OP,
if possible, listen to them with a DAC or etc. Same track.
I have a Benchmark HPA4 and use it to power Kennerton Rognir Planar, RAAL SR-1b, and JM Audio Editions XTC-Closed phones. I previously had a Quicksilver headphone amp but found it just a little too warm and bass-prominent with these phones so the BM is just right for me--fast, detailed, transparent, and spacious. I tend to like that type of sound versus phones these days that are entirely too bass-prominent and dark. Maybe that is because I grew up when phones and speakers didn't have the overhyped bass that are everywhere nowadays. I posit that we have become conditioned to bass-heavy music. The BM also has a line stage that can power other amps. |
@shtr74sims, since you’re considering solid state amps in the $3K price range, I recommend also considering the Holo Bliss KTE. Check out the thread on Headfi on the Holo Bliss KTE. It’s more powerful than the other amps on your list but more importantly is its sound quality. I own 6 amps that I can use to drive headphones including the Woo WA23, Auris Nirvana, Enleum 23R, Benchmark AHB2 (using banana plug to 4 pin XLR adapter), Holo Audio Serene KTE, and Holo Bliss KTE. The Bliss is my latest purchase and I think it represents one of best values in high end headphone amps in this price range. It’s quiet enough to drive high sensitivity headphones with no noise while being powerful enough to drive the hard to drive Susvara. Added benefits are that it’s an excellent preamp and it comes with a nice metal remote control. |