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  #11  
Old 08-20-2016, 09:33 AM
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Masterlu Masterlu is offline
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Could be just me, but this would never find its way into my home; regardless how it sounded.

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MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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  #12  
Old 08-20-2016, 09:44 AM
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The Moon 430 is better than anything I have ever owned.
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  #13  
Old 08-20-2016, 09:45 AM
jbaudio68 jbaudio68 is offline
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What about the new Manley headphone amp? I think it is quite cool with all the different variations-- it's a tube pre/amp too!
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  #14  
Old 08-20-2016, 09:45 AM
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The EAR HP 4 is also very impressive, as is the Bryston BHA-1 with separate power supply.
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Silenzio, Simaudio, Luxman, Bricasti, Bryston, Shunyata, Stax, Meze, Linn, Audeze, and Dan Clark Headphones, Stax, Wireworld, Crystal, Nordost, Siltech.

Home Main System:
Magnepan 20.7, Pass Labs XA 100.5, Audio Research Reference 6, Esoteric P-03, D-03, G0-Rb, DV-60, Clearaudio Innovation & Tangent arm, VPI HW19 MK4 & ET 2.5 arm, Mark Levinson 37, Aesthetix Rhea Signature, Magnum Dynalab Etude, Kiseki PHS, Sumiko Palos Santos Presentation,Wireworld, Crystal Absolute Dream, Shunyata, Acoustic Zen, and Stealth cables

Other
Avalon Arcus, Snell Type AIII, Tympani IV, Green Mountain Europa, Martin Logan CLS, Tympani 1D, Counterpoint, GAS, Yamaha, Levinson, Perreaux, Proceed, Theta, Linn, and other collectibles, including 60 different headphones and 30+ headphone amps, over 60 cartridges, and too many cables, stands, and tweaks to list.
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  #15  
Old 08-20-2016, 01:30 PM
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Eisener Bart Eisener Bart is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy Myers View Post
NuPrime makes a pretty highly rated DAC/headphone amp.
Agreed.
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  #16  
Old 08-20-2016, 01:32 PM
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Eisener Bart Eisener Bart is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleeds View Post
I want to buy a headphone amp/preamp and it's turned into a surprisingly complicated undertaking. I don't want one with a built-in DAC and I don't want some tiny fidgity portable thing, because this will go into a rack. It needs to have balanced in/out and SS would be best, although I could live with a few more tubes in my system.

I really like the Bryston BHA-1, but it has very low input impedance, so it's not likely to work well with my ARC gear. I ordered a HeadAmp GS-X MkII, but they became non-responsive and I had to have my bank reverse the charges.

I'm now thinking about an Audio-gd Master 9, but I'd rather not order something from China if I have a choice. Does anyone here have experience with them? (After the runaround from headamp.com, I'm not looking for more aggravation.) Or, do you have any other suggestions? It will be connected to an ARC Ref5SE.

Thanks for any help you can offer!
Today's review of Jeff Dorgay.
May be it will help you.

Pass HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier – Reviews | TONEAudio MAGAZINE
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  #17  
Old 08-20-2016, 03:23 PM
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4N6 4N6 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterlu View Post
Could be just me, but this would never find its way into my home; regardless how it sounded.

That's too bad as with headphones on, lights down low, and my eyes closed getting lost in the music, this amp is sublime.

Here is my review that I did a few years ago:

Review: Apex Pinnacle Headphone Amplifier and Stereo Preamplifier

I will agree with you that this is no Burmester or McIntosh for looks, and looks have always been the knock against this amp. But if sound quality is the true measuring stick, this amp is up there with the best.
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Last edited by 4N6; 08-20-2016 at 04:31 PM.
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  #18  
Old 08-21-2016, 08:48 AM
cleeds cleeds is offline
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As with many audiophiles, I think sound quality is the single most important factor in choosing an audio component. But like Ivan, I admit that looks are a factor, too. The Pinnacle's no beauty, and its open architecture with large tubes and no tube cage only make matters worse. Other odd physical designs, such as the Manley, aren't any more appealing to me, and are only more likely to look odd as time passes, imo.

Anyway, I'm leaning towards SS for a headphone amp. Right now the Moon and Audio-gd are at the top of my list. (As I noted earlier, I'd consider the Bryston BHA-1 if it weren't for its low input impedance.)

I'll report back after a visit to the local Moon dealer. Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions!
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  #19  
Old 08-22-2016, 10:02 AM
greekgod greekgod is offline
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I've heard the Apex Pinnacle and for me it was a total disappointment. I didn't like at all. Forget about $10,000, I wouldn't even pay $1000 for it. I guess it just goes to show how important it is to judge with our own ears.

I found the Moon to sound very good but still overrated for its asking price. At that price point, I would much rather have a Cavalli Liquid Gold. The Cavalli is the best sounding SS headphone amp I have ever heard.
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  #20  
Old 08-22-2016, 11:14 AM
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djwhog djwhog is offline
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My Woo amp runs great looks nice too WA6 SE is very strong will drive anything I have ever seen and with the better tubes.
  • Brief Introduction to 6DE7/6EW7:
  • 6DE7/6EW7 is a dual triode tube, consisting of one drive triode and one power triode. Its performance is similar to a combination of a 6SN7 and a 2A3.

Rectifier tube upgrade:
Sophia Princess Mesh Plate 274B rectifier


Drive/Power tube option 1:
1 matched pair of 6GL7/6EM7 plus one pair of 6GL7->6DE7 Teflon tube adapters. $150 (2 tubes + 2 adapters)

The 6GL7/6EM7 is the ultimate driver/power tube for the WA6-SE. It has great extension and excellent clarity on all frequency range. You will hear each note with breathing air around it. The sound is smooth and well balanced.

FYI, more info from a independent review.

Output Load Impedance
Rated for 8 ~ 600 Ω loads.
(measured output source impedance is 15 Ω LOW, 50 Ω HIGH.)

HIGH output (600 Ω load)
-91.7 dBV A-weighted.
-83 dBV unweighted.

LOW output (37.5 Ω load)
-98.0 dBV A-weighted.
-91.0 dBV unweighted.




WA2 for pic ref

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