[Button]

I have just bought some akg 702s and was searching around ebay for a headphone amp. There seem to be a lot of cheap chinese amps on there and I was wondering if any of them are any good?
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110932150149?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120930979586?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300717350883?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271182390549?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
would any of these be able to power the akgs 702s to a good level?
 
I am currently using a Earforce DSS which sounds ok and goes loud but I think these headphone can do better.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

One tip - just because it has the K701 in the photo, doesn't mean it's good enough with it. It doesn't have any reviews (that I'm aware of) to confirm how well it was tested with that or any other headphone used in its marketing. To be honest, you might not experience enough of a jump in sound quality with these amps, you might as well save up and get the right amp for a lot more money than screw around and throwing money at several cheap amps, which assuming you can sell them later, still leaves you losing out a bit since you can't sell at the same price (you might end up covering shipping costs too).

 

[TheAnalogman]

I agree with Protege. Maybe save a few more bux and go with Matrix Mstage or a little dot as a minimum. The 702s are well worth it.
 

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Also if it doesn't make much of a difference he might end up back here claiming amps don't do anything.

 

[b3wannabe]

It may seem silly, but I power my K702's with a unit called Samson C-Que 8 four-channel headphone amplifier (costs about a hundred dollars), and I think they sound terrific. Outstanding soundstage, A side benefit is that you can plug four sets of cans in with a single sound source and compare them easily. I did not like the AKG headphones at first, and it took many hours (~150) of breaking them in before they opened up and blossomed. Now they are in my top 2-3 favorite pair. With an amp and break-in, they are terrific. I went on to buy a few other AKG's and its become one of my favorite three brands (with Senns and Beyers). I've tried the K702's on other amps - Asguard, Little Dot Mk III, Burson HA-160, etc., and I'm just happy on the Samson unit. YMMV, FWIW. No affiliation or vested interest or conflict of interest. Just one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.

 

[fabio-fi]

FYI
http://www.head-fi.org/t/607609/k702s-review-with-a-bunch-of-cheapish-amps
 
Also, consider building an Objective amplifier. 

 

[Button]

Thanks for the all of the feedback everyone.
 
I have just bought a Epiphany Acoustics O2 amp off ebay, It's got some nice reviews so hope that it sounds good.

 

[TheAnalogman]

Quote:

Thanks for the all of the feedback everyone.
 
I have just bought a Epiphany Acoustics O2 amp off ebay, It's got some nice reviews so hope that it sounds good.

Cool. I haven't heard them. Let us know what you think.

 

[fabio-fi]

Quote:

Thanks for the all of the feedback everyone.
 
I have just bought a Epiphany Acoustics O2 amp off ebay, It's got some nice reviews so hope that it sounds good.

 
Nice choice, that little amp is a killer. 

 

[Button]

Just got the O2 amp today and I must say that I am impressed. Compared to the DSS the sound is much more separated and clear. At first I though the amp was a little "tinny" but then I realized   that I was listening to muffled sound with the DSS and I only have to turn it up to 25% volume to power the k702s to a good volume.