It definitely does have a thicker mid range sound. I tried it with the HD600s and it gave it a wider soundstage, a warmer bass tilt but also reduced some of the upper mid range clarity, and treble detail. It made the HD600 sound more pleasing but also reduced some of the HD600s, unique character. It helped for Male Vocals but for female vocals, it made them sound more distant but also have less “texture” and nuance. Interesting AMP for the price, it definitely achieves what it sought out to do considering the low and high gain affect the sound differently.
Interesting. It is a cool idea, but you do need to have some tolerance translating the idea in your head and how it pairs with your gear. I would say the same thing about tubes too. I like the idea, but harder to find the one that makes my gear sound better.
This is interesting. My Midgard headphone amp died a month ago. Instead of waiting for a replacement from Schiit, I went shopping and decided on the Topping a90d as it was on sale on Drop for $200 off. What a difference! I plan on using the a90d as a preamp after I replace the tweeters on my aDs 910 loudspeakers. (Still not sure on how to connect my subs using this as I'm used to having a dedicated sub-out on the preamp. Oops; nevermind. I have a Hsu Research 12" sub, though I've never taken it out of the box. Looking at box, the sub has speaker connections on the plate amp, so I'm good to go!) Anyway, this little amp would be something nice to have for a different sound signature. Thanks for the review.
I kinda went back and forth on the gain. I could go either way which is why I kept switching. Probably more about the tuning of the set and how it played with it. It is a very cool amp.
Great review. 👍👍 I was not aware this model existed. I have been considering a special sauce dac amp or amp, like the Yuki, M15c, K11 R2R. The Piety is a good alternative too. 👌
It pairs nicely with budget and harder sounding DACs that need some richness for tonal balance. The low gain is softer and a little thicker sounding while the high gain sounds slightly snappier and tighter with more Oomph. I wish it had a cleaner volume pot and an additional 4.4mm output even if it wouldn't be true balanced though. This little guy has some definite thump for a budget Amp. Mine is currently blu-tacd to a little Fiio BTA30pro and is a great sounding compact desktop set.
Thank you so much!😊
It definitely does have a thicker mid range sound. I tried it with the HD600s and it gave it a wider soundstage, a warmer bass tilt but also reduced some of the upper mid range clarity, and treble detail. It made the HD600 sound more pleasing but also reduced some of the HD600s, unique character. It helped for Male Vocals but for female vocals, it made them sound more distant but also have less “texture” and nuance. Interesting AMP for the price, it definitely achieves what it sought out to do considering the low and high gain affect the sound differently.
Interesting. It is a cool idea, but you do need to have some tolerance translating the idea in your head and how it pairs with your gear. I would say the same thing about tubes too. I like the idea, but harder to find the one that makes my gear sound better.
This is interesting. My Midgard headphone amp died a month ago. Instead of waiting for a replacement from Schiit, I went shopping and decided on the Topping a90d as it was on sale on Drop for $200 off. What a difference! I plan on using the a90d as a preamp after I replace the tweeters on my aDs 910 loudspeakers. (Still not sure on how to connect my subs using this as I'm used to having a dedicated sub-out on the preamp. Oops; nevermind. I have a Hsu Research 12" sub, though I've never taken it out of the box. Looking at box, the sub has speaker connections on the plate amp, so I'm good to go!)
Anyway, this little amp would be something nice to have for a different sound signature. Thanks for the review.
Yep, I think that is the idea. A different flavor for people who have a solid stack already.
@@PaulWasabii I did enjoy listening through the cheapo Loxjie 20 tube amp while waiting for the new amp.
I really enjoy mine. There is a noticeable difference between lo and high gain, I prefer high gain for most headphones.
Does it work well with sensitive iems?
Thanks
I kinda went back and forth on the gain. I could go either way which is why I kept switching. Probably more about the tuning of the set and how it played with it. It is a very cool amp.
Great review. 👍👍
I was not aware this model existed.
I have been considering a special sauce dac amp or amp, like the Yuki, M15c, K11 R2R. The Piety is a good alternative too. 👌
Maybe more in the ballpark of Yuki but doing it in a full amp is a different animal. But your idea is right.
Thanks 👍
It pairs nicely with budget and harder sounding DACs that need some richness for tonal balance. The low gain is softer and a little thicker sounding while the high gain sounds slightly snappier and tighter with more Oomph. I wish it had a cleaner volume pot and an additional 4.4mm output even if it wouldn't be true balanced though. This little guy has some definite thump for a budget Amp. Mine is currently blu-tacd to a little Fiio BTA30pro and is a great sounding compact desktop set.
Yes, it is a great pairing with harder/brighter/sharper budget IEMs too.
I’ve always been interin schiit stuff, but i have a DX7 pro so it’d be a little redundant for me. Ill get some tubes eventually
You might be right. I am in the same boat, will get some actual tubes at some point.
What is it????????????