ampsandsound (aka Amps & Sound)

Well friends, I received my Kenzie Ovation on Thursday and I've been spending the day today getting acquainted with this TOTL amp. I will write a more in depth review once the honeymoon period has worn off. I went from a CTH or Headroom Maxx to this amp. For now I will say I am using the 100 or 32 ohm jack with my Blackwood Auteur and the 16 ohm jack with my HE560. For either of these reasonably neutral headphones, there is so much more there, there for each track. I especially enjoy the plankton (If I'm using the word correctly to mean notes and separation of instruments seem to hang in distinct space).

My thanks to Justin and folks here who have helped me out in this journey. I especially enjoyed chatting with Justin and getting his assistance in picking an end game amp that would pair best with the Autuer.

 

I have had my Kenzie Ovation for two weeks now. I'm fairly new to serious tube amps, so YMMV. I'm also greying about the muzzle and my hearing isn't what it used to be. These caveats aside, I am incredibly impressed with this amp. The amp makes it sound like I'm on stage right in front of the singer or the microphone recording the quartet.

I generally run my ZMF Auteur on either 100 or 32 ohm outputs. I like the sound of my HE560 off the 16 ohm output. The HE560 is my least efficient headphone at 45 ohms and 90 db. I don't think this is the amp for a less efficient planar, but the HE560 sounds better on this amp than any other amp I have on hand (mostly mid-fi tube and SS).

I have the volume between noon and 3 o'clock on the knob for each headphone even with a -3 db volume drop in Audirvana. I set the -3 db drop in software to give me more headroom in the rest of my chain. I am super sensitive to brick-wall filtering and that awful digital glare that occurs when the signal gets overloaded.

As far as tubes are concerned, I have three different sets of 1626 power tubes. I can't hear much difference, but it may very well be there and I don't know what to listen for yet.

I will continue to experiment with pre-amp tubes including 12SG7, 12SN7, 420a (with an adapter), 2C52, and 9-pin 12 series (with an adapter). While I find that pre-amp tubes make more impact on the sound, I can't say I have a strong preference yet. I would liken the preamp tube choice to bitters in a well made cocktail: the pre tube seems to emphasize some aspects of the music, but the result is never less than pleasant.

I will share more impressions as I continue to listen to just one more song.

 

anyone here try the headphones.com collaboration project Forge? I've been eyeing the Forge and the Pendant SE. Some great used deals out there. Ovation looks awesome but I am trying to find a great tube amp for under or around $2k. Want it to compliment; LCD-X, Auteur, Verite Open.

 

With only 8/100 and 32/300 output choices, I wonder if there is enough flexibility for your stable of headphones. I have a mogwai and regularly use all 3 taps... but then I may just be weird.

As for listening impressions... reading the headphones site it looks like it is in pre-order... there may not be any out in the wild yet.

 

The following, great review is by the Friend here on sbaf known as Elnrik: https://forum.headphones.com/t/head...fier-official-thread/12993/42?u=tchoupitoulas

 

that was crazy helpful. thank you so much!