[tom_painter85]

Hi all

Dug up an old thread, here, because I bought one of these amps a couple of weeks ago and I've been playing about with it at work quite a lot recently (been v.quiet).

First things first, for £30, i'm really impressed. As Eviljohn2 said in his first thread, it is only a CMoy amp, but for a small portable unit, its really very good. I've been using it with a pair of Senn HD600 (thanks StevieDVD!) on a few sources - Video iPod, NAD C320BEE CD player, and NAD T512 DVD player. First things first, this thing _does_ make a difference to driving the cans direct from the output of the iPod - although I was sceptical about some of the differences a lot of people seem to be banging on about, its interesting to hear how adding an amp adds to the SQ. Again, as EJ2 said, the treble seems brighter, bass seems clearer and generally a livelier sound to them. When I demoed the HD600s with StevieDVD late last summer (was it really that long ago?), he explained the Senns need more juice to be driven properly than some other cans. For a 9V powered amp, this thing is good. Down very low the amp seems to be a little lop-sided, but once you're past the first few degrees of the turning knob, that goes to equal vol. on both sides. After that, even at high volumes, its very crisp and clear sounding. Guitars have bite, drums have feel to them, even bass solos sound good

I'm sorry I can't be more technical than this, but I'm not clued-up on cans at all. In short, its bloomin' miles better than the headphone-out socket on on my AV amp. But thats not really a fair compliment

Any requests for more info, please PM me and i'll post back - don't frequent this dark area of the forums very often

ATB

[eviljohn2]

I'm glad it's not just me that likes this piece of kit.

[tom_painter85]

Think it might only be the two of us though...

[reevesy]

nope, i just got one meself.....again on eviljohns reccomendation

totally agree with what you posted,i was also sceptically about the massive difference...must admit i'm no audiophile but i know when something sounds pants,for the money and if you're after a bit more pep i dont think you can knock it (first headphone amp i've got, granted)
loads of clear,precise bass and treble at volume and well built with a nice big chunky volum/switch knob....even included 2 leads, one long,one short and a battery to get you started.
2 gripes though,one about the amp ....the 9V battery is free to move about once its in and needs padding out.the second is bk electronics themeselves...fast service but 8 quid for postage ....the box turned up and i thought i must have ordered a subwoofer by mistake!
they chucked in a catalogue half the size of an argos one which is fair enough i suppose but i did'nt ask for one and found it a bit cheeking to charge to send it as well........
anyhow that little moan aside first impressions are a great little amp for a great price

[eviljohn2]

I didn't realise I was such a powerful advertising tool.

Glad you're happy with yours Reevesy, any chance of a more detailed review with your SP25s?

[reevesy]

Originally Posted by eviljohn2

I didn't realise I was such a powerful advertising tool.

Glad you're happy with yours Reevesy, any chance of a more detailed review with your SP25s?

well i'll try and give it a go when i get time

[reevesy]

well.....been having a play today with my archos gmini 202 and the wifes creative muvo with my senny sp 25s
like i said,i'm no audiophile and certainly no reviewer but i'll try and offer some enlightment......
for specs etc, heres the link again:
http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Amps/headphone.htm
the amp itself is well built,with a nice front brushed alloy finish and a nice chunky, study knurled volume control knob,which also acts as a push switch.
well the link says it all really....would have been nice to have a choice of finishes,black for instance but a minor gripe really.
one thing they dont mention is that the amp comes with a 9V battery and 2 seemingly decent quality screened audio leads,1 50cm and 1 94cm so assuming you've got a player and headphones you're ready to go.
like i mentioned before,the battery compartment could do with some foam padding or something as the battery,once connected is free to rattle about without it.
getting onto performance,the one thing that swung it for me regarding buying the archos,is that it has a very good line out and gives suprisingly good results pugged into my denon reciever.i'm guessing this is why my sp25's have always sounded pretty good plugged straight in the headphone jack.
the one problem i did get though was listeing to some tracks in a more noisey envoirnment (as you do) which is what led me to getting the bk amp and for this reason the amp cant be faulted..loads of volume without losing any detail.
i mentioned earlier i no audiophile but like most people i can tell what sounds crap and what does'nt and the bk falls in the does'nt catagory,as mentioned in the previous posts the difference is not black and white especially as the senny sp's are a bit bassy to start with but on further listening this seems to have a bit more of a punch to it and the whole thing sounds a tadge more lively and clear even when loud (think you ears will give out before the amp!)
the results playing about with the wifes little creative muvo were more of the same but a bit more obvious.again punch and clarity along with great volume.
admittenly this is my first amp but for others considering dipping a toe i cant really see you going wrong for 30 quid (excl the £8 p&p )

[eviljohn2]

Mine's black.

Thanks Reevesy, did you know that the volume control is one of the most expensive components in the whole unit?

Think I might have to think about this to go with my SR80's that are now bedding in nicely.
As my other amp won't be ready till june/July need something else to connect to the freecom when it's up here in the office and not connected to the Sonic T downstairs.