QuadPatch - Audinst HUD-MX1 or EHP-02D??

[Jason36]

This one is probably directed toward you Quadpatch as I know you have tried both of these amps

Given the choice of one of these where would you spend your money? I have read both of your individual Blogs (although you have noted the EHP-02D is quite warm sounding, whereas pretty everything else I have read on another forum states this is a neutral amp).

My only concern with the EHP-02D is the fact the power section is on the front of the amp (not ideal obviously).

This will be used with the HD650 headphones I have just bought.

Any advice on which you feel would be the better amp with the 650 would be appreciated.

 

[quadpatch]

Hey Jason, Do I see my name in a post? - Ha! That's so surreal .

Anyway, the only unfortunate thing here is that I haven't had much time with the HD650, and certainly not with either of these two DACs. My best frame of reference here is that Lieven (of Headfonia) describes the signature of the DT770/32 as similar to the HD650. I'm listening to the Beyers at the moment so I will base my thoughts on them - a bit.

I do still find the EHP-02D on the warm side, but it doesn't become a problem for me on the DT770/32 at any point. There is a bit of bass on these headphones but at this level what the EHP-02D is adding never becomes too much here. I know this will be a very personal thing and maybe the DT770/32 is not the best test case, but I think it could be a pretty good match. A lot of people seem to like the HD650 out of a tube amp and the bit of warmth and smoothness in the Epiphany isn't quite going to be on that level. It could be a nice middle ground.

As for the comparison between the Audinst, I'm sorry there is no contest here, the Epiphany is in a completely different league. The soundtrage and presence is far superior on the EHP-02D so I'm not going to talk about the Audinst more unless you would rather stick to a lower budget. The Yulong U100 is a much better comparison to the EHP-02D if you want to shave some of that warmth off.

I know the front power socket of the Epiphany is not the most elegant thing in the world but on the up side it's DAC is compatible with the Samsung Galaxy smartphones (out of the box), which is a killer feature if you can take advantage of it.

 

[Jason36]

Thanks for that mate......

I know that the guy who designed and developed the original O2/ODAC (EPH-02D) used the HD650 as his main headphones.....and quite a few people over on Head-Fi really rate it with the HD650......especially for the money. It looks like I will need to bite the bullet and put up with the front based power input.

Unfortunately I am an iPhone man...:-(

 

[quadpatch]

You're welcome! Oh you mean the NwAvGuy right? I think I heard that he quit the audio projects or something like that, but I know that Epiphany are continuing to make these and it sounds like they are selling so fast that he can barely keep up.

That power cable thing looks kinda nasty by default because the PSU and cable are white, but it does come with a short black extension. With your love of DIY maybe you can mock up something to make it look more tidy than mine at least .

Shame about your iPhone ... Don't get me wrong I think it's got great default audio but any DAC that supports it is either ridiculously expensive (CLAS, HP-P1, Hifi M8, PHA-1) or pretty damn poor (iStreamer) because of the crazy Apply licencing fees.

 

[Jason36]

Hi Mate,

Yeah thats the guy...I think you are right. I know he had a big falling out with Head-fi because of his outspoken views :shifty:

Yeah the options for this Amp/Dac at the moment are JDS Labs and Epiphany...I also think there are a couple of smaller companies making them as well. If I was to get one of these then the Epiphany is the one I would go for, he has a three week build time at the moment. I just cant get over that front based power point at the moment.

At the moment I am using the uDAC2, which to be honest provides more than enough power for the HD650 and they sound good...so I am in no hurry to rush out and buy something. I may just wait until the new year and have a proper look at what's available.......I am currently looking at the Little Dot Mk III as a headphone amp and use the uDAC2 via the RCA out. I am also looking at the Schiit Audio Bit Frost and Asgard combo. However having said that I have also heard good reports on the FiiO E09/E17 combo for the HD650.

To be honest I dont use the iPhone for music now as I have two portable rigs......iBasso T5 / Touch for Spotify and the ALO The National and Modded iPod. The HD650 also sound good through both of these options

My Modded iPod is as good as any mid range Amp/CD Player combo to be honest :O

 

[pauln]

Oh you mean the NwAvGuy right? I think I heard that he quit the audio projects or something like that

I enjoyed reading his articles but there's been nothing new on his blog since May. Anyone know what's happened to him?

Hope he's not been assassinated by someone from headfi...

(Sorry to sidetrack the thread)

 

[lonely boy]

Personally didn't like the O2/650 combo, finding the sound brittle and grainy. It's a nice amp with sensitive IEMs and I like it with the Fostex T40s, it majors on clarity and operates very quietly.

But design-wise it's unimaginative, the idea of using paralleled op-amps on the output stage to boost current output isn't anything new and can be found on manufacturers' datasheets. Also it is not as if any amp hasn't been "objectively designed" before, for example the PIMETA wasn't just thrown together on a piece of protoboard, people have been doing this for years.