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Tube amp for Grados

post #1 of 8
11/21/10 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 

I have the Grado 325i headphones and so far I've mostly been using them with my ipod or at home using a the headphone out of my Denon receiver. I've recently bought some nice amps and speakers so I've been listening to my music mostly through speakers. Now I find there are times when I need or prefer to listen to headphone so I'd like to get a headphone amp to hopefully increase the listening experience.

 

I have a VTL 5.5 tube preamp which doesn't have a headphone amp. I'd still like to use this preamp since I like its sound signature and also all the sources go through it (Technics 1200 turntable and Ayre QB-9 DAC). I haven't seen anything like this, but are there any headphone "power amps" out there? Basically I'd like to use the volume control of my preamp and just use a headphone amp to simply drive my headphones.

 

Also, could you recommend a tube amp that would work with the Grados that's under the $1000 mark. I listen to a variety of music, but this includes rock, jazz, blues and metal as well.

 

Thanks.

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post #2 of 8
11/21/10 at 6:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jibbonacci View Post

I have the Grado 325i headphones and so far I've mostly been using them with my ipod or at home using a the headphone out of my Denon receiver. I've recently bought some nice amps and speakers so I've been listening to my music mostly through speakers. Now I find there are times when I need or prefer to listen to headphone so I'd like to get a headphone amp to hopefully increase the listening experience.

 

I have a VTL 5.5 tube preamp which doesn't have a headphone amp. I'd still like to use this preamp since I like its sound signature and also all the sources go through it (Technics 1200 turntable and Ayre QB-9 DAC). I haven't seen anything like this, but are there any headphone "power amps" out there? Basically I'd like to use the volume control of my preamp and just use a headphone amp to simply drive my headphones.

 

Also, could you recommend a tube amp that would work with the Grados that's under the $1000 mark. I listen to a variety of music, but this includes rock, jazz, blues and metal as well.

 

Thanks.


Tube amp - Mad Ear+ HD. Read up on the thread here using the search function. Apparently awesome synergy with Grados.

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post #3 of 8
11/21/10 at 6:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by matthewh133 View Post



Tube amp - Mad Ear+ HD. Read up on the thread here using the search function. Apparently awesome synergy with Grados.



The best I've heard! L3000.gif

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post #4 of 8
11/21/10 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the MAD suggestion. I haven't even heard of them but it looks like a really good option for me. Quick question about it... looking at their website, it seems like there's a new Ear + HD Super II version with EL84 tubes and external power supply. Has anyone compared the two or know what the differences would be soundwise? (the super II seems to be $150 more)

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post #5 of 8
11/22/10 at 2:53pm

Way overkill for Grado 325's.  The cheapest MAD amp should be just fine.  In fact, better than fine:  really nice, in fact.  However, if you get hooked on the upgrade bandwagon, the higher power of the Super II might be worth it.  I"ve got one.  Actually, mine is an interim version before the Blackgates ran out, and when Lloyd was putting the power supply in the same enclosure, but otherwise the same circuit.  Mine does a credible job with much more "difficult" loads like the HE5 and the LCD-2's.  Highly recommended!

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post #6 of 8
11/22/10 at 3:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jibbonacci View Post

Thanks for the MAD suggestion. I haven't even heard of them but it looks like a really good option for me. Quick question about it... looking at their website, it seems like there's a new Ear + HD Super II version with EL84 tubes and external power supply. Has anyone compared the two or know what the differences would be soundwise? (the super II seems to be $150 more)



I have both the Ear+ HD and the Super II. They're much more similar than they are different. The Super II is somewhat more SS-like, meaning faster with more precise bass, and also handles harder-to-push headphones a little better. The Ear+ HD has more of a classic tube sound with slightly greater bass quantity and a bit more warmth. I prefer the HD with Grados and the Super II with Sennheisers. Again, the difference in sound quality is very subtle, so your choice may be better made on aesthetics and added functionality (I chose the Super II with passive preamp option and switchable inputs).

 

Good luck!

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post #7 of 8
11/22/10 at 9:11pm
Thread Starter 

I was hoping that the Super II would keep the warmth of the HD so right now I'm leaning towards the HD. Since the Super II takes EL84s, there's quite a variety available, so I was wondering if anyone has found any that would have the tube warmth.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Olias of Sunhillow View Post

I have both the Ear+ HD and the Super II. They're much more similar than they are different. The Super II is somewhat more SS-like, meaning faster with more precise bass, and also handles harder-to-push headphones a little better. The Ear+ HD has more of a classic tube sound with slightly greater bass quantity and a bit more warmth. I prefer the HD with Grados and the Super II with Sennheisers. Again, the difference in sound quality is very subtle, so your choice may be better made on aesthetics and added functionality (I chose the Super II with passive preamp option and switchable inputs).

 

Good luck!

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post #8 of 8
11/22/10 at 9:25pm

The Super II is still a warm amp -- more tube-like than, say, a WA6 -- but just one notch down from the Ear+ HD.

 

With either amp, my recommendation is to replace the stock 12AX7s with a nice set of 5751s (I prefer Sylvanias) or, better yet, a pair of RCA 7025s. Rolling the preamp tubes makes a big difference, IMO... frankly, I never found that much difference when rolling EL84s. I settled on a pair of new production Genalex EL84s, which work fine.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by jibbonacci View Post

I was hoping that the Super II would keep the warmth of the HD so right now I'm leaning towards the HD. Since the Super II takes EL84s, there's quite a variety available, so I was wondering if anyone has found any that would have the tube warmth.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Olias of Sunhillow View Post

I have both the Ear+ HD and the Super II. They're much more similar than they are different. The Super II is somewhat more SS-like, meaning faster with more precise bass, and also handles harder-to-push headphones a little better. The Ear+ HD has more of a classic tube sound with slightly greater bass quantity and a bit more warmth. I prefer the HD with Grados and the Super II with Sennheisers. Again, the difference in sound quality is very subtle, so your choice may be better made on aesthetics and added functionality (I chose the Super II with passive preamp option and switchable inputs).

 

Good luck!


 
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