"Shortest Way" SW51 Amp Impressions (Simple SET Amp)

The low impedance out in SW51 is excellent for the Elex. I’m still figuring it out but initial impressions put Elex in the lead for my favorite headphone with this amplifier. The Elex sounds very open with a spherical headstage with nice depth and layering. Through the high impedance output it has too much bass and sounds much less detailed.
I haven’t tried any planars with SW51.

Edit: the above is with Raytheon 6EJ7 tubes not stock ones

 

Did someone had the chance to try the Verite Closed with the SW51?

 

The only headphone I tried on the SW51+ I didn’t like was the D8000 Pro, it’s a very easy to drive planar with 60 Ohm impedance, but the amp really couldn’t control the drivers.
I’ll note that the SW51+ worked well with the Hyla Sarda, a 7 Ohm IEM.
I use mine predominantly on ZMF Eikons, and Verite Closed, both 300 Ohm Dynamics.

 

Yeah, I would love to get Arya in the future.
My work desk can only fit 1 more amp - so, my next amp ideally would be able to do

How about when using stock tubes?

Thanks! That's good to know.

Wow! No hissing/humming?

 

@Lycos I like my Eclair/Elex with the stock tubes on the SW51+ but I'm using the Airist RDAC, which is a darker sounding DAC. It balance each other (amp/DAC) quite well. Great dynamics and great treble without the glare.

I also used different IEMs on the SW51+ and they work great without IEMatch. Go on my profile for more info on that part.

 

Just tried the combo tonight since I had the stock tubes in for HD650 kiss modded. I works very well too, but I’m using BF2 with Unison. So like @YMO alluded to having a warmer DAC can help balance things with SW51 and stock tubes with Elex.

 

If you look through the thread you can get most of your answers. Saying that, this amp is personally fantastic with dynamic headphones. There are better amps that you can use for the Arya and other planars.

Reiterating what most have said:

Agreed. The default tubes are quite neutral, well extended, with some good punch. They work very well with the HD650.

@Lycos Different tubes change/moves the amp to a different direction in terms of sound. If you decide to go with the Mullards it'll be a warmer sound with a slight roll off at the top and a slight hit to resolution. The timbre is great. If you go with the Amperex tubes you'll get the extension with a warmer sound but something with this tube bugs me. I feel it's above average in this amp but it's all subjective. The Tungsram are similar to the default tubes except with a stronger bottom end. I personally feel they are too bright for my tastes.

 

Please chime in if you get to try. I've had my eye on the LCD-2 Classic for a little while myself, but my general amp situation isn't ideal for em.

Or maybe I'll nab a pair and chime in at some point. I wouldn't expect it to be the best, but spec-wise it ought to be able to at least drive them sufficiently.

 

I didn't see alot of detailed reviews specifically for low impedance headphones
SW51 output impedance in low setting is 24Ohm - so based on 1/8 rule, headphone impedance ideally should be around 200Ohm.
Focal Elegia impedance is 35Ohm - which is 1/3 from ideal.
From my understanding, huge impedance mismatch will cause headphone to sounds limpy and weird.

Feel free to correct me if I"m wrong. I'm still learning these things.

 

If you went through this thread you would see a lot of impressions/reviews with lower impedance headphones, which incluces the Focals, Grados, and other good stuff.

Elegia with the Clear pads = Eclair/Elex is great. You are focusing on the numbers too much here.

 

Thanks.
Ah yeah... my bad habit from being an engineer

 

Yeah the 1/8 "rule" is more of a guidepost, and just one thing to consider. It has to do with the amp's power transfer to the drivers. Other things to consider are the amp's headroom and transient capacity at your listening level, and your music choice.

I've purposefully ignored the 1:8 power transfer guideline because I more enjoyed the overall sound I was getting out of the system at the time, and with the particular components I was using, Valhalla 2 being the amp (it has a high/lo impedance switch).

 

No it was surprisingly quiet, not entirely silent, but close.

 

Thanks. Just put an order

Added: just noticed BH Mainline output impedance is 32Ohm and 64Ohm.
I think my concern was baseless.

 

What DAC pairings are especially good with the SW51+? I have one coming in the new year for my office and currently just have a Modi MB/Eitr stack in there.

 

Modi MB should be good with that one. I'm using the Airist RDAC to my SW51+ with stock tubes since the dark sound of the RDAC gets balanced out by the stock tubes of the SW51+.

Warm/Dark DACs and stock tube SW51+ is working for me. I know others put warmer tubes in their SW51+, which honestly that isn't my jam.

 

Bifrost 2.

 

I recall a lot of people saying the Bifrost 2 has good system synergy with SW51+. I also recall someone else saying, on the contrary, that he liked dacs which have faster transients and such. I'd check out the system synergy thread, I think there's some pretty good commentary there from Atomic Bob!

 

It was the system synergy thread that got me started thinking about it!

 

I wonder if there is some selection bias going on - Bifrost is quite popular and good, so we will see this said a lot even if the combination is simply good because the components are good.

I would be more curious to see which DACs do *not* pair well with SW51+.