Hi, there
I just got my grado sr325i lately, it is great. Now I want an amp to improve it, and my music source is ipod classic. My budget is under $350, help me with some best choices that best fit my grado. thank you guys!

And I am considering to get a Hd600 or akg, I hope they can use the same amplifier. really appreciated.

Quote:



From what I have trialed out with my Grado SR325is headphones (that can be a little bright at times) the best 2 amps where

Grado RA1 amp
Mapletree tube amp

I went with the Grado RA1 amp and wow...just awesome. These cans need a lot of juice (current) so this amp uses two 9V batteries. I would get the battery version for 2 reasons

No hiss at low volumes compared to the AC version
A little more portable.

I would stay away from all the Chinese made amps, they tend to have poor build quality and reliability issues and good luck with a warranty claim. The Grado is made in NY, NY and Mapletree right here in Canada.

Cheers.

Will this amp be attached to your iPod?

Welcome to Head-Fi

edited

Thank you for all your answers. I think I would go for RA1, but another question is that does RA1 can work well with my Ipod classic. I know that RA1 is designed for thoes low impedence headphones, so will it compatible with my akg 701?

RA1 is overpriced, I'd buy a CMOY- afaik they are virtually identical.

The Mapletree (using the 12B4A tubes) is a very nice unit w/ Grados. If you want SS instead the Novo by Graham Slee fits the bill nicely.

Quote:



I would beg to differ. Have you even heard one? Do they use 2 9V batteries for high current?

Not the ones I've seen. Honestly the RA1 with Grado cans can't be beat!

Yes you can get dual 9v CMOY's. Find PCB diagram of CMOY and RA1.