One more time. Headphone amps.
Focal Utopia is my reference and I only use it to test the amps this time.
Since I listened a lot to Quad PA-one and i like it a lot it has to be my reference in this test.
EAR HP4 ( iPhone Camera this time... sorry)
SPL Phonitor 2
I'v got a new reference. The best Phone amp I'v heard. EAR HP4.
Everthing is better. Bigger sound stage, better resolution, more air, deep firm bass and a more natural sound over all.
EAR HP4 is a big step up from the rest.
SPL sounds smaller, but correct, not that powerful, not that fun.
Quad and SPL is more allike but Quad has better power and i s more fun. SPL is more controlled but that is a bit les fun to listen to, less involving.
I must say I got the best music experience I'v ever had with headphones. Focal Utopia and EAR PH4 got me musically involved and suddenly i forgot the Headphones. Maybe this is something I would listen to and like it.
But still SPL and Quad is good amps. It's just in this comparison they lose the race.
My ranking so far is like this:
1- EAR HP4 way ahead.
2- Quad PA-one
3- SPL Phonitor 2 close to Quad.
4- Pathos i think.