Topic: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2 (Read 2554 times)

Byrnie · « **on:** July 08, 2014, 01:10:53 PM »

Hey all,

I'm looking to spend no more than $2100 and I plan to use this SS amp for SE (SRH-1540 and TH-900 mainly) and balanced headphones (future purchases might include the T1, HD-800, and HE-6). I've been reading, reading, and reading Head-Fi posts about various amp pairings (which probably consist of some of your posts on head-fi). I've also probably talked to a lot of you on this subject via Head-Fi pms or even Changstar pms so I apologize for broaching this subject again but I'm really having a tough time deciding between these (the price is probably what is making me second guess my decisions) and I figured you all could help. I'm currently looking at the following solid state amps as an upgrade to my Asgard 2 (my top pick right now is the Master 9 and the rest of the amps are ordered as such behind it):

-Audio-GD Master 9 (given this is the same price as the HP-A8 it almost seems silly to not get the Master 9 instead to drive future and current headphones)
-AURALiC Taurus mk2 (I've read it leans a tad toward the bright side but it's been highly regarded on InnerFidelity which gives me a lot of confidence)
-Graces Design m903 or m920 (I've been reading great things about both and even Stereophile had the m903 DAC rated in their Recommend Components section for 2014)
-Fostex HP-A8 (Jude seems to love this thing given his reviews on it via Summer Head-Fi buying guide)
-Audio-GD NFB-6 or Audio-GD All-in-one (Compass 2, etc.)

Greed, mentioned that the Master 9 is overkill for what I will be using and I agree but my thought process as of late is "If I'm going to spend $1500 on the HP-A8 why not get an amp that can also be used for any of my current headphones and almost any future headphone?". I do plan to attend CanMania at the Capital Audio Festival in the Washington D.C. area and will hopefully get the chance to demo some of these amps or all-in-ones. I current own the Asgard 2 & Bifrost Uber USB combo and I really enjoy it. I listen to the following music Trance, Electro House, dubstep, rock, some hardcore, punk, and lately classical. To be honest, the majority of the responses I've received have suggested going to a tube amp but I really prefer SS amps (maybe that will change after CanMania). I'm looking for something that has better overall soundstage, great bass control, detail retrieval, and no bass emphasis. A special thank you to Marv for helping me sort out what I wanted and adding his suggestions over email with me (Marv, I hope I didn't become a nuisance or take up too much of your time via those emails or HF pms). I don't plan to purchase until mid next year. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me to rule out some of the amps above.

HideousPride · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2014, 03:34:07 PM »

Just as a quick aside, I think the HP-A8 is available for around a grand or less as opposed to $1500 stated unless the market has changed significantly since I sold mine. Just based on that, there may be a greater price gap than you're currently thinking between the amps.

Unfortunately I haven't owned any of the amps in the lots that you're considering so I'll be useless in crossing out any contenders. I will say I thought the HP-A8 paired fairly well to my ears with both the TH-900 and the Senn 800. I don't think it did anything so well as to particularly appeal to me, but it was very polite and did no wrong either.

Byrnie · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2014, 04:13:11 PM »

Quote from: HideousPride on July 08, 2014, 03:34:07 PM

Just as a quick aside, I think the HP-A8 is available for around a grand or less as opposed to $1500 stated unless the market has changed significantly since I sold mine. Just based on that, there may be a greater price gap than you're currently thinking between the amps.

Unfortunately I haven't owned any of the amps in the lots that you're considering so I'll be useless in crossing out any contenders. I will say I thought the HP-A8 paired fairly well to my ears with both the TH-900 and the Senn 800. I don't think it did anything so well as to particularly appeal to me, but it was very polite and did no wrong either.

I appreciate the feedback. I have only seen the hp-a8 for a grand if I buy it through Amazon from a seller in Japan. I'm not sure how long it would take to go through Customs though?

Marvey · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2014, 04:14:28 PM »

Truthfully, it's going to be really hard to beat Asgard 2 with another solid-state amp and the headphones you currently have. A new more expensive solid state amp will be different, but it won't be better overall. A "side-grade" that is. As you and many others here already know, I'll first make one decide NOT to upgrade before suggesting actually upgrading.

Wait until next year. There will be a few options coming out at much less. As Jason has semi-publicly indicated in a post here or there, Schiit may something quite awesome in the works (yes, yet another thing, not the Rag), but they don't know where to fit it or if they are going to make it, and if they do, it will probably be two years later. But I assure you it's one of those things I would jump on immediately - I like it that much. EC also has SS solution in the works which sounds a lot like his tube amps, but I don't know if Craig will make that either.

