Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Shanling headphone amplifier PH3000
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Shanling headphone amplifier PH3000 - Page 3

post #31 of 56
10/31/07 at 1:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigsojoe View Post
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.
...
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.
Can't wait to hear your initial impressions. Without doing an A-B or ABX comparison test, what are your initial thoughts about how they compare to the Headfive and the RA-1?

My guess would be that it's considerably more fun sounding, with a better power section than either (for better extension, dynamics, and control), and with a slight tubey warmth. When I listened to it, it didn't sound reference at all, and the sales rep agreed. Kind of an odd category of sound for a headphone amp but I enjoyed it. It was the kind of amp that just allowed me to enjoy myself without getting too thoughtful or analytical about what I was listening to.
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #32 of 56
10/31/07 at 1:22am
You guys are getting my curiosity going again... I think I'm going to bring some of my CD's to the store to give the PH3000 a second listen =)
Reply
post #33 of 56
10/31/07 at 7:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by edisonwu View Post
That looks a little similar to the AT HA2002/5000 amps but those use better parts, & better powersupply.
Reply
post #34 of 56
10/31/07 at 11:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ounkchicago View Post
You guys are getting my curiosity going again... I think I'm going to bring some of my CD's to the store to give the PH3000 a second listen =)
Went to the local audio store again today with my K701 and a case of CDs. Did some more A-B listening between the PH3000 and the Creek OBH-21SE. Went back and forth with several different genres of music. The differences are subtle. Both seem to be good quality amps, and were equally adept at driving my K701. Couldn't really say one was better than the other in terms of overall performance. The Shanling sounded slightly warmer, a little more fun, and seemed a little better in the PRaT department. The Creek sounded colder, more analytical, but also more reference-like with less coloration.

The MSRP of the Shanling is $399, while the MSRP of the Creek is $450. Given these prices, I would have to say I recommend the Shanling slightly over the Creek, but not because of the sound. Again, I don't think one sounds better than the other, it's just a matter of opinion. If you prefer the tube sound, the Shanling would probably be preferable, but it may be too far from the tube sound to satisfy a tube lover. I recommend the Shanling because it's slightly cheaper (assuming the discounts are proportional to the MSRP) and it has two sets of RCA inputs rather than the Creek's single set of RCA inputs.

I currently own the Creek. I think I will keep the Creek because it will come in handy in places where you want a small footprint. The Shanling is gigantic compared to the Creek, probably because the entire power supply is housed inside the metal chassis (on the Creek, it is a separate unit that would most likely sit on the floor).
Reply
post #35 of 56
11/1/07 at 1:52am

Very very fun

Quote:
Originally Posted by ounkchicago View Post
Can't wait to hear your initial impressions. Without doing an A-B or ABX comparison test, what are your initial thoughts about how they compare to the Headfive and the RA-1?

My guess would be that it's considerably more fun sounding, with a better power section than either (for better extension, dynamics, and control), and with a slight tubey warmth... It was the kind of amp that just allowed me to enjoy myself without getting too thoughtful or analytical about what I was listening to.
I've got the new phones and the new amp; Drew is recommending about 100 hours burn-in time (though since the 'phones were used as demo I expect they've got a bit of a head start)...

Your guess is dead-on so far: I've never ENJOYED listening to music so much (at least with headphones, possibly overall). This is a fun combo that I'm just going to enjoy while they break in. The PH 3000 is clearly superior to the HeadFive and RA-1 both... those are both good amps, and I'll do some A/B with the HeadFive as I still have it, but sound from the PH 3000 is just... better.

I'll get more articulate as I evaluate further.

