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Matrix M-Stage amp review: simple, cheap, and excellent. - Page 12

post #166 of 3983
4/30/10 at 3:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lescanard View Post
I've spent a couple of days with my new M-Stage - mostly paired with my k701s and listening to a variety of different music (Alt Rock, Vocals, Acoustics, Blues). So far, at the risk of the placebo effect of falling in love with new gear, I am incredibly impressed. Specific to my k701s - I really have never heard them sound even close to this good - by a wide margin. I only have ever heard them out of my LDI+ and MKIII (sold) and although I have no negative comments on these amps (and plan on keeping the LD I+ for a long time) - It's obvious to me that they were just never able to bring out the best in these awesome phones.

The vast soundstage and incredibly detailed presentation from the k701s is really apparent to me - a night and day difference I think. This is the the amp I decided on when looking for a great SS match for the AKGs (I considered the Sheer Audio, GLite, Heed Canamp, etc.). I obviously have no comments on those other amps and am sure they are great - I have never heard them. I can only tell you the M-Stage and k701s really seem to be a fantastic match for me.

I briefly tried the k271s (an outstanding/under-rated phone IMO) and felt it sounded fantastic as well. A notch or 2 below the k701s but I expect that. I only listened to my D2000s for a short while with the M-Stage. It sounds great but didn't blow me away the way the k701s did - however I plan on doing a more intensive comparison between the M-Stage and the LD I+ with the Denons. Plus - whenever I pop the Denons on my head after listening to my AKGs for an extended period of time I need a bit of an adjustment period before they grab me again. I'll reserve judgement on those cans for now.

Great power while being dead silent - it absolutely reveals every minute detail in my source (which can be good or bad depending on what you have feeding this little beast). What a great addition to my set-up - just a superb value for the price. I'm very pleased I made this choice!
nice impression, keep it coming, i was sold on this amp the moment i read this awesome tier 1 review! i am awaiting the matrix and shall soon be apart of the club. i will reporting its synergy with the denon 7000, westone and triplefi, hopefully ill have a similar impression that u did.

im very curious, have you tried any iem's on it yet? iwas hoping that gain switch would be good for the iem

cheers
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post #167 of 3983
4/30/10 at 6:40pm
My amp is with USPS in New york it arrived. Hopefully get it tommorow but will have no later than Monday. Fast I am like a little kid waiting to go to the ice cream store.
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post #168 of 3983
5/1/10 at 11:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by techenvy View Post
im very curious, have you tried any iem's on it yet? iwas hoping that gain switch would be good for the iem

cheers
I never listened to IEMs on an amp (I may this week just to do it). The gain switch is a really nice benefit and very convenient. Ironically, I was considering the Sheer Audio Dynalo earlier - but it comes with a set gain (your choice), I found it a bit limiting not having a variable gain - particularly having to decide without hearing it. I read on that thread now some people seem to have a mis-match and have to try and find a fix.

When the M-Stage arrived - I tried the 0 default gain but it just didn't have the juice - I cranked it up full volume and it wasn't enough. A quick and easy switch to 10 fixed that - what a great feature. Outstanding amp - you'll love it - let us know how it works with your gear!
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post #169 of 3983
5/1/10 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank I View Post
My amp is with USPS in New york it arrived. Hopefully get it tommorow but will have no later than Monday. Fast I am like a little kid waiting to go to the ice cream store.
Within your reach...the good news is it only took 1 day to get across the state for me so you should see it tomorrow! Enjoy.
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post #170 of 3983
5/1/10 at 2:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lescanard View Post
Within your reach...the good news is it only took 1 day to get across the state for me so you should see it tomorrow! Enjoy.
Arrived today. Six Days from order. Very happy with the quick service. I set gain to 10 and am listening with the 701. Out of box very clear and has some power. Power cord it came with is too short. Also smaller than it appears in the picture's. Overall early sound is good and will benefit from about 100 hrs or so of burn in.
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post #171 of 3983
5/1/10 at 5:05pm
Damned, mine is still stuck somewhere in Asia I presume... Either the vulcano is screwing Europe or I am in bad luck
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post #172 of 3983
5/1/10 at 5:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by buz View Post
Damned, mine is still stuck somewhere in Asia I presume... Either the vulcano is screwing Europe or I am in bad luck
LOL Can't you track it. Run the tracking number through EMS.
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post #173 of 3983
5/1/10 at 5:29pm
That's why I assume it is stuck in Asia, says it left the dispatch center in Shanghai on the 24th but no update since. In fairness, the whole tracking business is a little random. I've more than once received packages before they were even shipped according to tracking data.
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post #174 of 3983
5/1/10 at 5:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by buz View Post
That's why I assume it is stuck in Asia, says it left the dispatch center in Shanghai on the 24th but no update since. In fairness, the whole tracking business is a little random. I've more than once received packages before they were even shipped according to tracking data.
If it left and said dispatched its gone from China. USPS picked up EMS tracking number and was spot on. I am not sure how European delivery works but I would thing you will get it shortly.
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post #175 of 3983
5/1/10 at 9:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by buz View Post
Damned, mine is still stuck somewhere in Asia I presume... Either the vulcano is screwing Europe or I am in bad luck
lol, cant wait to hear your impression



That's why I assume it is stuck in Asia, says it left the dispatch center in Shanghai on the 24th but no update since. In fairness, the whole tracking business is a little random. I've more than once received packages before they were even shipped according to tracking data.


apparently there is some big 2010 expo in shanghai right now and it is a holiday so shipping is taking longer for everything. fyi
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post #176 of 3983
5/1/10 at 11:21pm
Got my Matrix a few weeks ago. I'm very happy with it. Setup: computer coax SPDIF > Outlaw 950 > HD600. They sound a bit thinner in the bass but that's only because they're much tighter and controlled. Acoustic drums sound more natural. I was really impressed with the improvement in electric guitars. Very revealing.
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post #177 of 3983
5/2/10 at 8:35am
Listened yesterday for about 5-6 hours. Very powerful amp for the size/. I want to put more hour before I post my impression. Its detailed and transparent. It drive the 701 easily. I still like burning in and go through about 100 hrs before really seeing what this amp is all about.
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post #178 of 3983
5/2/10 at 8:56am
Has anyone tried to roll opamps already? Any recommendations?
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post #179 of 3983
5/2/10 at 9:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by buz View Post
Has anyone tried to roll opamps already? Any recommendations?
LOL the stock one isn't even burned in yet. I want to make sure this is a keeper before I do any op amp rolling.
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post #180 of 3983
5/3/10 at 8:41am
I spent about 8 hrs yesterday listening. I used mostly female vocals yesterday such as Susan Boyle,Joni Mitchell, Holly Cole and Patricia Barber all on the 701. The amp benefits from warm up as it sounded best late yesterday. Ver fast nice detail and good bass. It is driving the 701 as it appears it was matched well for the K701. It has nice power and is very transparent. Today I want to open it up and see the parts are as advertised. I will post my review and compare it to the Little Dot MK11 with upgraded tubes which cost the same with the 80.00 tubes I am using. Early impressions on the two amps is that the Matrix does not stomp the Little Dot. Different presentations but the little Dot is holding up very well.
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Matrix M-Stage amp review: simple, cheap, and excellent.