Which headphones of Drop's currently available?
I have some rewards points to burn but there's no obviously good options on Drop right now for headphones Contenders Ultrasone - maybe? I don't own any Ultrasones, so curious. Looks like garbage travel headphone which could be useful also. Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro. - Maybe? I have the DT 880 Good price point, really uncomfortable headphones but could be interesting to try the upgraded version. E-MU - strong contender but $400 is a bad price point for what it is. Which of the above would you choose and why? Nothing else on Drop is relevant to my interests, because Already own 6xx 820 800 s Ether cx Garbage / Consumer grade Meze 99 - garbage bass canons, hard pass No gaming headphones obviously Sennheiser wireless - no to wireless/bluetooth Hifiman - I have 2 of drop hifimans and they make really bad cheap shit on Drop, hard pass on HE-R7DX Aeon - I own the closed, Drop refuses to address #padgate so no reason to buy open Beyerdynamic 177x - wireless, nope Too similar 8x / 560s...
Mar 28, 2024
The O2 is the furthest thing from harsh. The harshness of solid state amps mostly comes from the distortion they produce, as little as it is, usually in the higher frequencies, also making them sound less full-bodied. The O2 on the other hand pretty much just taps into the full potential of the headphones you pair with it. It's clean as hell and doesn't produce any harshness - not to say I don't have my problems with it. Tbh, I don't even particularly like it, just this would be an inaccurate description as to why.
Based on the account of the 336 of others I've heard, I understand it distorts to all hell. Even with even-ordered harmonics, lack of clarity and imaging being smudged across the stereo field isn't good, even if in other ways it may compliment the sound of headphones you may be matching it with.
Are we really having this discussion when you haven't heard or own this amp?
I'm not interested in an argument dude. I own both. I prefer the sound of this amp with 600 Ohm Beyers and with HD650's. The O2 (which I happen to like) can be pretty polarizing, and isn't the last word in solid state in solid state amplifiers. The Darkvoice does not pair well with low impedance cans, but IMO it shines with the above headphones.
Let me ask you this then: with the 650's, perhaps you've also heard the Little Dot MK III? If so, perhaps you can weigh in how it compares in your view. I would imagine that relative to the O2, you'd have the same things to say?
You are aggressively arguing someone else's opinion on a piece of gear that you haven't heard. Seriously. You know how the old saying goes about opinions.
It may or may not speak to the validity of my opinion, but here goes: I own both the amps we are discussing (and 19 tubes for the Darkvoice), I'm a mod on the Headphone Amplifiers group (~2200 members) on FB and in charge of the reviews section, and I've used both amplifiers fairly extensively with a variety of decent headphones (Sennheiser, Grado, HiFiMan, Meze, Beyerdynamics).
I'm not attacking your viewpoint (or the views that you are expressing from other's opinions). I'm not belittling those opinions. I'm just presenting my impression and preference. Like anything, it is one person's opinion based on their experience and expertise.
I have not experienced any of the issues you have raised: smearing, lack of clarity, nor smudging. I've had good experiences with it and not so good. The O2 sounds better, no question about it with lower impedance headphones like the Grado's, HiFiMan and Meze. However the listening experience with the Senn HD 650's or the high impedance Beyers is (for me!) very, very good. Tube rolling allows for further subtle sound differences and improvements (like taming the Beyer 880's high end a tad). I have been absolutely satisfied with the 336. Are there better out there? Of course. But that doesn't discount that this is a fine sounding amp when paired with the appropriate headphone.
Seriously, there are lots of folks with A LOT more experience with different gear than I on the Headphone Amplifiers group. Perhaps they can present an opinion in a format that you would find more valid.
" I'm not attacking your viewpoint (or the views that you are expressing from other's opinions). I'm not belittling those opinions." Never said or acted as if you were.
Regarding taming the Beyers, that's precisely what I was thinking of in my initial comment when talking about pairing. So in any case, I'm guessing you haven't heard the Little Dot then? I really only just got curious in specifically your opinion; that's why I prompted you. The purpose wasn't to just be incendiary for some reason...
I don't have experience with the Little Dot, so I can not comment. There are definitely Little Dot owners in the group that could give input.
If you have the chance, give the Darkvoice a listen. I think you might be pleasantly surprised.