Hi,
I've been gone for a while and to my joy I'v found that there are a bunch of kits in the DIYStore.
Hope you guys can help me chose a kit.
What I would like is the best sounding amp for music work. In other words, the one with most clear and real reproduction of the material played.
The material will be 96k/24 bit coming from an rme adi-8 ds converter. I believe the output cables are balanced jack. I see a lot of these are rca. Hope that's simple to adapt.
The headphones I'll be using are audeze lcd-2. I think these are the Fazor version. They are the originals but one of the drivers blew and I sent it back to change for the "newer" versions which I think are fazor.
Any who, any help, comments, advice welcomed.
Thank you.
I've been gone for a while and to my joy I'v found that there are a bunch of kits in the DIYStore.
Hope you guys can help me chose a kit.
What I would like is the best sounding amp for music work. In other words, the one with most clear and real reproduction of the material played.
The material will be 96k/24 bit coming from an rme adi-8 ds converter. I believe the output cables are balanced jack. I see a lot of these are rca. Hope that's simple to adapt.
The headphones I'll be using are audeze lcd-2. I think these are the Fazor version. They are the originals but one of the drivers blew and I sent it back to change for the "newer" versions which I think are fazor.
Any who, any help, comments, advice welcomed.
Thank you.
Wayne's 2018 linestage adapted to HPs. Balanced. That might be a nice choice.
If you require a full kit with all parts / cut chassis / fully published and vetted instructions (vs. a more simple guide), there is nothing I can think of. Others may have ideas.
What level of DIY do you want to do? Read the thread for Wayne's 2018 linestage perhaps and see what questions you'd have.
Edited to add - I know you posted this is the Pass forum, thus my recommendation for Wayne's linestage. However, I can also recommend the Neurochrome HP-2. The HP-1 is not available for DIY any longer to the best of my knowledge.
If you require a full kit with all parts / cut chassis / fully published and vetted instructions (vs. a more simple guide), there is nothing I can think of. Others may have ideas.
What level of DIY do you want to do? Read the thread for Wayne's 2018 linestage perhaps and see what questions you'd have.
Edited to add - I know you posted this is the Pass forum, thus my recommendation for Wayne's linestage. However, I can also recommend the Neurochrome HP-2. The HP-1 is not available for DIY any longer to the best of my knowledge.
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Hi,
Im quite a newbe. I built the pearl 2 with the help of Jim. I would not say it was tough but it was not easy either.
What I am looking for is the most detailed, true and realistic sound.
I will check out the linestage.
Thanks!
I haven't seen comparable measurements for the modified Wayne's BA, and with all caveats re: what "true and realistic" means to different people...
There are 3rd party measurements available for the HP-1, and Tom has posted his usual comprehensive battery of measurements for the HP-1 and HP-2 to compare. If you are looking for "reference" class, I can recommend the HP-2. I fully admit that it's not the most "enjoyable" HP amp I've got (personal tastes vs. measurements) when used directly connected to my sources. However, I can say that it is the most revealing amp I own to shed light on differences in both HPs and sources. For context, I really like one of my tube HP amps that has orders of magnitude higher distortion. Different use cases. I feel like that's important to include re: preferences. For full disclosure, I haven't built nor listened to Wayne's linestage. I put it out there as an option within the boards available from the store that might work for you.
Have fun!
There are 3rd party measurements available for the HP-1, and Tom has posted his usual comprehensive battery of measurements for the HP-1 and HP-2 to compare. If you are looking for "reference" class, I can recommend the HP-2. I fully admit that it's not the most "enjoyable" HP amp I've got (personal tastes vs. measurements) when used directly connected to my sources. However, I can say that it is the most revealing amp I own to shed light on differences in both HPs and sources. For context, I really like one of my tube HP amps that has orders of magnitude higher distortion. Different use cases. I feel like that's important to include re: preferences. For full disclosure, I haven't built nor listened to Wayne's linestage. I put it out there as an option within the boards available from the store that might work for you.
Have fun!
Mark Johnson's Noir headphone amp is pretty easy to build and sounds good:
Noir Headphone Amplifier – diyAudio Store
If you get the PCB and chassis set then the rest of the parts is basically a single Mouser order.
Though if you managed to build a Pearl 2 with some guidance then I suspect
you shouldn't have problems with the headphone amps available at the store.
It looks like the RME ADI-8 DS has TRS analog outputs so you can probably use
some TRS to RCA cables if you use an amp with single ended input.
Noir Headphone Amplifier – diyAudio Store
If you get the PCB and chassis set then the rest of the parts is basically a single Mouser order.
Though if you managed to build a Pearl 2 with some guidance then I suspect
you shouldn't have problems with the headphone amps available at the store.
It looks like the RME ADI-8 DS has TRS analog outputs so you can probably use
some TRS to RCA cables if you use an amp with single ended input.
Hi,
Reference, revealing and detailed is definitely what im looking for. So the HP2 seems to be what Im after.
