NKOTB - TTVJ/Millett 307A Headphone Amp

[riceboy]

Originally Posted by guzziguy

Be sure to listen to some low impedance headphones, like Grados or AKG340's. I'm curious to see how the comparisons will be.

You must've read my mine. I have a SR225 woodied Grado boxed and a AKG 340 headphiled boxed as well that I am bringing down to listen with the amp.

This will be my first time listening to the 307A and B52. We'll post impressions later

[n_maher]

Hello? Where are the impressions? Or did you guys have a sleepover before listening?

[4N6]

Originally Posted by n_maher

Hello? Where are the impressions? Or did you guys have a sleepover before listening?

Come on, were on island time!!!

Here are some pics of the mini-meet...

Important stuff first...food and beer!



Some miscellaneous headphone goodness!



The "I've gotta get me a pair of these!!!" Sony R10's.



Cary SLI-80 Signature F1 and PrimaLuna Prologue Eight CDP



A VPI Scout/EAR 834P with the Cary SLI-80 system.



Some SinglePower please!!! The "Dragon" next to the R10's.



Beta 22 and 840C. Great DIY amp! I was most impressed, especially with the K1000's.



The listening room (AKA The Man Cave!)



Closer view of the B52/840C/VPI Aries 3/Cary V12 monoblock/Sonus Faber system. A Cary SLP-05 preamp with a built-in dedicated headphone amp is coming on Monday. Yea!!!!



TTVJ 307A/Audio Research Reference CD7 system. Not half shabby sounding!



Riceboy listening to his R10's via the TTVJ/CD7 system.



4N6 with the R10's. I could curl up with these and be REAL happy!!!


I have never had the opportunity until last night to listen to the R10's. All I can say is "WOW!" By far the best and most balanced sounding set of cans I have ever heard.

I was also impressed with the AKG K340's which were modified by Headphile. When using the "HiZ" setting on the 307A, they were quite detailed and with a good, mostly even tonal balance.

I also confirmed to myself that I am not a "Grado Guy" and am still on the fence and the K1000's.

As far as the B-52 is concerned, my initial impressions are still holding, that it is warmer with less treble sparkle and slightly ill-defined bass as compared to the 307A. Could it be the tubes I am usuing with it? Sure could be. I have some others in the stockpile so I will see if anything changes.

My thanks to Riceboy for bringing over all of his fantastic gear and the great food. It was a fun evening!

[EdipisReks]

that it is warmer with less treble sparkle and slightly ill-defined bass

that's just what a pair of Craptors would sound like, though i would have used less neutral terms.

[PFKMan23]

All I have to say is, $5000 headphone amp with upside down XLR headphone jacks. Yes they're (most likely) board mounted, which is why, but for a statement amp, with all of Ray's supposed skill, that's just stupid.

[guzziguy]

Originally Posted by 4N6

Here are some pics of the mini-meet...

Important stuff first...food and beer!

Where's the Spam?

I was also impressed with the AKG K340's which were modified by Headphile. When using the "HiZ" setting on the 307A, they were quite detailed and with a good, mostly even tonal balance.

As far as the B-52 is concerned, my initial impressions are still holding, that it is warmer with less treble sparkle and slightly ill-defined bass as compared to the 307A. Could it be the tubes I am usuing with it? Sure could be. I have some others in the stockpile so I will see if anything changes.

How did the two amps sound when driving the K340s? Does the above description for the B-52 apply?

[4N6]

Originally Posted by PFKMan23

All I have to say is, $5000 headphone amp with upside down XLR headphone jacks. Yes they're (most likely) board mounted, which is why, but for a statement amp, with all of Ray's supposed skill, that's just stupid.

Personally, the orientation of the XLR jacks is immaterial. Once they are connected, who cares what direction they are?

The important thing is the sound, and the B-52 does sound great. Different than the 307A? Definitely. "Worse" sounding? Depends on personal preference at this level. If a person likes the sound a little bit warmer and richer, then I could easily see them prefering the B-52 to the 307A.

[4N6]

Originally Posted by guzziguy

Where's the Spam?

This was an informal meet. The Spam does not come out unless we are using the fine china and drinking expensive red wines!!

[jp11801]

Looks like it was a fun and enlightening time, nice to see you both enjoying the 307a.

Keep the impressions going if you would please.

[deepak]

Looks like you guys had a fun time

[boomana]

Nice pics. Look forward to reading what you both thought about things.

[tkam]

How is that primaluna cdp?

[recstar24]

Random - 4N6 are you originally from Wisconsin? I see the packers avatar and go packers in your signature. If so, then please....get out... (bears fan woot)

[jinp6301]

Looking forward to more impressions!

[riceboy]

Hey guys. Sorry I've been M.I.A. I've been out the whole morning and afternoon out with the family and I just got back. I'll be posting my impression either tonight or for sure tomorrow with some pics as well

[4N6]

Originally Posted by recstar24

Random - 4N6 are you originally from Wisconsin? I see the packers avatar and go packers in your signature. If so, then please....get out... (bears fan woot)

OMG! A BEARS fan?!? Just two words for you...Rex Grossman!!! Enough said about the future of your season! And no, I am not from Wisconsin or any surrounding state. I just have good taste in football teams!

Seriously, I have been to Lambeau Field twice to see the Bears vs the Pack. Always good games and the rivalry is as good as there is in sports. Great fun.

[4N6]

Originally Posted by tkam

How is that primaluna cdp?

I compared the PL8 to the 840C a few months back and found the 840C to have better clarity and delineation of detail. Overall, I liked it a little bit more and it is ~$750 less expensive. However, I just got the PL8 upgarded with a new op-amp board and have yet to compare the two again.

I would direct you to the review of the PL8 in Stereophile but that review is next to worthless for many reasons. I hear that Wes Philips is going to do a Follow Up review is a short while and hopefully a better review of the CDP will be forthcoming.

[recstar24]

Originally Posted by 4N6

OMG! A BEARS fan?!? Just two words for you...Rex Grossman!!! Enough said about the future of your season! And no, I am not from Wisconsin or any surrounding state. I just have good taste in football teams!

Seriously, I have been to Lambeau Field twice to see the Bears vs the Pack. Always good games and the rivalry is as good as there is in sports. Great fun.

Ummm...As if Aaron Rodgers is any better...and you forgot, we still have Kyle Orton. hahahaha.

Very cool, it is a great rivarly and despite the bias it's a great football town.

Sounds like the meet was a blast! Congrats on the 307A.

[guzziguy]

Originally Posted by riceboy

Hey guys. Sorry I've been M.I.A. I've been out the whole morning and afternoon out with the family and I just got back. I'll be posting my impression either tonight or for sure tomorrow with some pics as well

Excuses, excuses!

[Dusty Chalk]

Re: XLR connections -- they're facing the right way if you're bending over the thing trying to plug them in.