Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Ray Samuels portable amps
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Ray Samuels portable amps

post #1 of 17
10/22/07 at 8:20am
Thread Starter 
Does The Hornet sound better than The Tomahawk and SR-71 ?

Is The Hornet capable of powering full-size headphones such as Sennheiser HD650 and Grado GS1000 ?
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #2 of 17
10/22/07 at 9:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Audio-Omega View Post
Does The Hornet sound better than The Tomahawk and SR-71 ?

Is The Hornet capable of powering full-size headphones such as Sennheiser HD650 and Grado GS1000 ?
There was a thread on this not long ago:-

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...ighlight=sr-71
Reply
post #3 of 17
10/22/07 at 9:19am
1) No
2) Yes

GAD
Reply
post #4 of 17
10/22/07 at 10:27am
To expound on GAD's post: Romanee on this forum has found little if any difference between the TH and Hornet after 500+ hrs of playing. My Tomahawk had about 500 hrs and noticed NO difference between it and my previously-owned Hornet, sound-wise.

I used both Hornet and TH to power Ety IEMs, Beyer 880 and 990, both 250 ohms, thru an Imod and everything sounded wonderful.

Bottom line: I'd have no hesitation recommending either amp for both IEMs and larger headphones. Or get both--use the Hornet for a larger player like the Ipod or similar and the Tomahawk for the Nano, esp the new 3rg gen which is almost a perfect dimensional match for the new Nanos
Reply
post #5 of 17
10/22/07 at 10:41am
If there is a concensus it is that the Hornet is best for rock and the SR-71 is best of jazz, acoustic and classical music, as it has better soundstaging. My SR-71 sounds wonderful with my K701s and my DT880s. The Tomahawk is smallest and has the longest battery life (possibly).
Reply
post #6 of 17
10/22/07 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DennyL View Post
If there is a concensus it is that the Hornet is best for rock and the SR-71 is best of jazz, acoustic and classical music, as it has better soundstaging. My SR-71 sounds wonderful with my K701s and my DT880s. The Tomahawk is smallest and has the longest battery life (possibly).
Agreed if you're talking Hornet 'M'. My understanding is that non-M Hornet is close in sound signature to SR-71.

Yes, Toma is smallest with best battery life (approx 400hours )
Reply
post #7 of 17
10/22/07 at 11:22am
to me the SR71 was the best of Ray's portable but I do not think you can get it at the moment. The M Hornet is close but not quite as good but it is smaller if form factor is an issue for you and the Hornet has a gains switch and can recharge a battery things the SR71 can not do. Also when I bought my Sr71 it was considered an average size portable amp now it is considered a large portable.

You should also potentially look at the headamp ae2 as it has a gain switch, rechargable battery and rca inputs if you ever want to use it at home.
Reply
post #8 of 17
10/22/07 at 11:30am
Thread Starter 
What's this Hornet 'M' ?
Reply
post #9 of 17
10/22/07 at 11:51am
The Hornet M has a different Capacitor than the original Hornet. Many people liked the original better, but the old Caps had something about them that Ray felt they shouldn't be used anymore. I forget what...

The SR-71 is a magnificent amp - I miss mine. The Hornet is the sweet spot (for now) IMO. Check out my review (in my sig) for more info.

GAD
Reply
post #10 of 17
10/22/07 at 12:03pm
Thread Starter 
Nice review, GAD. I like the fact that The Hornet can recharge battery.
Reply
post #11 of 17
10/22/07 at 12:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jp11801 View Post
when I bought my Sr71 it was considered an average size portable amp now it is considered a large portable.
Yes, but don't forget that the SR-71 is a 'dual mono' amp with two batteries.
Reply
post #12 of 17
10/22/07 at 1:08pm
Imo...
1) No
2) Yes
Reply
post #13 of 17
10/22/07 at 3:30pm
The SR-71 sounds better than the Hornet. I owned the Hornet and sold it because I prefer the SR-71 and don't go portable often enough to need the smaller size. I only heard the Tomahawk once at a meet, so can't compare it to the others.
Reply
post #14 of 17
10/23/07 at 1:36am
Thread Starter 
Does "dual mono" amp offer anything better than otherwise ?
Reply
post #15 of 17
10/23/07 at 1:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Audio-Omega View Post
Does "dual mono" amp offer anything better than otherwise ?
It sounds better. There are essentially two amps - one for each ear. Good stuff.

GAD
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) › Ray Samuels portable amps