[iFi audio]

What does this mean? I’m vanilla with these things, are you saying that adding pre-amp to my Bakoon won’t increase the maximum volume output?

This is a bit complex. Regular integrated amplifiers feature attenuation devices (i.e. volume pot) before a power stage with its gain set at one specific position. Bakoon has a resistor matrix that doesn't attenuate signal level, but changes its power stage's gain factor on the fly.

If regular amps have volume pot and power amp with fixed gain, Bakoon has 'only' a power amp with adjustable gain that effectively controlls volume. That circuit is super-short and that's why considered as very transparent. Hope this helps!

 

[stuart1927]

Nice! Two Line One and the Head 2 have a very big difference...The Head 2 drives in preamp mode also through it´s output transformer (hence the 6 Ohm output impedance in RCA out connection), the Line One is drives without a trafo (essentially just like an OTL) with output impedance of 150 Ohms).

Based on my fairly short listening time so far, I prefer my Enleum paired with the Trafomatic pre-amp. On it's own, the Enleum sounds a tiny bit leaner (still very nice) but overall, just a better experience when using the Enleum as a power amp. The added benefit of using the pre-amp is that I can set it up with both of my dacs, Lab 12 dac 1 reference and the Pontus II, as well as run a subwoofer.

 

[iFi audio]

Based on my fairly short listening time so far, I prefer my Enleum paired with the Trafomatic pre-amp. On it's own, the Enleum sounds a tiny bit leaner (still very nice) but overall, just a better experience when using the Enleum as a power amp. The added benefit of using the pre-amp is that I can set it up with both of my dacs, Lab 12 dac 1 reference and the Pontus II, as well as run a subwoofer.

Yeah, it all depends on our needs, taste and audio products we already have. If Enleum sounds on the lean side in your setup, adding a preamp with tubes helps with that I'm sure considering how it sounds like. But the interesting part is that even after adding a preamp before Enleum you still end up with just one conventional volume control and that's very good. Enjoy!

 

[Sebbai]

Bakoon 13r is a match made in heaven for the HE500, Es-R10, HE6, LCD-5, ....ehh basically every headphone I throw at it

 

[Andrewteee]

I tried the AMP-23R with a pair of Harbeth P3ESRs and had the same result. Just did not sound great (thin, light). I have not tried a preamp in this chain. Of course, the Harbths are not what the Enleum was intended for but the owner said he uses them with his AMP-23R

 

[jlbrach]

Bakoon 13r is a match made in heaven for the HE500, Es-R10, HE6, LCD-5, ....ehh basically every headphone I throw at it

yes it is also great with the susvara

 

[Sebbai]

yes it is also great with the susvara

I'm 800 USD short of buying the Susvara.... I'll be back

 

[iFi audio]

I'm 800 USD short of buying the Susvara.... I'll be back

The anticipation of almost being there, right ?

I tried the AMP-23R with a pair of Harbeth P3ESRs and had the same result. Just did not sound great (thin, light).

These are lovely speakers, but more demanding that it might seem. They're rated at 83.5dB, but also their sound is built around midrange, so if I had these I'd match them with a thick- and rich-sounding amp, or a typical British design if you will . Enleum known as quick, open and transparent is the opposite of that. Your result on the hollow side doesn't surprise me to be honest

 

[Andrewteee]

The anticipation of almost being there, right ?



These are lovely speakers, but more demanding that it might seem. They're rated at 83.5dB, but also their sound is built around midrange, so if I had these I'd match them with a thick- and rich-sounding amp, or a typical British design if you will . Enleum known as quick, open and transparent is the opposite of that. Your result on the hollow side doesn't surprise me to be honest

Definitely! I use them with a beefy Luxman integrated amp and that pairing is perfect. I’m so enamored with the Harbeths that a couple of years ago I searched for the right amp for them. Was previously running a 50 watt quick and nimble amp—sounded good but not the right match.

The Enleum was an experiment since I had it in hand for headphones. Stupendous with headphones!

 

[iFi audio]

Definitely! I use them with a beefy Luxman integrated amp and that pairing is perfect.

You're a man of culture I see

Seriously though, Luxmans and P3ESRs are nice combos. May yours serve you well and if you'll ever change your speakers, Enleum might work better for you then. Good stuff!

 

[fiiom11pro]

I haven’t heard the 23R, but had a 13R before, and it’s a no contest vs. CFA3.

no contest meaning CFA3 is better?

 

[Sebbai]

no contest meaning CFA3 is better?

«cult of pass gilmore»

Take every comment made online with a grain of salt, there will always be “a next great” thing. But having 100+ people voting for a summit amplifier like Bakoon/Enleum will never make it a bad sounding equipment. Probably the CFA3 is also a really great unit, but no way there isn’t any contest between the Bakoon/Enleum and the CFA3. That would be impossible.

 

[iFi audio]

Probably the CFA3 is also a really great unit, but no way there isn’t any contest between the Bakoon/Enleum and the CFA3. That would be impossible.

It depends on who you'd ask, I think. Staggering differences to some folks can be reasonbly small to others. Our different reference points and biases towards manufacturers, topologies etc. also factor in. On top of that we also get a bit defensive every now and then

 

[Lutrty]

Definitely, the bass is one thing that surprises the most when I first listen to them. Another thing that impresses me the most is the versatility. My first encounter to this speaker is in an audition in a properly acoustic-treated room, it sounded very good for sure. My listening room is far from ideal from an acoustic perspective. I set it up as an almost near-field set-up with less than 2m from the speakers and it still rocks. A lot more focused, slightly smaller soundstage (but thanks to the accuracy the speakers has, you can still pin-point the instruments, just that the stage appear less wide).

Hi - may I ask you if you still have the Soundkaos? How do they behave a low listening levels? I'm seriously considering these. Thanks!

 

[jlbrach]

«cult of pass gilmore»

Take every comment made online with a grain of salt, there will always be “a next great” thing. But having 100+ people voting for a summit amplifier like Bakoon/Enleum will never make it a bad sounding equipment. Probably the CFA3 is also a really great unit, but no way there isn’t any contest between the Bakoon/Enleum and the CFA3. That would be impossible.

hyperbole rules