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I cant take this anymore. Please, someone help me.

post #1 of 27
5/19/05 at 8:00pm
Thread Starter 
I have been desperately trying to find a decent sounding amp for my MSPRO's. I have gone thru the Corda HA1 MKII, Gilmore lite, and Grado RA-1. ALL of them do not present an appropriate sound to my liking..... Actually, the best sound ive herd outa these cans has been my NAD C352 integrated amplifier, and my Juli@ soundcard: The MSPRO's sound PERFECT with those. It seems that thru those sources there is nothing added to the music and nothing taken away, to my ears neutral. I kno some say the RA-1 is neutral but it is not, it takes away a CONSIDERABLE chunk in the midrange, makes the highs grainy, and restricts the soundstage (slightly)- With the Rs-1's im sure it would sound amazing because its taking away all the proper things. But in the MSPRO's its taking away too much.

The Gilmore lite had horrible midrange issues with the MSPRO's, I liked the way one reviewer put it: "too many wild cards". The Corda sounds rounded off, both on the upper and lower end.......

I know people say the NAIM sounds great with the MSPRO's but those are impossible to find used.

If anyone has any input it would be greatly appreciated. Ive lost so much money in this endeavor and i just wanna land it once and for all. Im considering anything under 500$ that is NEUTRAL, no specialness of any kind, no pros no cons, like the output of the juli@; tho i dont kno if this is possible.


Rhydon.
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post #2 of 27
5/19/05 at 8:33pm
My 2 cents, try the SR-71.

Todd
TTVJ – Home of High End Audio Home featuring TTVJ and Apex High Fi Audio products! Providing great products, service, and pricing to our customers
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post #3 of 27
5/19/05 at 8:38pm
Have you ever tried the amps with a cd player? The problem might lie with your soundcard.
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post #4 of 27
5/19/05 at 8:45pm
Thread Starter 
I have tried the amps with a CD player. Actually i have tried them from the CD players analog outs (dennon 2910) and from my DAC (perpetual tech p3a). They sound the same.

I just cant figure out why the phones sound so good from the juli@, so neutral! (juli@ rca to rca/ femail 18th", to grado 1/4" adapter).
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post #5 of 27
5/19/05 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 
What about the CI Audio VHP-1? Anyone herd about it?
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post #6 of 27
5/19/05 at 11:38pm
I'd be tempted to try Todd's recommendation; I haven't spent much time w/ my Grados and my SR-71, but my HR-2 kills w/ them and I can hardly hear any difference between the two amps with my HD650s.
Your description of the Corda as "rolled off" gives me some pause because that wasn't my experience. But then again, I 've heard some people call Ray Samuels amps "rolled off" as well. Neither computes for me but whatever.
I'd try the SR-71 if you can deal w/ batteries, the HR-2 if you can't. HR-2 is $875 new but maybe used?
Both of these amps are, IMO, extremely true to source.
CPW
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post #7 of 27
5/19/05 at 11:50pm
I've heard the MS-Pro, using my Tushi 3960 as a source, with the following combos -

Scott Dixon TubeDAC to modded "Pinkie" Solo - damn that was sweet. And that was with bowls, I wish i had the chance to hear them with flats!

Just the Solo - lost some of that sweetness in the mids.

Crap, there was a SR71 there (mine!) but I didn't get the chance to try it out. Don't give up hope, there are magical combos out there for that can!
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post #8 of 27
5/19/05 at 11:56pm
Thread Starter 
cpw, with the corda, when im saying rolled off, i dont mean the highs being not there, or no detail. Im trying to say its sonic signature is that with less information in the highs, as well as less information in the low end, resulting in a more soothing/ rounded sound. This is exactly how Jan describes his amplifiers. I can see them working great with senn's, but grado's, it just wasnt my cup of tea.

Your suggestion on the Ray Samuels is appreciated. If only i could audition these amps before buying them. That would probably solve all my money issues.

My big concern is i am in a recording environment. I work as a film editor, so i like as little coloration as possible. I want to hear my material with nothing added, and nothing taken away. I think thats where the majority of my problems are coming from. Most of the amps i tried would be great for home listening, but im adding in the whole work factor, and the necessity of a neutral sound.
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post #9 of 27
5/20/05 at 12:09am
You can buy an SR-71 and return it in 7 days if you don't like it and just pay for shipping. The same goes for any of Ray's products.

However, if the sound is perfect with your integrated amp and sound card why not just stick with those. Your wallet will thank you.
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post #10 of 27
5/20/05 at 12:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhydon
My big concern is i am in a recording environment. I work as a film editor, so i like as little coloration as possible. I want to hear my material with nothing added, and nothing taken away. I think thats where the majority of my problems are coming from. Most of the amps i tried would be great for home listening, but im adding in the whole work factor, and the necessity of a neutral sound.
The Grace 901 or 902 are especially designed for the environment you work in but for home listening, I still prefer the HR-2. (Admittedly, I only heard the Grace at a somewhat noisy meet-not ideal or even fair to form a final opinion.) I have heard that the DAC in the Grace isn't the best but then most amps don't have one period. I' haven't heard the Grace's buit-in DAC.
Still, it's really designed as a recording/ mixing tool and as such, should prove fairly neutral relative to other more euphonic amps.
CPW
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post #11 of 27
5/20/05 at 12:30am
I bought my MS-pros (recently sold) about a year ago and immediately went amp hunting for something better than my NAD amp headphone out. It took me some time and quite a few amp auditions and purchases to find something better. NAD made a pretty okay headphone out, but it can be bettered.

The Perreaux SX-H1 was nice but lacked bass impact/depth (bought and returned). Xcans didn't do it for me either. Loved some valve amps I listened to including Kunwar's mad ear and some I auditioned at Snufkins. But, the Talisman T-3H was what I settled on. Very clear upper treble, no background hiss, and sound neutral. True mono class A with separate channels with their own power supplies. No op amps in the signal path. And the first amp able to deliver the bass impact and control that bettered the NAD amp I had.

TonyAAA
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post #12 of 27
5/20/05 at 12:36am
Thread Starter 
TonyTripleA, interesting to find out you also liked the NAD. Do you know anyone that wants to get rid of one?? If not do you know a reputable dealer?


Rhydon.
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post #13 of 27
5/20/05 at 12:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhydon
TonyTripleA, interesting to find out you also liked the NAD. Do you know anyone that wants to get rid of one?? If not do you know a reputable dealer?


Rhydon.
Todd The Vinyl Junkie (sponsor of this forum) is great to deal w/.
I also have an NAD thatr doesn't sound bad. Still the SR-71, HR-2 and Stealth all easily trounce it. For that matter, my Total BitHead spanks it pretty good too. My PPX-3 and a few other DIY portables were all better too.
If it works, so much the better; but it'd surprise me if that really ended up being your final (read ultimate) choice.
CPW
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post #14 of 27
5/20/05 at 1:02am
Thread Starter 
Ok, im gonna look into those. But please understand what i am looking for. I do not want an amp with LOADS-O-BASS, or soundstage so deep you can walk thru it. I just want a neutral way of making the Juli@ or P3a output louder. Thats all.

But im gonna look into your suggestions. im going to talk to Todd and see if he can just send me whatever he thinks will work best and we shall go from there.

That Talisman's expensive! jesus.
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post #15 of 27
5/20/05 at 10:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhydon
im going to talk to Todd and see if he can just send me whatever he thinks will work best and we shall go from there.
Good idea. W/ Todd you can return something if it wasn't what you were hoping for. No way to lose. Good luck.
CPW
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