Going to run though all of the aforementioned amps, give some notes about their sound, and try to elaborate a bit. You might see some trends here. These are in no order whatsoever. NOTE on the mysphere, in the end final rankings I will note if an amp works better with a 3.1 or 3.2
Mass Kobo 394 II: This is a great pairing for the utopia and mysphere, but actually is pretty decent with the 1266 depending on what you are after, can’t do the susvara (unless you get a 406, improves everything too).
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Cleanliness, really clean and neutral signature, with a hint of sweetness
- Precision, this is a really tight and quick amp, very speedy and pinpoint
- Depth, it’s stage isn’t the widest, but has lots of depth to offer in it’s stage and presents organically
- Texture, it can really pull a lot of texture throughout the range
- Microdynamics (and microdetail), does a really good job with low level changes and low level information
- Background blackness, very absent background
- Extension, very well extended
- Overall balance and neutrality, basically everything sounds extremely even without sounding soulless or inorganic
This amp will not be for you if:
- You like a more relaxed amp, also if you are looking for an extremely wide stage look elsewhere
- You want something very tonally dense, this is a slight bit on the lean side
- You want something that hits extremely hard, this has good impact but doesn’t slam as hard as others
- You want something forgiving, this will be very transparent of the chain and source material
- You are looking for a strong macro amp, this tends to emphasize the lower level info more
- You are looking for a warmer tilt, generally not what this amp is voiced for
Some reasonable dac pairings I’d consider:
If you were looking for something still reasonably neutral but to add a slight bit more warmth, stage width, smoothness and body while being pretty technical: Rockna Wavedream, Bricasti M1SE, Nagra Classic DAC
If you were looking to tilt it pretty dang analytical/dead neutral forward but not sacrifice organicness too much, but going for the most raw precision: Berkeley Alpha Reference 2 or Mola Mola Tambaqui
If you were looking to lean heavier into the warmer, smoother, richer, relaxed, and organic range of things without pushing it too far: SW1X DAC IV, Lampizator Golden Gate II
Woo WA33 (Elite if possible): This is one of the rare ones that I think works really well with all 4 headphones, so big strong point there
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Clarity and cleanliness with surprising organicness, able to offer exceptional clarity while still sounding pretty organic
- Microdynamics and detail, really has this represented quite well with great ability
- Spatial recreation, throws a very organic stage with really organic presentation, great ability in said stage
- Background blackness, very absent background
- Overall control and heft, surprising ability to throw around weight with great command
- Timbre, pretty fantastic here
- Texture, can pull lots with ease
- Extension, very strong on either side
- Overall balance, basically most what you could ask for in one package
This amp will not be for you if:
- You don’t like a dryer and more raw leaning amp, this is a somewhat more dry amp for a tube amp
- You want something more forgiving, will not forgive bad aspects of the chain and source
- You want something more relaxed and chill, this does lean on the forward side
If you were looking for something still reasonably neutral but to add a slight bit more warmth, stage width, smoothness and body while being pretty technical: Rockna Wavedream, Bricasti M1SE, Nagra Classic DAC
If you were looking to tilt it pretty dang analytical/dead neutral forward but not sacrifice organicness too much, but going for the most raw precision: Berkeley Alpha Reference 2 or BAT REX 3 DAC
If you were looking to lean heavier into the warmer, smoother, richer, relaxed, and organic range of things without pushing it too far: Totaldac d1-single-mk2, Lampizator Golden Gate II
Eddie Current Studio T: Works very well with utopia, good for the mysphere, lackluster with the 1266, and a no go for the susvara as well.
