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Portable Amp for Grado RS-1

post #1 of 13
5/6/07 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
Hi friends... I just received a brand new Grado RS-1.
Now, I'm searching for the portable amp that can drive RS-1 smoothly with the budget US$200-350.

Along with your advice/recommendation(s), please provide the weblinks to get to the target(s) for my hunting purpose..

Thank so much in advance
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post #2 of 13
5/6/07 at 3:29pm
Keep in mind that unless portability is a main concern, you should be looking into home amps which generally have a better price to performance ratio. If this is the case, then I'd suggest looking into the Gilmore Light, which is a compact solid state headphone amplifier made by Head-amp.

But if you're definitly looking into a portable amp, then check out the Ray Samuels Audio Hornet, which is an amazing little gem that does an admirable job at driving the RS-1's.
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post #3 of 13
5/6/07 at 3:39pm
Get an SR-60 or Koss KSC-75 (very similar sound signature once Kramer-Modded) and use it unamped for portable use. The RS-1 aren't the world's most durable headphones - they're not falling apart by any means, but they're considerably more fragile than lots of other cans and Mahogany and weather don't go well together. Do yourself a HUGE favor and do NOT use the RS-1 as a portable can.

Oh, and let me be the first to mentioned that the (Battery-Powered, of course) Grado RA-1 is the perfect answer to your request. One of the greatest RS-1 amps of all time and 100% portable.
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post #4 of 13
5/6/07 at 5:12pm
I really don't think he planned on bringing his RS-1's outside; I think he just assumed that portable amps were generally cheaper than home amps. If this isn't the case, and he really does want to use them portably, then he should definitly sell them and buy a decent custom IEM, because there's no way that wood is going to hold up to constant abuse.
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post #5 of 13
5/6/07 at 5:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arainach View Post
Oh, and let me be the first to mentioned that the (Battery-Powered, of course) Grado RA-1 is the perfect answer to your request. One of the greatest RS-1 amps of all time and 100% portable.
And I'll be the second. RA-1 + RS-1 = Great Synergy
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post #6 of 13
5/6/07 at 11:38pm
Thread Starter 
Hi guys.. thanks again for your inputs

My background ... sold all IEM after I bought my beloved MS-1 and always got connceted to iPod directly and also via port amp for in/outdoor (local made which is not tough enough to drive RS-1). At home, I currently use home amp to enjoy the RS-1.

After I've got the new babe "RS-1" , I wish I could take take her out like I did for MS-1.... (cosidering to your information, I think I should let her stays at home in order to make her lasts long)

But if I would, what do you think about AE2 (by Head-amp) vs the Hornet of Ray (or else?)

Regards,
jim
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post #7 of 13
5/7/07 at 1:20am
Why not a Total BitHead? Might not have a fancy aluminum case, but it only $150, and comes with crossfeed and a DAC. They're a sponsor, as well.
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post #8 of 13
5/7/07 at 2:57am
I have both Bithead and Tomahawk. I prefer the Tomahawk for Grados.
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post #9 of 13
5/7/07 at 3:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmy8269 View Post
But if I would, what do you think about AE2 (by Head-amp) vs the Hornet of Ray (or else?)
Please don't take this as being an affront to your english, Jim, but I absolutely love the phrase "the Hornet of Ray (or else)."

Wonderful.
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post #10 of 13
5/7/07 at 3:31am
^ rofl.

anyways, just get the total bithead... cheap and portable.
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post #11 of 13
5/7/07 at 3:40am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherwood View Post
Please don't take this as being an affront to your english, Jim, but I absolutely love the phrase "the Hornet of Ray (or else)."

Wonderful.
That's not my intention folk. I supposed to write "by" instead of "of"

However, it sounds good, right
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post #12 of 13
5/7/07 at 3:32pm
It sure does sound good.
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post #13 of 13
5/8/07 at 11:03pm
If it turns out that you really looking for something for home use and not carting around with you, consider some of the tubed amps out there. I'm listening to Nora Jones through the RS1 plugged into the Earmax silver right now and cant imagine a better combination of the RS1 and a tubed amp. Just smooths out everything a little bit
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