Big up to Drew at Moon Audio - he really took care of me on this deal. He asked me what I wanted out of an amp and what my budget was, then provided me more amp for less $$... good guy.
Reply
post #36 of 56
11/1/07 at 2:20pm
Glad to hear, bigsojoe. Keep us updated. This amp seems like a very good deal for the price. The only feature I wish it had (that it doesn't) is a crossfeed (like the Meier and Headroom amps).
Reply
post #37 of 56
4/6/08 at 12:58pm

Still love it

I've had the Shanling 3000 in my system for several months now and continue to love it. Sound is awesome and they power everything I've got with ease. Price was definitely right (I got an unused demo from Moon Audio at a steal) and the feature set is outstanding... two matched headphone jacks plus two sets of RCA ins make it oh so easy to compare both cans and ICs - A/B tests are just waiting for you. Plus, the preamp out lets you basically ad another input to your system, a real boon if you have limited inputs (like on my Fatman iTube) and want to connect everything you can.

If you're on the fence at all just BUY THIS AMP!
Reply
post #38 of 56
4/6/08 at 2:12pm
I could compare ph-3000 with RA-1, (headphone:RS-1, music: classical). I found both sounds very very similar.
Reply
post #39 of 56
4/6/08 at 2:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ounkchicago View Post
Went to the local audio store again today with my K701 and a case of CDs. Did some more A-B listening between the PH3000 and the Creek OBH-21SE. Went back and forth with several different genres of music. The differences are subtle. Both seem to be good quality amps, and were equally adept at driving my K701. Couldn't really say one was better than the other in terms of overall performance. The Shanling sounded slightly warmer, a little more fun, and seemed a little better in the PRaT department. The Creek sounded colder, more analytical, but also more reference-like with less coloration.

The MSRP of the Shanling is $399, while the MSRP of the Creek is $450. Given these prices, I would have to say I recommend the Shanling slightly over the Creek, but not because of the sound. Again, I don't think one sounds better than the other, it's just a matter of opinion. If you prefer the tube sound, the Shanling would probably be preferable, but it may be too far from the tube sound to satisfy a tube lover. I recommend the Shanling because it's slightly cheaper (assuming the discounts are proportional to the MSRP) and it has two sets of RCA inputs rather than the Creek's single set of RCA inputs.

I currently own the Creek. I think I will keep the Creek because it will come in handy in places where you want a small footprint. The Shanling is gigantic compared to the Creek, probably because the entire power supply is housed inside the metal chassis (on the Creek, it is a separate unit that would most likely sit on the floor).
Has you heard creek and shanling with GRado´s headphone? Can you to compare both of these with the RA-1, please?
Reply
post #40 of 56
4/6/08 at 7:16pm
Is it easy to replace the tube(s) in the preamp? Or you better return it to the seller for service?
Reply
post #41 of 56
10/11/08 at 8:21am
I just recently discovered this amp. Any more comments about it? Looks very interesting and I was planning to order one through eBay.

Moon Audio sells PH3000 also. They have pictures on their website also.

http://www.moon-audio.com/MusicHall/Shanling3000-2.jpg
http://www.moon-audio.com/MusicHall/Shanling3000-5.jpg
http://www.moon-audio.com/MusicHall/Shanling3000-3.jpg
Reply
post #42 of 56
10/12/08 at 9:55am
Ignore this
Reply
post #43 of 56
12/27/08 at 11:01pm
I have purchased a Shanling ph100 and ph300 tried them both with my ATH-w5000 and ah-d5000. The ph300 has a small amount of hum (inaudibkle once the music starts palying with the w5000. The d5000 isn't afficted with this.

Both amps have a small amount of noise when turned up to full volume (however with both my headphones number 2 on the dial is loud) so this would not impact your listening pleasure.

I have a number of other headphone amps and overall the shanling ones are my favorites th eph100 with the w5000and the ph300 with the denon
Reply
post #44 of 56
12/28/08 at 9:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sango View Post
the difference seems to be tubes in the PH300 and SS for the PH100
Are the tubes used in the headphone circuitry or just in the preamp section?
Reply
post #45 of 56
1/15/09 at 7:51pm
does teh TRS connector need a specific kind of 1/4 plug from your hphones or can you just use a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter?
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Shanling headphone amplifier PH3000