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Very nuanced overall, maintains very organic balance while leaning on the cleaner side of things
- Low level focus, tons of information to be had there, also great microdynamics that stand out
- Mild sweetness, instilled into everything without upsetting balance
- Great liquidity, everything just flows
- Timbre, fantastic and very accurate
- Stage depth is impressive, things sound really deep and layered
- Texture, has ton to offer here and makes it very prominent
- Tonal density, has really excellent balance between density and accuracy
This amp will not be for you if:
- You find yourself wanting extreme control and grip, it is good in this regard but it’s not stand out
- You dislike a bit of sweetness being injected
- You dislike a bit of softness, it does hit pretty well and isn’t blunted but is slightly softer leaning
- You want something warmer and relaxed leaning, I’d say it’s presentation neutral
- You want something forgiving, fairly revealing of source
If you were looking for something still reasonably neutral but to add a slight bit more warmth, stage, smoothness and body while being pretty technical: Nagra Classic DAC, Lampizator Golden Gate II
If you were looking to tilt it pretty dang analytical/dead neutral forward but not sacrifice organicness too much, but going for the most raw precision: Berkeley Alpha Reference 2, Mola Mola Tambaqui
If you were looking to lean heavier into the warmer, smoother, richer, relaxed, and organic range of things without pushing it too far: SW1X DAC IV, Mojo Mystique EVO Pro 21
Crayon CHA-1: Pairs well with the mysphere and the utopia, not the greatest with the susvara or 1266
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Speed and separation, very quick on it’s feet
- Spatial recreation, very open stage overall
- Tonal density, decently rich for how quick and technical it can be
- Timbre, actually pretty good
- Resolution, can provide alot without pushing it in your face
- Texture, great retrieval
- Dynamics, tends to treat micro and macro evenly and both very well
- Liquidity and effortlessness, as described
- Background blackness
This amp will not be for you if:
- You dislike added smoothness, it’s smoothness doesn’t sacrifice much but might need more bite
- You find too much attention on speed undesirable, can sound unusually fast at times
- You want more impact, it has good body but doesn’t really slam
- You want something more forward and extreme clarity focused
If you were looking for something to emphasize it’s strengths: Rockna Wavedream Balanced, Bricasti M1SE
If you were looking to tilt it more toward neutral and really speed focused: Berkeley Alpha Reference 2
If you were looking to lean heavier into the warmer, smoother, richer, relaxed, and organic range of things without pushing it too far: Lampizator Golden Gate II, Weiss DAC 501
Riviera AIC-10: Another one that works equally well with all 4 imo.
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Command and control, it has a very heavy hand over everything without being overwhelming
- Timbre, very very good
- Texture, tons of texture in the bass and midrange
- Sweetness, while colored, adds a really enjoyable sweetness to everything that is hard to dislike
- Stage width, really wide and expansive stage
- Impact, this thing can kick with control lol
- Liquidity, everything just flows really well
- Dynamics, extremely alive in both macro and micro
- Speed and separation, very immersive and accurate here
This amp will not be for you if:
- You place high value in treble extension and clarity, can be a bit lacking air at times
- You like a much more forward and clean sounding amp, is a bit on the relaxed side of things
- You enjoy a less forceful and commanding amp that’s more delicate, this isn’t for you then
- You don’t enjoy a more colored warmer and thicker amp, this is what that does
If you were looking for something to emphasize it’s traits without going overboard: Totaldac d1-single-mk2, Lampizator Golden Gate II, Mojo Mystique EVO Pro 21, SW1X DAC IV, Weiss DAC 501
If you were looking to tilt it more neutral and airy, with more depth and a bit less density: Berkeley Alpha Reference 2
Angstrom Stella Headphone MK2: I think the susvara and mysphere pair very well, the utopia is nice as well and the 1266 is meh
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Liquidity and smoothness, able to pull this off without taking away from anything
- Tonal density, really well balanced
- Clarity and cleanliness, was surprised about how clean this ended up being without sounding analytical or forward, esp in the treble
- Timbre, fantastic here
- Lower level nuance, has loads of it
- Background blackness, really really nice
- Well extended overall
- Texture, super easy to hear and front and center
- Depth, very deep stage
This amp will not be for you if:
- You value extreme grip and hefty bass, it has reasonable bass but doesn’t excel here
- You don’t like a more forward sounding amp, it can get a bit forward
- You want something that is a bit less midrange and treble focused, as that’s where it tends to shine
If you were looking for something still reasonably neutral but to add a slight bit more warmth, stage width, smoothness and body while being pretty technical: Totaldac d1-single-mk2, Lampizator Golden Gate II, SW1X DAC IV, Nagra Classic DAC
Arcturus 316a: Works very well with the mysphere and the utopia, not so much with the planars here.
