AMP Recommendation for HE-X

[Octavialicious]

No one is replying on the HiFiMan Edition X thread, so I'm going to ask you guys  

 

What amp do you think would be a good match for under $300? It doesn't need to be portable, but I've been looking at the Oppo HA-2, TEAC HA-P50, and Sony PHA1A. HiFiMan says overamping these is a bad thing, so keep that in mind  Thanks!

[SSL]

What constitutes "over" amping?

 

Project Ember II? Schiit Asgard 2?

[Octavialicious]

2 minutes ago, SSL said:

What constitutes "over" amping?

 

Project Ember II? Schiit Asgard 2?

Feel like the Asgard would be overkill, but if it has low gain option it might be a candidate (pretty sure it does) They said anything over 2W can damage it but pretty sure the Asgard doesn't give that much power

 

And for the Ember, most people hated tube amps with these because they are already very smooth and somewhat warm sounding

[SSL]

Just now, Octavialicious said:

Feel like the Asgard would be overkill, but if it has low gain option it might be a candidate (pretty sure it does) They said anything over 2W can damage it but pretty sure the Asgard doesn't give that much power

 

The Asgard puts out 1W into 32 ohms. More into 25 ohms, but I can't be bothered to do the calculations to figure out how much exactly. In any case, it has a gain switch.

 

Some people claim that the Asgard is somewhat relaxed, so it might not be much better than a tube amp if you're trying to avoid exacerbating the laid back HE-X signature.

[Octavialicious]

2 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

The Asgard puts out 1W into 32 ohms. More into 25 ohms, but I can't be bothered to do the calculations to figure out how much exactly. In any case, it has a gain switch.

 

Some people claim that the Asgard is somewhat relaxed, so it might not be much better than a tube amp if you're trying to avoid exacerbating the laid back HE-X signature.

yea, seems like a bad idea then

 

Do you know anything similar to the Chord Mojo? Everyone is falling head over heels for the combo, but no way I have $600

[SSL]

1 minute ago, Octavialicious said:

yea, seems like a bad idea then

 

Do you know anything similar to the Chord Mojo? Everyone is falling head over heels for the combo, but no way I have $600

 

No idea on what would be similar to the Mojo.

 

Garage also makes the solid state Polaris. Slightly cheaper than the Asgard 2 as well.

[Octavialicious]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

 

No idea on what would be similar to the Mojo.

 

Garage also makes the solid state Polaris. Slightly cheaper than the Asgard 2 as well.

I will give it a look, thanks!

[Pomfinator]

17 hours ago, SSL said:

Some people claim that the Asgard is somewhat relaxed, so it might not be much better than a tube amp if you're trying to avoid exacerbating the laid back HE-X signature.

 

17 hours ago, Octavialicious said:

yea, seems like a bad idea then

 

Do you know anything similar to the Chord Mojo? Everyone is falling head over heels for the combo, but no way I have $600

I think people exaggerate when they say that, I think in my mind's heart that the Asgard 2 is a little teensy bit warmer than say an O2, but I really wouldn't know for sure until we get some measurements showing FR.

 

What I'm trying to say is that the Asgard sounds like a solid-state amp, it should have no problems sounding good with a pair of planars.  But so would a Magni 2, so *shrug*

[Octavialicious]

20 minutes ago, Pomfinator said:

 

I think people exaggerate when they say that, I think in my mind's heart that the Asgard 2 is a little teensy bit warmer than say an O2, but I really wouldn't know for sure until we get some measurements showing FR.

 

What I'm trying to say is that the Asgard sounds like a solid-state amp, it should have no problems sounding good with a pair of planars.  But would a Magni 2 so *shrug*

I have a good deal on an O2/ODAC Combo, should I go for it? (same price as used Asgard) If I went Asgard I would have to use a cheap dac in the mean time

[Pomfinator]

40 minutes ago, Octavialicious said:

I have a good deal on an O2/ODAC Combo, should I go for it? (same price as used Asgard) If I went Asgard I would have to use a cheap dac in the mean time

I guess, I just have this dumb prejudice against the O2 because it never was meant to have the kind of widespread desktop solution popularity it holds today, but it's still a capable amp.  Depends on the deal too, if like $200 maybe, but if its over $250 or so, there is no reason you should buy it over a Schiit stack.

[SSL]

5 hours ago, Octavialicious said:

I have a good deal on an O2/ODAC Combo, should I go for it? (same price as used Asgard) If I went Asgard I would have to use a cheap dac in the mean time

No. The O2 is overpriced for what it is in my opinion, to say nothing of the prejudice that is against it in certain audiophile circles.

 

Edit: I'm including the ODAC in that assessment as well; if anything it is even more overpriced as the Modi is a MUCH better value.

