humanflyz Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Sure, there's the original Xana, but realistically, there are no commercially-available, high-end transformer-coupled tube headphone amps, which is a shame, because all the OTL headphone amps I've heard are not especially good at driving low-impedance loads, at least not as well as similarly-priced SS/hybrid amps that I've also heard. Why is this the case? Is it harder to do a good transformer-coupled tube headphone amp right? Do the parts cost more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBLoudG20 Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Well, I would imagine part of it has to do with the fact that the amp can really only sound as good as the output transformers. Good ones are very spendy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotoriousBIG_PJ Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 I know that custom ones are the only way to go for grados. I own one, Aerius owns one, Aerius's friend owns one, msjjr owns one. I would love to try a properly done 2a3 amp with some grados. ^^ Biggie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerius Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Why is this the case? Is it harder to do a good transformer-coupled tube headphone amp right? Do the parts cost more? Good transformers cost major money, plus there's no designs around for people like you-know-who to copy. But there is this. I think KG mentioned there were something like $600 in transformers alone in there. http://www.moon-audio.com/MoonHead.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recstar24 Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Good transformers cost major money, plus there's no designs around for people like you-know-who to copy. But there is this. I think KG mentioned there were something like $600 in transformers alone in there. http://www.moon-audio.com/MoonHead.htm Yeah i believe the iron is all lundahl. Not cheap thats for sure. I think 600 is conversative considering it has its outputs and inputs transformer coupled. The best iron isnt cheap, thats for sure. My moth s2a3 uses electra-print iron, TM3kB, each transformer potted is about $200. Tango iron can run you from 250-400 per trannie considering they are out of production. There's a sweet deal for a pair electraprint trannies 15k:300 ohms parafeed on audio circle for $100 if anyone is interested. Might make a cool project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin gilmore Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 The $600 would be my price. You heathens would have to pay significantly more Its the reason god invented goy's. Someone has to pay retail... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postjack Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 The $600 would be my price. You heathens would have to pay significantly more Its the reason god invented goy's. Someone has to pay retail... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanoha Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 Yeah, the Luna always struck me as one of the nicest commercial things around. If only it looked a little better, it would be so awesome. I listened to it a few weeks ago and absolutely enjoyed it. Best amp I've heard. But then, I haven't heard too many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hirsch Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Realistically, the EAR Yoshino HP4 is considered a high-end amplifier by some, including me, and it remains commercially available. The transformers are proprietary Tim De Paravicini designs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humanflyz Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Realistically, the EAR Yoshino HP4 is considered a high-end amplifier by some, including me, and it remains commercially available. The transformers are proprietary Tim De Paravicini designs. Oops, forgot about that one. I guess I should re-phrase my original statement by saying that the ratio of transformer-coupled tube amps to OTL-tube amps are really really small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postjack Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Realistically, the EAR Yoshino HP4 is considered a high-end amplifier by some, including me, and it remains commercially available. The transformers are proprietary Tim De Paravicini designs. MSRP $3600? Wow, that is spendy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepak Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 The EAR HP4 is probably the best looking headphone amp IMO. I'd love to own one. Just have to put on the gloves when you want to turn the volume knob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 The EAR HP4 is probably the best looking headphone amp IMO. I'd love to own one.I'd love to own one as well. They rarely come up on used market, though. I wish I had pulled the trigger on one a while back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 I don't know, I thought the AudioValve RKV was the most gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
granodemostasa Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Yeah, the Luna always struck me as one of the nicest commercial things around. If only it looked a little better, it would be so awesome. I listened to it a few weeks ago and absolutely enjoyed it. Best amp I've heard. But then, I haven't heard too many. do looks really matter that much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recstar24 Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 do looks really matter that much? Actually, yes. Most people just don't admit it. Nothing wrong with having great sound and killer looks you dig. You don't have to choose from the hot ass blonde or the smart funny chick. Plenty of hot blonde smart funny as hell chicks out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBLoudG20 Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 do looks really matter that much? I don't know about you, but I prefer a pretty, tight body to a fat, ugly, smelly one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBLoudG20 Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 Actually, yes. Most people just don't admit it. Nothing wrong with having great sound and killer looks you dig. You don't have to choose from the hot ass blonde or the smart funny chick. Plenty of hot blonde smart funny as hell chicks out there In my case she's white, and a bit sibilant, but I love her all the same. (my 701, no I'm not racist ) My girl's a brunette, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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