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Grado Fan Club!
May 29, 2013 at 6:09 AM Post #7,486 of 65,643
hpiper said:
Still trying to make up my mind on the tube/solid-state thing. I have both and to say the sound between them is different is an understatement, but my ss amp is quite old. I would like to listen to a new, somewhat high end ss amp like a Burson or Grace before I really make up my mind, but for now I prefer my tube amp over the ss amp I have.
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I'm pretty happy with tubes so far >.< its that grass is greener feeling though I guess x_x
 
May 29, 2013 at 11:37 AM Post #7,487 of 65,643
orakurumi said:
marone said:
Do you prefer the 325is over the 225is or is your budget for the 225i and that's your mid-fi limit?

Or some other consideration?
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They're both great at what they do, but the 325i's are the acquired taste and need burn in and source, so imo they're not ur average mid-fi plug in and go, though they have the far greater range and scalability (metal cups for crisp responsiveness) & intense grado sound & potential for low volume

Long story short I'm lazy so would go for the mellower 225i's that wow u right away :p
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It seems it is also a case of requiring good source components to feed the 325i that needs TLC to bring out the best in it.

That's cool and fine, but for now I am DAC/Amp rolling with just about anything I can find on the low end.

I look forward to when I have 20 cans and 20 amps and I can pair everything to find what works and what does not.
 
May 29, 2013 at 2:10 PM Post #7,488 of 65,643
Quote:
marone said:
It seems it is also a case of requiring good source components to feed the 325i that needs TLC to bring out the best in it.

That's cool and fine, but for now I am DAC/Amp rolling with just about anything I can find on the low end.

I look forward to when I have 20 cans and 20 amps and I can pair everything to find what works and what does not.
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For what it's worth, I'm quite pleased listening to my 225i straight through my Ipod and my Android phone listening to Rhapsody-just screwing around the house.
 
Then, for better sound, I'll listen with an Asgard-2 to CD's in my stereo and sometimes streaming through an Internet receiver that's part of my dedicated speaker system. I haven't invested in a DAC yet, but I have a lot of CD's, and I feel like a well recorded CD and my A-2 gives me very nice sound.
 
Sure, I may spend more money later....but, for an initial set up I think it's pretty sweet and I wasn't disappointed when I went to my first meet last weekend and heard a bunch of pricier rigs...sure some differences and refinement, etc. If someone gifted me $5-7 K one of those Stax systems would be cool. But, that ain't gonna happen any time soon.
 
 
 I think for the money I've spent, I can afford an extremely high quality listening experience across a variety of genres.....Mozart to Zeppelin to Yanni to Miles Davis Pink Floyd to Swans Leonard Cohen to Isis to Neil Young to Converge to Kreator to Opeth to the Mars Volta to Howard Shore soundracks to Fiona Apple to Death Metal! Alright, I'm going to stop there :)
 
May 29, 2013 at 2:12 PM Post #7,489 of 65,643
hpiper said:
Has anybody had (as in owned) or been able to listen to some Grado SR series phones on both a Valhalla and a Lyr, if so which sounded the best to you? I am kind of leaning toward the Lyr becuase I am told it works wonders removing the 'veil' from the Senn HD650's but I listen to my Grados more so it is more important to me that the Grados sound good than the Senns.
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I have not own any of the Schiit products (heard the Valhalla with DT880/600) but he Valhalla is an OTL design so technically better for higher impedance headphones (150 & up) and the LYR is a power beast so you might have no volume headroom.

With experience I would recommend the MAD Ear+ HD from Mappletree Audio. The best tube amp for Grado.
 
May 29, 2013 at 3:37 PM Post #7,490 of 65,643
hpiper said:
Has anybody had (as in owned) or been able to listen to some Grado SR series phones on both a Valhalla and a Lyr, if so which sounded the best to you? I am kind of leaning toward the Lyr becuase I am told it works wonders removing the 'veil' from the Senn HD650's but I listen to my Grados more so it is more important to me that the Grados sound good than the Senns.
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I don't believe the Lyr or any good amp will radically transform the sonic personality of the HD650. If it did, it would likely transform the Grados in the same direction, probably an undesirable result since you say the Grados are more important.

