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Good all-rounder SS amp.

post #1 of 9
10/30/05 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all.

I have been doing extensive research lately. I was really on the fence trying to decide on a SS or tube amp. My research has led me to believe that a SS amp would suit my needs/requirements better than a tube amp.

I am looking for suggestions on a good all around Solid State amp.

If it helps at all, I really like purchasing and trying out many different headphones, so a SS amp that would sound good with many different models/makes of headphones would be best. Also, I would really like the amp to have at least 2 headphone outputs (capability to drive two headphones at the same time).

Current Phones I own:
Grado Sr-60
Grado HF-1
Senn HD595
Audio-Technica A900s
Shure E4C
Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro

I enjoy each and everyone of those headphones for varying reasons.


My gear/source:
Lossless->PC->Digital Optical Out->Entech Number Cruncher (DAC).

My muscial tastes:
Metal
Rock
Classic Rock
Punk
Electric Blues

The Headamp GS-1 seems like a good candidate so far, and I really like that this amp has swappable modules for possible future upgardes.

Can anyone suggest other SS amps in the same category as the GS-1 that meet my criteria and would sound great with my gear and musical preferences?

Thanks!
LM
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post #2 of 9
10/30/05 at 4:33pm
A M cubed maybe?
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post #3 of 9
10/30/05 at 4:43pm
Very, very hard to beat the new Corda Aria ($400 incl. shipping) for value IMHO. Yes, it is cheaper but from my experience, it sounds just as good as the Corda HA-2 MKII and the HA-2 MKII is an acclaimed amp that certainly competes evenly with most amps in its price class if you read the various reviews and impressions. Plus, you get an USB Dac on top of that. This is a very good amp but what makes it amazing is the ridiculously low price for an amp of this quality.
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post #4 of 9
10/30/05 at 4:46pm
Did you see Rhydon's black GS-1 in the for sale forum? That thing is almost $100 off the new price and it looks immaculate from the pics. I would buy that if I could afford it.

Edit: That Meier Corda Aria looks great as well. I've tried the Corda Prehead and I liked it a lot. This Aria even has a built-in DAC! It doesn't have dual headphone jacks though.
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post #5 of 9
10/30/05 at 9:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PFKMan23
A M cubed maybe?

Seconded, very versatile amp
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post #6 of 9
10/30/05 at 10:10pm
There's a great 4 input Dynahi-SA over in the Amp Forsale section...

It can handle all of those headphones with easy and grace...
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post #7 of 9
10/31/05 at 12:10am
Grawk and Rhydon both have really nice amps for sale. If you could afford it, The Sloth has an amazing Headroom amp maxxed to the hilt. The Corda Aria is really a great suggestion also, especially given the sale price being offered by Meier Audio. The other that I would strongly consider is the Ray Samuels HR-2. I love the sound of that amp when I heard it briefly at a meet.
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post #8 of 9
10/31/05 at 12:42am
The M^3 has the versatility in that

1) it can sound close to a tube amp if it wants to (smooth, warm, lush, etc)

2) it is still ss and you can make it sound ss if you want to.
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post #9 of 9
10/31/05 at 12:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Teerawit
The M^3 has the versatility in that

1) it can sound close to a tube amp if it wants to (smooth, warm, lush, etc)

2) it is still ss and you can make it sound ss if you want to.

agreed - and you can choose to strike the balance you want also
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