Experiences with Kaiju as a pure headphone amp?

[johnsonad]

Contact DocB or PB.  They have the most time with this amp. There were only two built so you would have a very exclusive build. It looks better in person, the photos don't do it justice.

[znerken]

Contact DocB or PB.  They have the most time with this amp. There were only two built so you would have a very exclusive build. It looks better in person, the photos don't do it justice.

Currently considering either a Kaiju integrated or a custom Neo built by PB. I am really unsure what to choose, as it seems like people are a little sceptical of both with something like HD800s, since it is overkill. I thought overkill in hifi was positive? Not an easy choice to make and not a lot of people can chime in what the difference will be from Mainline.

[Doc B.]

If you just want something that makes the HD800 sound a little different than it does with the Mainline you could consider the Crackatwoa. If you just want something with big tubes as you have suggested to me before, a Kaiju will sound more different from a Mainline than the Neothoriator will. Kaiju will be a little more bass/lower midrange-rich (as will the Crackatwoa), Neo a little more neutral like the Mainline.

[znerken]

If you just want something that makes the HD800 sound a little different than it does with the Mainline you could consider the Crackatwoa. If you just want something with big tubes as you have suggested to me before, a Kaiju will sound more different from a Mainline than the Neothoriator will. Kaiju will be a little more bass/lower midrange-rich (as will the Crackatwoa), Neo a little more neutral like the Mainline.

Hey Doc! Thanks for the reply. The netural Neo sounds pretty awesome. I like that about Mainline. Will the Neo also be too overkill for the HD800s? I really want an amp that isn't headphone dependent. You never know what headphones you end up with. Would you say the Kaiju is a little more engaging/fun to listen to, or would you prefer the Neo? In an ideal situation I would come and do a test myself, but that's a loooong trip.

[Doc B.]

If you are just talking about headphone use the Neo would be my choice, as that is the intended use. I like it with pretty much any headphone I put on it. And it will definitely let you hear the differences in cans. See my post about listening to some Hedd headphones on the Neo yesterday.