Topic: Help complete the playback system

[bhtoque]

So my new work schedule has deprived me of my prime listening time and I've decided I need to work out a headphone rig. I think I'm set on a pair of AKG 701's (now 299 from j&r). The missing link seems to be the headphone amp as I don't think my Hafler 901's phone out will make good use of the 701's

The signal path is: Acoustic Research XA tt (with a Stanton cart that I know I should upgrade)>Cambridge Audio 640p>?>AKG 701's

any ideas? Trying to stay as low budget as possible.

Thanks,

JAson

[som]

The Bellari phono pre can double as a headphone amp. Those are pretty common (and pretty cheap) on AudioGon. I read recently where macdaddy on TS has one that he is probably willing to loan if someone wants to check it out. Some have had problems with hum, so - as always - YMMV.

[noahbickart]

Jason-

I *Love* my AKG k701s, especially with live, 2 channel recordings. AUD tapes over these cans put me back in the room in a way that only the mega bucks speaker rigs can. However, they are very power hungry and need a good amp. Check out head-fi.org for more ideas, but here are a few links:

http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/
http://www.little-tube.com/forum/category-view.asp
http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=11
http://www.firestone.idv.tw/cgi-bin/product.asp?pdtseqnm=1
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CKOBH11

There are also a good number of DAC/Amp combos out there for not too much bank...

-Noah

[JasonSobel]

Jason - if you ever want to bring over those k701's and listen to them through the 901 - just let me know.  I'd like to hear those k701s also!

[Jammin72]

Jason - if you ever want to bring over those k701's and listen to them through the 901 - just let me know.  I'd like to hear those k701s also!

I'd be interested to hear impressions.  The 701's are suppossed to be about as large a soundstage you can get out of cans.  Tonality wise though I've learned to stick with the Senns.

[bhtoque]

Thanks for the posts guys.

Jason- We should get together and/or swap phones for a while once I get these broken in a bit. I'd love to hear them through the Grace.

Noah- Thanks for the links. I ended up getting a Creek OBH-11 I auditioned it against the Grado RA-1 and found it more detailed and a bit tighter. Also $150 cheaper

I've been very impressed with the combo so far. I gave Let It Be Naked (LP) a thorough listen the other day and I can't wait to see how these cans sound after the 100 or so hours everybody seems to suggest they need to fully break in. If the 701's were wireless I might consider selling my speakers.

JAson

[noahbickart]

I never believed in "break-in" until I got these k701s. They really came alive after a weekend of pink noise. You will love them

-Noah

[JasonSobel]

Jason- We should get together and/or swap phones for a while once I get these broken in a bit. I'd love to hear them through the Grace.

I'm game whenever you're ready - just let me know.