Apex Peak + Volcano

[blessingx]

Mostly a Lavry DA10, though recently also a Rega RP1-TTVJ stage. My B22 is indeed a two-board version (I previously had a four-board, though eventually was told by next owner there were problems with it - can't remember what - and it's been years and different gear). I should clarify my issues - I tend to feel over time all wire-with-gain amps I've had (B22, GS1, CK2III) are bright, and only used successfully over time with dark cans such as the lower Senns. The HD800 was the first to push the Luxman there too, which is another story. Course brightness means different things to different people and often I just mean a perceived imbalanced towards the top. And I'm obviously shifting blame away from phones to the amp, a little unfair. It's just less often and less severe with the P/V than my other amps.

[Shahrose]

I'll be getting my Peak/Volcano back from Todd this week after a socket upgrade. Will do a brief comparison with the Beta22 then.

Also, I don't agree that the wire-with-gain amps are bright. Check your source before blaming the amps.

[Audiojunkie]

Also, I don't agree that the wire-with-gain amps are bright. Check your source before blaming the amps.

Completely agreed here. Don't blame "wire with gain amps" for showing you the issues you have upstream. Being transparent, that's kinda their thing.

[dsavitsk]

Also, I don't agree that the wire-with-gain amps are bright. Check your source before blaming the amps.

It isn't necessarily the case that the source is bright, or even that the amp is bright. Instead, it is often the case that the system of amp + headphones is overdamped leading to a bright sound. People describe this as being clinical, or neutral, and often think it is more accurate. Some people even like it. But, it is not necessarily "truer."

[Audiojunkie]

It isn't necessarily the case that the source is bright, or even that the amp is bright. Instead, it is often the case that the system of amp + headphones is overdamped leading to a bright sound. People describe this as being clinical, or neutral, and often think it is more accurate. Some people even like it. But, it is not necessarily "truer."

Quick question, what's the output impedance of the B22 vs. say the GS-1? Aren't they both very low and in turn "overdamped"?

[dsavitsk]

I don't know as I've never measured them -- you'd have to ask the designers. But, I am not saying that they are necessarily or always overdamped -- I am saying that with certain headphones they might be. And that when people describe certain headphones as being bright, or shrill, this may be the reason. It is really a personal preference. But, there has been an emphasis on amps with a near 0 Zout for a while, and my experience says that it is not always the right choice.

By the way, take a look at the Zout spec'd for the Apex Pinnacle http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/b0edde2a#/b0edde2a/2

~12R for low Z and ~45R for high Z cans is where my experience says the sweet spot seems to be as well.

[wink]

I'm waiting for Spritzer's incarnation of the volcano. He could call it Bardabonga after the volcano that blew in 1477AD.

I dont think Schiit will steal that name as they did Mjolnir. It doesn't have the same ring to it.

[spritzer]

Bárðabunga does have a nice ring to it in Icelandic but I guess it doesn't translate well... Askja or Laki would perhaps be better for the international market. Both truly terrible eruptions though...

[dubselect]

Hello guys!

I am interested in Peak/Volcano amp. Currently I have Luxman P-200. Thought about Luxman P-1u.

But then found Peak.

What will be better amp for my HD800? Peak/Volcano or P-1u?

P.S. I am not a tube guy. That why I look only to solid state and hybryd amps as I like a bit warm but powerful sound. My P-200 sound really nice, but I hope I can find even better amp...

[crappyjones123]

I find my tubes to be very warm and powerful. They have burnt me on many occasions and I have struck down my enemies with the pins.

[blessingx]

What will be better amp for my HD800? Peak/Volcano or P-1u?

I like both with HD800, but kept the Peak/Volc. Why not look at the Arete?

[Tari]

Todd has an arete+volcano demo unit for sale for a few hundred off retail. The volcano-less Arete is also on sale.

[blessingx]

The Arete with stock PS at $895 is pretty amazing bang for buck. Must resist for office use.

[Dusty Chalk]

Hello guys!

I am interested in Peak/Volcano amp. Currently I have Luxman P-200. Thought about Luxman P-1u.

But then found Peak.

What will be better amp for my HD800? Peak/Volcano or P-1u?

P.S. I am not a tube guy. That why I look only to solid state and hybryd amps as I like a bit warm but powerful sound. My P-200 sound really nice, but I hope I can find even better amp...

Musical Fidelity A3^CR + RCA->headphone adapter

Also, ditch the HD800 if you like a warm sound. Go to HD650 at least. Someone else please feel free to step in here and correct me if I'm not remembering things correctly, as it's been years since I heard it, but HD800 is more in the "clinical" and "dry" end of the spectrum.

[The Monkey]

To me, the HD 800 and P-1u is a damn good combo.

[HeadphoneAddict]

To me, the HD 800 and P-1u is a damn good combo.

I agree completely, the P-1u loaner from Todd pretty well mimics what I get with my upgraded ZDT with HD800.

[cutestory]

Thread: RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE!

 

I'm listening to a Peak/Volcano right now, and both tubes I've tried are picking up interference—there's a lot of signal noise around here (wireless, computers and shit). I'm hearing a faint high-pitched scratchy sound. I've occasionally heard it on other gear I've listened to in the same location.

 

If I cup my hands around the tube, the scratchy sound goes away, so I'm pretty sure it's the tube picking it up.

 

Other than keeping my hands cupped around the tube when I'm listening to music (which I can only do for days at a time), does anybody have any other ideas?

 

[dsavitsk]

There are tube shields, but I can't say that I've ever seen them for octals. However, you can make a shield out of aluminum foil -- just wrap the tube, ground the foil, and make sure that the foil does not touch the pins.

 

Does it change in different rooms?

[cetoole]

That scratchy noise you are hearing is the plankton. It wants out.

[shellylh]

Ugh, plankton is the worst!

[Dusty Chalk]

Especially restless plankton.

[Torpedo]

Wrapping the tube in aluminum foil paper changes the noise?

[cutestory]

I think what he's saying is that wrapping the tube in foil will shield it from the noise the tube is picking up. Like my hands do when I cup them around the tube--the noise completely disappears. Not the most aesthetically pleasing solution, but more practical than holding my hands there all the time. Forgive my ignorance here, but how would I go about grounding the foil? I'm a novice with that kind of thing. Edit: I haven't moved anything to another room yet.

Edited October 24, 2013 by cutestory

[jwzhan]

I think what he's saying is that wrapping the tube in foil will shield it from the noise the tube is picking up. Like my hands do when I cup them around the tube--the noise completely disappears. Not the most aesthetically pleasing solution, but more practical than holding my hands there all the time. Forgive my ignorance here, but how would I go about grounding the foil? I'm a novice with that kind of thing. Edit: I haven't moved anything to another room yet.

 

See if the surface of the case is connected to ground, if it is, just tape part of the foil to the case. If it isn't, you might have to scratch the surface of the case a little to expose the metal that is grounded and tape the foil to that.

There might be other ways, but this is the simplest I can think of.

[nikongod]

Screw heads are usually a good place to try to ground shields, at least temporarily. 

 

I'm not sure if you can find them for the tubes you have, but military-grade tube dampers are fucking badass for this sort of thing.