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HeadRoom Max series ... ultra solid state?

post #1 of 19
4/8/09 at 10:11am
Thread Starter 
I guess they're not making these beasts any more. I'm thinking about scoring one, not sure if I want to go balanced or not. I'm wondering if anyone could give me an education on how these things were configured when they were at the top of the heap. Some of the things I remember are "reference series," "stepped attenuators," etc.

If I try to find a used one, what shoud I be looking for to get the most advanced version that was sold? IIRC, the darn things were close to $5K back around 2001, when I first started pouring money into this glorious hobby.

Thanks!

p.s.
the newer rounded looking ones are kinda ugly in my opinion
any pics would be greatly appreciated
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post #2 of 19
4/8/09 at 11:30am
Look out for their Balanced Ultra Desktop Amp. It will be released in May.
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post #3 of 19
4/8/09 at 9:25pm
Ultra Balanced Desktop Stack Package @ HeadRoom - Right Between Your Ears

$2849 for the amp, cheaper than $5K.

If you want to go that far, you are good candidate buyer for HD800....
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post #4 of 19
4/8/09 at 9:50pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the links to the new stuff, but I'm really asking about the vintage Maxed Out Headroom amps ....
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post #5 of 19
4/8/09 at 11:25pm
The dac in the new unit looks like it might be pretty interesting, but they dont go into much detail about it. I cant quite believe they straight out say they use the 627 op amp chips in this balanced amp. Seems like a really cheap way to produce a balanced amp that sells for $2800. I never really did like the sound of the 627 it doesnt sound quite natural. its ok in my go-vibe though!
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post #6 of 19
4/8/09 at 11:30pm
I once did an A/B comparison of a Headroom Max series balanced to a Ray Samuels B52. The Headroom had excellent clarity and amazing precision. However, I thought it was harsh in comparison to a tube amp like the B52. For my taste, the Headroom was not my preference despite the great clarity.
If you like solid state amps, it may be for you.
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post #7 of 19
4/8/09 at 11:53pm
The DAC uses the ESS ES9008 Sabre chip, it really is enough said - except for the newest ES9018 chip, it's simply the best in the world.
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post #8 of 19
4/9/09 at 12:14am

Headroom Max

I have a Headroom Max 2004 edition. It was selling for about $1800. It's single ended not balanced. It has a stepped attenuator. I think when they came out with the new ones after that that they were balanced and something like $3000.
I'm now using an Eddie Currant Zana Deux tube amp which completely blows the solid state amp out of the water for detail retrieval and umph to the sound. It's $2200 but I have to warn you that it runs quite hot!
I'd think that a Max 2004 could be had used for something like $700. I might get around to sell mine. I've just been lazy. This isn't an attempt to sell it.
Best wishes.
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post #9 of 19
4/9/09 at 5:30am
So the DAC is a top performer ?
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post #10 of 19
4/9/09 at 10:31am
just by the by, i once plugged my balanced Grado PS-1 into what would've been their top of the line amp at the time (skokie meet a few years ago at Ray's) and it was blissful...

i'm sure the $40k worth of Wadia front end played a major role in the overall presentation, and perhaps it's the reason i didn't experience/notice any of the harshness mentioned above...

there were other balanced cans there...if i recall they were k271s, which, while excellent, were not on the same planet as the PS-1...continuing that train of thought, that may be the best way i can describe the sound -- it was like i possessed alien technology...

anywho, seeing as that was far and away the best sounding combo i've ever heard, i thought you might be interested in knowing...if not, no harm done...

i very much regret not having the time to attach the Wadia setup to my Gilmore Balanced Reference Preamp for comparison, but i suspect that would've ruined the synergy...
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post #11 of 19
4/9/09 at 10:38am
also, if they are incorporating the sabre32 into their product, i'd wait to hear that before making such a large expenditure...
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post #12 of 19
4/9/09 at 12:42pm
Thread Starter 
emelius ....

that avatar of yours is killin' me man
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post #13 of 19
4/9/09 at 12:45pm
its a work of art .. I enjoy reading his posts
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post #14 of 19
4/9/09 at 1:04pm
i actually have a thread in the works about the theft of my various avatars haha...i put a lotta work into finding them so it really bugs me when i see them copied...

sorry for going off topic...
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post #15 of 19
4/9/09 at 1:20pm
Who is the owners of those erm...phones in your avatar?
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