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High End Amp with Remote Control Capability?  

post #1 of 10
3/3/13 at 8:03pm
Thread Starter 

Is there a High End Headphone Amp with a remote control? 

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post #2 of 10
3/4/13 at 7:19am

Grace Design's m903 has an optional remote control:

 

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m903/m903.htm

 

The remote is included with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC:
 

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac/dac2-hgc

post #3 of 10
3/4/13 at 10:41am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by yage View Post

Grace Design's m903 has an optional remote control:

 

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m903/m903.htm

 

The remote is included with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC:
 

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac/dac2-hgc

Thanks. Just talked to Rory at Benchmark. I'm taking a hard look at the DAC1 too. 

post #4 of 10
3/4/13 at 5:18pm
Thread Starter 

Wow. Michael Grace himself emailed me back about the M903. Now that's service!  I wanted real world power ratings and he sent them up. It appears the Grace may have a bit more power than the Benchmark DAC1/2. I'm still waiting to hear from Benchmark on that though... According to Michael @ Benchmark:

 

 

Quote:

Hi Barry,
The m903 and m905 both contain reference quality headphone amplifiers and DA converters. The power output capabilities are listed below.


m903
32 Ohm 2100mW
50 Ohm 1548mW
300 Ohm 271mW
600 Ohm 136mW

m905
32 Ohm 2300mW
50 Ohm 1620mW
300 Ohm 294mW
600 Ohm 147mW

Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Best,
Michael

-- 
Michael Grace
Grace Design
mbgrace@gracedesign.com
http://www.gracedesign.com
303-443-7454 x108

 

 

 

Quote:

Hi Barry,
According the the DAC2 owners manual it's maximum output current is .250mA.  This would suggest a maximum output power with a 32 Ohm load of 999mW
The m903 can be ordered with an optional hand held IR remote. The m905 comes with a standard wired remote control (which has a headphone jack built in).
Cheers,
Michael

post #5 of 10
3/4/13 at 8:47pm

I own the m903. The remote is an awesome piece of solid heavy metal, and not simply a flimsy piece of cheap plastic. Of course, the metallic structure of the remote is just a bonus.

 

The best compliment I could give the headphone amp section of the m903 is that is properly controls the HD800 driver, which I've found to be quite rare, especially with a dac/amp combo. They sound bright only on the worst recordings in my library. I mention the HD800s first, because the m903 handles my other headphones with ease (EDIT: minus the HE-6).

 

The sound is very neutral but tips slightly toward the treble. Of course, the relatively worse recordings will tilt more toward the treble, and the better recordings will remain neutral. Essentially, the headphone amp sounds more as though it was designed for studio application than audiophiles. But, if you ever decide to purchase a separate amp with more of an audiophile feel, you'll still have a great DAC to feed the amp.

 

The compact size was an unexpected plus for me, as I have been able to take it with me on trips without significantly increasing by luggage load. The m903 is VERY transportable. Lots of effort, obviously, was put into making the m903 as compact as possible.

 

While the user interface of the menu is a bit cryptic, it isn't that difficult to learn and certainly shouldn't deter a prospective buyer in the slightest.

 

The build quality is high. It is very sturdy with lots of steel. It is not, however, for those who shine away from the industrial look. I just love touching and caressing it :)

 

These are just some of the highlights of my thoughts on the product. I'm obviously a very happy customer.


Edited by Moostrkraaft - 3/4/13 at 9:08pm
post #6 of 10
3/4/13 at 9:06pm
Thread Starter 

Hey, Thanks for sharing that! I'm craving information on these.  I was leaning towards the Benchmark until I started talking to Michael Grace. Now I'm REALLY leaning towards the Grace. For one, it has almost double the power.

 

Of course, how would anyone know since they don't publish the power output into 32, 50, 300, 600, ohm like everyone else. I suggested they do so in one of my emails, and I hope they listen to me. If the power ratings are accurate, then this thing is a BEAST. 2.1 WATTS per channel into 32 Ohm! That's more than the Asgard II. Not bad for an AIO... cool.gif


Edited by bareyb - 3/4/13 at 9:09pm
post #7 of 10
3/4/13 at 9:10pm

Also, the power on the m903 as a preamp is surprisingly high. I love the ability to adjust the output levels.

post #8 of 10
3/4/13 at 9:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moostrkraaft View Post

I own the m903. The remote is an awesome piece of solid heavy metal, and not simply a flimsy piece of cheap plastic. Of course, the metallic structure of the remote is just a bonus.

 

The best compliment I could give the headphone amp section of the m903 is that is properly controls the HD800 driver, which I've found to be quite rare, especially with a dac/amp combo. They sound bright only on the worst recordings in my library. I mention the HD800s first, because the m903 handles my other headphones with ease (EDIT: minus the HE-6).

 

The sound is very neutral but tips slightly toward the treble. Of course, the relatively worse recordings will tilt more toward the treble, and the better recordings will remain neutral. Essentially, the headphone amp sounds more as though it was designed for studio application than audiophiles. But, if you ever decide to purchase a separate amp with more of an audiophile feel, you'll still have a great DAC to feed the amp.

 

The compact size was an unexpected plus for me, as I have been able to take it with me on trips without significantly increasing by luggage load. The m903 is VERY transportable. Lots of effort, obviously, was put into making the m903 as compact as possible.

 

While the user interface of the menu is a bit cryptic, it isn't that difficult to learn and certainly shouldn't deter a prospective buyer in the slightest.

 

The build quality is high. It is very sturdy with lots of steel. It is not, however, for those who shine away from the industrial look. I just love touching and caressing it :)

 

These are just some of the highlights of my thoughts on the product. I'm obviously a very happy customer.

+1. Another happy m903 camper here. 

post #9 of 10
3/4/13 at 10:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moostrkraaft View Post

Also, the power on the m903 as a preamp is surprisingly high. I love the ability to adjust the output levels.

Is there a way to increase the INPUT levels for hard to drive headphones? If so, how is it accomplished? Jumpers? Switch? 

post #10 of 10
3/4/13 at 11:32pm

Please start only one thread with your search, not half a dozen. Thanks.

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