Black Widow [Update] - Second round official, 100 amps total, single chassis

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Oct 5, 2015.

  1. lukeap69

    lukeap69 Pinoy Panther

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    An amp compared to a DAC???
     
  2. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Sorry, fixed it for you. Early morning ... :oops:
     
  3. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    BW preordered with optional P&G pot. Will be for 2016.
     
  4. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    BW ver 2 is available for pre-order?

    Marv, I just realised Music Hifi Taiwan has EC gear for demo. Do they have a BW demo unit? I'm going to be in Taipei early Dec. Turns out they don't (I asked the store on Facebook).
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2015
  5. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Yep, just preordered one yesterday. I wouldn't call it available but you can place a preorder.
    Here's what Judi told me:
    "if you could fill out a preorder form for the Black Widow with your P&G request, we will follow up with you when we're ready to build the next run, which will be 2016."

    Since I'm without a SS headphone amp (only have the Zana left not counting dac/amp thingies) and I want to end up with only EC amps my only option for an SS amp is the BW. So I preordered one, I don't mind the wait but wanted to be in the first batch of the new wide chassis BW.

    Next (and last) amp will be The Studio Jr. Seems like an ideal setup to me: Zana + BW + Jr. = EC all the way! |\/|

    I started a thread on the Jr. In the EC forum by the way. Hope some more info starts dripping in there. ;)
     
  6. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    ^ Guess there's little difference between ordering now and ordering later. By all accounts the BW should easily outclass the amps I've been listening to.
     
  7. RiddleyWalker

    RiddleyWalker Friend

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    Since this unit is being apparently re-designed with Gungnir MB in mind, will it take balanced XLR inputs, or just SE?
     
  8. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    I'd love to know if it will be balanced as well.
     
  9. ald0s

    ald0s Facebook Friend

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    Im fairly certain they deciding against it due to cost and space constraints.
     
  10. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Dang, seems impossible to get a good balanced amp for under 2 grand anywhere.
     
  11. ald0s

    ald0s Facebook Friend

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    Im fairly certain that they were offering to squeeze in balanced inputs for around $400 which would keep it under $2k. I believe the amp itself is SE though so you're really just choose to move the summing from your DAC to the amp. Im not sure if this will be possible with the new chassis as no one knows anything about it.
     
  12. SoupRKnowva

    SoupRKnowva Official SBAF South Korean Ambassador

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    Ragnarok? Mjolnir 2? Liquid Carbon? Seems to be plenty of choices to me...
     
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The BW is likely dead. Simply too many parts and too expensive to manufacture in the USA. We considered going to China, but it's just not gonna happen. There is a good possibility however that the BW may be converted to a DIY type offering with boards, etc.

    In the meantime, we have something else slated to replace it. The Eddie Current Copperhead. More details forthcoming. Expected to be priced under $1000. It's more resolving than the BW. Slightly different sound, not as bloomy. Ravi has the prototype right now.
     
  14. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    While the Copperhead is great news, the DIY BW is the headline for me.
     
  15. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    Yes, I can see some people preferring either amp.

    More upper extension and clarity in mids through treble on Copperhead.
    BW has more "liquid" top end with a bit of roll that helps HD800 and my PWD smooth out.
    When comparing them directly, you can hear the merits of each amp.

    I enjoy the footprint of the BW and how it helps my DAC.
    If I had Gungnir Multibit or Bifrost Multibit, I'd probably want the Copperhead but didn't have a chance to hear that combo like Ravi did...
     
  16. fierce_freak

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    Sad to hear about BW though very curious to see if DIY happens.

    Copperhead sounds intriguing, too.
     
  17. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Wow those first run BW have just become even more coveted...
     
  18. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    wow, I feel like crying tonight at the retirement of BW.
    such a mixed bag of gut punch feelings:

    1) was really hoping more Black Widow followers were soon going to be baptized.
    2) have no desire to gloat in owning this (now rare) BW piece at all, because it means less ears hear thy glory.
    3) the expectation stress of only a few of us with BW ownership now grows for every future reply to a post of "But how does NewAmp kizzmyazz compare to BW?"
    4) am excited to see/hear the Copperhead one day somehow, especially since HE1K have taken over nightly listens instead of stock HD800.


    Black Widow, your life was not long enough. may she rest in peace.
    |{
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2015
  19. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    Aw man. Bummed, but really appreciate the update.
    Copperhead not a good match for stock HD800?
     
  20. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    DIY's a great idea Marv. Minimal changes to the board (branding, etc.) and push it out with a BOM. EC will earn some funds, and builders can keep it alive. BW was on my radar - love the sound.
     

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