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Showing 1 of 1097 reviews about:
Dalailalama
111
Jan 17, 2019
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I've had this amp for about 2 weeks now, and it has exceeded all of my expectations. Clean sound, powerful, very neutral, and very revealing. I've tried it with my HD-6XX and LCD-2C, and both sets of cans pair extremely well with it. I don't think I will need another solid state amp as long as this is up and running. Definitely end-game material, especially for those who don't want to pony up over $1000.
Mark_M
236
Jan 18, 2019
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DalailalamaI'm considering either this amp of the LCX to pair with my Grace SDAC. I'm using the HD6XX and 58X headphones. The former in balance on my Aune X7S. Is this THX 789 an upgrade over my Aune X7S?
Dalailalama
111
Jan 18, 2019
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Mark_MOne benefit of the THX is the lower output impedance compared to the output impedance on the X7S. With your current high ohm headphones, this isn't an issue, but if you want to possibly try lower impedance headphones in the future, or use your amp with IEMs, then the THX would be a better option. Otherwise, I've heard the X7S is a really great headamp (haven't heard it myself, though).
Mark_M
236
Jan 19, 2019
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DalailalamaSomeone just recently posted a review of this amp and claimed it sounded "too bright and two dimensional". Would you is true because the amp sounds very clean?
Mlcousi
328
Jan 19, 2019
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Mark_MI read hi review and everyone hears things differently.. I have the amp and have used multiple headphones from HD6XX's to Koss KSC75's and nothing has been too bright or fatiguing to my ears.. I do have my DAC set to one of the warmer presets though but even with the presets off I wouldnt consider this amp too bright..
Dalailalama
111
Jan 20, 2019
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Mark_MNo brightness from what I'm hearing. Just clean, clear power. I would say spend the $50 extra and get this over the LCX.
Mark_M
236
Jan 21, 2019
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DalailalamaHmm okay. In the meantime I'm looking at 4 pin XLR cable for my HD6XX and 58X. I did get one from Periapt and it works great but there is "microphonic" noise when the left and right strands rub together or against my clothing. Very annoying. I'm emailing with Periapt to perhaps get a tweaked version made. Either that or I'll order something from Ursine Audio and see how good those are.
Marlowe
143
Jan 21, 2019
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Mark_MUrsine Audio cables (at least the two premium braided SE cables I have) are very good, feel great, and (at a price premium) probably superior to Periapt. They have no microphonics, though to be honest, I have never had a microphonics issue with any of the many cables I've used for the full size cans I use at home since I use them sitting in one place. I've had plenty of microphonics problems with IEM cables that I use while walking.
There are a couple of things you should be aware of concerning Ursine though. First, it is a busy one person operation--expect to wait at least two months for your cable. Second, while he appears to do good work, and I do love the cables, I've had build quality problems with both my Ursine cables within three months or so of purchase. The fabric on my Sennheiser HD700 cable parted from the strain relief on the left earcup leaving exposed wire; I wrapped a whole lot of thick electrical tape around it and, about 15 months later, it still works (though it also worries me that the jacks inserted in both earcups have bent and the connections are fairly loose). The left channel of my HD6XX cable began cutting out intermittently after a couple of months and, after a few more weeks, died completely. When I inquired about warranty repair, and mentioned I had problems with both cables I had purchased, he got quite snippy, but he did repair the cable under warranty, though it took around two months. It still works roughly 6 months later, though TBH I don't like the HD6XX that much and almost never use it since getting the Elex a few months ago (though I still use the HD700 heavily, especially for movies/TV). I would still recommend Ursine--the cables are very nice and the price reasonable for the finished product--but with the reservations stated.
(Edited)
Mark_M
236
Jan 23, 2019
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MarloweHmm okay thank you for the reply. The guy behind Ursine Audio just updated the main page of his website and stated that new orders could take up to 12-16 weeks to ship. That's up to 4 months. I'm sure he does great work but I'm not waiting that long for a cable. If he can afford it he needs to hire a team of people to make the cables while he does the admin stuff. Clearly his cables are very popular if he has such a long wait time.
I do seem to notice a sound difference between balance and SE. However given that balance headphone cables don't seem to be more mass produced by any company I'm wondering if it's really worth it to go down that road. No point in purchasing an amp that has balanced out (which is the higher powered option) if it's not going to be used. If only these cables could be purchased on Amazon or some local audio shop that would be so much nicer.
Maxxevv
29
Jan 29, 2019
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Mark_MIts all relative to what he was comparing it with and also his personal preferences.
He might have compared it with something like a Bottleneck Crack or some tube based amp. They are far from neutral (most of the time), so when they compare to something that's actually close to neutral, it will sound "bright". Just like how our ears adapt to different headphones. Some actually say the HE4XX is "bright", but to me its pretty balanced, with elevated bass and treble. But not bright.
Also, some people like sound bathed in bass, anything that's not sounds "bright" to them too.
So context of what that "bright" comparison comes from is very important.
teandro
41
Feb 5, 2019
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Mark_MYes, definitely. That is why some talk about two dimensional "imaging" and such bs terms, because this amp is extremely clean. It is virtually impossible for an amp to change the imaging, which strictly speaking is the left / right timing. What really happens is subjective "imaging" means in fact frequency response and some people got used to colored sound, but this amp is how sound should be. No coloring, no distortion, low impedance, ruler flat response, nothing but the sound. To those saying flat response is "bright" , I reply: get that tube rolloff cotton out of your ears.
(Edited)
chauvelin2000
6
Feb 8, 2019
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Mark_MI love NewFantasia's cables. They've also got a few Balanced versions on Amazon, for example, for the Focal Elex, the Sennheiser HD 6XX / 58X and HD598, Meze 99 Classics, HiFiman HE-4XX, Audeze LCD models, Fostex TR-X00, Beyerdynamic T1, and others.
I've purchased several of their 3.5mm SE cables such as for the HD 6XX, AKG K7XX, and HiFiman HE-4XX, and I absolutely love them. Their standard SE cable for the Focal Elex / Meze 99 Classics ends instead in a 4.4mm, so I bought a matching 3.5mm male-to-4.4mm female adapter that works great.
I was about to buy a Periapt Pro XLR cable for my Mod House Audio Argon Mk3 custom mods, but now I'm a bit worried by your experience with the Periapts.
(Edited)
Mark_M
236
Feb 8, 2019
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chauvelin2000Thank you for the list. I have used the NewFantasia cables for my 598 and it was pretty good. I really don't like that white colour for the 6XX cable though. But the price is decent.
chauvelin2000
6
Feb 8, 2019
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Mark_MYeah they look white in the photos, but they're actually silver in color. They actually give a nice contrast to all the black cables I have. NewFantasia's standard SE cable for the 6XX is different, however, and comes in black. Their other standard SEs are a lovely braided dark chocolate with silver and gold connectors.
(Edited)
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