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post #211 of 311
10/26/07 at 8:10pm
For the record I'd said the Raptor is better suited to driving high impedance loads. I have no experience with the Raptor driving low-impedance, I've only tried it with the HD600s and HD650s. Others have shared their thoughts on the Raptor with other headphones. So the only thing I can really add to that is to try and get yourself to a meet and let your own ears be the judge.
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post #212 of 311
10/26/07 at 10:12pm
the blue light is soooo unbelievable..
just look like Star Wars..
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post #213 of 311
10/26/07 at 10:29pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry to beat a dead horse!

But assuming 600ohm beyers.

My listening volume using same imod source:

hr-2 = 2:00
Raptor = 9:00

Even if raptor has more gain its not that much more to justify the varience in volume or is it!

From what I have read an 80ohm pair may be at 2:00 on a raptor

See what I mean a lower impedance can takes more drive on a raptor then a 600ohm pair. I just don't get it! Help me!

But is the exact opposite on an hr-2!

Am I that clueless? (Don't answer that nate)
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post #214 of 311
10/27/07 at 12:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by trose49 View Post
Sorry to beat a dead horse!

But assuming 600ohm beyers.

My listening volume using same imod source:

hr-2 = 2:00
Raptor = 9:00

Even if raptor has more gain its not that much more to justify the varience in volume or is it!

From what I have read an 80ohm pair may be at 2:00 on a raptor

See what I mean a lower impedance can takes more drive on a raptor then a 600ohm pair. I just don't get it! Help me!

But is the exact opposite on an hr-2!

Am I that clueless? (Don't answer that nate)
Here is a very basic answer ....

A tube is primarily a voltage device. SS transistors/ op amps etc... are primarily current devices. High impedence headphones need mainly voltage. Low impedence headphones need mainly current delivery. Tubes can readily supply the voltage swings you need with a 600 ohm headphone .... but 600 ohms is a tough load for SS. Conversely, tubes, particularly some OTL tube amps (not all) become current starved with low impedences .... while SS devices will easily pump out ample current. If you do some research you will find the Raptors design is going to work better driving high impedence headphones.
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post #215 of 311
10/27/07 at 12:42am
Thread Starter 
This is exactly what I was looking for!

Thanks
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post #216 of 311
10/27/07 at 4:02am
I was asking Ray about Grado phones and Raptor and part of his answer was: " It works great with all Grado's"


Quote:
Originally Posted by Lamprologus View Post
I already mailed Ray and according to him the Raptor will drive my headphones without any problems.

I believe what he says, but I just thought it might be a good idea to get an opinion from people who have tried the Raptor with low impedance headphones.
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post #217 of 311
10/27/07 at 4:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sacd lover View Post
Here is a very basic answer ....

A tube is primarily a voltage device. SS transistors/ op amps etc... are primarily current devices. High impedence headphones need mainly voltage. Low impedence headphones need mainly current delivery. Tubes can readily supply the voltage swings you need with a 600 ohm headphone .... but 600 ohms is a tough load for SS. Conversely, tubes, particularly some OTL tube amps (not all) become current starved with low impedences .... while SS devices will easily pump out ample current. If you do some research you will find the Raptors design is going to work better driving high impedence headphones.
This is what i meant before when i said low imped cans naturally fit with solid state and high imped cans naturally fit with tubes. this is not saying what sounds good with what, that's up to the person to decide.
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post #218 of 311
10/27/07 at 4:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by n_maher View Post
For the record I'd said the Raptor is better suited to driving high impedance loads. I have no experience with the Raptor driving low-impedance, I've only tried it with the HD600s and HD650s. Others have shared their thoughts on the Raptor with other headphones. So the only thing I can really add to that is to try and get yourself to a meet and let your own ears be the judge.
out of all the amps i listened to in my life I would say the Raptor does Grados good. the hp series Grados and the Raptor seem to fit better then others. and the ms-2's are really nice with the amp also. i been enjoying the dac1 > raptor > Grados rs-2's a lot lately for computer listening. Single power and Eddie current amps are nice with Grados from past experience..
using the G08 as a source the hr2 powers the Grados anytime unless i am in a playful switchy switch mood.. i don't know about other low imped headphones cause i don't live with them day to day, especially on the days i am bored enough to play switchy switch.
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post #219 of 311
10/27/07 at 10:40am
We have now turned Todd over to the tube side. Thermionics rule!

If I weren't so in love with my Darkvoice 337, I'd be tempted to give the Raptor a try - the times I have heard it before it sure was impressive sounding.
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post #220 of 311
10/27/07 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 
Just a quick note for 600ohm Beyer users. The 600ohm version is actually so sensitive that I am getting slight microphonics. Nothing audible while music is playing but it is there.

I just order a Ultrasonic 9 Hal-0 for the 12au7 tube from here: http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/ at Rays recommendation.



I expect it here today so I will post results!

Who would ever guess the 600ohm Beyers could be that sensitive LOL!!
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post #221 of 311
10/27/07 at 7:32pm
Thread Starter 
I'm Bummed the Mail yielded 0 goodies today!
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post #222 of 311
10/27/07 at 11:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by trose49 View Post
I'm Bummed the Mail yielded 0 goodies today!
Did you order a Telefunken 12au7 yet? With all the talk, I ended up breaking down and picked a few, now I just wait for them to arrive.
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post #223 of 311
10/27/07 at 11:39pm
Thread Starter 
Not yet. At this rate I won't have what I need for the rig for nyc meet. It may be imod to raptor!

Where did you purchase from? Cost?

Are they matched?

Now you need tungsol 5687's to go with!
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post #224 of 311
10/27/07 at 11:59pm
trose49... here's something to tide you over while you wait for your Raptor...

Just pretend it's silver ...


Peace,

Graz
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post #225 of 311
10/28/07 at 12:21am
Congrats on the Raptor, it looks awesome and I can't think of a better person to have serial # 1 (Sorry Billy )

I think you will be surprised at the improvement that Halo dampers provide. When I had my RSA Stealth, the Halo's were a very worthwhile improvement in making the presentation cleaner. I remember after I installed them that I was very impressed by the more natural decay of notes on live acoustic music.

I also thought that the Stealth drove all of my Grado/Alessandros as well as any SS amp I had. I am not so sure now as I believe (but this is based upon my somewhat faulty audio memory) that my GS-X does a better job driving all of them (in SE mode) except the GS-1K. Unfortunately the only high impedance can I had at the time were the Senn HD-650's as I hadn't discovered the Beyer magic yet.

P.S. The 880's are with Larry at Headphile getting balanced and recabled, plus a little custom touch Larry let me add since I dropped a bundle getting my K340's redone
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › RAY SAMUELS SILVER RAPTOR IS HERE! (PICS added)