Valhalla driving RS1i or SR60 Lcush is open, transparent, incisive, has body and texture, and is not fat. I haven't listened to Lyr.
 
May 29, 2013 at 4:02 PM Post #7,491 of 65,643
At CanLanta, I heard the Lyr drive my PS500s.  I was very impressed with the sound quality.  Definitely a nice combination.
 
May 29, 2013 at 10:55 PM Post #7,492 of 65,643
Quote:
gefski said:
I don't believe the Lyr or any good amp will radically transform the sonic personality of the HD650. If it did, it would likely transform the Grados in the same direction, probably an undesirable result since you say the Grados are more important.

Valhalla driving RS1i or SR60 Lcush is open, transparent, incisive, has body and texture, and is not fat. I haven't listened to Lyr.
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What more could you want from an amplifier, sounds good to me.
 
May 30, 2013 at 7:48 AM Post #7,493 of 65,643
I had the Asgard driving my 325is and PS500 and was initially impressed. Only when I plugged them into my integrated amp I couldn't really notice much difference so I sold the Asgard. The Graham Slee Solo ULDE was a different story however. The only amp I've heard that can impart some kind of soundstage to Grado cans. People who say Grados don't need an amp obviously haven't heard Grados on a good amp. I'd have said the same before I heard the Slee. Grado and Lyr is supposed to be a decent combination; Lyr will certainly supply plenty of current. But isn't Valhalla a high volt amp designed for 250ohm Senns and 600ohm Beyers?
 
May 30, 2013 at 10:36 AM Post #7,494 of 65,643
I looked briefly at the Graham line of amps and for the most part they are way beyond my price range. I don't recall exact prices but I seem to recall something around $800 to $10000 dollars. I am looking for something less than $500, so a Valhalla or Lyr would do nicely if they sound good. I was thinking about a Little Dot and call me old fashioned  but I decided I would rather get something made in America with a good warranty.
 I just got my SR325is phones, havn't had much time to listen to them but so far I have to admit I am not real impressed. I like my 225i better. They are kind of sounding like they are not really burned in very well so I am willing to give them some more time. The person I bought them from said he got them and didn't like the sound much, so he put them away in a closet and they sat there ever since until he decided to sell them, so it is completely possible they didn't get more than a few hours on them to begin with. More later.
 
May 30, 2013 at 10:50 AM Post #7,495 of 65,643
Asgard is the one you want. It's a fine amp for the money and it's the one Schiit and Grado recommend for your headphones. I know because I asked them. I've read people commenting favourably on the Grado/Lyr combination but as a previous poster said, you wouldn't have much room for manoeuvre with the volume pot. That amp seems to have been designed for orthodynamics which require much higher current. The 325is do require quite a bit of burn in. I upgraded to the PS500 and still miss the in-yer-face mids of the 325is. Depends what you listen to really. They're rubbish for electronica but great for rock/indie etc. They're very detailed and like most Grados have a knack of making instruments sound real. Probably don't have the soundstage for classical but they're good for jazz too.
 
