New MEIER AUDIO headphone amp "CORDA CLASSIC" - Page 8

Dear Headfellows,

" By my calculation, you can drop the volume to about -34db in low gain mode "

The 0.5 stepsize is for the upper 2/3 control range of the volume dial. At the lower part of the range stepsize is somewhat larger. The minimum amplification factor is actually somewhat lower than that of the 2STEPDANCE.

"Does this mean it is ready to be ordered, or is this just the information?"

If all goes well the amp will be available in 1..1,5 weeks. Of course it's well possible to order right now. Who pays first gets served first. 

"I'm seriously interested in what the Classic will do with its extra power and whatever else Jan has improved."

The increase in power is very limited. That's really not a big thing. Soundwise the more important differences between the CONCERTO and  the CLASSIC are the use of better electrolytic capacitors (NICHICON Fine Gold instead of NICHICON FW, resulting in a slightly warmer sound with better definition in the low frequencies) and the implementation of a more sophisticated crossfeed filter which has better imaging.

Cheers

Jan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jan Meier 

 

...The minimum amplification factor is actually somewhat lower than that of the 2STEPDANCE.

Jan, thanks for the clarification. So, as hoped, this looks to be a killer amp for IEMs (based in part on my positive experience with the Stepdance), i.e. output impedance less than 0.1 ohms,, active balanced ground, perfect channel matching, plus more current, better capacitors, and (of real interest to me) the sophisticated cross-feed.

Exciting times...

Yes thanks for the clarifications Jan - very interesting.

I take your point about power - I'm sorry I brought this into the discussion actually - between Classic and Concerto. Other qualities are more important!

http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/classic.htm

"Active balanced headphone ground offers most of the advantages of a true balanced headphone setup without the need of balanced connections. It can be used with any conventional dynamic headphone."

"The built-in crossfeed filter is a frequency-extended version of the natural crossfeed found in previous CORDA amplifiers and provides even better imaging."

I Would like to upgrade to the Corda Classic!

Hello, first time poster. Long time music lover and lurker here for the fine reviews that can be found.

I have had the Meier Headsix for several years now. Ready for a more substantial rig, and definitely going to grab a classic soon. (Like your style Jan!)

I see on the Meier Audio site that if you purchase the Stagedac and Classic at the same time there is a discounted price. Got me wondering about the sonic possibilities of having two peices running concurrently both having crossfeed abilities etc. Anyone care to comment on this pairing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hausierjohnson 

Hello, first time poster. Long time music lover and lurker here for the fine reviews that can be found.

I have had the Meier Headsix for several years now. Ready for a more substantial rig, and definitely going to grab a classic soon. (Like your style Jan!)

 

I see on the Meier Audio site that if you purchase the Stagedac and Classic at the same time there is a discounted price. Got me wondering about the sonic possibilities of having two peices running concurrently both having crossfeed abilities etc. Anyone care to comment on this pairing?

 

I think that it would be a brilliant pairing - same width and clearly intended to be so paired - but you would only use one crossfeed circuit at a time, either the StageDac or Classic, not both simultaneously..
 

I'm sure your right on the intended usage. Doubling up on the features will make for some great experimenting no doubt.

Not quite, I wouldn't say you always need one crossfeed circuit, by definition. On some recordings it's near impossible to tell a difference, and on others the instrument seperation and imaging becomes less accurate. At least, that's my experience with the Concerto and Stagedac paired, using both crossfeeds. By default, however, I only use the Stagedac's crossfeed, but sometimes it's just fun to check what it sounds like with both on 

As Jan told me, always just use whatever settings sounds best to your ears.

I'm wondering what it will be like when tonal balance is set to max on both devices... Sure would be nice for bassheads like me 

"I'm wondering what it will be like when tonal balance is set to max on both devices... Sure would be nice for bassheads like me "

As my main set of headphones is a pair of AKG k702, I'm looking forward to trying out that tonal balance feature too.

Currently using the 702 with a nuforce ido (and they sound fine.)

And fortunately I can use the ido's coax s/pdif out to route the lossless ipod library through the two meier peices.

NICE

STAGEDAC and CLASSIC have the same sizes: 28.0 x 17.7 x 6.7 cm
Perfect to put one on top of the other. CLASIC on top to prevent heat accumulation?
On-Off switches don´t match. (opposite positions)

Can't wait, I'm really looking forward to this

For those that might be interested:

http://www.head-fi.org/products/meier-audio-corda-classic/reviews/5960

Rob, thank you for the excellent thoughtful review.

Yes, thanks very much!

A nicely balanced review, thanks Rob. Much to think about.

Two points of difference to my ears between e.g. Lyr and Concerto are: 1. deep black background in the Concerto; 2. Sharper or faster attack in the Concerto (note: may be tube-dependent to be fair to Lyr).

Are these points you noticed with the Concerto Rob? If so, would you say they feature in the Classic?

TIA, Andre