Headphone amplifier CREEK OBH-21 SE
Amplifier for headphones CREEK available in two versions: a OBH-21 and OBH-21 SE. Visible differences boil down to different power supplies: in a simple version of a stabilized source with a capacity of 3 W, the "SE" - stabilized at 12 W, as well as from different terminals - they have gold-plated SE. Changes in internal consist, according to the documentation, in the lack of SE version feedthrough capacitors and, consequently, the presence of a DC servo drive in another volume control, as well as other operational amplifiers: at OBH-21 is a cheap NE5532, at OBH-21 SE - more interesting sonically LM7171. we - the second option.
The device is designed for parallel connection of two pairs of headphones, and if they are the same, operate synchronously, but one instance of the headphone outputs behave differently, and the user manual recommends that you determine the optimal connector yourself. According to my observations, the left is more suitable for high-resistance patterns, right - for low resistance. However, as they say, are possible options.
If I were asked to describe in one word sound "handwriting" of the amplifier, then I would choose "expressive". I note here that not every member of the review can be described as succinctly - many personality is not expressed so clearly and definitely. In most expressive device appears on hard rock and symphonic music. However, the CD "Tutti!" Noticed that the amplifier smoothes dynamic contrasts, a little "pulling" the quiet moments to loud and long plans in a scene - for others. By the way, the headphones it can even reduce fatigue. And in any case, this is compensated by the amazing feeling of joy, caused by, for example, the "Dance of the buffoons" by Rimsky-Korsakov (the first track on the disc "Tutti!"). The device is easy to "digest" the most severe gashes Def Leppard - I think it's great merit powerful regulated power supply unit.
Attention to the smallest detail is somewhat reduced, and it can also be considered as an advantage because it allows you to focus on the essentials.
Low impedance headphones sound a little tougher than high-resistance - even at their given output. However, it seems to me, the property themselves AKG K271, rather than the amp. To say more specifically I can not, because the same sounding headphones with different impedance does not exist.