May 30, 2013 at 10:56 AM Post #7,496 of 65,643
Quote:
hpiper said:
I looked briefly at the Graham line of amps and for the most part they are way beyond my price range. I don't recall exact prices but I seem to recall something around $800 to $10000 dollars. I am looking for something less than $500, so a Valhalla or Lyr would do nicely if they sound good. I was thinking about a Little Dot and call me old fashioned  but I decided I would rather get something made in America with a good warranty.
 I just got my SR325is phones, haven't had much time to listen to them but so far I have to admit I am not real impressed. I like my 225i better. They are kind of sounding like they are not really burned in very well so I am willing to give them some more time. The person I bought them from said he got them and didn't like the sound much, so he put them away in a closet and they sat there ever since until he decided to sell them, so it is completely possible they didn't get more than a few hours on them to begin with. More later.
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I'm going to concur. How much to spend is such a personal choice. If I were to spend upward of 1K, I'd be inclined to put them into upgrading headphones. Well, upgrading isn't right, I really like my Grados-adding options sounds better....choices/variety....following the adage that you get your biggest improvement in HP's/Speakers. Speaking just for myself only owning one set of $200 cans, I could justify spending no more than 2.5 times the value of the cans. But, to spend $1,000 for an amp for a $2-300 HP seems a little lopsided to me. If I wanted more sound stage, I think I'd get a second set of cans....and in fact, am considering the HE 500 for that very reason.One more "polite", refined set of cans w/ more sound stage and one more front and center, bright and aggressive. And, I'd be inclined to keep -in my case-my Asgard 2 which would drive both.
 
 Now, if you have several sets of cans ranging from say $150-1,000+ that changes the calculus entirely.
 
My opinions only, of course. And, to each his own, yada, yada....
smile.gif

 
May 30, 2013 at 4:14 PM Post #7,497 of 65,643
markm1 said:
I'm going to concur. How much to spend is such a personal choice. If I were to spend upward of 1K, I'd be inclined to put them into upgrading headphones. Well, upgrading isn't right, I really like my Grados-adding options sounds better....choices/variety....following the adage that you get your biggest improvement in HP's/Speakers. Speaking just for myself only owning one set of $200 cans, I could justify spending no more than 2.5 times the value of the cans. But, to spend $1,000 for an amp for a $2-300 HP seems a little lopsided to me. If I wanted more sound stage, I think I'd get a second set of cans....and in fact, am considering the HE 500 for that very reason.One more "polite", refined set of cans w/ more sound stage and one more front and center, bright and aggressive. And, I'd be inclined to keep -in my case-my Asgard 2 which would drive both.

 Now, if you have several sets of cans ranging from say $150-1,000+ that changes the calculus entirely.

My opinions only, of course. And, to each his own, yada, yada....:smile:
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^ +1 very good advices here.
 
May 30, 2013 at 5:18 PM Post #7,499 of 65,643
Quote:
hpiper said:
 I just got my SR325is phones, havn't had much time to listen to them but so far I have to admit I am not real impressed. I like my 225i better. They are kind of sounding like they are not really burned in very well so I am willing to give them some more time. The person I bought them from said he got them and didn't like the sound much, so he put them away in a closet and they sat there ever since until he decided to sell them, so it is completely possible they didn't get more than a few hours on them to begin with. More later.
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The secret is to get to know them first (don't worry about 'burn in').  Use the 325i exclusively for a couple of days - without switching back to the 225is.  Your ears will adjust accordingly - and you'll get to appreciate the added detail and bass impact.
 
Then after a couple of days (exclusive) have a quick switch back to the 225is and see if your opinion changes.
 
If you still feel the same way (225i better) then sell the 325i.  But constantly switching between something you know (and your ears are already adjusted to), and something you don't, is not really being fair to the new cans.  Just my opinion.
 
May 30, 2013 at 5:29 PM Post #7,500 of 65,643
Quote:
brooko said:
 
The secret is to get to know them first (don't worry about 'burn in').  Use the 325i exclusively for a couple of days - without switching back to the 225is.  Your ears will adjust accordingly - and you'll get to appreciate the added detail and bass impact.
 
Then after a couple of days (exclusive) have a quick switch back to the 225is and see if your opinion changes.
 
If you still feel the same way (225i better) then sell the 325i.  But constantly switching between something you know (and your ears are already adjusted to), and something you don't, is not really being fair to the new cans.  Just my opinion.
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+1
 
Well said and especially true if comparing Grado with other brands (like Senn, in my case) that have a very different sound signature.
 
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