arjunvenkawhat
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 25, 2009
- Posts
- 32
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So I finally got my MP-301 in the mail yesterday. I told my mom to call me when the package came in, as I was very unsure of when it would be delivered. Canada Post (and USPS for that matter) are absolutely awful when it comes to package tracking. The website said the package left Canada on the 14th and that was the only update till yesterday, so I was worried customs had seized it or something. Then I came home to a lovely package waiting for me! Just for fun, I checked the tracking number and all the information was updated AFTER i got the package haha.
Anyways, enough about the shipping, time for the amp!
This is my first headphone amp and first component in my future HiFi setup. The only tube amps I've heard before are guitar amps which sounded amazing, and I've always wanted the little glowy satisfaction of having tubes so I sprung for the MP-301 based off Skylab's review. Check it out if you want more info on this amp. Anyways, my set up is computer (running foobar with WASAPI) through an 1/8 to RCA cable into the MP-301 and then a 20 ft (only headphone extension cable Radio Shack had) with my ATH-M50s plugged in.
To be quite honest, I can't tell much of an improvement over WASAPI directly into my headphones. Going from the standard audio to WASAPI made my music sound absolutely fantastic and I was hoping the amp would do that too. I have not seen that completely yet. The audio quality is improved but again, not that dramatic. I'm hoping to let the tubes burn in a bit and then see what happens. However, from what I CAN perceive, the music sounds a bit richer with a little more bottom end.
There is a slight hiss whenever music is not playing but I've gotten over it and kind of like it as it reminds me my amp is on. However, if I accidentally bump the 1/8" input on my computer a RIDICULOUSLY LOUD static buzz emanates from my headphones. I've had that problem with my old receiver so I'm assuming that's standard among audio equipment.
These are just my initial impressions. Keep in mind I'm a complete audio noob so don't bear too harshly on this haha!
Anyways, enough about the shipping, time for the amp!
This is my first headphone amp and first component in my future HiFi setup. The only tube amps I've heard before are guitar amps which sounded amazing, and I've always wanted the little glowy satisfaction of having tubes so I sprung for the MP-301 based off Skylab's review. Check it out if you want more info on this amp. Anyways, my set up is computer (running foobar with WASAPI) through an 1/8 to RCA cable into the MP-301 and then a 20 ft (only headphone extension cable Radio Shack had) with my ATH-M50s plugged in.
To be quite honest, I can't tell much of an improvement over WASAPI directly into my headphones. Going from the standard audio to WASAPI made my music sound absolutely fantastic and I was hoping the amp would do that too. I have not seen that completely yet. The audio quality is improved but again, not that dramatic. I'm hoping to let the tubes burn in a bit and then see what happens. However, from what I CAN perceive, the music sounds a bit richer with a little more bottom end.
There is a slight hiss whenever music is not playing but I've gotten over it and kind of like it as it reminds me my amp is on. However, if I accidentally bump the 1/8" input on my computer a RIDICULOUSLY LOUD static buzz emanates from my headphones. I've had that problem with my old receiver so I'm assuming that's standard among audio equipment.
These are just my initial impressions. Keep in mind I'm a complete audio noob so don't bear too harshly on this haha!