Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 11, 2013 17:54:58 GMT
Exactly what Jeremy says, Lacey. I have no issues with a 250 ohm DT990 as far as bottom of the pot goes. It is often mentioned but in reality, using a higher impedance or lower sensitivity headphone (when you'd need an amp anyway) there are no issues.
I'm not that fussed about using too sensitive headphones in any case since they can be much more prone to noise.
I also have the HD600 and 650. Very different to DT 990; particularly in the treble. They are stronger up there than the HD650. They are more 'u' shaped in frequency response and so are very clear at low volume. I don't like everything too loud for long periods, so I aim low.
To my ears, the Horizon is a lovely match. The natural warmth of the amp compliments the headphones strong top end.
The Ember will deliver more power into my T50 and T40 since they're 50 ohms. They deliver more into lower impedance headphones and the T40/50 take quite a lot to drive them.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jun 24, 2013 17:20:19 GMT
Just for the fun of it a picture of the first Ember prototype.  This proto has different output devices (DIP-8 versus DDPAK) and it was originally planned to have 2 output devices instead of just 1 in the final version to increase output power in low impedance headphones. This presented us with other problems though. The amp below was the inspiration for it.  This amp was made of a Sunrise prototype board which had an error on it and later added auto-bias and auto tube select. Thought it deserved a nice enclosure. |
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jun 27, 2013 17:32:40 GMT
Look what the cat dragged in ...  This is project Ember serial# 0000. It was sent in a flight-case in which all amps can be ordered. It really is a very neat and secure way of packing. This is the one that will be touring so if you are interested in listening to or reviewing it simply make it known in this thread. It will be on a basis of trust and the promise it will be sent along to the next person who wants to have a listen or back to me. A chance to listen/demo/review/test it for shipping costs only (so only the send along/return it shipping costs) It would be nice if some feedback is posted, warts and all. So far Crispy is the first one to give it a try. |
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Jun 28, 2013 19:28:27 GMT
Look what the cat dragged in ... This is project Ember serial# 0000. It was sent in a flight-case in which all amps can be ordered. It really is a very neat and secure way of packing. This is the one that will be touring so if you are interested in listening to or reviewing it simply make it known in this thread. It will be on a basis of trust and the promise it will be sent along to the next person who wants to have a listen or back to me. A chance to listen/demo/review/test it for shipping costs only (so only the send along/return it shipping costs) It would be nice if some feedback is posted, warts and all. So far Crispy is the first one to give it a try. Hi Frans, I didn't realize I am the first person on the list to audition yours and Jeremy's fantastic looking amp  I have been on holiday for the last week in Greece - my favorite holiday place so I am just catching up with the posts. I can't wait to hear it and I will give it a good run out with Ian's ex DT770's headphones and through my system as a pre-amp and I will certainly post what I think with pictures. Does it need burning in for a while before a decent listen? Keep me informed as to when it will be posted and of course who is next for a listen. Chris |
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jun 29, 2013 7:55:44 GMT
Does it need burning in for a while before a decent listen? Keep me informed as to when it will be posted and of course who is next for a listen. Chris The amplifier has been through some tests and I will be checking it here as well. The tube is a brand new Russian EH6922 but as the amp is autobias it will always be at optimal bias points. Feel free to pop in any tubes you have as long as they are dual triodes with the correct 9 pin noval socket and internal connections. Gain, 6V or 12V heaters it doesn't matter. It will always be set optimally, no need to adjust anything. You can also play with the 3 output R settings. (won't affect line out though) I think the DT770 likes it best in the low setting but don't have one any more to try. Will probably be posted on Wednesday, will take around 2 weeks to arrive and will be sent registered. |
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 29, 2013 12:51:17 GMT
The amplifier has been through some tests and I will be checking it here as well. The tube is a brand new Russian EH6922 but as the amp is autobias it will always be at optimal bias points. Feel free to pop in any tubes you have as long as they are dual triodes with the correct 9 pin noval socket and internal connections. Gain, 6V or 12V heaters it doesn't matter. It will always be set optimally, no need to adjust anything. You can also play with the 3 output R settings. (won't affect line out though) I think the DT770 likes it best in the low setting but don't have one any more to try. And there is one of the big points about this amp. No fiddling with a meter to be sure that your tube is running correctly. Such a brilliant feature. Plus being able to configure the output let alone the sound quality! Or the big dynamic range that is possible. |
