Ampsandsound Kenzie OG Review - Not your average tube headphone amplifier

[@mrfrosty3]

Beautiful looking amp. That glow in the tubes is as appealing as a candle flame.

[@metal571]

The only tube amps I own run 6L6s and put out 50 watts 😎

[@spektrograf]

.50 cal? 😎

[@metal571]

Very close! I was looking at those but my first was a DC-5, and now I also have a Single Rectifier rectoverb combo, which is my primary

[@chronometa]

BLOCKS!!

[@sleepyrhythms6668]

This is amazing! Just amazing! Andrew, you are a spectacular reviewer for including all sorts of gear to make videos on. I feel like celebrating every time a video from you comes out on tubes because you're one of the most objective people in the community, but at the same time you're awake embracing the fact that sometimes there are separate worlds of experiences gear can bring. I'd buy you a drink if I could!! If you do a shootout against this amp vs the Elise MK2 I'll get you a good pen and write a 10 page thank you letter. :D

[@rickg8015]

Good review.. It seems loosely based on a DIY Bob Danielak design called The Darling back in the late 90’s. He shared it for free in his old website. It was originally meant to drive very efficient loudspeakers using more conventional output transformers (8 Ohm and/or 16 Ohm taps) A competently/well designed relatively simple single ended triode Class A amp can sound addictive. The quality of every component in the circuit is paramount, especially the output transformers.

[@allansh828]

please review Feliks Euforia

[@vincenthusvh]

Yes please!

[@taronlissimore5613]

Potentially coming soon.

[@disturbed9891]

This. Also would love to see a review of the echo too.

[@yugioh887]

Please do a budget tube amp video

[@HowardSokoloff]

tubes are analogue, its just warmer and natural at the same time. Same way vinyl records are. Back in the day, I had a speaker system, living in a house(now condo life), all tubes, vinyl system...and it was heaven!! Solid state just can't do what a good tube amp does. People just have to try it to understand. Its instant.

[@nizer7147]

Am I the only weirdo that listens to Resolve reviews when I can’t sleep?

[@ItsXev]

Nope! He helps me fall asleep from time to time. I mean that in the most positive way: I love his vids! His voice is just so calming.

[@Nephilim-81]

Beautiful review, Andrew. Such a wonderful job my friend. I love me the tubes. I’ve always found tubes give off such a unique mid-range round. Very full and warm as hell love it. Crank the Black Sabbath buddy!! Worth it. :)

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

Can’t go down the tube amp path without also looking at FeliksAudio amps as well. However, these are super nice too IMO. As an aside, I’m not a fan of the input jack being where it is on this amp. Well done here sir 👍🏻

[@llevine6510]

Nice review! Just curious, can it drive Arya?

[@Sam-ne9ns]

Thanks for the video. How about you just do an A/B sound demo with a regular solid-state amp? Also, I'm worried about the headphone cable comes in contact with that hot tube and gets damaged. Looks like a design issue?

[@devenmajmudar839]

Awesome review. Please review T&A HA 200 headphone amp. Thanks

[@rutwiktechie]

Well I am getting an OTL amp from anode acoustics ( company in India ) to try with my HD6xx that i got recently to complement my sundara , hoping after resolve giving go for tube amps , I am excited 🤩

[@tdg176]

Great review! Did the aryas or the lcd-x lose any slam/impact using this amp compared to using a good solid state?

[@gmoeller18]

Phenomenal review.

[@orthosympa6993]

We need more amps reviews! i'd love to see your take on the topping A90 or the rebel amp. A review of the schiit ragnarok 2 would be super interesting too since it's such a powerful headphone amp (24W in 32 ohm balanced). Hope we can see more tube amps reviews too! Especially in the 500$-1500$ price range.

[@DBSTH0R]

He preferred the rebel amp, A90 was "reference boring" for him. Also encountered the ground loop issue with the A90 (RCA connection).

[@TriAmpHiFi]

I like it. And it's still made in Cali.👍 $2,600 in May of '24. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[@ruusta8042]

Intriguing impressions. It would've been nice to have a more extensive comparison to the Pendant. It seemed to me like you think the Kenzie is a little bit better? Also, please tell me that's a Thekk in the back.

[@mariodrv]

Once you go tube you never go back.

[@rulerofrecords1]

Why on earth are the headphone outs placed at the back of the amp? Just happy that the pendant uses some common sense in this regard. Or am I missing something here??

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

They took that feedback and changed it on the Encore

[@mariodrv]

Because it is the shortest way possible to cable it up, the less cables the better. Similar to Schiit placing the on/off switch on the back - directly at the power suply for not to have aditional cabling to go trough the whole chassis and pick up interference on the way.

[@blaaaaaaaa2017]

I actually prefer the outs on the back coz i get to hide the cables everytime I put em back. Lol

[@EverettSheu]

Love the tube amp reviews! Is there any chance we'll see any content on DIY tube amps like the offerings from Bottlehead? It sounds like you might really enjoy their TOTL output transformer coupled Mainline.

[@special_edition]

Another great review from you Andrew! I would like to know in your opinion which one would suit better for the LCD 4z with its 15ohm impedance, would it be the Kenzie or the ZMF Pendant? Is it true that Kenzie is has better micro detail and the sweeter sounding amp compare to the Pendant, and the Pendant has better soundstage than the Kenzie?

[@CryptoWolf]

I’m waiting on delivery of a Kenzie Ovation and I hope your impressions hold for the bigger brother Ovation. Thank you for the review and your impressions.

