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...I am now hearing a more refined sound that reminds me of my mature Hornet, but is even more impressive...
I think that's a very apt description, as it was also what went through my head a number of times after listening to the Pred fully burned in.
It's got that underlying punch and drive, particularly in the bass, that first impressed me with the Hornet M. And the extra impressiveness of the Predator, to me at least, is in the even more transparent and tonally accurate rendition of the overall sound (deeper soundstage as well, due in part to improved micro detail over the Hornet M).
Yeah, I read that, thank you. The essence of that thread is that it's the same amp with a gain switch. I was wondering if there is further information that would turn my head as indicated above.
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imac | north star m192 mkii | 007tII | 007 mk2 • lambda signature • lambda pro
Yeah, I read that, thank you. The essence of that thread is that it's the same amp with a gain switch. I was wondering if there is further information that would turn my head as indicated above.
Well I thought the latest info gave it a bit more excitement and changed the "it's the same amp" nature of the thread...
Originally Posted by jamato8
I have found out that the new SR-71a is going to have vicious voltage swing of 16 volts a gain of 11, and an output of 250ma's. This would seem to be approaching home amp land in a portable. I am excited anticipating the sound that this may be very well capable of. I wonder what else will be coming down the pike? It just gets better and better.
It's got that underlying punch and drive, particularly in the bass, that first impressed me with the Hornet M. And the extra impressiveness of the Predator, to me at least, is in the even more transparent and tonally accurate rendition of the overall sound (deeper soundstage as well, due in part to improved micro detail over the Hornet M).
Yes, I think it's the detail and distinct separation of the instruments that is impressing me the most over the Hornet. I am not very good at describing these things in audio terms, but in my mind what I feel is that the sound went from having a rough edge at 200 hours to a very polished one at 500 hours - like I was comparing a sawed edge of a piece of lumber to the polished edge of a granite countertop. Every note is clear and precise, and the vocals are forward and clean. And the bass... oh boy!!
I am not yet seeing the soundstage as a big difference over the Hornet, although it is quite good, so maybe that is yet to come as I get closer to the 1000 hours. I may also be influenced by my choice of music recently, so I will try to find something else to examine this element more closely.
I must confess to listening a lot to NiN's Downward Spiral lately, which may not be the best choice for evaluating soundstage. But it sure is demanding when it comes to separation and clarity. A bad system can make it sound irritating with the instruments collapsing together in a heap of noise, while a good system can leave your mouth hanging open from a blast of what the uninitiated might call "distortion" but I choose to call "creative use of synthetic tone". And the bass... oh boy!!! The snap of the bass drum pedal, the elongated bass guitar note, the rumble of a deep organ... all awesome.
The punch and drive is also important to me, so I don't think I would enjoy this amp as much if it were more detailed but more laid back (as many have described hearing from the Pico). Again, I like NiN and Rush and Black Sabbath, but no classical. I like Mahavishnu Orchestra better than Miles Davis, even though I have both. Did I mention I have no classical music at all? So take my opinion on this point with a grain of salt if your tastes are different. But not the rest of my comments, I see those being valid with any music.
This amp has excellent synergy with my iPod line out (via ALO Cryo Dock) and my two primary phones (HD600 & UM2). I find both of these phones to be a bit dark and the iPod needs some punch and bass boosting. The amp pushes through the veil of the phones and wakes up the neutrality of the iPod, while the phones pick up the accurate bass and push it to the correct balance for my taste.
This time last year, my primary portable rig was iPod 5G, Hornet, and UE sf5pros. I upgraded each piece in the past few months and I am really happy with the result. In summary...
I love my stuff!!! I guess I'm just a happy guy today. Thank you for being here to share this joy with me.
__________________ Team OAF
Sources: iTunes with Apple Lossless (via USB) / Sony SCD-CE595 SACD/CD changer (via optical) --> Home Setup: MHDT Paradisea+ DAC --> Yamaha A-1000 Class A integrated amp --> Sennheiser HD600 Portable Rig: iPod Touch 32GB w/AAC 256VBR --> ALO Cryo Dock --> RSA Predator --> Westone UM2
Orcin,
i'm ok with your analyse.
