I read the list all the time
2 Likes
I didn’t realize it would be a frequent read for people, I read it myself often but that’s because I’m either looking at it to start finishing it and then don’t lol, thinking about shifting ranks or resorting, or reading it for spelling errors (because I have no spellcheck within wordpress and can’t spell for the life of me). But kinda figured it would really be more of a one and done thing otherwise
8 Likes
I also find it quite valuable. Whenever I am considering upping the game a bit.
7 Likes
It’s a great reference
4 Likes
Same here. I often reference it when researching gear.
5 Likes
Easily double digits if not triple digit visits for me so far… reading checking thinking validating comparing reminding what not…
7 Likes
Easily the most visited bookmarked article for me in any audio forum
3 Likes
I like looking back at the list from time to time because there is so much to learn in this hobby. I’ll try to keep it short on why your shit tier list is super helpful to me, even right now.
After 2 years of blindly buying based on reviewers recommendations, I thought I do my own research. I came across your “high end DAC comparison part 2” (couldn’t find part 1 during that time). You had a Necoarc avatar in those forums, so I felt like I could trust your list (I know, pretty dumb logic on my part). Read it and saw the holy shit table at the end. I google a lot of them and decided to pick up the Mojo Audio Evo as my next DAC. Super satisfy and now was looking for my next amp.
Next stop was amp. I knew you need synergy with your system, so I try to do a lot of research on amps. For some reason, I really wanted to try some 45 tubes headphone amps, but couldn’t find any. So I remembered how I got my DAC and was satisfy on that, so I went back to the sonusapparatus website and read your author biography. Then, coming from my fighting game nerd background, I saw you made a “Tier List”. I know tier list sucks, but I was just so use to tier list coming from a video game background, so it helped me understand things a lot easier. I wanted to find the best synergy for my 2 favorite headphones, the Onkyo A800 and ATH-L3000 so I read you Amps quick description and check what headphones/amps you recommend at the bottom of the page (where you listed headphones and recommend DAC/amp to go with them). After googling most of the amps you listed, I decided to go with the Allnic HPA-5000XL because there was like 1 review in the entire Internet (that review was the headphone guru website and was also for the HPA-5000, not the XL version). That review said the HPA-5000 was excellent for planar headphones and low impedance headphones. I think the main reason was how you described the Allnic HPA-5000XL in the shit tier list, “Pretty unique in sound, what it’s meant to drive, and when I wanted to use it, but there are times where it really just called to me lol.” Combined your description and the 1 review saying the HPA-5000 best drove low impedance headphones and planar, I purchased the Allnic HPA-5000XL.
I thought I was happy with what I got so far, so I joined this forum to see what the community authors discuss about because the articles you guys wrote was always a great read (for me at least). Lurking in the forums and reading thread for about a month, I knew I got to get my experience up with DACs, Amps, and sources because you guys always discussed that it is very important. I dm some of you guys because I learn best with 1-1 conversations (I’m one of those guys that believes in talking to someone is easier to learn vs reading a book/forum). Thanks to one of you guys. I got my first taste of DDC (Matrix 2). Dude… felt like I discover a whole new region of audio land. Felt like my entire gear got an upgrade, it was kinda insane. I might be exaggerating a little, but that’s how I truly felt. I remember that person that sold me the DDC told me the importance of using a streamer and getting my pc to a good level gets really $$$. So look at the shit tier list and decided on the Pi2AES. I decided the Pi with various reason, but the main reason is too start on a low level when venturing onto something new. That way, getting to the higher end will feel more satisfying and I would also know what I’m looking for in a higher quality streamer after getting experience with this Pi.
Now after I buy 2 more DAC/AMP and recoup on funds, I’m thinking my next step is cables. That’s right, going to look at the Shit tier list and this forum threads on what cable to get.
TLDR: I really appreciate the Shit Tier List and wanted to thank you for continuing to update it. There is so much to learn in this hobby, I would feel completely lost without this Shit Tier List. The Shit Tier List is like a guide for me and it makes things easier to plan out my next upgrade vs just getting lost in the hype and only chasing after buzz words.
10 Likes
Yeah, about right. LOL at least you can be sure that you’ve done it the right way. It’s easy to throw a lot of money at a lot of gear and never get that magic synergy that certain chains have. Happy you’ve found a home here.
