April 03, 2016 5 min read
The Ampsandsound Kenzie Headphone Amplifier is simply an incredible-sounding headphone amp. It offers amazing performance at a fair price, with a lifetime warranty. Read the original Article I had been looking for a replacement for my Oppo HA-1 for quite a while. I had recently upgraded my DAC to a Schiit Gungnir Multibit and was on the hunt for what I thought would be a balanced amp; probably a Schiit Mjolnir 2 or something similar. I wanted to be able to tune my sound with tubes and had grown slightly bored with the down-the-line neutral take that the HA-1 offered. […]
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March 29, 2016 1 min read
Wonderful meeting Frank of Headphone.guru. headphone.guru can jam SoCal show report
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March 29, 2016 1 min read
Pleasure meeting Scot Hull or Part Time Audiophile, can’t wait for his review of the Kenzie. Love at ampsandsound
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March 29, 2016 1 min read
So happy to be mentioned. Hifiplus mentions Kenzie and Mogwai Headphone amps
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March 25, 2016 6 min read
Making Music “Great” Again” – The AmpsandSound Bigger Ben Having grown weary of the boob tube, satellite radio, or any medium discussing our current season of political malcontents, discontent, and boisterous claims of making our Republic “great” again, it was with great anticipation that I took delivery of the AmpsandSound Bigger Ben single-ended tube amplifier. At a time in my life when I need a new tube amplifier like I need another robocall from a presidential candidate, the Bigger Ben seemed like the more intelligent use of my money. Politics 24/7 has worn me out; and those who know me […]
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February 11, 2016 1 min read
Positive-feedback review Kenzie Headphone amp
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February 07, 2016 3 min read
Hi Joe, Good to hear from someone else the owns the Kenzie. I am really loving the Kenzie as well. When I purchased the Metrum Octave MKII NOS Dac, it was recommended to look for a zero feedback amp. That is how I found Ampsandsound, and your review of the Kenzie. I knew this was the amp I wanted to try. I have two pair of Hifiman headphones, the HE-6, hard to drive, and the HE-4, that also likes current. Justin recommended the 600ohm setting for the Hifiman, even though the impedance is 50ohms. I route the DAC through my […]
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February 07, 2016 1 min read
The Amps & Sound Kenzie: A Brilliant new Tube Amplifier! Kenzie Headphone amp review Headphone.Guru’s review of out Kenzie headphone amp, 1st review of the Kenzie.
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January 26, 2016 2 min read
January 25, 2016 2 min read
Review of ampsandsound Stereo 15 Sp. Ed. The Stereo 15 Special Edition (there doesn’t seem to be a regular edition) is a basic two channel stereo power amp, running a pair of EL84 tubes per channel in a push-pull, ultra linear configuration, based on “the famous Hafler circuit with cathode bias allowing for trouble free operation” (quoted from their web site). It also uses one 12AX7 and one 12BH7 (1/2 per channel) and is the first tube rectified amp I’ve ever tried. My review sample was sent with both a 5U4 and a 5AR4, which I swapped out a few […]
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November 30, 2015 1 min read
The 12th Annual Positive Feedback Writers’ Choice Awards for 2015 – The Best of the Best! Super excited by this. Lots of hard work by the many members of ampsandsound made this happen including our customers and friends. Thank you! http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/the-12th-annual-positive-feedback-writers-choice-awards-for-2015-the-best-of-the-best/
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November 29, 2015 1 min read
November 22, 2015 1 min read
I told Steve Lefkowicz about my headphone amp and the new Eliptrac 240s… He wanted to come hear and brought along some friends. Russ, Stratton, Steve Lefkowicz, and Mike Mercer. My 2 close friends join in to aid with setup. Andy Mawhinney, Art Acosta. My wife and daughter were out of town so setting up the whole house to audition was pretty amazing. After comparing my reference pair of Cornscalas to the pair getting ready to be shipped to NYC all agreed that the big boys were better in every respect. (I still love my pair more ). The […]
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November 22, 2015 1 min read
Mike Mercer was kind enough to listen to my Kenzie headphone amp with Mr. Speaker Ether C headphones. I’ve used Audezze LCDs before and loved, but the Ether C took out the room interaction and we so light and comfortable. If you need a reference headphone it might be the one. Mike had the volume 10:30 and the Ether Cs were jaw dropping. Headphones are truly a way to taste reference level sound without the need of big speakers or complex systems. Never had some many good ears listening. They brought and left some great music, fun time by all. […]
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October 31, 2015 1 min read
Project Hulk has helped us rise to a new level of building… by far the most complex speaker we have tried, implementing a new crossover, increased structural demands on the cabinet and utilizing state of the art drives. The result is a sound stage that is hulking… The closest example I could give would be, imaging that you’re in a 100 person theater and in the 10th row… Sound stage and dynamic to scale. Anyone in the LA/OC are can come visit and give a critical listen for the next 12days before the speaker is readied for shipping.
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October 28, 2015 1 min read
Here is the new Kenzie Headphone amp. We’ve been asked to send two units to a good friends retail store to power a headphone station… super excited for the opportunity.
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October 23, 2015 1 min read
Honey I shrunk the Kenzie Same great Single ended sound, imprpved componet layout allowed us to drink the size bay 30%. Yes its smaller than a coke can and can still power Planers. 32ohm and 600ohm tapps. Ive used extensively with LCD-2s and AGK702s.
