FCJ
Propz go out to his homeez at Burrz-Brownz!
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2002
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I’ve been spending the past three days (since the NYC meet on Saturday) listening to the SinglePower CXP3 headphone amp. While that’s not an incredible amount of time to judge a component, I think I’ve spent enough time with it to believe that it’s an incredible value that anyone who is looking for an amp in the $500 range should consider.
First, some background. The CXP3 comes in a handmade copper enclosure that uses (I believe) the same circuit as its sibling, the MXP3, but it’s unregulated. What this means, sound-wise, compared to the MXP3 is that the CPX3 is a bit smoother and less detailed than the MXP3. I’m no expert on tube sound (my only experience is with the nOrh SE-9 integrated amp, driving the K-1000s), but my understanding is that the CPX3 is more “tube-like” than the MXP3. The MPX3 comes with three 6SN7EHs. While I have not heard any other tubes on the amp just yet, the experience of hearing what a change in tubes did to the sound of the MXP3 on Saturday has convinced me that I need to experiment.
While I’ve read some less-than-flattering comments on the looks of the other SinglePower amps, the Supra and the MXP3, to me these are great-looking, unique, and no-nonsense amps. The copper enclosure of the CXP3 is a thing to behold. While I’ve read that SinglePower will be changing the cosmetics of these amps based on these comments, I really hope they reconsider, because looks-wise these amps really do stand out.
Ok, to the sound. I’ve been listening to the CXP3 with the following equipment and music:
Headphones: Ety 4S, Sony 3000, Grado HP-2 (I received these yesterday, and have been using them ever since. There is only one word to describe them¯amazing).
Cables: Audioquest Corals, Alpha Core Copper
CDs: Rolling Stones, Beggars Banquet (SACD); David S. Ware Quartet, Corridors & Parallels; Frank Kimbrough, Noumena; Frank Kimbrough/Joe Locke, The Willow; Scott Fields Ensemble, 96 Gestures; Richard Thompson, That Old Kit Bag (best thing he’s done in ages), Cecil Taylor Tzotzil/Mummers/Tzotzil.
One thing I’ve noticed over the past three days is how the CXP3 gets out of the way and let’s the music do the talking. The overall presentation from the amp is relaxed¯I never get the feeling that one end of the musical spectrum outshines any other (although, as I mention below, high-end extension is not its strongest suit).
Bass may not be the deepest, but what I’ve heard is clean and balanced. William Parker’s acoustic bass from Corridors & Parallels is my benchmark, and from the CXP3 I hear how well-defined and striking his playing really is. I also noticed (and for the first time, even though I’ve heard the song hundreds of times) how Bill Wyman’s bass on “Sympathy for the Devil” sits on top of the congas. In general, the CXP3 made me stand up and take notice of what was happening on the bottom end, something that I usually do not focus on.
Out of all three phones (but to best effect out of the HP-2s and the Ety 4Ss), midrange is warm and realistic. The acoustic guitars from “The Old Kit Bag” sounded so real they brought a smile to my face. Presentation is on the warm side, but overall the sound appears realistic.
Soundstage is very good, too, especially using the Sonys, although the HP-2s hold their own here, too. I was surprised at the soundstage of the Etys. I’ve always noticed that it was fairly narrow, but here it opened up more than I have ever heard before. Back to front placement, seemingly in a “T” configuration, is also very good. I feel as if I always know where instruments are in their space and the overall feeling is natural and not over pronounced.
Given the design, I expected the high end to be just a bit rolled off, and that is what I’ve been hearing over the past couple of days. It’s not excessive, nor does it feel as if it’s missing completely, but overall extension just isn’t there. However, the CXP3 seems to find a middle ground between excessive and completely recessed treble, and it does blend in well with the rest of the range.
Overall, I liked what I heard well enough at the NY meet from the CXP3 to purchase the demo unit that was at the show. And based on my listening over the past three days, I am convinced that I made a good (no, great) move. Again, if you are considering an amp in the $500 or so price range, I cannot recommend the CXP3 highly enough.
First, some background. The CXP3 comes in a handmade copper enclosure that uses (I believe) the same circuit as its sibling, the MXP3, but it’s unregulated. What this means, sound-wise, compared to the MXP3 is that the CPX3 is a bit smoother and less detailed than the MXP3. I’m no expert on tube sound (my only experience is with the nOrh SE-9 integrated amp, driving the K-1000s), but my understanding is that the CPX3 is more “tube-like” than the MXP3. The MPX3 comes with three 6SN7EHs. While I have not heard any other tubes on the amp just yet, the experience of hearing what a change in tubes did to the sound of the MXP3 on Saturday has convinced me that I need to experiment.
While I’ve read some less-than-flattering comments on the looks of the other SinglePower amps, the Supra and the MXP3, to me these are great-looking, unique, and no-nonsense amps. The copper enclosure of the CXP3 is a thing to behold. While I’ve read that SinglePower will be changing the cosmetics of these amps based on these comments, I really hope they reconsider, because looks-wise these amps really do stand out.
Ok, to the sound. I’ve been listening to the CXP3 with the following equipment and music:
Headphones: Ety 4S, Sony 3000, Grado HP-2 (I received these yesterday, and have been using them ever since. There is only one word to describe them¯amazing).
Cables: Audioquest Corals, Alpha Core Copper
CDs: Rolling Stones, Beggars Banquet (SACD); David S. Ware Quartet, Corridors & Parallels; Frank Kimbrough, Noumena; Frank Kimbrough/Joe Locke, The Willow; Scott Fields Ensemble, 96 Gestures; Richard Thompson, That Old Kit Bag (best thing he’s done in ages), Cecil Taylor Tzotzil/Mummers/Tzotzil.
One thing I’ve noticed over the past three days is how the CXP3 gets out of the way and let’s the music do the talking. The overall presentation from the amp is relaxed¯I never get the feeling that one end of the musical spectrum outshines any other (although, as I mention below, high-end extension is not its strongest suit).
Bass may not be the deepest, but what I’ve heard is clean and balanced. William Parker’s acoustic bass from Corridors & Parallels is my benchmark, and from the CXP3 I hear how well-defined and striking his playing really is. I also noticed (and for the first time, even though I’ve heard the song hundreds of times) how Bill Wyman’s bass on “Sympathy for the Devil” sits on top of the congas. In general, the CXP3 made me stand up and take notice of what was happening on the bottom end, something that I usually do not focus on.
Out of all three phones (but to best effect out of the HP-2s and the Ety 4Ss), midrange is warm and realistic. The acoustic guitars from “The Old Kit Bag” sounded so real they brought a smile to my face. Presentation is on the warm side, but overall the sound appears realistic.
Soundstage is very good, too, especially using the Sonys, although the HP-2s hold their own here, too. I was surprised at the soundstage of the Etys. I’ve always noticed that it was fairly narrow, but here it opened up more than I have ever heard before. Back to front placement, seemingly in a “T” configuration, is also very good. I feel as if I always know where instruments are in their space and the overall feeling is natural and not over pronounced.
Given the design, I expected the high end to be just a bit rolled off, and that is what I’ve been hearing over the past couple of days. It’s not excessive, nor does it feel as if it’s missing completely, but overall extension just isn’t there. However, the CXP3 seems to find a middle ground between excessive and completely recessed treble, and it does blend in well with the rest of the range.
Overall, I liked what I heard well enough at the NY meet from the CXP3 to purchase the demo unit that was at the show. And based on my listening over the past three days, I am convinced that I made a good (no, great) move. Again, if you are considering an amp in the $500 or so price range, I cannot recommend the CXP3 highly enough.
