Grado RS1i Appreciation thread - Page 11

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacedonianHero 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugBug1 

Anyone know what these sound like with the Little dot III or IVSE?

 

I think I'm going to give one a try.

 

 

 

 

These are OTL tube amps...not ideal for low impedance dynamic headphones.

finally found an amp that brings out the best of my RS1i's. In the shape of the Little dot I+, mullard ef92's at the realm (got 2107 opamp in the post) sorted!

A cheap amp with a great sound, its true that they need lots of current and low impedance output to make them come alive. Such a warm yet full punchy detailed sound.  Dynamic drivers need current.  

I got a pair of HD650s a few weeks ago because I wanted to start experimenting with a non-Grado sound signature.

I must say, I do enjoy (and even prefer) the HD650s for jazz and classical, but it is remarkable how much better my RS1i's perform with my endless collection of live rock concerts. (Phish, Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, SCI for the most part.)

I know, I know...Grados sound great with Rock

I guess as a noob I just didn't expect such dramatic differences and am just now realizing how absolutely incredible my RS1s really are.

The reason I'm posting this is mostly to push another noob in the direction of the RS1i (or SR80i if budget won't cooperate)...especially if they share my interest in improvisational "rock" music...though this isn't my last RS1i shout out for it's own sake. Sorry.

First post on head-fi here, so please indulge me while I gush about the RS1is a bit.

I bought these on a leap of faith, having owned the 125is previously, and having briefly heard the RS2s at a noisy show. And when they arrived, boy was I pleased I'd taken the plunge, despite the hilarious box. I bought a shirt for £30 recently that came in a nicer box than these headphones. I was thinking about crossing out the word 'Debenhams' on the front of the box, and writing 'Grado Reference Series' on it with crayon and keeping them in there as a joke.

I was definitely not prepared for the vicious savagery with which they attacked electric guitars, the same guitars that get lost in the vast yawning plastic chasm that is my K702s soundstage. And yet, female singers present such a personal and intimate performance that I'm left feeling I've almost been unfaithful to my girlfriend.

These headphones remind me of the stereotypical British villain: charming, refined, well educated, but unquestionably dangerous (and I mean that as a compliment).

They were also the first piece of audio equipment I bought that I found caused me to change my listening material. I listen to a lot more metal than I used to before buying them - has anyone else gone through something similar?

I will admit though, I've been eyeing up the HE-500 with some lust recently, but I don't think I'll ever part with my RS1is. You'd have to pry them from my cold dead fingers.

As for the post above about the Little Dot MKIII, here's a rather late reply, more for the benefit of anyone else who's wondering: I do own a LD MKIII, which warms up my K702s wonderfully. However, for the RS1is, it honestly doesn't seem to make much of a positive difference, and I've certainly noticed the lack of control that it causes on some particularly speedy, driving, progressive/power metal tracks. Using the headphone out on my Focusrite Saffire 6, these passages are certainly cleaner. This is presumably caused by the abysmally low damping factor you get with the low impedance Grados on OTL tube amps. I think I might pick up something solid state for these, as they certainly deserve better than I have for now.

I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on these: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/555190/fs-grado-rs-1

but I want to know which RS-1 version they are. The seller says he believes they are about 4-6 years old. Serial #3144. How will these compare sound-wise to my brand new RS2i's? Am I better off with an RS-1i?

They would be the "classic" version.

http://www.head-fi.org/wiki/rs1-version-guide

if you want an amp that is going to make a difference, do some research on MAD EAR tube amp.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arleus 

First post on head-fi here, so please indulge me while I gush about the RS1is a bit.

 

I bought these on a leap of faith, having owned the 125is previously, and having briefly heard the RS2s at a noisy show. And when they arrived, boy was I pleased I'd taken the plunge, despite the hilarious box. I bought a shirt for £30 recently that came in a nicer box than these headphones. I was thinking about crossing out the word 'Debenhams' on the front of the box, and writing 'Grado Reference Series' on it with crayon and keeping them in there as a joke.

 

I was definitely not prepared for the vicious savagery with which they attacked electric guitars, the same guitars that get lost in the vast yawning plastic chasm that is my K702s soundstage. And yet, female singers present such a personal and intimate performance that I'm left feeling I've almost been unfaithful to my girlfriend.