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Jun 29, 2013 20:06:09 GMT
The amplifier has been through some tests and I will be checking it here as well. The tube is a brand new Russian EH6922 but as the amp is autobias it will always be at optimal bias points. Feel free to pop in any tubes you have as long as they are dual triodes with the correct 9 pin noval socket and internal connections. Gain, 6V or 12V heaters it doesn't matter. It will always be set optimally, no need to adjust anything. You can also play with the 3 output R settings. (won't affect line out though) I think the DT770 likes it best in the low setting but don't have one any more to try. Will probably be posted on Wednesday, will take around 2 weeks to arrive and will be sent registered. Frans, I don't have many tubes to play about with but I will certainly experiment with the ones I have, they are all out of my MFV2 so should be compatible? - Russian Harma deep cryo - Russian 6H23N-EB and some original Jan Philips. It is nice to know I can just pop them in to listen and not have to worry about anything Playing about with the 3 output settings is also likely if it is just a matter of flicking a switch? 2 weeks to arrive here is fine with me, it still leaves me 4 weeks to play about before I go back to Greece for a week - Lesvos this time (I know I am a luck B*****D) two holidays in one year. I just prefer to do it that way than have two weeks in one place. I now need to sort out some demo tracks to listen to  |
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Jun 29, 2013 20:23:10 GMT
Hope you had a good holiday, Chris. Weather here has been awful. I'm ok. Taking things easy. I've had panic attacks in the past. I think Mum going hit me harder than I was prepared to accept and it suddenly hit - I'm on my own. Well, the DT770 went to a good home. I change and replace headphones like slippers so someone may as well get the benefit. You'll not be on your own with the Ember. I'll have one here to compare with the Horizon, although I think the sound sigs will be similar. The Ember will deliver more kick into low impedance loads so they will most likely drive my T40 and 50 better. The T40 has become my reference flat headphone. I love the Horizon to bits. After the Sunrise Frans swapped it for the Horizon and now I'll be reviewing the Ember too. I think they're great amps and have oodles of power. Not for making headphones too loud but to make sure you get a properly delivered dynamic range. That's what the Horizon does but the Ember works in a slightly different way so I'm quite excited about the comparison. Amps are hard to review since you never normally get a really bad one nowadays. But when you get a good one, you know it!! So no pressure!!!  Hi Ian, I certainly had a good holiday in Corfu only 40+ Celsius every day. Yeh your DT770's definitely went to a good home - I have never listened so much through headphones before as they are so comfortable and sound fabulous. I even made myself a little hanger to hang them on out of the way of the wife dusting instead of just sitting on top of my CD case - they get looked after. The T40's are the closed backed version if I am right? thought you might have preferred the open back ones more. The Ember is a great looking amp with equally impressive specs so yes reviewing it will either be very easy or very hard  |
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 29, 2013 20:31:10 GMT
I have both T40 and T50. The T40 was modded by Frans, and is incredibly flat in FR.
I'll be in Tenerife in the Summer for either 3 or 4 weeks. Not as hot as that hopefully!! (Although the Sahara desert could blow a bit hot across the sea perhaps? I've rented a house and car over there but recently found out that it's normal to get your car bashed, so I'm a bit concerned.......
Amps are more 'similar' in terms of sound and variances can be very minimal. Not at all like a headphone.
People who aren't particularly hi fi minded often can't hear any differences between amps and so always think a lesser one is just as good. They have no idea about attack on a headphone and hone in on basically the tone and volume. As long as it goes loud, it's good for them.
The Ember has some pretty good square wave action and bags of power, and will drive even better into a 50 ohm load than the Horizon. (T40 and T50 - my staple headphones) - along with HD650 which I still like and HD600.
Plus now the AT M50!!!
It goes on and on. I also have a Fiio E12 being sent for a review.
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Post by jhelms on Jul 4, 2013 4:02:54 GMT
Awesome that she is making the rounds, appreciate you guys making it happen.
Originally my thoughts on auto bias were: Yeah it seems really nice but I can live without it.
I can say.... the first time you just plug in a tube, flip the power switch and everything just works... It is amazing. Then you simply drop in another tube... and another... you realize it is one of those conveniences in life that you never want to live without again!