[@guy688i]

Hi! I'm considering ordering one of these. Have you had good luck with your Ovation? What are you paring with it?

[@CryptoWolf]

@@guy688i I have had my Kenzie Ovation for about four months now. I enjoy the amp for serious listening sessions, though it is almost too good for background listening while working. 😉 Here is my signal chain: roon-> Pi2AES over SPDIF -> Bifrost2 -> Khozmo Acoustic Passive Preamp -> Kenzie Ovation Headphones are either Beyer DT880 600 ohm, HE-560, or ZMF Autuer. I hope this helps.

[@allan5692]

Is the Kenzie OG better than the Feliks Euforia? Both are same price!..

[@johnhayes8476]

Can Justin do a stream with you? Amazing video by the way!

[@thelastrhino2581]

I normally don't mind odd design, like switches at the back etc., but the way this headphone plug sits is just wildly odd, enough to put me off this design honestly.

[@CryptoWolf]

The Encore and Pendant offer plugs near the front.

[@llevine6510]

You will feel the same way about spending more on amp than headphones when you try some good R2R NOS dac haha

[@x32i77]

I want a review of the raal Sr1a with the HSA-1b unit 🙏🙏🙏

[@vincenthusvh]

Are you guys doing a review on the new Focal MG Pro? Focal says that they changed the driver material and i'm wondering how different/better these perform in comparison to the old models

[@ewso100]

Hi Andrew Could you measure the frequency response and harmonic distortion of a couple of headphones, firstly connected to a high SINAD solid-state like Topping A90, and then powered by the Kenzie. It would be quite interesting to see whether the THD+N of an amp would have any audible impact on the complete audio system, or if it's a drop in the ocean compared to the transducers contribution? Now that you have reviewed an ostensibly neutral tube amp, i would like for you to review a tonally neutral R/2R dac; to find out if there is some sort of sonic sorcery going on as well with that technology. Something like Soekris DAC2541 e.g.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

I did that comparison, not with the A90 but other well measuring amps on SINAD, and that's why I was surprised to see no downstream effects in any metric. But... That's just measuring headphones, and I'm not sure it would even show up there.

[@keiths5931]

Hello. I see you tried the Senn 650s. OTL amps for me (Supra, Woo Audio 2 and 3, and the Crack) transform the 650. 600 too but I actually preferred Output transformer coupled amps like the Cary 300 SEI for that one. Did you try the 660S by chance on this amp and compare it to the 650s or 6xxs? TY.

[@zackpetrovic3029]

You should try the Mogwai

[@leonasj9633]

how compare to xduoo ta-30?

[@GrantKimmerling]

Hey Andrew, after watching the video, I've decided to add one of these to the collection, but would like to hear your thoughts on this with a HD800s. Have you tried that pairing? Thanks.

[@corbinchristensen1555]

Am I wrong to start to think that using the ifi iDSD signature being used as a DAC, this as the Amp, and then the new Focal Clear Mg Pro? Give the clears with their super flat analytical sound some fun with the tubes

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

No because the Clear's FR will change and get quite warm off the 32 ohm out. I don't recommend that pairing - maybe ask for an 8 ohm low z out instead.

[@dariobertagna9817]

Andrew, Will it pair well with D8000 pro out of a Hugo2? What would be your recommendation for this headphone and the Hugo dac?

[@kchuen]

Oh am I seeing a Kennerton/LSA on the shelf?

[@matthewhilty4209]

What Amps and Sound amp pair well with the Utopia and other Focal headphones ?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Kenzie would be great for Utopia.

[@heatontom1]

Thanks a lot for the review! How does it pair with the Utopia and the Aaya?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Just fine

[@Fiend404]

How does this compare to the schiit lyr 3? Looking to upgrade to this but not sure

[@RamaP94]

Looking at the actual components, I can't believe this thing costs near $2000

[@vincenthusvh]

What strap is that on your Verite?

[@arthurhaywood2184]

I think that I'd get a Decware before ever considering this.

[@djhmax09]

Hey hey hey! I like your video! 😁

[@codgerfiasco]

I sometimes think that audiofiles might benefit from this kind of tube loading device (whitestone audio p331) used by mastering engineers. It would kind of be like EQ in the sense you actually get to dial in the amount and type you want. I don't know much about this stuff so may be completely off the mark. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZouciZSNopZ6m9U

[@leifang1680]

Does it have enough power to drive hifiman he6?

[@jonberg469]

It does. I own an amp from amp and sounds. All of there headphone amps are very powerful. Some of them can even power speakers.

[@jonberg469]

If you want something cheaper that has gobs of power get a schiit lyr 3. I own that too and love it.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

I actually don't think this specific unit is suitable for the HE6. That thing takes crazy power. One of the other models would likely be more appropriate.

[@bitterbuffalo8997]

Oh lawd, Resolve getitng into amp reviews. RIP my wallet.

[@nicktan4530]

I love subjective review !

[@josealessandri3108]

I had the Mogwai SE ($3,000) and I was not impressed at all.These Amps cannot be returned for any reason so try to hear them before you buy.

[@keiths5931]

elaborate please. Dont gaslight.

[@DBSTH0R]

You're not helping my wallet, I'll tell you that. :D I guess somewhere along the line I will have to go down that rabbit hole... With the subjective disclaimers, you somehow managed to stay objective lol.

[@mariodrv]

First?

[@mariodrv]

Hell yeah! :D

[@fclp67]

why would anyone buy a 2000$ tube amp, start reviewing things people will actually buy

[@E99584]

He reviews stuff people buy. Don't be mad about being broke