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Tonal balance, overall very enjoyable signature and balanced while not being super neutral
- Sweetness, has a lot of it without being overwhelming
- Dynamics, very alive in micro and decently in macro
- Timbre, really good
- Texture, it’s texture isn’t in your face but is well presented
- Overall organicness, makes things most sound organic
- Tonal density, on the richer side of things for you
- Wider spatial recreation, fairly open sounding
This amp will not be for you if:
- You value the most resolution out there, it’s pretty resolving but it’s not the focus
- You like something really neutral, it’s balanced but does have noticeable coloration
- You want absolute grip and command, it’s a softer more chill amp in this regard
- You want lots of speed, it’s fast but not that fast
If you were looking for something sweetened but to add a slight bit more warmth, stage width, smoothness and body while being pretty technical: SW1X DAC IV, Rockna Wavedream, Bricasti M1SE, Nagra Classic DAC, Lampizator Golden Gate II
DNA Stratus: Works well with the mysphere mainly, utopia is also pretty nice
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Smoothness, very smooth overall
- Softness, a softer more delicate sound
- Micro focus, really great attention to microdynamics and low level detail
- Timbre, very organic overall
- Spatial recreation, fairly large sounding
- Warmth and tonal density, warmer leaning with pretty high density
This amp will not be for you if:
- You dislike a softer leaning amp, cause that’s what this is
- You want the most extension on either side, doesn’t really have that
- You want a more forward and aggressive sound, this is pretty chill
- You want a more macro focused amp, this tends to hone micro
- You want a more pinpoint accurate amp, not what this goes for
If you were looking for something to enhance what it’s already good at: Rockna Wavedream, SW1X DAC IV, Lampizator Golden Gate II, Mojo Mystique EVO Pro 21
If you wanted to both clean and tighten it up: Berkeley Alpha Reference 2, Mola Mola Tambaqui
Viva Egoista 845: Personally think it works well with all 4, but does favor the susvara and 1266
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Slam and impact, really can hit you hard
- Overall clarity and balance, while still remaining organic
- Very large stage, pretty massive spatial recreation
- Well extended, covers both treble and bass very far
- Lots of command and grip, lots of control exerted
- Macro focus, without sacrificing micro that much
- Fairly effortless, never feels strained
- Lots of texture and low level nuance revealed
This amp will not be for you if:
- You want lots of tonal density, it’s a bit on the more dry side of things
- You don’t want a more forward amp, it isn’t that relaxed
- You want a softer more delicate touch, then this isn’t good for that
- You want a softer and smoother sound, this can get a bit raw
If you were looking for something to play to it’s strengths and lean a bit more organic: Totaldac d1-single-mk2, Mojo Mystique EVO Pro 21, Rockna Wavedream
If you were looking to tilt it more toward clarity and raw precision: Berkeley Alpha Reference 2, BAT REX 3 DAC
If you were looking to chill it out a bit and take a more micro and organic focus: Lampizator Golden Gate II, SW1X DAC IV
Niimbus US4+: Think it works well with all 4, but does favor the planars more imo, specifically the 1266
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Cleanliness and balance, pretty studio neutral
- Tight and controlled, reasonable control and tightness
- Extended without being offensive, treble feels a bit smoothed while being extended
- Equal dynamic focus, doesn’t treat one more than the other
- Tight imaging and wide stage, although lacks depth
- Good impact, can hit reasonably hard
This amp will not be for you if:
- You like something very organic, it’s more clean and neutral with less organic presentation
- You want something with more soul and emotion, kinda lacks that
- You don’t like something a bit more on the dull and safer side of things, plays it a bit too safe
- You want something to really reveal nuance, it can kinda feel a bit flat there
If you were looking for something still reasonably neutral but to add a slight bit more warmth, stage width, smoothness and body while being pretty technical: Aqua La Voce S3, Sonnet Morpheus
If you were looking to tilt it pretty dang analytical/dead neutral forward but not sacrifice organicness too much, but going for the most raw precision: Berkeley Alpha Series 2
If you were looking to lean heavier into the warmer, smoother, richer, relaxed, and organic range of things without pushing it too far: Holo May KTE, Lampizator Amber 3
Pathos InPol Ear: Favors the 1266 more and susvara 2nd
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Good impact and slam, can hit reasonably hard
- Fairly neutral without being inorganic, pretty balanced
- Good depth to stage, accurate placement
- Equal balance between macro and micro
This amp will not be for you if:
- You want a sweeter warmer amp, generally fairly neutral
