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Shanling headphone amplifier PH3000 - Page 2

post #16 of 56
10/22/07 at 4:38am
Here is an interesting question:
We all know that Meier audio has his amps made by Shanling. Shanling by the way is more in manufacturing then in producing their own audio equipment.
How does the Shanling headphone amps sound vs. the Meier amps?
Do they share a certain build-up?
I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just curious. My SACD player and my home amp are both Shanling products and I'm very happy with them.
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post #17 of 56
10/22/07 at 4:53am
Wow, interesting development. Although I can't say I like the new Antique Sound Lab-esq look, I have fairly high hopes for its sonic capabilities as a new Chinese head amp contender.
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post #18 of 56
10/22/07 at 10:37am
The matching CD player PCD300A is mentioned here in the source thread. The CD itself does come with a headphone amp which is not bad at all.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...light=Shanling

F. Lo
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post #19 of 56
10/22/07 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dr.morton View Post
Here is an interesting question:
We all know that Meier audio has his amps made by Shanling. Shanling by the way is more in manufacturing then in producing their own audio equipment.
How does the Shanling headphone amps sound vs. the Meier amps?
Do they share a certain build-up?
I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just curious. My SACD player and my home amp are both Shanling products and I'm very happy with them.
Shanling produces some of the best buy CD/SACD players in the market. Good looking gears too. They have been the global factory for a long time before they decide to market their own brands.

There was a review of the PH300 (headphone amp) and PCD300A (CD player + headphone amp) in a local audiophile magazine "Audio Technique" in April and the review was very positive.

Both PH300 and PCD300A use TPA6120 opamps in the headphone amp, with a current feedback circuit with THD+N of 0.00014%. Volume pot of the PH300 is Alps 27.

The pre-amp circuit of PH300 employs a SRPP (Shunt Regulated Push-Pull) circuit using 2 x 6N16B tubes.

F. Lo
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post #20 of 56
10/22/07 at 5:47pm
I got to demo the PH3000 at my local audio store and ABed it with a Creek OBH-21SE, which I already own (purchased from that same store). My initial impressions were that it's a fun-sounding amp, but not as accurate as the Creek. Seems to add a little bit of a tube sound, but the salesman said it wasn't a very tubey sound (I don't own any tube amps).

Overall quality seemed similar to the Creek. Obviously the Shanling has a giant footprint, whereas the Creek has a very small one. I like the fact that the PH3000 has two sets of RCA inputs with the input selector switch in the front, a feature that is missing from the Creek.
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post #21 of 56
10/22/07 at 6:12pm
Is there an actually picture of this thing available somewhere?
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post #22 of 56
10/22/07 at 7:25pm
There is a pic on Moon Audio's website. I bought one of these from Drew about 3 weeks ago. So far, i really like it. But that's coming from a total newbie, so it doesn't mean much; I don't have a reference to compare it to. I'm using it with Grado SR325i's, with RS-2's on the way.
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post #23 of 56
10/22/07 at 11:28pm

I though Shanling made a lot of tube gear, too

Their tube gear is out there, too.
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post #24 of 56
10/23/07 at 5:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cardude View Post
There is a pic on Moon Audio's website. I bought one of these from Drew about 3 weeks ago. So far, i really like it. But that's coming from a total newbie, so it doesn't mean much; I don't have a reference to compare it to. I'm using it with Grado SR325i's, with RS-2's on the way.
When I auditioned the PH3000 I tried out SR225, SR325i, and Goldring DR150. SR325i was the most pleasurable to my ears, SR225 not far behind and definitely the bargain buy of the bunch, and the DR150 didn't seem to even compete. So my first impression is that you have done very well for yourself in choosing the 325i with your Shanling amp.

Can you describe the sound signature of your 325i + PH3000 setup in more detail? I mean, obviously I have heard it, but I would like to know how you think it compares to other setups you've heard, particularly tube setups.
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post #25 of 56
10/23/07 at 5:34am
Also I noticed a lot of people commenting on the appearance of the PH3000. To me, the amp doesn't particularly stand out in appearance, so I would not be too impressed by the photos. Rather, it looks like a well-construted box, with a very plain matte black finish. The volume knob looks slightly unconventional but definitely not flashy.
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post #26 of 56
10/23/07 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ounkchicago View Post
Can you describe the sound signature of your 325i + PH3000 setup in more detail? I mean, obviously I have heard it, but I would like to know how you think it compares to other setups you've heard, particularly tube setups.
This is the only amp I've ever heard, so I can't compare it to anything. I went strictly on Drew's recommendation. So far I am really enjoying the combination of the 325i's and this amp. But it could just be the "ignorance is bliss" factor!

I'm hoping to make it to the Atlanta area meet next month, then I will have a reference point to compare.

For the time being, I'm really enjoying this new hobby. My wallet isn't though!!!
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post #27 of 56
10/23/07 at 4:54pm
cardude, what source are you using with your PH3000/325i?
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post #28 of 56
10/23/07 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ounkchicago View Post
cardude, what source are you using with your PH3000/325i?
I'm using an iMod with lossless files.
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post #29 of 56
10/23/07 at 5:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cardude View Post
I'm using an iMod with lossless files.
Killer setup.

I don't like the way the SR-225 sound with the Creek OBH-21SE. Nothing wrong with it really but just doesn't do it for me. The SR-225 sounded a little bit better on the PH3000 because of the extra warmth, liquidity and smoothness.

I'll probably go back to the store with my K701 (my current cans of choice) and see if I can give the PH3000 vs. OBH-21SE another go at it.
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post #30 of 56
10/31/07 at 1:03am
I just got my PH3000 along with Drew's demo GS1000s with the 5' Silver Dragon upgrade. I've used a few headphone amps but this is the "highest-end" of them all. The demoed Grados sound absolutely amazing (no surprise there) but the amp is pretty fresh so I'll re-evaluate after some burn in time. Does anyone have suggestions how long that should take?
I have a Corda Headfive so I can compare to that; sold my Grado RA-1 along with my RS-1s to pay for the new gear.
BTW the GS-1000s are substantially better than the RS-1s; I'm now having trouble understanding how others compare the latter favorably against the former - the new Grados are just fantastic.
I really appreciate the feature-set on the HP-3000: having the extra input lets me run SACD 2-channel from the player as well as CD 2-channel from the outboard DAC so I can switch back and forth. I may use the preouts to run to the HeadFive so I can compare the GS 1000s on that.
So far way too good; I'll further evaluate my new toys once I've played with them a bit. I can't wait to try other 'phones, too - I kept my Cardas-recabled Beyer DT880 and Cardas HD650... too much fun for me.
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