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mfabri1
75
Feb 22, 2018
Since you're using all low impedance planar headphones, you may want to consider the Schiit Valhalla 2... output impedance is only 3.5 ohms on low gain, so will pair better than a lot of other OTL tube amps. It's right around your price point too.
Tazor
80
Feb 22, 2018
mfabri1I'd love to, but Valhalla 2 here in Aus is $550 which is $200 more than I can afford to spend.
TazorDon't get a Valhalla 2 for Planar headphones, it only outputs 150mw at the typical planar range of 50 ohm. That is an OTL amp aimed at voltage hungry high impedance headphones (Beyer, Senn). Planar designs have an almost universally flat impedance curve and are generally an exception to "avoid impedance mismatch" philosophy. If you own planars you will want something with more current used Lyr gen 1 should get you in that price range, allow tube rolling and supply enough power for all but the most demanding planars (HE-6)
Look for transformer coupled designs or hybrid tube/solid state amps. Your looking in the right place with Little Dot. Add in Garage 1217 (don't know if it's available on your side of the world)
Tazor
80
Feb 22, 2018
ElectronicVicesThanks for the reply, currently I think my preferred options are Little Dot MkIII, Darkvoice 336se or the APPJ PA1502A. Will come down to availability and affordability but all of the are transformer coupled Tube Amps, the other I'm waiting on is the Bravio Audio Ocean hybrid which I picked up in the last drop. Garage 1217 looks interesting, but doesn't seem to be too attainable from this end...
TazorI think you're on the right track with those options... nothing wrong with the valhalla, I love me some schiit but that's like using a knife to open a can of soup. Will the knife do the job (aka power current hungry headphones) yeah... will it do it as well as a can opener (TC tube or hybrid)... eh no. I tried to find some used Woo Audio on Fleabay but I couldn't find anything in your price range. The WA-6 is a pretty well regarded transformer coupled tube amp but sadly seem's to maintain a fairly high resale value.
Tazor
80
Feb 22, 2018
ElectronicVicesYeah the Woo audio gets a lot of praise, but I feel like it almost looks too modern for an OTL tube amp. I love the janky transformer and tube look, as if their instruments from a 50's Sci-Fi film or something.
One day I might be in a position to drop a G on an amp, but today is not that day!
TazorThey definitely aim for a certain aesthetic... I use a Schiit Lyr/Phillips Miniwatt tubes and a Gustard H10 with my planars but I also have to account for the HE-500 vs your much easier to drive options. If you listen to anything with a dynamic bass region the extra power comes in handy when dealing with planars IMO. If you just had the PM3 I would say buy whatever as the output impedance matters very little with planars and you can drive those fairly effectively from portable sources. With the Hifiman I think you will see tremendous benefit in reviewing strictly transformer coupled designs or hybrid tube/solid state designs, OTL's (Output Transformer Less) amps simply can't deliver the current needed for anything less than super efficient planars.
Tazor
80
Feb 23, 2018
ElectronicVicesThe HiFiMan's are the ones I'll be running on it too as I use the Oppo's with an HA-2 when commuting. I want to get some M1060's and maybe some HE560's too down the line too
mfabri1
75
Feb 23, 2018
ElectronicVicesdefinitely agree, hybrid is a much better consideration planars...I had only considered OTLs at or below 3 bills based on the thread title. Lyr2 / Ember2 are where I would be looking as well. There was a Massdrop Cavalli tube hybrid that would fit the bill, as well...don't recall how much it dropped for though.
Tazor
80
Feb 23, 2018
mfabri1I seem to remember it being beautiful, but quite pricey... I've gone and joined the X7S drop as well, as balanced class A amp at $290 AUD shipped was hard to say no to. Having run them off my dad's Asgard for a while I know it will work
TazorIf you look to expand the planar arsenal then I would strongly suggest something with 1-2 watts at roughly 50 ohms... this will power all but the ungodly HE-6 with no concerns on headroom. I know the 560 is a single-sided magnet design so it is no where near as difficult to drive as it's he-500 precursor... can't comment on the 1060 as I've not looked into them in great detail. Hifiman is bringing back the harder to drive line (at least the Susquavara) and pesonally I am quite happy about that. Still sad I didn't grab a NIB HE-6 when I had the chance.
TazorThat Aune is no slouch from what I've read (no personal experience)... think you will be happy. A properly powered planar is a happy planar :)
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