sr-125 with Hornet?

Hmm, well I don't feel the Hornet is the most cost-effective option for you money, in terms of price/performance or sophistication. You will, of course, encounter differing opinions on that, and I encourage you to seek out as much advice as you can about your purchases with much diligence.

Firstly, I don't think $350 has to be the price of admission in portable land. I think you could do well with MisterX's XP amp or, if you're willing to deal with the wait times, one of Xin's amps such as the Supermini, which is very pocketable. If you go with the XP amp, I'd recommend trying the AD8058 on output with either the 8058 on Ground or AD8397 on Ground. You can talk to MisterX about his recommendations, I imagine, as well, and he'll understand what I'm saying here too. Other options might include the Go-Vibe V5S and the Faith Amp, both of which allow user-configurability along with the Xin amps (changing op-amps and such). If you do want to go for $350, there's also the Supermacro IV which I'd personally prefer due to user-configurability, which I happen to think is a very nice feature to have when moving into that level of cost.

However, if you're planning to spend that much, I think it would be helpful to determine whether you really want a portable amplifier, or if something less portable will suffice, as there may be some nice non-portable options to look at.

If you have time to spare, you may want to wait for a meet to pop up in your vicinity so you can try various equipment, in order to help you make a more well-informed decision

Well, I was actually surprised not to see a barrage of fanfare about the Hornet by now. Recommendations against it don't seem to be taken very kindly here, so I avoided commenting earlier. However, I do try to be helpful, and hopefully have been.

If you're not set on spending $350, I'd suggest looking at the other options mentioned, and maybe looking around to see if you can find other things. Another option would be picking up a Supermini on the used market. I like the Supermini's form factor as it's very slim, which I find makes it extra-pocketable in a comfortable manner, overall. Buying new with Xin seems to require patience, at least as I understand from user comments. It seems he's a one-man operation so lead times are relatively long compared to something like the Hornet.

MisterX's XP amp seems to be based on the PINT with some improvements. It doesn't offer user-configurability, but if you aren't looking for that it might be a good choice then. I listen to a goodly amount of classical and jazz, too, so I think you might like my suggestion on op-amp. If you go with the Supermini instead, you could try either the AD8058 or maybe try the AD8656 if you want something more subdued, and I think it can use the AD8397 as an output buffer but I'm not sure. The Faith Amp also uses an AD8397 as an output buffer. Perhaps combined with the AD8058 doing voltage gain it might be a nice balance, I don't know since I haven't had a chance yet to try that sort of configuration. I may rig up a circuit to test something like that some time.

Are you able to solder at all? You could try a DIY project, too.

Portable amps possibilities by price.

- Go-Vibe 5 for under $100
- Dr. Xin's Supermicro IV, Supermini IV, or Faith for under $200
- Supermacro-LE, Supermacro IV, The Hornet M, SR71 in the $350 to $400

I have also heard good things about the Portaphile V2 maxxed but have never been able to listen to one.

well i'll be getting that MisterX XP amp soon, so i'll post some impressions of it when i burn it in and all that good stuff

Well, I have experience with some of my friends' Grados and some of my amps. kramer5150 liked my LM6172 PINT with his HF-1 and RS-1 if I recall correctly, and based on his comments then I think I have some reason to suspect he'd like the AD8058 even better. MisterX's XP amp is what's available now, as tangent discontinued the PINT boards.

Well I have owned the SR-125, RS-2, and RS-1 (still own), as far as portable amps I have owned the PA2V2, Go-Vibe 5, Practical Devices XM3, Supermacro III Version 6, and The Hornet "M". I have also listened extensively to a Supermicro IV, SR71, Supermini III, Supermini IV, Faith, LaRocco PRII, etc.

So I have heard quite a few combinations, you need to decide on a budget what kind of sound you are looking for, features you have to have, and maximun size of the amp. For example: The Supermicro IV and the LaRocco PRII sound superb, however they are quite different in size/weight plus the Larocco PRII offers a bass contour. Furthermore the LaRocco PRII costs 2.5 times the price of the Supermicro IV.

As a past owner of the SR-125 I say go and get the PA2V2 for $60 including S&H and you are set for quite a while. The PA2V2 will provide the warmth the Grado SR-125 needs and you will be happy.

Yes you are being a prick.

The SR-125 is a nice can but it is insane to consider using amps like the Hornet/SR71/Supermacro etc which cost over 2X the SR125. You are basically waisting your money.

The SR125 lacks the definition afforded by the SR225 and higher (RS2, RS1, etc). It can be shrill if you are not careful and pair it with the incorrect ss amp. Only your ears can tell you which of those amps would sound best. Personally I would rather use the SR71 since it has a mellower presentation than the Hornet. On the other hand if you were to get the Supermini IV with the ST-VW it will afford a tube quality to the sound thus the output of the SR125 will not be as shrill.

Finally use the search function. There are plenty of posts pertaining the SR125.