From your experience on the other side of things in listening enjoyment. What would you recommend? Solid, tube, etc? Its worth it for headphones?
I've never listened to tube amps.
Thanks!
F4 with a single output pair.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pas...uilding-pass-f4-amplifier-41.html#post6281443
Will need a capable preamp though.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pas...uilding-pass-f4-amplifier-41.html#post6281443
Will need a capable preamp though.
I have no personal experience with the HP2 but my understanding is that
the Noir measures worse than the HP2.
the Noir measures worse than the HP2.
Recommendations re: "enjoyment" are completely personal, and it's hard to go there, honestly. I disagree with a lot of people re: what they like vs. what I like.
You've got some awesome recommendations above. They'll all depend on your:
As for tubes. Again, impossible (at least for me) to describe. By the numbers, most tube amps are not going to be as "neutral" as a lot of the SS amps listed above, but I happen to like that. Some don't.
I also adore my SS amps. The most extreme of which would be (in my case) the F4. It'll certainly drive anything. However, would I personally recommend it for most use cases... nope.
You really can't go wrong (except in your pocket). Have fun!
You've got some awesome recommendations above. They'll all depend on your:
-Budget
-Level of DIY experience / willingness to push your limits a bit
-Fully differential / balanced vs. an amplifier that will accept the input from your source (potentially using a 3-pin XLR connection and/or an XLR to RCA adapter) etc.
-Level of DIY experience / willingness to push your limits a bit
-Fully differential / balanced vs. an amplifier that will accept the input from your source (potentially using a 3-pin XLR connection and/or an XLR to RCA adapter) etc.
As for tubes. Again, impossible (at least for me) to describe. By the numbers, most tube amps are not going to be as "neutral" as a lot of the SS amps listed above, but I happen to like that. Some don't.
I also adore my SS amps. The most extreme of which would be (in my case) the F4. It'll certainly drive anything. However, would I personally recommend it for most use cases... nope.
You really can't go wrong (except in your pocket). Have fun!
You really can't go wrong except in your pocket....I like that. I don't own headphones, but the ACA version for Pre/headphone sounds interesting, I understand it is based on a J2 like circuit? That sounds interesting to me.
Russellc
Russellc
Budget would like to save as much €€€ as I could. But hey if you tell me the 2000€ elekit is the end all solution. I would consider it.
My interest in DIY is very high but I am limited by my experience. So I guess this would really depende on who I can get help from and how patient they are 😀
The third option I would adapt to what ever is best for the situation. If it has to be an unbalanced rca input that would not be a problem. I think a have a set of cables form an technics phono I had.
You could check my Headphone amplifier presented in audioxpress magazine and now posted on line here:
Build A High-Quality, High-Power Headphone Amplifier | audioXpress
If you are interested to build it, more information here:
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/swa...ifier-audioxpress-6-2013-a-4.html#post6363486
Build A High-Quality, High-Power Headphone Amplifier | audioXpress
If you are interested to build it, more information here:
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/swa...ifier-audioxpress-6-2013-a-4.html#post6363486
I'll bow out after this one, but one question none of us have asked is... what pair(s) of headphones will you be, or do you anticipate, using?
Some amps will handle 600 ohm low (in relative HP terms) sensitivity HPs and drive them to ear-splitting levels...
Some amps will handle 14 ohm high (in relative HP terms) sensitivity IEMs and still be whisper quiet with no discernible "hiss" at low volume levels and allow a usable range in the volume knob.
Some amps will handle 32 ohm lowish (in relative HP terms) sensitivity planars better than others.
Some can handle them all pretty darn well through user variable gain in combination with other design choices.
Some amps will handle 600 ohm low (in relative HP terms) sensitivity HPs and drive them to ear-splitting levels...
Some amps will handle 14 ohm high (in relative HP terms) sensitivity IEMs and still be whisper quiet with no discernible "hiss" at low volume levels and allow a usable range in the volume knob.
Some amps will handle 32 ohm lowish (in relative HP terms) sensitivity planars better than others.
Some can handle them all pretty darn well through user variable gain in combination with other design choices.
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audeze lcd2 (fazors I think)
was recommended to get a pair of sennheiser hd650 for referencing.
Edit: forgot to mention im using the Sonarworks Reference 4 app/plug to flatten out headphone response.
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You listed the Audeze in the first post... sorry! Most importantly, no IEMs or on the opposite end of the spectrum any crazy HPs that are mythically hard to drive.
All previously listed should work pretty well, IMO. You've got more than enough to chew on.
Have fun!
All previously listed should work pretty well, IMO. You've got more than enough to chew on.
Have fun!
I guess I will start with the HP2 you've suggest and work from there.
I've contacted Tom.
Im currently using an spl phonitor (original) and would be nice if he has used the unit and could compare audio quality to his amp.
im gonna guess he's gonna say his amp is better 😀