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crod242 t1_iujz4wo wrote

Reply to comment by audioen in When you bought an audiophile headphone for the first time but it doesn't sound that good by GLikesSteak

Then what explains the difference most people report between solid state and OTL amps with the HD 600?

I'm sure some of it can be attributed to placebo and justifying the investment in expensive gear, of course. But enough people who otherwise know what they're talking about seem to be convinced, so it's hard to dismiss entirely. I'm not saying you have to spend thousands, but there must be at least some differences between solid state and tube amps.

Are you saying that in this particular case, the sound from the 600 at equal volume would be completely indistinguishable when plugged into either a JDS Atom or something like a Bottlehead Crack?

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eckru t1_iuk24d2 wrote

>Then what explains the difference most people report between solid state and OTL amps with the HD 600?

Output impedance.

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crod242 t1_iuk3avm wrote

What specific effect does that have on sound quality at similar volume levels? How does that account for warmth, clarity, and other characteristics that people frequently associate with different amp types?

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