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Mapletree Ear+ HD Super II - Page 4

post #46 of 62
12/6/10 at 9:26pm

I'd like amend my earlier comment that the Super II/RS-1 combo is "absolute perfection." After a few months of listening, I came to the conclusion that I very slightly preferred the Ear+ HD with my Grados over the Super II. The Ear+ HD has a modestly more "tubey" sound than the Super II, and I find it to be a subtle but noticeable improvement with the RS-1s. I do prefer with Super II with basically all of my other cans (when I could perceive enough of a difference to have a real preference, that is).

 

Bottom line: I'm keeping the Ear+ HD to use exclusively with my RS-1s.  :-)

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post #47 of 62
4/24/11 at 2:19pm
Thread Starter 

I finally got around to ordering a new Super II along with a couple of upgrades. The HD-650's are the only phones I have at the moment, so I may be looking into getting a pair of Grados for a different flavor.

 

I'll post my findings after I get a chance to break in the amp a bit :)

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post #48 of 62
5/16/11 at 8:13am
Thread Starter 

The Super II has landed!  So far I'm very pleased with the sonics.  It was ordered with the Auricap and Black Gate upgrades.  I'm not sure how long it will take the caps to break in, so I'll need to do some more listening before posting a formal review.  It shipped with TAD EL-84 and 12AX7A-C tubes.  I forced myself to listen with the stock tubes during the first week, but curiosity got the best of me an I had to roll in a pair of GE 5751 TMBP.  The results of the swap have been quite good :)

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post #49 of 62
5/16/11 at 9:08am

Talk about delayed gratification.  biggrin.gif  If it's anything like my Ear+ HD you'll LOVE it.

 

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post #50 of 62
5/16/11 at 9:15am

Congratulations, and welcome to the MAD club!

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post #51 of 62
5/17/11 at 4:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rclanger View Post

The Super II has landed!  So far I'm very pleased with the sonics.  It was ordered with the Auricap and Black Gate upgrades.  I'm not sure how long it will take the caps to break in, so I'll need to do some more listening before posting a formal review.  It shipped with TAD EL-84 and 12AX7A-C tubes.  I forced myself to listen with the stock tubes during the first week, but curiosity got the best of me an I had to roll in a pair of GE 5751 TMBP.  The results of the swap have been quite good :)

 

Congratulations!  What headphones are you using with the MAD amp?  I'm using the obligatory Grado's + Audeze LCD-2's with great success.  Another Connecticut Head-Fi'er

 

I've got a transition model halfway between the the 250 special edition and the HD+ Super II.  Mine has the EL84 output tubes and 12AX7 input tubes, but the power supply (with Black Gates) is in the main chassis.   I did get rid of the nasty electrolytics in the cathode follower stage and replaced them with some obbligato oil caps.

 

I took mine to a meet in NJ two weeks ago and in competition with some heavy hitters it did very well.  The other amps included a pair of Woos (WA6SE + WA2), Beta22, RSA Apache, Shiit Lyr, RWA Isabellina, etc. 

 

I'll be interested in hearing your impressions, and sharing some tube-rolling results.  I've played with several 5751's and 12AX7s.

 

best,

 

Frank
 

 

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post #52 of 62
5/18/11 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks to all! :)

 

Frank: I'm using a pair of Sennheiser HD-650's with a Cardas cable.  These are the only 'phones I own at the moment.  I'm planning on getting a pair of Grados down the road, but I'm wondering if the Super II might be able to drive a pair of planar-dynamics like the HE-5?

 

Part of my decision in going with the MAD is that I already had a large selection of 5751s and 12ax7's on hand from when I was tube rolling with my MiniMax phono. The GE 5751 TMBP seem to demonstrate some of the same basic characteristics that they did in the phono stage: very neutral-sounding with good drive, but perhaps missing just a bit of top end extension (with the Sennheisers). I'll probably try the Sylvania 5751 TMBP next.

 

I'm still breaking the amp in so I don't want to make any broad statements about the sonics just yet. Keep you posted.

 

 


Edited by rclanger - 5/18/11 at 8:18pm
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post #53 of 62
5/18/11 at 8:27pm

Hey if you're in Western CT and want to hear the Mapletree sound pretty darn good with planars, come hear my system.  Not up to megabuck standards, but for casual daytime use it is very nice.

 

I had HD-650's but sold them (before I got my MAD amp).  I have a set of HD-600's (modded) that sound pretty good with the MAD amp too, although currently my nephew has them in his dorm room at Wesleyan.  So my only decent cans at the moment are the LCD-2's, which I like quite well.  You're welcome to come listen, bring your amp & we can compare?

 

best,

 

Frank

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post #54 of 62
5/21/11 at 11:31am

Hey @limpidglitch, do you still have the HD250? wink_face.gif

 

I'm in line for my own Super II...still regret getting rid of my HD250 a little!  I got the preamp option, the Auricap and Blackgates, and some of the locking TRS jacks.  Of course, I had to get the sage green. 

 

I'll be listening to my Cardas/HD650s and some 325is for now.  In about two months the PS1000 should show up and I'm hoping they make a great match.  I think my Rega front end (Saturn and DAC) with the MAD and the PS1000 should end up being a great combo.  I've auditioned all of it except the Super II, but from what I know of my old 250 it should be great. 

 

It's nice to see so much love for MAD and Lloyd - he's always been such a great guy to deal with!

 

Cheers!

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post #55 of 62
5/21/11 at 12:39pm

Sure do, I'm listening to it at the very moment.

However my GS1000s have had to step aside for some Thunderpants.

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post #56 of 62
6/22/11 at 8:25am

The Super II has arrived and is making beautiful music.  I'm still rolling in the tubes and letting things settle in, but I'm very pleased with the results so far.  I made the front faces "naked" as I like the look a bit better and put everything up on a platform with footers - the same way I got the best sound from my former HD250.  

 

IMG_1766.JPG

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post #57 of 62
6/22/11 at 9:11am

^ Mmm, purty.

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post #58 of 62
6/22/11 at 2:23pm

Congratulations!  In my experience, the Auricaps & Blackgates need a fair amount of time to sound their best.  Looking forward to hearing your listening impressions after a couple of hundred hours...

 

 

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post #59 of 62
6/22/11 at 6:54pm

If anyone is interested, I plan to list a stock Super II for sale in a week or two.  PM for details.

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post #60 of 62
6/26/11 at 3:22pm

I have a doubt.. super II or ear+ HD for grado rs-1? 150 US$? :(

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