Head-Fi.org › Forums › Summit-Fi (High-End Audio) › High-end Audio Forum › amplifier for Sony MDR-R10 bass heavy (R-10 owners plz help)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

amplifier for Sony MDR-R10 bass heavy (R-10 owners plz help)

post #1 of 15
5/14/09 at 4:53pm
Thread Starter 
I have just bought the sony MDR-R10 bass heavy from my close friends. However, currently I don't have any dynamics amplifiers to drive the headphone.

I have searched the forum around but still don't know which amplifier will make the headphone sing it best.

I almost ordered one from Singlepower company but noticed his bad reputation about customer support so i stop considering his amp.

Right now my option will be either the RSA B52, Woo WA5-LE with customization(like one of the germany fellow) up to 6k, or the TTVJ 307A.

My top choice right now is the WA5 but I can't find any reviews for the combo

I need help from Sony R10 owners

thanks
Reply
post #2 of 15
5/14/09 at 5:42pm
Most R10 owners that I know have SinglePower amps, including myself, but I would strongly recommend not buying an amp from Mikhail now or maybe ever. I've heard R10s with the B52, but using Ray's balanced R10s. It sounded good, but I really don't know how it would compare other amps, especially single-ended, since at the time I heard it, I hadn't heard R10s before. I've tried my R10s with the Woo 5, (not customized) and preferred my SP. The TTVJ 307A is one of the best amps I've ever heard with a variety of headphones, but I never listened to it with R10s. Tough call. Any way you can make it to CanJam in a couple weeks? Any amp you could possibly want will be there. If you could swing it, I think it would be worth the trip.
Reply
post #3 of 15
5/14/09 at 6:16pm
I have heard them with both the Woo 5 and Singlepower SDS, and also preferred the SP amp over the Woo. Maybe a nice Supra or another of the bigger SP amps will show up used. I would not buy a SP amp new.
Reply
post #4 of 15
5/14/09 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
is ?? >SDS > supra > extreme for singlepower?
i am kind of new to singlepower and don't know their models much.
Seem like SP doesn't list all of their amp on their website

Yah, If i go with singlepower, I think I have to stick with a used one
Reply
post #5 of 15
5/14/09 at 6:42pm
i wouldn't buy a used SP amp unless you know of someone who could repair it, if need be.

as for the R10, a single ended beta22 is one idea. the B52 is another solid choice. and you could add a balanced senn 600, 650 or 800 to the mix to take advantage of the balanced configuration. the Cary 300SEI is another amp to consider. all of these sounded very good with the R10.
Reply
post #6 of 15
5/15/09 at 1:18am

300b

If you want to go in the 300b league, I can suggest the Grant Fidelity A-534B :

Grant Fidelity A-534B SET 300B Integrated Tube Amplifier (MSRP US$1,700) + Basic A-534B Tube Options (MSRP US$266.00) | Grant Fidelity Home Audio

I can't say how it sounds with the R10, but it sure did wonders with the HP-2 and with efficient speakers at the last montreal meet.
Reply
post #7 of 15
5/15/09 at 2:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tom hankins View Post
I have heard them with both the Woo 5 and Singlepower SDS, and also preferred the SP amp over the Woo. Maybe a nice Supra or another of the bigger SP amps will show up used. I would not buy a SP amp new.
did you use a good 300b tubes for your WA5 at that time?
from what i read, better 300b tubes will make the WA5 sound better
Reply
post #8 of 15
5/15/09 at 2:47am
R10 + TTVJ 307A = sonic nirvana

This is a great combination that is my reference. I have heard my R10's on two upper level SP amps (the "Dragon" and a souped-up Supra), and, although great sounding, I was just as impressed with the 307A. Perhaps more impressed when you take into account the build quality and flexibilty of the 307A.

I also have used my Cary SLI-80 with this headphone. Nice...actually very nice...but the 307A is better.

I had wondered about the Woo 5 and the R10's and actually thought abut ordering this amp. Glad to hear the impressions that, although the Woo 5 is a terrific amp, it may not be the best for the R10's. Would love to confirm that myself one day.

I sure wish I could make it to the CanJam...
Reply
post #9 of 15
5/15/09 at 4:43am
r10 is a romantic sounding fone and meshes best with same type of amp, best i heard it with was cary 300sei.
Reply
post #10 of 15
5/15/09 at 5:30am
99% sure this is actually the Waddragon guy, his usual trademarks are all over the posts.
Reply
post #11 of 15
5/15/09 at 6:00am
I certainly find the username to be... interesting.
Reply
post #12 of 15
5/15/09 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tk3 View Post
99% sure this is actually the Waddragon guy, his usual trademarks are all over the posts.
Right there with you. As soon as I started reading the post, that was my first thought.

Assuming it is though, it's funny how he throws in the 307A option when he already owned it.
Reply
post #13 of 15
6/4/09 at 3:25am
The best I've heard the R10 is out of the SDS-XLR and my SDS-SE (heavily upgraded). It is ashame that I can no longer SP amps due to known issues. I've compared several amps including the SDS, Upgraded Supra, Zana Deux, and stock Woo 5 (in the prefered order). If you can find the Larocco or Triad Headcode, I would go for it. My R10 sounds great out of the Larocco Headcode dual mono.
Reply
post #14 of 15
6/13/09 at 1:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by papomaster View Post
If you want to go in the 300b league, I can suggest the Grant Fidelity A-534B :

Grant Fidelity A-534B SET 300B Integrated Tube Amplifier (MSRP US$1,700) + Basic A-534B Tube Options (MSRP US$266.00) | Grant Fidelity Home Audio

I can't say how it sounds with the R10, but it sure did wonders with the HP-2 and with efficient speakers at the last montreal meet.
The speakers at the show were either the 84db GF LS3/5A's or the 87 db GF RBS-1 Morels, pretty low efficiency. It was great to have you guys drop by and check out the A-534B with some decent headphones.

Cheers,
Ian
Reply
post #15 of 15
6/13/09 at 7:46pm
Last time I listened to the R10 was via a Luxman P1 and a Blue Circle fed from an Accuphase cd-player. I preferred the Blue Circle Headphone amp.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: High-end Audio Forum
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Summit-Fi (High-End Audio) › High-end Audio Forum › amplifier for Sony MDR-R10 bass heavy (R-10 owners plz help)