High end head amp for Meze Elite help please

[mikechadwick]

X26Pro is a delta/sigma dac which - all other aspects of the device being equal - is the technically superior method of conversion.

R2R dacs tend to sound softer, less accurate, even though I think the R26Pro has a decent analogue stage. Also I haven't seen any information that leads me to believe it corrects for the low level linearity issues that discrete ladders suffer from (accuracy of the resistors for is a massive challenge for correct conversion of small signals).

I know many people will disagree with the brief dismissal of R2R

I have to agree with @MarkW regarding the R26 - I was quite underwhelmed when I had one. Intrigued by the X26 now - will investigate further.

 

[Ricco275]

With much less technical knowledge than you and vocabulary, I had that feeling about the R2R and that many users will to back to the accuracy that a dac is supposed to give. And I have a great LP12 for proper analogue presentation.

I have read a bit between the X26pro and the A26 and beside the Ethernet port (important) I didn’t understand other relevant differences.
Aesthetically wise I like much more the clean lines of the X26pro.
Would you consider the X26pro still a good choice having the A26 now available?

 

[MarkW]

Yes - I'd still buy the X26Pro (or even the X18 which is the slightly cut-down version for about the half the price) over the A26. I have no use for the built in streamer of the A26 and I think it may be some time before people optimise the design using the new AKM chips in the A26.

A26 is also a fair bit bigger I think, which may appeal to some.

If you need a streamer, maybe the A26 is the better choice, but you can buy perfectly good streamers for not too much money (a Raspberry Pi and a 5volt power supply will do the job very nicely).

 

[Ricco275]

You think I won’t lose in sound quality with the ext raspberry pi 4? Also I have read the Ethernet connection is a massive sound quality improvement but not sure so true.

 

[MarkW]

Streamers and networking can be as much a pain as USB or any other interface option. There's plenty of people who fret about noise or (non-existent ) clocking issues on ethernet

A RPi with Ropiee or Volume, or Squeezelite (or HQPlayer NAA) works very well indeed. Some quite expensive streamers (and the OKtoDac with the streaming module, as I recall) are built around variants of the Raspberry board. Just buy a current version of the RPi (early ones had issues because they shared network and USB on the same bus so you could get drop outs, but that's completely sorted now).

 

[heihei]

I found the Meze worked very well with LTA MZ3 (I might be tempted to part with mine if interested). Also v good with Ayon. If you can find one, Cavalli Liquid Gold is an exceptional amp. I found Meze to be a rich and smooth headphone, so would go for an amp that complements this rather than doubles down on it, which is why the LTA worked so well I think.

 

[davidbowdler]

I think I’ll go for the Ferrum combo and most likely return or sell my Okto Dac8 (I’d like to help who’s been on waiting list for long) and get a Merason Frerot with ext linear power supply or a second hand Merason dac1. Call me suspicious old fashioned but I don’t trust too much the hyped Gustard R26.

I really enjoyed the Ferrum stack with my Meze Elite. Highly recommended for the price, especially secondhand. David

 

[Wenger]

Hi all,
I have been reading pfm for long time as LP12 owner but first time posting.

I’d truly appreciate an advice for an head amp well pairing with Meze Elite.

I own a Pass Labs HPA1 which being only SE can’t connect to my new Okto dac8.

Here a list of amps seem to have good specs and wondering which could work best with the Elite:

Mass Kobo 433
Violectric V281
GSX mini
Trilogy 931/933
Luxman p750u
Auralic Taurus mk II
Bryston BHA1

I know the Benchmark HP4 is good but aesthetically doesn’t meet my taste.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge.

Chord TT2

 

[Ricco275]

Thank you. I have just received the Ferrum stack today and very happy with it.
Beside the Elite now I have also the HE1000v2 which I actually like much more than the Elite and it’s still a good match with the Ferrum, even though I thought it would’ve been easier to drive with the Ferrum. The Ferrum combo with xlr it’s a dream.

 

[LPSpinner]

Hi all
The Mezes are actually pretty easy to drive, at 32 Ohm and 101db mW you can happily drive them directly from a phone or DAP. You don't need a whole lot of power and the efficiency means you won't need many volts to go loud. The only caveat I would state is avoid OTL tube designs as these will only work well into higher impedance phone's generally above 300 Ohms. If you do want to give tubes a go make sure your choice is a transformer coupled output and designed to drive down to 32 Ohms.
Generally speaking; any of the solid-state offerings will be fine and the choice will probably come down to features rather than ability to drive difficult loads.

LPSpinner.

 

[Ricco275]

Eventually I’m selling the Elite. The HE1000v2 is more my thing. Just need to find the right cable to improve the bass.