The Fostex HP-A8 is good though, especially the DAC.

I haven't heard the Master 9 and based on what I've heard from AG-D in the past other than their TOTL DACs, I don't have high expectations for headphone use. I could be wrong though. Quite a few people here have had experience with the recent Master series, so maybe they can chime in. I've tried reading impressions and comparisons on Master X series vs. other stuff on HF, but that only left me more confused. Master X series doesn't make sense for your headphones though.

I really like the Grace m903 as a DAC. The m920 gives me a headache. I figured out why after I realized it uses SABRE chips.

Don't bother with lower or mid end AGD stuff = pretty much craptastic.

HideousPride · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2014, 04:39:40 PM »

It looks like PriceJapan is still offering the HP-A8 around the 1 grand price (it's probably slightly higher than that after shipping and all that is taken into account) - http://pricejapan.com/front/e_good_info.php?code=1382&category=17

Hopefully the link works, but if not you can browse the site for yourself. I've purchased twice from them (my own TH-900/HP-A8 combo as well as a Fitear Parterre) and had zero problems. Probably received both items in a couple weeks time as expected, wasn't hit by customs here in Texas and they're willing to declare the items at a value you specify.

I actually haven't heard the TH-900 on the Asgard 2, so I'm not sure if it'll be a worthwhile upgrade or not. The HP-A8 for me was mainly excellent for the convenience factor it brought at a competitive price (all in one amplifier/DAC with good performance, ability to plug in two headphones at the same time and compare).

Elysian · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2014, 04:43:15 PM »

Quote from: marvey on July 08, 2014, 04:14:28 PM

Don't bother with lower or mid end AGD stuff = pretty much craptastic.

I really want to emphasize this point. I haven't heard the high-end AGD gear but definitely don't recommend the low and mid-end options.

I haven't heard the Asgard 2, but would recommend a used Headamp GS-1 over the Asgard 1 if you like the SS sound. I'm assuming you don't want to do DIY, otherwise the Dynahi sounds awesome and is still my favorite SS headamp (alongside the LG). You occasionally see a used Dynahi for sale but it requires some hunting.

Byrnie · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2014, 06:14:04 PM »

Thank you all for your input.

Marv: Yes, I am planning to wait until mid next year.

Hideous Pride: I completely forgot about that site and thank you for the information. I'm embarrassed I didn't retain that given how many times it's mentioned in the TH-900 thread that Muppetface created (I'm roughly 80% through it) on HF.

Elysian: Yea I'd rather not do a DIY amp but I appreciate the suggestion. I will an eye out for a GS-1.

firev1 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2014, 02:00:24 PM »

I feel that a lot of the mid end AGD stuff tends to be a hit and miss, some sound good and the others meh and on top of that you have plenty of revisions which demolishes any resale value when you want to upgrade.

The option to look out for a builder for a diyish design is what I would do if I have the dough for an SS amp. I have not heard one but Doug's(ecpaudio) get good rep around here, the BD goes for $1600 will let the others chime in their opinions on its sound or you could pm Tari(iirc) to fill you in.

Marvey · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2014, 03:26:39 PM »

Byrnie: Might want to check in on the Changstar loaner forums to see what amps are on the loaner program. I don't think we have much in terms of amps now, but I should be throwing up more stuff up there. This is a valuable way to get experience and references. That way if somebody says, the treble sounds smooth like X or the bass sounds like Y amp, you get a better idea.

Byrnie · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2014, 04:09:44 AM »

Quote from: marvey on July 09, 2014, 03:26:39 PM

Byrnie: Might want to check in on the Changstar loaner forums to see what amps are on the loaner program. I don't think we have much in terms of amps now, but I should be throwing up more stuff up there. This is a valuable way to get experience and references. That way if somebody says, the treble sounds smooth like X or the bass sounds like Y amp, you get a better idea.

Oh very cool! I will have to check that out. Man this forum is worse on my wallet than HF hah. I'm starting to consider instead of getting an amp to buying more headphones (T1 & HE560 mainly) or get a Gungnir and a headphone (T1 or HE560). T1's are going for around $850'ish these days on Amazon. I still need to wait for CanMania to try both though. So many choices hah.

Author Topic: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2 (Read 2554 times)

Byrnie

Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

HideousPride

Re: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

Byrnie

Re: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

Marvey

Re: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

HideousPride

Re: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

Elysian

Re: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

Byrnie

Re: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

firev1

Re: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

Marvey

Re: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

Byrnie

Re: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2

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Author Topic: Looking for an upgrade to my Asgard 2 (Read 2554 times)