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Suharsh
8
Sep 26, 2021
Need some help and opinions to decide between TA-20 and TA-30. Headphones that I own and can be paired / connected (easily) to these amps are - Denon 9200, Drop Fostex TH-00, HiFiman Drop XX, Sennheiser HD 600, Oppo PM3 and ones that cannot be connected without special interconnects AKG 1000 (not sure as I can't recall if I had it mod to have directly connect to speaker terminals of my Norh SE 09), KOSS 950 and Stax - forgot the model). I do have a Jared Dared MP-5BT Tube amp. I do understand that TA-20 is balanced and TA-30 isn't and that difference is what I am requesting your thoughts and opinions. Type of music I listen to - mainly Indian (bollywood & hindustani classical), English - no rock, no heavy metal, no rap .. just soft - Country, pop and bluegrass. So essentially focused more on mid-range and vocals. Best Regards.
(Edited)
FrostyBud
49
Sep 27, 2021
SuharshHowdy - A question I might ask is, why are you looking for another tube amp? I've never heard a Jared Dared MP-5BT, but based on a quick search it looks like a nice piece of equipment that is pretty much along the same lines as a TA-30. Is it just for balanced cabling that makes you interested? Even if so, I'd say you'd get more bang for your buck by either looking at a good solid state amp (for variety of sound signatures in your setup), new tubes to mix it up a little, or perhaps maybe a different DAC. Personally, I think effects balanced outputs and cabling over the short distance that headphones are typically used or DAC/AMPs interconnected is overplayed. To me, all else being equal, it's right up there with power conditioners and fancy 'audiophile' cables . Once you have everything else settled, and still have budget, then you start looking at these other things. Since you have such a wide variety of headphones, it seems to me that a solid state amp to complement your tube amp makes the most sense. Or some crazy exotic tube amp, but if you're looking at the TA amps, I'd imagine that is out of your price range for right now. Good luck!
Suharsh
8
Sep 27, 2021
FrostyBudFrostyBud - Hi! ... and Ah ... the question you asked is so familiar .. it is just not asked as politely as you asked .. and the person who has been shouting at me for couple of decades ... is my wife :) Few reasons, I don't like the Dared amp. Second that itch that we all audio lovers have is overtaking some of the common sense. I do have the Drop THX 789 for now (temporarily) .. but I prefer tube sound over SS and Vinyls over CDs (old school I guess I am). I had some good tube amps ... that I sold off and am repenting. Between the two, I am leaning towards the TA30 ... no need of extra cables as you said .. has bluetooth and from some reviews I read .. 'includes the best of other TA models'. I may skip both .. and just wait for something else to come up. Seems there is no warranty on these and they used to be sold cheaper. Let's see. Thanks for replying and your comments.
FrostyBud
49
Sep 28, 2021
SuharshAh! I can completely respect that. I had a THX-789 and ended up selling it. With my Focal headphones it was just too harsh or thin. I can't hear most of what people say that they can hear, but I COULD hear the difference between the 789 and my Dark Voice (with upgraded tubes). My primary set up is a Hugo 2 (bought used) through the Dark Voice into Focal Clears (also bought used). And it sounds sublime. I only mention bought used as I can't afford this hobby and I mostly refuse to buy new if I can. Anyway, to take a dose of my own medicine, I am awaiting a TA-20 to arrive. The reason is that I had Drop credits to spend after splurging for the HD8xx and tube amps and that warm analog type sound, much like you, were all I was looking for. I'll pair that TA20 with a Topping D70 which has balanced outs and probably the HD8XX via a balanced cable, some day. So that will be my "balanced" set up, if such a thing is needed. So to add to your considerations, maybe look at the DAC to see if it is balanced. If not, the TA20 may be 'overkill' unless you are building in that direction. I will add that the Hugo2 is not balanced and the day that I added that to the Dark Voice was an epiphany. I guess Rob Watts and his FPGs are really all that. FWIW, the head phones through the Hugo2 alone are just OK. It takes the tube amps to really make them shine, IMHO, of course. -Cheers
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