[Dackzy]

5 hours ago, Octavialicious said:

I have a good deal on an O2/ODAC Combo, should I go for it? (same price as used Asgard) If I went Asgard I would have to use a cheap dac in the mean time

I hope it is under 200$ if it is not I would just get a schiit magni 2 maybe uber (I can't remember if the uber has a bit more power)

[Octavialicious]

12 minutes ago, SSL said:

No. The O2 is overpriced for what it is in my opinion, to say nothing of the prejudice that is against it in certain audiophile circles.

 

Edit: I'm including the ODAC in that assessment as well; if anything it is even more overpriced as the Modi is a MUCH better value.

 

2 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

I hope it is under 200$ if it is not I would just get a schiit magni 2 maybe uber (I can't remember if the uber has a bit more power)

man of course I read it after I purchase it  Got it for $210, but at least it's the model with the power on the back

 

Is it really that bad compared to a Schiit Magni for example considering they're pretty easy to drive?

[Dackzy]

Just now, Octavialicious said:

 

man of course I read it after I purchase it  Got it for $210, but at least it's the model with the power on the back

 

Is it really that bad compared to a Schiit Magni for example considering they're pretty easy to drive?

nah it's still a good combo a little overpriced, but good.

[Octavialicious]

Just now, Dackzy said:

nah it's still a good combo a little overpriced, but good.

well that's good to hear then

 

still wish I had enough for an Audeze Deckard, sounds like an odd pairing but it sounded great in the store (still wonder how the Chord Mojo sounds)

 

[SSL]

2 minutes ago, Octavialicious said:

 

man of course I read it after I purchase it  Got it for $210, but at least it's the model with the power on the back

 

Is it really that bad compared to a Schiit Magni for example considering they're pretty easy to drive?

 

Just now, Dackzy said:

nah it's still a good combo a little overpriced, but good.

 

It actually is kind of bad. JDS Labs has pointed out that the O2 can overheat and heavily distort under prolonged heavy load; the people at SBAF think the O2 and ODAC both sound boring/bad; and the Schiit has better looks, 1/4" jack, and rear I/O all at a much cheaper price.

[Octavialicious]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

 

 

It actually is kind of bad. JDS Labs has pointed out that the O2 can overheat and heavily distort under prolonged heavy load; the people at SBAF think the O2 and ODAC both sound boring/bad; and the Schiit has better looks, 1/4" jack, and rear I/O all at a much cheaper price.

rip

 

It's probs not worth selling off though and buying something else, right? probs lose some money in the process

[Dackzy]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

 

 

It actually is kind of bad. JDS Labs has pointed out that the O2 can overheat and heavily distort under prolonged heavy load; the people at SBAF think the O2 and ODAC both sound boring/bad; and the Schiit has better looks, 1/4" jack, and rear I/O all at a much cheaper price.

I have never seen or heard anyone have that happening to them.

[SSL]

1 minute ago, Octavialicious said:

rip

 

It's probs not worth selling off though and buying something else, right? probs lose some money in the process

 

You might be able to break even, given that the regular street price is around $270+.

[SSL]

Just now, Dackzy said:

I have never seen or heard anyone have that happening to them.

 

Maybe not; but I'd personally rather have an amp that isn't susceptible to that at all.

[Dackzy]

2 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

You might be able to break even, given that the regular street price is around $270+.

wait what so they sell for 270+ new? That is so much cheaper than what it costed in Denmark when you could buy them.

 

2 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

Maybe not; but I'd personally rather have an amp that isn't susceptible to that at all.

true. I am planing on selling my o2 odac combo and earn a little money and buy a magni 2, just because of that jack.

[SSL]

2 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

wait what so they sell for 270+ new? That is so much cheaper than what it costed in Denmark when you could buy them

 

In the states. Internationally I'm sure they cost much more.

[Dackzy]

7 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

In the states. Internationally I'm sure they cost much more.

yep 280£... I must be able to sell my combo for 200$ then

[Pomfinator]

25 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

I have never seen or heard anyone have that happening to them.

I can tell you one thing I've experienced though.  In some cases, my O2/ODAC gets slightly warm when I am using the headphone out and line outs at the same time.  It's really strange, I think it's my ODAC since I never experienced it with my naked O2.

 

Though it's really strange how a Class B amp could get warm, theoretically it should always stay cool.  Unless it's somehow Class AB and I've just been reading the Nwavguy Bible completely wrong.

[Dackzy]

9 minutes ago, Pomfinator said:

I can tell you one thing I've experienced though.  In some cases, my O2/ODAC gets slightly warm when I am using the headphone out and line outs at the same time.  It's really strange, I think it's my ODAC since I never experienced it with my naked O2.

 

Though it's really strange how a Class B amp could get warm, theoretically it should always stay cool.  Unless it's somehow Class AB and I've just been reading the Nwavguy Bible completely wrong.

I dont have any friends with the one with outputs to speakers, mine also only have to headphones. My O2 combo is always really cold