There’s a way to wire the Pi2AES where you need only give it power from a 5V power supply as the Pi2AES hat can power the Pi. It will save you some $ as you can just buy one very good 5V power supply instead of two one to power the hat and one to power the Pi.
6 Likes
Lol
A few to potentially look at (although likely irrelevant now that you have the allnic):
Eddie current amps can be spec’d for 45 tubes so that’s something to look out for
SAC thailand minute 45
I want to say toolshed made a 45 amplifier with a headphone out at some point but not strictly headphone dedicated
The woo wa234 mono can use 45 natively
I think otomon lab might have sold a 45 headphone amp at some point
I feel like other options would basically be commissioning a custom build since you don’t see the 45 tube used for headphone amps often
You could also use a 45 speaker amp which are more common and a speaker tap to headphone box (to bring the impedance down to what the amp would want) but that’s a more awkward solution just for the reason of using a single tube type
While I don’t like to call it that, that’s realistically what it is lol. I guess rather than disliking the concept of a tier list, I dislike how people tend to use those lists which gives me distaste for the term in general
Yeah the hpa-5000xl is a really weird one, an OTL amp designed to drive low impedance and planar lol. Allnic makes the hpa 3000gt for higher impedance cans and the 5000xl for lower. It’s a very interesting amp lol, glad you’re enjoying it
Feel you there lol, a great digital source does wonders when you have a nice dac. It’s really easy to ignore and neglect without realizing it, but if you get a nice dac you really owe it to yourself to feed it with a high quality source to maximize performance. I think I’m at the point where I straight up won’t really suggest people go for a really high end dac without a quality digital source since it can matter so much lol.
will be curious on your thoughts, getting a nice psu for it is the next step there and a great upgrade
Would make sense if you’re happy with the rest of the chain, lots of interesting options out there as well lol
Sure sure, I’ll try and keep updating it, glad it’s been useful to you
3 Likes
Figure out if you can put a quick link on it somewhere. It will save a lot of time. I usually have to got the the Short DAC thread and then find the link in the common links there. I do that at least three time a week. lol (my browser bookmark toolbar is very crowded so I can’t put it there)
2 Likes
Honestly might as well just make a full thread for it since I guess it’s different enough from this thread for convince sake if it’s really that popular lol. It is in my profile of my bio at the bottom but that’s likely just as if not more inconvenient than trying to search for it in this thread
I will say you can bookmark posts indefinitely if you want btw. You just click on the 3 dots on the post and choose the bookmark
Then in your top right menu it should be there
5 Likes
Lol, that’s a more elegant solution, I’ve just been leaving the tab open
1 Like
dont forget egoista
1 Like
Do they make a 45 based amp? I didn’t know
The egoista is 845 based and apparently the stx will take 845 tubes as well
45 tubes, not 845 is what he was talking about
2 Likes
Ohp! Duh! I was getting them mixed up. The stx will take 45s according to the dealer though, so maybe the 2a3 or solista? At the very least worth an ask
2 Likes
I didn’t know EC makes amps for 45 tubes, I’ll keep that in mind. Also, the Thailand Minute 45 looks interesting, it takes both 45 and 300B tubes.
Not planning to get anything more this year since I’m planning to get a DAC/AMP combo for my speakers (if it’s not sold out when I get the funds, probably aiming May) and a almost 20 year old DAC/AMP specifically for 1 headphone that I owned (aiming to buy around April if the guy doesn’t change his mind). Maybe 1 more new headphone to kill my thirst.
Probably late next year, I want to ask a builder to build the below link
^This amp got a lot of buzz last year in CanJam. Thought it looks pretty interesting and looked into more 45 tubes. Cheaper way is to go to CanJam Chicago to listen to one, but ZMF is always pack, so I’ll just get one build. As for who is going to build it, I think I might ask a company like 1101 Audio. Still thinking about it, but not high priority.
2 Likes
EC 445 very rarely come on the market.
I was gonna suggest 1101 Audio, but looks like you have that covered.
Another custom amp builder would be Oliver Sayes. He already does 45 amps (mainly for speakers with headphone taps sometimes) which you can find used on USAM occasionally. But regular 45 amps are flea watt so you can’t power anything too hungry.
Oliver will do a custom build for you though.
3 Likes