so, does that mean you don't have one right now?

Nope, right now I just have the Voodoochile PPA.....for now...but when I received the PPA, I still had the Perreaux with me, that I returned about a week later, so I had both for about a week to compare.....

My Perreaux arrived yesterday from Audio Advisor, but there is a small problem. Two of the four pointed plastic tabs that secure the circuit board apparently snapped off when mounting it to the feet assembly. They were rolling around loose and I could hear a rattle. Perhaps a bit too rushed on final assembly?

Anyhow, I ran it for two hours with my Senn 600's plugged in and with a CD running. I then gave it a quick listen before bed, and it sounds wonderful! Warm, incredibly open with a huge soundstage, great detail, and tight and accurate bass. VERY NICE! It’s everything that Sean H. and SovKiller have stated it is. AND NO HUM! The hole for the volume knob is indeed larger and appears to extend out a bit farther. This little amp seems to be a huge value indeed!

I called AA today about the broken plastic mounting tabs. They offered a $50.00 off, or return for replacement. I took the $50.00 discount. Bottom line is, the circuit board is well anchored enough not to really matter. Take the money and run I say. Those little do-hickies to break off quite easily. It certainly won’t affect the sound quality.

I’ll post more thoughts later after extended time listening to it.

Merry Christmas to all!

I don't plan to use my Perreaux version 0.5 (when they finally arrive) with anything but the HD650s; I don't expect them to have a problem with hum. I do own some Grado models, though. When I finally obtain a v 0.5, I'll test it with both and let you guys know if I have good luck, even with Grados.

Issues such as hum and hiss are hard to pin down, because of the wide range of headphone sensitivities and impedances, and the environmentes in which the headphone amp is to be used.

Unit-to-unit variations may also exceed what they had hoped. These are common manufacturing issues that may take time to iron out, with feedback from around the world where power systems behave differently.

Pleae do us a favor test it with low impedance headphones, if you can get a pair of earbuds of 99cents, is just to see if the hum is there with low Z....

Congrats, TUBEBO! I'm glad to hear you like it! Sorry to hear about the little tabs, very odd indeed. The SXH-1 sounds excellent with the HD600/650's, just as you described. Even if you had a unit with the hum issue it likely wouldn't show up with your Senn's, it's only a problem with lower impedance cans. Even at that, which I have said a hundred times, I've got a 3-4 month old SXH-1 and I have never heard any hum with my Grado's. Anyhow, I'm thrilled to hear you like it, it is a great sounding amp.

Stoney- Please let us know when you get your amp.

Oops! Forgot to mention that I also have a pair of Grado SR125's and plugged them in briefly to see if it hummed. (I'm aware it's an impedance issue. Sorry, just past my bed time.)

I will also shoot a photo after Christmas of the new 0.5 version board. There are a few new resistors and such. Also looks like different make of MOSFET outputs than previous versions.

And thanks Sean H. Your accurate descriptions, along with your list of previous amps helped sway me!

Is SXH-1 also a good match with AKG k 501 ?
Anyone paired them up before?

if i wasn't clear enough before...the .5 is in & they say they're sendin' it out to new customers...i had to read to them what clinton said in order to get my .3 replaced...i've mailed mine in & they're to send me a .5 when they get my .3...it's conceivable that they've already mailed my .5 out & i'll post pics as soon as i get the top off to take 'em...i sold some cans recently so i should probably buy somethin' right quick so i can test for this hum (which i've yet to experience--neither on first one or .3 upgraded)...i can go 'head & test the amp with cheapy phones...

Sean:
Thanks for your persistence in bringing the Perreault to our attention.

I'm down to the wire on deciding on which amp to buy. My short list is:
1) SinglePower PPX3
2) Perreault SHX1

I’m sure I’d be happy with either choice. Sonically; each has so much to offer for so few dollars. My choice may boil-down to mundane factors such as appearance or convenience.

I notice that the Perrault has dual headphone jacks and for me that’s a potential plus. Driving two headphones at once would permit both my wife and I to enjoy the system while reading. My headphones are HD600 and Alessandro MS1 (aka Grado 125) which is a similar setup to what you listen to.

Question:
Is it possible for the Perrault to adequately drive both cans at once? If there’s any sonic degradation, can you describe it?

Thanks

Peter

that's "Perreaux"...perhaps you were thinking "Renault" when you were typing it...

I'm a newbie with a post under the Amps section entitled:

HELP! Corda vs Perreaux vs. Xcan vs. PPA

I'd love to hear some more comments regarding the SXH1, especially how it compares to the other amps I am looking out.

Thanks in advance for any and all comments,

Dino

Quote:



Good to hear you are considering it! Well, as to the drivability of two cans I have had a pair of Grado SR-60's and HD600/650's connected to the Perreaux and heard no degradation of sound. Now that said I only did it a few times as I use my Grado's at work and my Senn's at home and happened to have them both home on a couple occasions and I didn't really analyze it that much I just noticed no difference in the sound. I don't think there's much to worry about with this amp.

Deciding between the PPX3 and the Perreaux would be a tough one. From a feature stand point the Perreaux does have the dual outputs as you said but other than that pretty much the same save for the Perreaux's loop out. It sounds like the PPX3 is excellent but I have ot heard it so I feel a little uncomfortable saying much about it. Based on impressions of others I would say that it sounds like it has a more tubey character than some tube amps. Sounds like it is a bit more forgiving than the other amps Mikhail makes. what I can say about the Perreaux is it manages to combine some of the sonic things tube amps do that people like with the good things that sold state offers. The Perreaux sounds very "correct" to me, it has a fleshy, full and natural midrange and a smooth treble range. Bass is all there, it's deep and defined with good punch and solidity but likely not as solid as I have heard. It sounds very detailed with lots of air and space with good speed/flow, without sounding hard or etched. It favors a rich and warm sound to a clinical or dry sound.

Hope that helps some. I just haven't heard enough about the PPX3. I want to be fair here and not try and push you toward the Perreaux but I would just throw out the point that Audio Advisor does offer that 30-day trial period allowing you to try it to see if you like it, whereas I'm not sure if Mikhail offers that (yet).

Quote:



At that time we got it the first time, some of the members compared it to some Cordas, only the Prehead, outperformed it, and just in the bass dept IIRC, I can't commnet on the X-Can (but is easy to figure out) and at least my PPA sounds a little more relaxed and with a little more authority, both sound very good.....for the price IMO the Perreaux is the amp to get, I'm just repeating what I was told, don't trust me blindly, and keep on finding out, but I doubt you will find any other amp for around this price, that will offer you that performance....

My Perreaux runs quite hot, much hotter than I expected.
Is this the same for all of you?
Is this going to reduce component life much?