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Melos Check-In: Who's got one, once had one, or even just heard one?

post #1 of 25
2/22/02 at 9:57pm
Thread Starter 
Howdy,
This thread applies to any of the Melos SHA variants:
1. Melos SHA-1
2. Melos SHA-Gold
3. Melos SHA-Gold Reference
4. Melos Maestro Reference

The more I listen to my Melos Gold, the more I like it. After a few months with the thing, I am still at a loss to explain what it does, but whatever it is, it does it right!

Much like the Sony R10, the words "natural", "uncolored" and almost "invisible" describe my Melos Gold. Sound just flows out of this thing in a manner that is almost beyond "liquid". The two together make me swoon.

OK, so here's what I want to know:

1. What other amps have you owned?
2. Which version of the Melos do/did you own?
3. What sets the Melos apart from other amps you've heard?
4. What are the Melos' short-comings in your view?
5. How do you rank the Melos compared to the other amps you've owned/heard?
6. If you sold your Melos, what did you find that was better and why?

Cheers.

markl
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post #2 of 25
2/22/02 at 10:20pm
Heard the SHA-1 (Flumpus is the lucky owner)

I've owned the X-Cans, X-Cans v2, Creek OBH-11, and MG Head OTL... but demoed a lot more than that.

What sets the Melos apart? It's stellar performance, of course! It's the best I've heard yet.

Shortcomings of the Melos? Size. Availability. Reliability. No warranty.

The Melos is #1.

I would never sell it if I owned one.
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post #3 of 25
2/22/02 at 10:30pm
I gots one, and I's love's its alot's.
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post #4 of 25
2/22/02 at 10:34pm
I own a SHA-1, still not sure what I like about it. Am waiting on some Bugle Boys.

Also have a supreme with upgraded electronics and used to have an MG HEAD. Neither are as crisp and clear as the Melos. But I do have to admit that I really miss the MG Head sound.

Next amp would more than likely be the Earmax pro.
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post #5 of 25
2/22/02 at 11:01pm
This is maybe a little off topic but... If the Melos is *SOOOO* good, why doesn't sombody simply copy the headphone amplification circuit and make new "melos clone" amps?

You could eliminate all the other pre-amp junk. I've see pictures inside the thing (I think from Flumpus) - It looks pretty simple. Since the company is out of business I doubt you could be sued for copying it.

Tyll... are you listening?!
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post #6 of 25
2/22/02 at 11:14pm
Actually man, its basically a pre amp with headphone outputs attached to the circuit from what I hear.
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post #7 of 25
2/22/02 at 11:41pm
The SHA-1 is my only amp. I have no desire to sell it and only wish it was in slightly better condition (will anyone sell me their top plate?).

The reason why I think we SHA owners have such a hard time putting its sound into words is that it's so very transparent (at least for a tube amp).

There is magic in the SHA that isn't, to my ears, present in the CAD-300SEI, an amp that I think of as being colored to a fault and overly warm.

It's hard for me to imagine anything bettering it outright (the BlockHead, ER-20, or DCT-1, perhaps).

The SHA is elegantly designed and sounds much like it looks. My first tube rolling escapade begins Monday.

-NGF
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post #8 of 25
2/22/02 at 11:55pm
Quote:
Originally posted by dstroot
This is maybe a little off topic but... If the Melos is *SOOOO* good, why doesn't sombody simply copy the headphone amplification circuit and make new "melos clone" amps?

You could eliminate all the other pre-amp junk. I've see pictures inside the thing (I think from Flumpus) - It looks pretty simple. Since the company is out of business I doubt you could be sued for copying it.

Tyll... are you listening?!


This has been discussion a lot in this forum already... I think a search would leed to to many old threads on the topic, it's quite complicated.
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post #9 of 25
2/23/02 at 12:30am
Got a SHA-1... As far as your questions go...

1. Creek OBH-11, MG Head, Total Airhead, JMT-built cmoy
2. SHA-1
3. Transparency, speed, open extended feeling up top, bass to die for...
4. Reliability, worrying that it's gonna die any moment...
5. Best I've heard, with the Max close behind.
6. I'll be selling it hopefully at the end of the summer, but only because I'm working towards something that it probably can't compete with (read - not dynamic).
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post #10 of 25
2/23/02 at 12:42am
Thread Starter 
tanfenton,
That is music to my ears! The Cary was always my dream amp. Can you elaborate on the differences between the two? How long did you have the Cary, and did you sell it when you got the Melos?

Also, I neglected to list the other amps I've owned that were bested by Melos (though these are all fine products in their own way). In rank order:

1. Melos Gold
2. ZOTL
3. Earmax Pro
4. Earmax
5. Maxed-Out Home (old version)
6. Headrom Home (old version)

markl
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post #11 of 25
2/23/02 at 1:05am
I have a mint SHA-1 and the only other amp I've owned is a CHA-47. Even with the less than ideal tubes I have now, it has a very dynamic sound. I can comment further in a week or three after some tube rolling. With the Melos the AKG 501 and my speakers sound very similar.

I never intended to go with the Melos, but procrastination in deciding on a preamp eventually led to it. Tube rolling will decide if it stays or not.

The face label says: Vacuum Tube Headphone-Line Amplifier
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post #12 of 25
2/23/02 at 11:41am
I heard Flumpus' Melos, and indeed, it is the best headphone amp I've heard so far. My search is not yet concluded though and one way or another I'll at least get to audition the RKV, ZOTL, Cary SEI, etc. before I declare it such.

Flumpus, as mentioned, has the SHA-1 and I'm also curious how much better the other versions might sound and whether the MAR upgrades effect the headphone section.
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post #13 of 25
2/23/02 at 2:29pm
Quote:
Originally posted by ai0tron
Actually man, its basically a pre amp with headphone outputs attached to the circuit from what I hear.
or is it a headphone amp with line outputs?

I have a Melos, it is the best amp I've heard (vs. creek and mghead), what sets it apart is the detail, transparency, dynamics, and solid rhythm.
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post #14 of 25
2/23/02 at 3:09pm
1. What other amps have you owned?

Airhead (old)
Total Airhead
Headroom Home (old)
MG Head DT
JMT
micro-ZOTL (owned)

2. Which version of the Melos do/did you own?

SHA-1

3. What sets the Melos apart from other amps you've heard?

Mild, warm sound. Coherency.

4. What are the Melos' short-comings in your view?

A little slow and perhaps a touch rolled-off.

5. How do you rank the Melos compared to the other amps you've owned/heard?

Better than everything except the micro-ZOTL.

6. If you sold your Melos, what did you find that was better and why?

micro-ZOTL. It's faster and less colored. I find it more transparent but with all the coherency.
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post #15 of 25
2/23/02 at 3:11pm
Just curious, but what tubes are you using Shivohum? Have you tried tube rollin'?
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