Also Im wondering how does the archel 2pro compare to the 2.5pro.
The 2 is super clean it just puts out less power. It plays fantastic on headphones that don’t need a ton of power. It will push headphones like the HE4xx etc, but you really want more power. That is where the 2.5 comes in.
Also the 2 doesn’t have balanced inputs.
Here is my review of the 2 https://tlrtechnology.com/2019/12/07/geshelli-archel-2-pro-headphone-amp-hero/
my review of the 2.5 https://tlrtechnology.com/2020/01/22/shut-up-and-take-my-money-geshelli-archel-2-5-pro-review/
I also have the 888 THX I haven’t reviewed it or the RNHP yet
As far as the THX vs the 2.5. The 2.5 with balanced in is a richer sound than the THX.
The THX has more power but adds this sparkle to everything. Its like taking a picture and upping the sharpness on everyone no matter if it needs it or not. That’s not to say its bad, some headphones could use the extra sparkle.
If you have the cash the ENOG2 and RNHP is a much cleaner, nicer, true to life sound. As long as you’re not trying to push hard to drive headphones
How would end game headphones perform on this setup like meze empyreans
If your going to spend $4K on a headphone, I’d spend a bit more on the amp and DAC.
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Epic cant remember if you own the Aiva, if you do just a quick one as I know you own the LS as well. Do you go high gain low volume or low gain high volume if that makes sence. If this is not applicable to you sorry. Lol
Sorry I don’t own those. This is probably a better question for @M0N.
I don’t know if this will help but the hardest headphones that I have DT880 600 Ohm and 4XX can both be played at low gain maybe 1-2 o’clock ish…
Goin to high gain can add a bit more thump, but it’s personal preference. Not because it needs to be high gain.
In general though in try not to run any amp with the volume knob more than 75-80% that’s where you start getting distortion and noise. That’s when I swap to higher gain and lower the volume knob.
Also FWIW in find amps around 1watt make you do the high gain, low gain dance. I find that when I go back to use them with one of the harder to drive headphones that I bounce back and forth adjusting volume and gain trying to get it just right.
The LS doesn’t have that issue. It’s over 2 warltts.
How would you compare archel to the rnhp?
I mean I would personally rate the 2.5 as being more accurate and neutral than the thx
If you want to use whatever you get with the mezes, I think you would want to up your budget here. They actually can run no problem off of a 2.5 pro, but you won’t be getting the most out of them. I think you would easily want to consider the 1k+ range for a dac and amp to get the most out of it
He said that first he wants to start small with the hifiman sundara then go upgrade through out the years. He just doesn’t want to spend the money on other things, so he wants to use a great stack before it needs a really serious upgrade. So like a not deal with it kinda thing.
Btw there is an 1200 headphone amp from rnhp on headphones.com I think. if you tried that amp is there a bog difference between the 600 dollar version or the 1200 dollar version.
It’s not really different nor worthwhile to consider, just go for the regular rnhp
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Hello,
I have the Vali 2 and Loki in use with the Cambridge Audio Dac Magic 100.
And it works Great after the Tube Rolling from the Vali 2.
Good Tube i found is the Electro Harmonix 6922 Gold, or the Tad Tube are nice too. But can be it different what is the Headphone do in his signature. When have for example many Bass on the signature, the Tad or 6922 can be it two much.
So you need one who gives not to much bass,but the Middel and highs more love.
So you have a Good Balancing from all.
And this setup is not really expensiv.Save the money for good Rca cabel.
And the Rest go eating a Burger or Tube or something else 
.
They are the same amp. Someone on another forum talked to the guys from Rupert Neve and they admitted when volume matched you’d be hard pressed to hear a difference.
The next thing is the specs are exactly the same. Someone said the $1,200 version has larger capacitors, however Rupert Neve upgraded capacitors throughout the run on the RNHP.
One is a professional looking device $500 the other is suppose to be fancy furniture and cost $1200. I prefer the RNHP
Hmm,
I have tried the Magni 3 Vali 2 and Beresford caplla.
And all the tree have different sound Signature.
The Magni 3 very clean with good Soundstage.
The Vali 2 warmer, goes depper, have more volume as the Magni 3.
And the Capella is warm,calmer,more naturally as the Schiit‘s and not so plastic.
After this conclusion can say the Amp‘s have different Soundsignature.
So is your choise what you like for my opinon.
When the Rupert is suffisant for you okay.
For other people is a Magni or Vali 2 suffisant enough.
Must be try too here the difference.
For 1000$ you can buy the Rme Adi 2 directly so you have an Eq,good Dac and Amp all in one.
And when you like it you keep it over years automaticly.
I live in Manhattan so I hope I can try the amps at CanJam
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