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Slowely Upping My Game

Hey Goner's,

A while back, out of necessity, I decided to venture into headphones. At this point in the journey, I'm running Audioquest RCA interconnects from the tape outs on my ASR Emitter II power amp to a Schiit Lyr 3 with a Linlai Elite 6SN7. Somewhat of a mismatch I know! The headphones I'm currently using are a modified version of the Aurorus Audio Borealis. 

About two months ago, I purchased a pair of HEDD Audio HEDDphone D1's that are still on Back Order. I'm hoping to get these at the end of this month, we'll see. In a couple of weeks, I'll purchase a pair of Audio Sensibility Statement SE copper interconnects to replace the Audioquest Colorado IC's.

So the D1's impedance is at 32 ohm's. Pretty much anything can drive them. Which brings me to wonder whether replacing the Schiit Lyr 3 with a more expensive headphone amplifier can be justified. Looking around at various OTL headphone amplifiers, leaves me with the impression that a Feliks or Woo Audio would make sense for headphones at 300 ohm's but would be overpowering for a pair of 32 ohm headphones. 

So the endgame is to maximize the fidelity that's coming from the power amplifier. To test the clarity of what I currently have, I placed a Herbie's titanium tube damper on the 6SN7and I do notice a slight difference. My hopes are high for the D1's but admittedly, this post may be premature, given that I haven't had a chance to hear them yet. Onward through the fog.

Thanks!

goofyfoot
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,591 posts
 

@shooter41 I looked into the Mjolner when I bought the Lyr 3 and had my doubts based on some internet reviews. WOO makes three different amplifiers that cost around that same price range. The Quicksilver also retails for $1,200.00. I get the impression that there aren’t many folks who connect their power amp to their headphone amplifier. Numerous times I’ve mentioned this on various threads and never has anyone ever posted, ‘yes, that’s what I do’.

@mulveling Thanks for the response. I’m not as tech savvy as you but something I failed to mention, is that I had a headphone input added to my ASR Emitter II when I had it built. I contacted Herr Friederich, the designer when I connected my 32 ohm Aurorus Borealis headphones. The response I got;

‘The amp is too powerful for your headphones. The Emitter has a 10 ohm high power resistor in series to the headphone output. So it can put out up to 50 V ac into 40 ohms. What is about 50 watts in your headphones, what is way too much! So for safety it is best to install a voltage devider’.

I came to the conclusion after further communications with Mr Schaefer that connecting a headphone amp to the power amp via tape outs was the best option.

Anyway, any thoughts? These design details just leave me rather clueless.

snookhaus
23 posts
 

@goofyfoot , you mentioned the headphone amp being more of a "volume control" and the $1500 figure. If that's what  you are looking for, maybe take a look at the Linear Tube Audio MZ2. I currently have the same Woo amp as @ghdprentice , but started my tube headphone amp journey with the MZ2. 

The D1 is highest on my to try list. You mentioned not enjoying planars, but if  you get the chance to listen to the ZMF Tessidera, it  might change your mind. 

 

goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,591 posts
 

@snookhaus It appears that the MZ2 is no longer in production. What about the WOO Audio WA6-SE or the WA2? As for the D1, I have high hopes. Back Order is a little annoying.

goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,591 posts
 

@snookhaus The ZMF Tessidera's look nice but as far as I know, we don't have a ZMF dealer near Cincinnati. 

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,477 posts
 

Zack at ZMF knows his stuff. Dig my cans. 

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