Tribbs
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2011
- Posts
- 204
- Likes
- 33
[size=medium]I have worshipped my 325i goldies without an amp for several years. I have always read that Grados need an amp to coax the best from them. After reading dozens of threads here and elsewhere I have found choosing the proper amp to be a daunting task. So many amps. So little time. So, here I am, hoping to garner fellow Grado 325 owners advice.[/size]
[size=medium]I am not an engineer but possess a good basic understanding of electronics and audio. I have prior experience with electronic kits and am entertaining a DIY project if the cost/benefit is worth the trouble.[/size]
[size=medium]Among the few amps I have considered so far are:[/size]
[size=medium]Cavalli Compact Tube Hybrid (CTH)[/size]
[size=medium]Little Dot I+ Tube Hybrid[/size]
[size=medium]Matrix M-Stage & Lovely Cube (both [size=small]alleged[/size] Lehmannaudio Black Cube clones)[/size]
[size=medium]I have no experience with valve/tube amps (or any headphone amp) but have read that tube amps are a good match for Grados (why?). On the other hand I am not too keen on the idea of colouring the sound. I guess I am looking for the proverbial "amplified wire" and not trying to compensate for something in the Grados that for me does not exist. [/size]
[size=medium]One character of the Grados I enjoy is their crystal clear unforgiving nature. Strangely, I get a kick when I can hear the studio engineer's cuts, edits and mistakes or ,[size=small]for example[/size], the vocalisations of a pianist. Of course, what really sends me to nirvana is listening to a Super Audio CD of a truly superb recording. I enjoy most all genres of Jazz as well as Classic & Progressive Rock and some Classical when the mood suits me.[/size]
[size=medium]My budget is fairly low as you may have already divined from the amps listed above. Hence my interest in DIY or clones. But, I won't rule out spending upwards of$600 $800 [Shhh, don't tell the wife.] for that almost perfect, professionally engineered and manufactured, "amplified wire" if it delivers me and my Grados to cosmic infinity.[/size]
[size=11pt]In sum, I am a disciple in need of a guru's advice.[/size]
[size=11pt][size=medium]Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum [size=large]
[/size][/size][/size]
[size=small]In other words - HELP![/size]
[size=medium]I am not an engineer but possess a good basic understanding of electronics and audio. I have prior experience with electronic kits and am entertaining a DIY project if the cost/benefit is worth the trouble.[/size]
[size=medium]Among the few amps I have considered so far are:[/size]
[size=medium]Cavalli Compact Tube Hybrid (CTH)[/size]
[size=medium]Little Dot I+ Tube Hybrid[/size]
[size=medium]Matrix M-Stage & Lovely Cube (both [size=small]alleged[/size] Lehmannaudio Black Cube clones)[/size]
[size=medium]I have no experience with valve/tube amps (or any headphone amp) but have read that tube amps are a good match for Grados (why?). On the other hand I am not too keen on the idea of colouring the sound. I guess I am looking for the proverbial "amplified wire" and not trying to compensate for something in the Grados that for me does not exist. [/size]
[size=medium]One character of the Grados I enjoy is their crystal clear unforgiving nature. Strangely, I get a kick when I can hear the studio engineer's cuts, edits and mistakes or ,[size=small]for example[/size], the vocalisations of a pianist. Of course, what really sends me to nirvana is listening to a Super Audio CD of a truly superb recording. I enjoy most all genres of Jazz as well as Classic & Progressive Rock and some Classical when the mood suits me.[/size]
[size=medium]My budget is fairly low as you may have already divined from the amps listed above. Hence my interest in DIY or clones. But, I won't rule out spending upwards of
[size=11pt]In sum, I am a disciple in need of a guru's advice.[/size]
[size=11pt][size=medium]Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum [size=large]
[size=small]In other words - HELP![/size]