because they were awesome with said headphone...

Man I keep editing myself. How can I forget a Glenn OTL in the mix...

 

I will say a tricked out Ehha Rev A does all that, if you are willing to build it (or find someone to build it for you).
Some have hinted that Torpedo 3 might be too weak for hungry planars,
but being triode with OT-s it's probably more refined than Ehha for HD800.

 

Thanks for the tip, i am not able to built it anything. But i might find someone who is.

For the ICan, i dislike ifi products in general and its really over the budget.