- You want a bit more delacy and nuance, this is slightly lacking there
- You want a more organic sounding amp, this has something that puts me off, can’t put my finger on what it is
If you were looking for something still reasonably neutral but to add a slight bit more warmth, stage width, smoothness and body while being pretty technical: Mojo Mystique v3, Lampizator Amber 3, SW1X DAC II
If you were looking to add a bit more organicness but keep it fairly clean: Aqua La Voce S3
Aries Cerat Genus: Works very well with the 1266, susvara, and also mysphere actually
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Control and command, it has full control on what’s going on
- Timbre, really organic and accurate
- Texture, very apparent overall
- Spatial recreation, really immersive and accurate stage
- Impact, hits real hard
- Overall dynamics, basically equal focus and both are great
- Speed and separation, pretty damn fast
- Tonal Density, has really good weight without overwhelming
- Overall balance, while warmer leaning it really does still sound pretty natural/neutral
This amp will not be for you if:
- You want something more analytical in signature
- You want a softer and more relaxed amp
If you were looking for something to really emphasize what it does well: Aries Cerat Helene, Totaldac d1-single-mk2, Lampizator Golden Gate II, SW1X DAC IV
Oji Special BDI-DC44B G Tune: Pairs very well with the susvara, mysphere, and also 1266
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Softness and smoothness, only a bit, but it really adds to the experience
- Very technical without putting it in your face
- Very accurate placement, really impressive stage how accurate it is
- Command and control, has it without overdoing it
- Timbre, is very nice
- Pretty black background, very vacant overall
- Microdynamic focus while having macro when it needs it
- Great balance, of listening enjoyment and technical ability
- Tonal density, has good density without causing any issues
This amp will not be for you if:
- You don’t like a smoother amp, it does have that aspect showcased a bit
- You want something more analytical and clean, a bit more neutral smoother relaxed
- You want something a bit more energetic at first listen, more casual and chill
If you were looking for something to play to it’s strengths: Rockna Wavedream Balanced, Lampizator Golden Gate II, Bricasti M1SE, Berkeley Alpha Reference 2
Trafomatic Primavera: For the susvara mainly and 1266 is also very solid
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Sweetness without warmth, really sweetened sound without being overly warm
- Clarity while being organic, very tonally balanced signature here
- Timbre, very rich and accurate here
- Control and grip, can really control and grab while also having a softer touch if needed
- Organic presentation, it’s spatial recreation lends it to placing things very organically
- Great texture, lots of it but not in your face
- A bit more a macro focus but still very solid micro
- Resolving, without forcing it down your throat
This amp will not be for you if:
- You want a more clean and lean signature, this kinda lays it on more
- You dislike a bit more intimate stage, but still accurate
- You want something a bit more fun and relaxed, this isn’t that relaxed
If you were looking for something still reasonably neutral but to add a slight bit more warmth, stage width, smoothness and body while being pretty technical: Lampizator Golden Gate II, Rockna Wavedream Balanced, Nagra Classic DAC
If you were looking to lean heavier into the warmer, smoother, richer, relaxed, and organic range of things without pushing it too far: Totaldac d1-single-mk2, Mojo Mystique EVO Pro 21
Bakoon AMP-13r: Mainly for the susvara but also 1266 too
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Smoothness and liquidity, flows very well and pretty smooth
- Warmer rich signature, really leans toward tonal density, relaxed, warmer signature
- Wide stage, pretty wide spatial recreation
- Timbre pretty good, reasonably nice
- Kinda equal dynamic focus, although might favor micro a bit more
- Good impact and slam, can kick if needed
- Forgiving of poor recordings, makes things more enjoyable in general
This amp will not be for you if:
- You want a cleaner more analytical signature, this does not have that
- You want extreme tightness and control, this is on the looser side of things
- You want something more revealing of the source gear, reasonably transparent but is forgiving
- You want something more forward, this is more on the relaxed side of things
If you wanted to play to it’s strengths more: Lampizator Amber 3, Rockna Wavelight, Sonnet Morpheus
If you were looking for a bit more clarity and neutrality while keeping positive aspects: Aqua La Voce S3, Berkeley Alpha Series 2, XI Sagra
Xi Formula S + Powerman: Mainly for the 1266
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Black background, reasonably vacant background
- Overall control and grip, has a good command on what’s going on
- Tonal density, has a bit of extra meat on the bone without being overdone
- Timbre, pretty solid
- Macrodynamics, does well with larger scale changes