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October 23, 2015 1 min read
I believe its the 1st time the Eliptrac 240 horn is being used. What we have here is the Crites Cornscala bin (additional bracing and some adjustments to the volume), paired with Kappa 15C. Baffles were done for use by Dave… CNC cutting at it finest. The Bass bins ride on a Base-plate with the caster bolted down. The Base-plate will be bolted to the bottom of the base bin. Will allow for easy movement. Top Hats are Eliptrac 240 2” horn with BMS 4592ND-MID crossed at 300hz with an ALK ES300. The HF is handled by the Dave’s Contrac […]
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September 10, 2015 2 min read
Justin – My main listening / home theater rig starts with audio sources from either ripped flac files on my HTPC, TV programs, or Oppo BDP-105 (modified by Joe Rasmussen). The digital inputs go through the awesome Lampizator Level 4 Dac, then on to the McIntosh C2300 preamp. From there I have a choice of amps: McIntosh MC302, McIntosh MC275, McIntosh MC225 (restored by Yves Beauvais), and most recently, Justin’s beautiful Casablanca mono tube amps. The amps then drive outstanding world class Harbeth M30.1 speakers. Let me just say that if it was a horse race between the 4 amps, […]
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September 10, 2015 1 min read
Super excited to see this. Many years of hard work, we were able to show our amps in their best light. Thank you Ron! https://www.newrecordday.com/amps-sound-casablanca-stereo-15-review/ newrecordday.com review of ampsandsound
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August 20, 2015 1 min read
These were decommissioned and the guts put into some single cabs… I couldnt stand for them to hangout in my garage and so off to my finisher they went. We took the opportunity to recreate them and go about improving our finish work. Additionally we took extra care in the voicing. He really out did himself… came back super pretty. Have some Pyle 2″ that sound great in 3way form and some the Dayton Polymides, Eminence Kappa 15Cs and getting some cornscalawals. Should be pretty cool.
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August 20, 2015 1 min read
I was asked by a customer for a 2way and then he decided to go another route. I can never seem to leave surplus parts alone and went to trying out the new horns. Motor baords are from Bob Crites, Crossovers are ALK. I ran some numbers with Bassbox pro, and decided I could safely shrink the cab and so it go a haircut of ~1.5″. Ryan Moses built the cabs and did the bracing for the back panel. In hind sight we should have sealed the back panel. We installed thread certs which seems to have added some regidity. […]
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June 22, 2015 1 min read
Mark Shields Time for me to rave about the beauty pictured above, the Stereo 15. Gorgeous, rich, full, glowing sound bridging the whole spectrum. I can’t praise it enough. Its dynamics and power completely bely the 15 watt rating. It easily drove my huge room to reference volume levels without any distortion. It’s also somehow the quietest amp I think I’ve ever heard. No background noise at all. If I had to sum up this amp with one statement, I would say it embodies everything that true audio lovers adore about tubes. The sound is just incredibly rich and liquid. […]
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June 14, 2015 1 min read
We had a really wonderful time sharing Room 1311 with Chapman Audio Systems, DH Labs, VPI and Sonic Studios (Amarra). The room sounded incredible, easily one of the giant killers. The feedback we received was 2 fold. From reviewers, they were thoroughly impressed with the performance and in love with our pricing. American sourced and made at a price that was in stark contrast to much of what was shown. There was considerable interest form dealers, but we were asked to raise prices and allow more room for margins. (Small independent Hifi can succeed but will likely be through direct […]
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May 23, 2015 1 min read
Hope everyone can join us for a cebebration of great music and sound.We will be in room 1311, presenting with Chapman Audio Systems, DHL Labs and supported with La Voce DAC, Amara, VPI and Tidal. If you’ve never been you owe it to yourself to give it a try… wonderful experience and great seminars. We would love to see our existing customers and anyone who is curious about ampsandsound.
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April 30, 2015 2 min read
I was asked recently what differentiates Ampsandsound Casablancas from any of the other well-made gear in the $2000-$3000 range. The answer is that there may be few differences, but the differences that do exist are pivotal to our approach to the reproduction of music. Ryan and I, the founders of Ampsandsound, came together through the web site Audiokarma while exploring our mutual interest in the econowave speaker. Upon meeting for the first time, we discovered that we shared amutual love of old tube gear, engendered by the incredible warmth and fullness that those components delivered. We also realized that each of us had experienced the limitations of vintage gear. Many tube amplifiers in the Casablancas’ price range have lower power, or are stereo amps, not […]
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March 18, 2015 1 min read
We are going to T.H.E SHOW Newport. Incredibly excited to be going to our 1st audio show this year in Newport. Bringing the big iron with the Casablanca in use paired with the incredible Chapman T5 floor standers. Come see us if going.
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December 22, 2014 4 min read
I have had the good fortune over the past few months to work with Justin Weber at Ampsandsound and acquire some great audio gear (speakers and amps). Most recently I’ve added a pair of monoblocks that Justin calls “Casablancas” – tube driven (of course), PP, and depending on power tubes selected probably producing close to 60 watts per. I had previously acquired a somewhat modified “Big Ben” SE amp – dubbed “Bigger Ben” by Justin – and was very impressed and enjoying it immensely when he mentioned he was working on some ideas with monoblocks and suggested I come up […]
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September 17, 2014 2 min read
I would just like to post a thanks and a little feedback on a recent acquisition from Justin Weber and Ampsandsound. Not too long ago Justin made up a set of Cornscallas for me utilizing Fastlane Audio and ALK components that were absolute showstoppers, and after seeing the attention to detail and level of quality that Justin commits himself to I began thinking about moving into one of his hand made tube amps. Justin set up a demo with three that he had in hand and we settled on what is a slightly modified Big Ben model (he tagged it […]
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