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jul 4, 2013 20:27:59 GMT
Question, even though I'm looking to buy Ember regardless, anyone yet paired it with the LCD-2? Seems to have plenty of authority when it comes to power, I've already heard Horizon/Sunrise do a fairly good job on HE-500 so I assume so as well on the Audeze. Just was curious on the actual synergy of sound. I know BMF owns an LCD-2 and has had an Ember on loan for a while. Maybe he'll chip in if he tried it. It should not be a problem driving them. It should be able to make the LCD-2 deliver 122dB SPL ... that's the pain threshold ! The LCD-2 is even more sensitive than the HE500 b.t.w. 2mW for 90dB versus 0.9mW for the LCD2 to reach 90dB |
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zakin
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Post by zakin on Jul 4, 2013 20:51:07 GMT
I highly appreciate a response from the top dog himself! Whether or not you've been told this before, a big reason why I got so interested in Garage1217 is because of how close and responsive the makers themselves are, same way with Schiit products. I had a good feeling the Ember would demolish the LCD2s power wise, and hope that BMF can chime in on sound wise how they synergy. I have a feeling they sing quite well as I hear they do with HD650s already, another prized pair of mine.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jul 5, 2013 5:08:57 GMT
Yes, Jason is indeed responsive to questions as well and makes nice looking and affordable products as well.
I have e-mailed BMF and hope he actually tested the combo and might chime in.
He is a busy guy though ....
In my armory I also have the HD650 which, just like the HD600, has become an underrated headphone these days with all the expensive high-end headphones around.
At their price point (and even above it) it will be hard to find a headphone that measures (and sounds) as well though.
On direct comparison with ortho's they show to lack here and there in the sonics department.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 5, 2013 13:29:58 GMT
The Ember has entered the building ............ (serial no. 00000)       Gorgeous looking. In fact, the pictures don't do it justice. First impressions: It looks damned good. Smooth vol pot. Gold contacts on back. It looks very pretty switched on (!!) but best of all, it drives the T40 like it's a portable headphone. It has authority in the sound. One thing I have noticed with the T40 is that because it needs serious driving, it can sound a bit thin on amps that don't really have enough to really drive it. On the Ember, the headphone hovers on your ears. The bass authority is incredibly well etched and not thin in any way; plus the fact that it's as clean as a whistle too. Not overblown, but very punchy. At 11 'o clock, the T40 is getting to the point of too loud. It has one hell of a lot of power. Most amps need to go way beyond 12 '0 clock to get a decent volume and then dynamics can start to suffer. This is delivering BIG dynamics. Frans, this may be my imagination, but I'm quite used to the Horizon sound sig which is kind of similar to the Ember, but the Ember seems less 'tubey' and 'cleaner'. (With regards to the bass) It is incredibly well defined in the bottom end but doesn't seem to have that 'tube' weight down there but a similar large impact on the attack. It's very fast and snappy sounding. I'm listening to Prince at the moment and it seems to bring the whole mix closer without bloat. The vol pot on the pictures above is too loud even for the T40!! This will easily drive difficult headphones. In fact, I think with ease. It is extremely dynamic sounding. The modded T40 with the Ember and filter is an absolutely brilliant match. Masses of power. Masses of dynamics (from the T40!!!!) My system seems to have more loud and soft contrasts going on (even between tracks) It's very clean sounding and in all honesty, there seems to be a really strong synergy going on between the two. Zakin, in answer to your query regarding power, it has oodles of power. The T40 (you probably know) is an ortho and takes quite a lot to push it properly normally and after mods, it's less sensitive as well. (a kind of trade off) I love its sound but one of the difficulties is actually getting an amp to deliver enough for it to really go properly. The Ember really makes it feel like a portable headphone. It drives with ease. Looking at it is strange to see a tube and no heat sink. However, no heat build up at all. The hottest part is the valve and that's barely warm. No heat anywhere else. |
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 5, 2013 16:04:34 GMT
My system has developed a more dynamic sound with the T40. Listening to Rick Wakeman playing 6 Wives of Henry Eighth and set it at a reasonable volume. Before I knew it, there is a passage with a church organ sound and it was positively thunderous.
Low bass on the T40 is also very present and you hear the body of sound from bass drums.
The T40 is a difficult load so I'll also try the 120 ohm K601 which is also a fairly difficult headphone to drive and a Senn HD600 at 300 ohms, but perhaps not quite as hard to drive as the other two.
It is a very impressive sounding amp. Been listening all afternoon.
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