Audio-gd roc vs MAD EAR+ HD // HD Super II

I vote go balanced.  I have the Roc and love it btw, I have never heard the Maple Tree, but I hear good stuff about em. 

IMO, your plans of staying SE vs. going balanced is the biggest factor here. If you are seriously considering going balanced, then the choice of Roc is obvious. If not, then the proper comparison may be Audio-GD C2 vs Mapletree, as Roc is by most accounts (including Kingwa) a balanced C2 with a few minor differences.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a big Ear+ HD fan – though I suspect the separate power supply and extra juice offered by the Super II would be a better fit with the difficult HE5s. My Ear+ HD occasionally feels underpowered with comparatively easy cans like the HD650s, though admittedly mine was built as a kit and modified by its previous user, so I’m not sure how true it is to a Dr. Peppard-built amp.

Just this week, I’ve ordered both a C2 and a MAD Ear+ Super II myself – meaning I’ll be able to make a more educated comparison in about six weeks.
 

I'm a big fan of MAD amps and Grados. Perfect match, I'd say!

But a MAD amp and HE-5? I'm under the impression that orthos are a b!tch to drive. You'll have to try and see :)

(And then let us know)

When I contacted KIngwa he said that the Roc is based on the Phoenix not the C2 and I think it still states the same on the Roc website page.

So I would go with the Roc especially if not using Grado's.

In fact I am thinking of buying one myself to compete with my Woo6se.

I have the Mapletree HD+ Super (EL84 output tubes) and it has substantially more drive than the previous HD+ I had.  I'm quite happy with it with Senn HD-580/600 and HD-650's.  If you plan to go balanced, then it's not your best choice.  But the Super should work with the HE-5's.   I'm about to order a pair and will post back after I've had a month or so living with them.

The Roc is based on the Phoenix but it's a little less powerful, but still plenty juicy.

The main advantage of the phonix is the volume control,separate dual power supplies and the remote that can be very useful.

I have not heard the Audiogd amp, but I can confirm that my MAD Ear+HD tube amp is simply amazing with all of my cans (range from 32 ohm RS1s to the 300 ohm HD800, to the 600 ohm beyer T1 and DT770/600).

The build quality is phenomenal and amazingly the synergy with Grado headphones can't be beat. Dr. Lloyd is here in North America (Canada) and his customer service is truly amazing. I would completely recommend any of his MAD products (and I do have a soft spot for tube amps ).

My recommendation would be to order Roc with stepped attenuator and slightly increased current limit (if you are going to drive HE-5 with it). Excellent combo.

Beware that your source will be scrutinized and prone to upgraditis chronicus.

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Originally Posted by FauDrei 

Beware that your source will be scrutinized and prone to upgraditis chronicus.

Is that the on going disease on Head-Fi?  j/k
 

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Originally Posted by h.rav 

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Is that the on going disease on Head-Fi?  j/k
 

Actually yes, it is. That's precisely the problem here! lol
 

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Originally Posted by gknix 

In that case, could one argue that since balance plugs are generally better than SE plugs, hence, the ROC would be better since it could provide a balance output?

I think it's best you review the evidence for yourself - I thought this discussion was really good, and remember we're dealing with balanced headphones not interconnects. That said...

... and in theory, he's completely right. There's no point paying for four channels when you're only using two, the balanced 'feature' would just be a big waste of money (active balanced ground or '3 channel' might give you some benefits). But at the same time I understand it's not hard to balance a HE-5LE (isn't that what you have, you lucky *cantonese swear words*) and they could really use the voltage swing. I say in theory, since I might be out of my depth here and I haven't really listened to such a setup.