I own an Hornet (non M) and an Predator.
I have test the Hornet with new cables from ALO (x cryo ylver jumbo).
Conclusion, it's improve detail and dynamique of the Hornet and give it a real chance to comp with the Predator.
For the instance, myt Predator have 700 hours and i can't say witch one is better than the other.
I just can say than the Hornet have great synergie with sylver cables and the Predator doesn't need it to have this hight level of sound quality.
__________________ The best is yet to come !
RWA Imod-ALO Vcaps and cables (jumbo cryo) -RSA Hornet - Grado GS 1000.
Predator in burning process...
waiting for ALO X cryo silver cables.
All burn'in with my greats Burn'in plugs.
Is the Predator capable of driving the Denon AH-D2000 to a good level using both its DAC and amp.
If anyone has any experience of this combo I welcome your thoughts.
I am listening to the Predator driving my Denon 2k's right now using my "test track" and I am shocked. This is good. No problem at all (I have the gain set to Hi). Gonna try some bass intensive stuff and report back, BTW I just got the Predator out of the car, where it has been for a week with a dead battery and am charging now while listening.
I have only had the Denon's since last Friday, and have only used the Rega Ear supermodded, which I also recieved Friday.
This is the first time listening to Denon's with the Predator.
Scott
EDIT: forgot to mention this is with Predator's DAC, from iTunes on a laptop.
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0404usb►24V Aikido (4x 6GM8)►Denon2k or ATH-F5005
Projects: Dynahi Feedback:digger945
I was getting some static when moving the plug for the headphones so I cleaned the plug with alcohol and the socket a number of times. This eliminated the static, which was a slightly poor connection and at the same time improved the detail, since I have a better connection. This is always a good idea as oxides can and do form, which is why gold is so often used as a plating but it still occurs and the practice of cleaning contacts such as this is always a good idea. (I remind myself)
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John aka Jam and Jama Photo gallery at:www.pbase.com/jamato8
The one constant in life is change, so will that change?
Feel with your own heart, see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears. Sand is sand no matter where it is found. Listening to: The Greatful Dead, The Closing of Winterland 1978, Fillmore West 1969, Lucinda Williams Favorite headphone: Ultrasone Ed. 9 #1010 Listening to: Predator- an exceptional portable, Woo 6 Modified-pseudo dual PS, iBasso D2 Boa, the new Xin Reference Portable amp ratings: *1. a. Xin Reference 12,000uf, b. RSA Predator*2. iBasso P2 *2. Micro IV*3. Mini IV *3. SR71 *4. D1 iBasso upgraded amp *5. iBasso P1 (upgraded opamps) *6. C & C Box (good decay, tilted up high frequency, slightly synthetic) *8 iBasso T1 *9. iBasso T2*10. XTRA X-1 (warm not neutral, very musical) *11. LD M+ These amps are enjoyable to listen to and present a slightly different interpretation of the musical signal. Portable monitor ratings: *1. PortaPros, KSC35 (modified-a great value) *2. Amadana P-117 bamboo *3. UM2 (respond to top quality amplification but I don't enjoy their sound) *4. OVC 8+ Source: iRiver H130,140, D303 optical out, D-EJ955, D-EJ1000, D-EJ2000, 25s, 25, D-303, D-777 and others (optical out if available) Digital Conversion: Altoid tin Monica Dac I, Altoid tin Monica II Asynchronous Reclocking Dac. Headphone Amplifiers: iBasso D1, IV Micro, IV Mini, Xin Reference, SM3B, SuperMacro V LE, SM3 V6 Xin (IV all switches), XRTA X-1, LD Micro +, LD Micro Tube, C&C Box, iBasso P1, P2, D1, D2, Woo 3 Modified-Siemens 6922 driver, 7236 power tube, Woo 6 Modified Pseudo dual PS - Headphones: Ultra Ed. 9, HD650, Ultrasone 750, HFI780, PortaPro modified, KSC35, Equation RP-21, Westone UM2
And the bass... oh boy!!! The snap of the bass drum pedal, the elongated bass guitar note, the rumble of a deep organ... all awesome.
Linear Mode
