Specs

Pure class-A, with 20W power draw at idle

16-600 Ohms load (optimised for low impedance)

1700mW into 40Ohm load

W 184mm，L 300mm，H 56mm

2.2 KG

Sorry for blurry pictures, it is taken from my phone.

Better internal shot from the builder:

(the transformer is shielded in a metal case as seen in my photo)

Exterior

The amp is cased in a thick chassis and finished with thick brushed silver front panel. The volume control is metal with texture on it to prevent slipping. Rear of the amp have standard IEC power socket and a pair of RCA inputs. The RCA sockets are gold plated and bolted to the chassis, not direct stressing the PCB. The overall finish is very nice and solid, but to point out the

I'd say you're about to review the T-800.

I'd say you're about to review the T-800.

Shame that they don't drive headphones well.

Did you buy this amplifier?

Do I feel the air whoosh of a shovel being test swung?

Did you buy this amplifier?

Erm... yes?

$250USD shipped. I am not paid or asked to review it... (I wish I am. )

i read on hf that this is a audio technica ha5000 clone?

i read on hf that this is a audio technica ha5000 clone?

I am not sure but the builder said something like try to get to HA5000 as close as possible.

Lol at "volumn". What a fucking knob.

This would be perfect for Whaley.

Shielding an R-core seems a bit unnecessary to me...

unless it's one of the cheapass crappy chinese ones .

Holy hell. I just got rid of a Terminator shill thread on the other site, and there's one here now.

Is that a big light on the left? I do like lights.

Edited March 5, 201016 yr by boomana

Holy hell. I just got rid of a Terminator shill thread on the other site, and there's one here now.

Is that a big light on the left? I do like lights.

I am not sure what is wrong reviewing an amp I just bought?

where did you bring it

Holy shit, vicki, it is a big light on the left!

where did you bring it

I see what you did there...

It's clobbering time.

Holy shit, vicki, it is a big light on the left!

But is it a switch that just looks like a light in the picture, or is it an actual big, round light? I would like it to be a light.

It's clobbering time.

Your enunciated g's are so becoming

What are you talking about, Willis?

I guess no one is taking it seriously but I'll post it anyway.

Soundstage

Certainly one of the strengths of this amp, the stage is very natural and open but not artificially large, positioning is very precise.

Detail

This amp shows very good detail, but due to the sound of the AD1000PRM which like amplifying the sound of micro details, it can be a bit tiring to listen with tonnes of different sound getting thrown in your face (ears I meant).

Highs

I would think this is the weak point of the amp. While the treble does extend quite well, the cymbal hits are not as sharp and clearly defined as I would like, certain much room for improvement.

Mids

Mids are abit smoothed out, which pair AT with forward mids quite well, however some might want to keep the forward mids and should not get this amp. Have said so, the mids are still overall forward, but just not as forward as before so the AT house sound is still here.

Bass

Bass is not boasted to add much addition warmth to the headphones, but the impact is plentiful, very tight and controlled too. It can go deep too but as the same, the sub-bass/low bass is still not boasted.

Speed

This amp is fast, and it helps to pair it with fast headphones, it never struggle in complex sections and every tone is clearly played without any blurring at all.

Strength

Natural and spacious soundstage, very good speed, good bass response, midrange (personal choice), price

Weakness

Treble can be better, midrange (personal choice)

Other flaws

The gain is quite high when using with my AD1000PRM, with my source at 100% the amp need to be turned right down. It doesn’t help at all with a sub-par volume pot, it just makes the matter worse as there is signifiecnt channel imbalance until it is over 8 o’clock range. This forces me to turn my source down to 25% to have some better control over the volume.

Equipment Used

Headphones: Audio Technica ATH-AD1000PRM, Ultimate Ears triple.fi 10 (Null Audio Enyo Silver + Sony Hybrids)

Source: Asus Xonar Essence ST (3 X LME49720HA)

Interconnect: Chord Company Crimson Plus RCA interconnect

More importantly, is it mil-spec and does it use really fat wires for moar bass?

More importantly, is it mil-spec and does it use really fat wires for moar bass?

Sorry, I am not a cable believer.

I only brought the RCA for shielding and the Enyo as the stock one haven't got L-Plug and rather flimsy.

wow, it even has a cool 'terminator' sticker on the transformer!

Badass!

It really is a shame, I was so looking forward to more detailed impressions of this amp.