Solid-state equivalent of WA5

[seacard]

At the SF meet, I heard the WA5 with a pair of K1000s and really enjoyed it. So now I'm looking for an amp to drive the K1000s and HD800s to the top of their game. The WA5 is one choice. The Balancing Act is another, but that doesn't have speaker posts, which I would like to have for additional functionality. The ZDT is a third option, but may not be as good a choice for the HD800 and may come up just a bit short on the K1000 as well (if I understand the tubes used in that amp compared to the tubes used in the BA or the WA5).

But beyond that (and I would definitely welcome any comments on choosing between those three), I am a solid-state guy. Is there a solid-state amp that can do what the WA5/BA/ZDT do? The one I'm really looking at closely is the Portal Panache. I've heard great things about the pairing with the K1000 and that it has a good amplifier section for regular headphones. I also have the Phoenix right now, and will try out the K1000 with the Phoenix, but it doesn't have speaker posts either. However, I think it's quite good with the HD800 and is a pretty good bargain at $1200.

What am I missing? Advice? Recommendations? Thanks all!

(p.s. as much as I'd love to get a Zanden, or First Watt, or Signature, or whatever is usually recommended with the K1000, I only have room for one amp and would need the same amp to be able to drive the K1000, high impedance, and low impedance phones)

[n_maher]

I am of the opinion that it is a bad idea to look for an amp to drive both headphones and speakers. Unless you want the binding posts for the K1ks or something like that?

[Asr]

B22 or Dynahi are really the only amps that meet your criteria.

[seacard]

I am of the opinion that it is a bad idea to look for an amp to drive both headphones and speakers. Unless you want the binding posts for the K1ks or something like that?

Yeah, the binding posts are only for the K1000.

[tkam]

No need to limit yourself to binding posts for the k1000 get someone to make adapter cables for you. For solid state amps Asr is right the B22 and Dynahi or Dynafet would be your best and possibly only options.

[Sherwood]

If you're going for this range of amps, why not get one with a 4-pin XLR in front for the K1000 rather than dick with the binding posts?

Seems like the WA22 should at least be on the list.

[n_maher]

Seems like the WA22 should at least be on the list.

Except for that pesky solid state requirement.

[Sherwood]

I chose to bypass that requirement for two reasons:

1) It is dumb. Everyone needs moar glo.

2) His first three mentioned amps are tube amps (before he professes to be a solid state guy). Perhaps the OP excluded the WA22 from the list because he was unaware it could power K1000s well? Seemed a risk worth taking.

[penger]

Is there some sort of price bracket you're looking at as well?

[seacard]

Is there some sort of price bracket you're looking at as well?

There isn't a hard cutoff, but I'm also not willing to spend $8K on an amp. The WA5 / ECBA are pretty much the most I'd be willing to spend.

The WA22 is certainly an option, but my sense is that the WA5 would be a better choice with the K1000s. Of course, the balanced option is worth something as well.

As for solid-state v. tubes -- I am not a tube-roller, and tubes seem like a bit of hassle. Also, after my experience with Singlepower (Supra, ES1) I have a (perhaps irrational) negative association with tube amps.

The reason I am interested in having the speaker binding posts is if I end up with Stefan Audio hardwired K1000s that don't have the 4-pin XLR termination.

[atothex]

Tubes don't necessitate tube-rolling, so they're only a hassle if your tubes go bad. Or if you're just super fiddly. Also, why bother with SAA?

Just get the WA5 and copy Mikey's tubes.

[HeadphoneAddict]

If you're going for this range of amps, why not get one with a 4-pin XLR in front for the K1000 rather than dick with the binding posts?

Seems like the WA22 should at least be on the list.

There isn't a hard cutoff, but I'm also not willing to spend $8K on an amp. The WA5 / ECBA are pretty much the most I'd be willing to spend.

The WA22 is certainly an option, but my sense is that the WA5 would be a better choice with the K1000s. Of course, the balanced option is worth something as well.

As for solid-state v. tubes -- I am not a tube-roller, and tubes seem like a bit of hassle. Also, after my experience with Singlepower (Supra, ES1) I have a (perhaps irrational) negative association with tube amps.

The reason I am interested in having the speaker binding posts is if I end up with Stefan Audio hardwired K1000s that don't have the 4-pin XLR termination.

I spent two weeks with the WA22 prototype and K1000 vs my ZDT amp, and the WA22 had enough power but not the sonic synergy with K1000, which sounded better with the ZDT.

If you wanted to make changes in the sound you could keep the stock 6C33C tubes and roll only the stock re-issue Mullard 12AX7 tube, with maybe a little nicer 12AX7 or 5751 tube (not a 12AU7, wont work).

ZDT has the 8-watt speaker binding posts and 4-pin XLR coming off the same tap on the transformer, and both can drive the K1000.

Otherwise I would recommend a Beta 22.

[Voltron]

I have SAA hardwired K1000s and hassled with the silver tip wires for a couple years. I didn't use them much because they couldn't be used on regular headphone amps, I have speakers on my speaker amp, and it is a pain to reconnect. I had my friend thrice re-terminate with a 4-pin XLR and I have a variety of connectors for use on non-4-pin amps, including the original silver tips, 2x3-pin XLR and 1/4" jack. It is awesome and I have listened more in the last couple months than the prior couple of years.

Also, as a SinglePower Survivor, I feel your pain. But you are being more than irrational by saying you don't want tubes. To my mind/ears, both the K1K and HD800 need some life and perhaps even some warmth and tubes is where they will be happiest. Buy a Balancing Act and you will be happy and secure for years to come. The WA22 is another balanced option I would consider, and if you are not interested in balanced drive, or don't have a balanced source, then the WA5 is a pure no-brainer and the ZDT would give you all the options you think you want.