 

These headphones remind me of the stereotypical British villain: charming, refined, well educated, but unquestionably dangerous (and I mean that as a compliment).

 

They were also the first piece of audio equipment I bought that I found caused me to change my listening material. I listen to a lot more metal than I used to before buying them - has anyone else gone through something similar?

 

I will admit though, I've been eyeing up the HE-500 with some lust recently, but I don't think I'll ever part with my RS1is. You'd have to pry them from my cold dead fingers.

 

As for the post above about the Little Dot MKIII, here's a rather late reply, more for the benefit of anyone else who's wondering: I do own a LD MKIII, which warms up my K702s wonderfully. However, for the RS1is, it honestly doesn't seem to make much of a positive difference, and I've certainly noticed the lack of control that it causes on some particularly speedy, driving, progressive/power metal tracks. Using the headphone out on my Focusrite Saffire 6, these passages are certainly cleaner. This is presumably caused by the abysmally low damping factor you get with the low impedance Grados on OTL tube amps. I think I might pick up something solid state for these, as they certainly deserve better than I have for now.

Although I have the Grado PS1000 & GS1000i, I still find the RS1i special.

I also own the LCD-2s & HD800 and though both are excellent, the RS1is are my favourite...now thats some appreciation

Am running the RS1i balanced with Woo WA22

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHAHZADA123 

Although I have the Grado PS1000 & GS1000i, I still find the RS1i special.

I also own the LCD-2s & HD800 and though both are excellent, the RS1is are my favourite...now thats some appreciation

 

Am running the RS1i balanced with Woo WA22

  

Wow! Well all I can say is that you have very good taste!  Is there much of a difference running them balanced?

I'm loving mine at the moment with the Little Dot I+, it has helped bring out all of the detail and subtlety's lost when they were overamped.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugBug1 

Wow! Well all I can say is that you have very good taste!  Is there much of a difference running them balanced?

 

I'm loving mine at the moment with the Little Dot I+, it has helped bring out all of the detail and subtlety's lost when they were overamped.  

Thanks LugBug1!!

The difference is not night & day, but its definately a step-up in terms of resolution.

Got my RS1i yesterday!

Bought an SR80i a couple of weeks ago to test the waters as I had little previous experience with full-size headphones before and found the Grado house sound to my liking.

Now pairing the RS1i with Nuforce HDP and don't find the combo excessively bright as some do. (Did I get a dark RS1i I wonder?)

I'm sure there'll be another level of sonic bliss in store for me when the Mapletree Ear HD + and Dacport LX arrive.

This past Friday I picked up a Melos SHA Gold in good working condition.  WOW - this is by far the best amp I've heard for RS-1i's.  Very powerful yet smooth.  It's obvious that this amp was designed around Grados. I had an original SHA-1 back in the mid '90's but it has not worked for a long time.  The SHA Gold seems much better than I recall the SHA-1 sounding, but then again the RS-1 was much different back then as well.

I have now had my RS1i for over a month now paired with a LD 1+ and am having a blast. I love the Grado sound and despite auditioning the GS1000 and PS1000 I have decided the RS1i is the perfect headphone for me at present. I'm awaiting my MAD Ear+ HD as we speak and can't wait to give the combination a listen. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by detoxguy 

I have now had my RS1i for over a month now paired with a LD 1+ and am having a blast. I love the Grado sound and despite auditioning the GS1000 and PS1000 I have decided the RS1i is the perfect headphone for me at present. I'm awaiting my MAD Ear+ HD as we speak and can't wait to give the combination a listen. 

Love to hear how you compare the MAD Ear to the little dot1+, keep us informed.

I've been using the LD1+ with 2107 opamp with my RS1i's for a few months now and its been the best amp I've tried yet (and the cheapest!) Liking the Western 408a tubes at the mo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by detoxguy 

I have now had my RS1i for over a month now paired with a LD 1+ and am having a blast. I love the Grado sound and despite auditioning the GS1000 and PS1000 I have decided the RS1i is the perfect headphone for me at present. I'm awaiting my MAD Ear+ HD as we speak and can't wait to give the combination a listen. 

I have owned the GS1000 and PS1000 and agree that the RS-1i is the best Grado.