- Technical ability without forwardness, information is there but isn’t in your face but not recessed either
- Overall balance, reasonably balanced sound overall
- Wider soundstage, pretty open sounding
This amp will not be for you if:
- You want something with a more clean, forward, and analytical signature, this is more neutral slightly relaxed slightly warmer
- You want something with a bit more depth in it’s stage, it’s wide but not as deep
- You want something more micro focused and delicate, this isn’t exactly that
If you were looking to tilt it more neutral overall: XI Sagra, Aqua La Voce S3, Sonnet Morpheus, Crane Song Solaris Quantum
If you were looking to lean heavier into the warmer, smoother, richer, relaxed, and organic range of things without pushing it too far: Lampizator Amber 3, Mojo Mystique v3, SW1X DAC II
ECP DSHA L-3F: Basically only for the utopia
Some stand out characteristics of this amp:
- Great clarity factor overall, very clean but still organic pretty neutral overall
- Deep stage, gives great depth and accuracy in placement
- Slight smoothness, that works well with the utopia
- Tonal density, actually reasonably dense without being overdone
- Great speed and separation, pretty fast
- Great microdynamics, really does well here
This amp will not be for you if:
- You want something warmer thicker and wetter, fairly neutral here
- You want something more relaxed or forward, pretty presentation neutral
- You find you want a more macro focus overall, given this is more micro
If you were looking for something still reasonably neutral but to add a slight bit more warmth, stage width, smoothness and body while being pretty technical: Holo Spring 2 KTE, Schiit Yggy A2, Crane Song Solaris Quantum, Sonnet Morpheus,
If you were looking to tilt it pretty dang analytical/dead neutral forward but not sacrifice organicness too much, but going for the most raw precision: Berkeley Alpha Series 2, Aqua La Voce S3, XI Sagra
Ah, forgot to mention some other amps as well, damn it. Will cover these quickly
The modwright ha300: works well with all 4 actually, but does favor the susvara and the mysphere more
Generally a good neutral clean focused amp, with a bit of sweetness, impressive micro focus while having good control, great tonality and pretty nice timbre. Can be slightly softer leaning but not an issue
The luxman p750u: works well with the 1266 and potentially susvara
A very warm, smooth, wide and relaxed amp, generally great tonal density, great smoothness, fairly forgiving, and enjoyable tuning but can be too colored for some and might be a slight bit less technical than I like
The lta mz3: works well with the utopia and mysphere
Great cleanliness while being very organic, very deep stage, very black background, great control, nice tonal density, impressive dynamics
The pass hpa-1: works well with mysphere and utopia
Really nice tonality and overall balance, great timbre, a more neutral organic signature, tonal density very nice, great sweetness, nice impact and control
The cavalli liquid gold (og): works well with the 1266 and susvara, potentially the mysphere depending on what you are after
Generally it’s a more rich leaning amp but still reasonably balanced, pretty smooth with a more macro focus without disappointing in micro that much. Timbre and tonality are pretty great, and it’s fairly dynamically alive, although it’s not the most technical amp for it’s price. Stage is pretty wide although a bit more vague, lots of punch and slam
Going to copy over the shit ranking system from my dac comparison to try and group their performance class without having to compare everything against each other. Anything denoted with a !? means it does preform near holy shit from a technical perspective, but something felt off that forced it lower (aka one smaller nitpick, but could be holy shit depending on the person). Things without an explanation mark had too many problems synergy wise or just weren’t competent enough to reach the next tier. If that makes sense. Things are ranked internally in the categories from my favorite at the tops and leasts at the bottoms, within each category
For Utopia
| Nice Shit |
Oh Shit! |
Holy Shit!!! |
| Pass |
!?Aries Cerat |
Riviera |
| XI Audio |
!?Trafomatic |
Oji Special |
| Cavalli |
!?DNA |
Angstrom |
| Pathos |
Arcturus |
Eddie Current |
| Bakoon |
Modwright |
Woo |
| Luxman |
ECP Audio |
Thomas Mayer |
| Niimbus |
LTA |
Crayon |
|
|
Viva |
|
|
Mass Kobo |
For Mysphere
See article on the Mysphere for more info
For Susvara
| Nice Shit |
Oh Shit! |
Holy Shit!!! |
| Arcturus |
!?Crayon |
Oji Special/ |
| Niimbus |
Modwright |
Aries Cerat |
| Mass Kobo |
Bakoon |
Riviera |
| Eddie Current (eh) |
Cavalli |
Trafomatic |
|
XI Audio |
Woo |
| DNA (don’t) |
Pathos |
Angstrom |
| LTA (don’t) |
Thomas Mayer |
Viva |
| ECP (don’t) |
Luxman |
|
For 1266
| Nice Shit |
Oh Shit! |
Holy Shit!!! |
| Eddie Current |
!?Crayon |
Aries Cerat |
| Pass |
!?Arcturus |
Riviera |
| Thomas Mayer |
Angstrom |
Viva |
| Niimbus |
XI Audio |
Oji Special |
| LTA |
Cavalli |
Woo |
| DNA (don’t) |
Modwright |
Trafomatic |
| ECP (don’t) |
Bakoon |
Mass Kobo |
|
Luxman |
|
|
Pathos |
|
soon soon.