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SE530, which amp have the best synergy with it?

post #1 of 20
6/27/08 at 2:47am
Thread Starter 
As title suggests, like a small survey people are pairing which amp with their 530's.
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post #2 of 20
6/27/08 at 2:53am
RSA Tomahawk
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post #3 of 20
6/27/08 at 7:11am
The Ray Samuels and Meier amps seem to do well with the SE530s. I also especially like the Tomahawk/SE530 combo ... but the Hornet and Predator are both reported to do quite well also.
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post #4 of 20
6/27/08 at 11:18am
The Tomahawk was voiced with the SE530. I can attest to the Predator having a good synergy with the SE420s.
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post #5 of 20
6/27/08 at 12:22pm
I can tell you what doesn't work with the SE530, iQube and Supermacro LE IV. iQube is too neutral it showcases the SE530's natural sound sig with that recess high. The Supermacro LE IV on the other hand is a bit too warm and slowish, the sound gets a bit smudge on the edges, especially the bass. However the amp does correct the recess highs.

The Supermicro IV adds that upper end extension which balances the sound, and keeps the edges tight, clear and the sound neutral. I don't know how Meier amps will sound with the SE530, but the SE530 sounds good with the Cantate. Good extension both ends.

I would not get an amp which does not have good high end extension since the SE530's highs are recess. I also wouldn't pair it with a warm amp, since the IEM sounds warm already.

I didn't like the way my Tomahawk presented it's highs, it sounded a bit recess compared to my other amps. Don't know if that is the case with the Hornet.
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post #6 of 20
6/27/08 at 8:20pm
I've used both the Headroom Total Bithead and Portable Micro Amp w/ DAC with my 530s and find both to do an excellent job - with the Micro bettering its lower priced sibling (as one would expect).
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post #7 of 20
6/29/08 at 11:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by flargosa View Post
I can tell you what doesn't work with the SE530, iQube and Supermacro LE IV. iQube is too neutral it showcases the SE530's natural sound sig with that recess high. The Supermacro LE IV on the other hand is a bit too warm and slowish, the sound gets a bit smudge on the edges, especially the bass. However the amp does correct the recess highs.

The Supermicro IV adds that upper end extension which balances the sound, and keeps the edges tight, clear and the sound neutral. I don't know how Meier amps will sound with the SE530, but the SE530 sounds good with the Cantate. Good extension both ends.

I would not get an amp which does not have good high end extension since the SE530's highs are recess. I also wouldn't pair it with a warm amp, since the IEM sounds warm already.

I didn't like the way my Tomahawk presented it's highs, it sounded a bit recess compared to my other amps. Don't know if that is the case with the Hornet.
Hi

I am in fact pairing my 530 with a iQube now and they sounds fine to me.
I am also in the view of not pairing it with a warm sounding amp, this is why i have avoided amps like hornet or pico. With that, it doesnt leave me with many options why is why ultimately i made a choice to go with a neutral amp like iQube.

I have also tried hornet with 530, it sounds great and fun.
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post #8 of 20
6/29/08 at 11:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JMCIII View Post
I've used both the Headroom Total Bithead and Portable Micro Amp w/ DAC with my 530s and find both to do an excellent job - with the Micro bettering its lower priced sibling (as one would expect).
I have not had the chance to try out with the above 2 amps you mention though.
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post #9 of 20
6/29/08 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ralfale View Post
I have not had the chance to try out with the above 2 amps you mention though.


Well then, you should find the time. I doubt you'll feel it wasted.
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post #10 of 20
6/29/08 at 3:24pm
If you are using the headphone out of the 5th Gen iPod for the source (which can control the volume) a FiiO amp sounds very fine with the SE530 - better, IMO, than an optimally-set iBasso P2 (for me with SE530, that's low gain, middle bass setting). The FiiO folks did a very good job coming up with an inexpensive, mass-producible, very small and low-powered amp which sounds very fine with small, bass-challenged portable phones.
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post #11 of 20
6/30/08 at 7:32pm

Amp for SE530's

Predator, soon to be the new and improved SR-71a. How does it sound, you ask? Perty Good, Perty Good!
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post #12 of 20
6/30/08 at 11:47pm
argh, i stopped going to this site.. and now that i'm back, you guys make me want to get the predator. thanks a lot. if i had a wife, i'd be in trouble now (like the rest of you)
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post #13 of 20
7/1/08 at 1:24am
When I had a Tomahawk it did very well with the SE530, while it was too bright for my Denon C700 and Super.fi 5 Pro.

The Headstage Lyrix Pro and Penguin Amp Caffeine and iBasso D1 all did well with the SE530, at which point I sold the Tomahawk. But then I sent the SE530 to be turned into custom earphones, so they sound totally different now and I can't really comment on them as if they were still SE530 universals.

I do have comments on the SE530 customs at the following link (and I have answers to questions scattered throughout), but I don't have the Tomahawk anymore: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/s...ess-up-338443/
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post #14 of 20
7/1/08 at 1:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by digger945 View Post
Predator, soon to be the new and improved SR-71a. How does it sound, you ask? Perty Good, Perty Good!
I will be very keen on this SR71a. I have always like RSA amps, the build quality is damn solid.
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post #15 of 20
7/1/08 at 1:32am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict View Post
When I had a Tomahawk it did very well with the SE530, while it was too bright for my Denon C700 and Super.fi 5 Pro.

The Headstage Lyrix Pro and Penguin Amp Caffeine and iBasso D1 all did well with the SE530, at which point I sold the Tomahawk. But then I sent the SE530 to be turned into custom earphones, so they sound totally different now and I can't really comment on them as if they were still SE530 universals.

I do have comments on the SE530 customs at the following link (and I have answers to questions scattered throughout), but I don't have the Tomahawk anymore: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/s...ess-up-338443/
I have always avoided Predator due to the long burn in period. Will not mind a resale predator though save me the trouble of burning in

Now you really get me thinking should i try out a custom for my 530s.
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