Headphone amp for AKG K702's?

[blakey72]

I've had my K702's for a while now and been doing some reading. People are saying that they need a good amp to sound their best. I've been running mine off my Cambridge Audio 740A Integrated. I've heard that this integrated has a separate headphone amp stage but I'm not 100% sure. Now when people say the K702's need a good amp do they mean a dedicated headphone amp as apposed to a integrated?

If so, what is a good headphone amp to drive these for around $400-$500? I'm also running a 540C CD player and a DacMagic.

Thanks
Blake.

[Drubbing]

Matrix M-stage.

Spend rest on beer.

[Marcus]

Yeah, I'd go the M-Stage, up from there maybe the Corda Classic (when Jan gets me my stock ) or Talisman T-33H.
I'd say it will also depend on what you want from a future setup. If you intend to keep the AKGs and maybe look at some other nice pairs of headphones, the higher end amp could be worth it.

[blakey72]

Thanks Drubbing and Marcus. I'm really not sure where to go with my setup. I've got Alessandro MS=Pro's which I'm selling because I think they are too uncomfortable and don't sound as good as the 702's. I've also got Shure SRH440's and the K702's. I just bought a pair of AT ADH700's for my son for gaming and had a listen with music. I quite liked the sound of them, thought they were clearer than the 702's actually although not as much bottom end.

So I'm considering two directions (well 3 actually). With the money I get from the MS-pro's either keep the 702's and get the Corda, sell the 702's and get AD900's and spend the MS-pro money on some Usher S-520's or buy the M-Stage keep the 702's and get the AD-900's for more variety (god my wife will kill me). I'm not happy with the sound of the 702's, do you think the M-Stage will be enough to make them sing or will I have to go to the Corda? Will the Corda make them sound miles ahead of the AD900's?

Might be a bit of research for you to do Marcus LOL. Oh when you say 'other nice pairs of headphones' I might have to get back to you on that if I go with a higher end amp. I know my CD players, Integrated amps and speakers but am new and lost when it comes to can setups.

Cheers
Blake.

[Drubbing]

I think if you're not happy the sound of the 702s, then no amp in the world is going to make them sound much different.

[blakey72]

Yeah, probably should have worded it better. I love the sound of them but I think they are being held back. It's not a clean sound. The bass distorts, not enough power/current.

[Marcus]

Best bang for buck: M-Stage. Don't sell your MSpros until you hear them from a better output stage, and soften the pads if they're uncomfortable

Best long term: T-33H/Corda Classic - again, don't sell anything until you get to hear the difference adding an amp.

Diminishing returns will apply along with a heavy dose of personal preference

[blakey72]

Do you think the MS-Pro's sound better than the 702's in your opinion Marcus?

[cloughie]

I sold my Pros after getting the K701 because I thought they sounded better but after a while I found them a bit boring except for acoustic, jazz etc. then bought another set of Pros and haven't looked back.

[Drubbing]

Do you think the MS-Pro's sound better than the 702's in your opinion Marcus?

What's YOUR opinion?

[Marcus]

I like both for different reasons, but overall I prefer the MSPro - if I had more classical music in my collection that may be different, but then again the MSPros are easier to drive...

[grevillea]

Do the comfy pads work with the MS-Pro, or do you need the 'air' provided by the bowls ?

[blakey72]

Since the Corda classic isn't in stock and may be above my budget, is there and other Meier Audio models that are worth considering? I'm considering the M-Stage however wouldn't mind going a step up to around the $500 mark.

Thanks Blake.

[unanimous]

Since the Corda classic isn't in stock and may be above my budget, is there and other Meier Audio models that are worth considering? I'm considering the M-Stage however wouldn't mind going a step up to around the $500 mark.

From what I've read, the M-Stage is "fairly heavily influenced" by the design of the rather expensive Lehmannaudio Black Cube Linear.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/475618/matrix- ... -excellent

I'm pretty damn happy with my M-Stage. Apart from maybe finding something that will deliver more power, I can't really see that you'd get a lot more for $500 over for the cost of the M-Stage.

[Drubbing]

Since the Corda classic isn't in stock and may be above my budget, is there and other Meier Audio models that are worth considering? I'm considering the M-Stage however wouldn't mind going a step up to around the $500 mark.

Thanks Blake.

The M stage is already a step up. I've heard all Marcus $500 amps the last couple of years and the Matrix sounds as good as any of them to my ears.