A good affordable Grados amp?

Jul 17, 2004 at 2:26 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 17

madcow235

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I have been trying to find a good affordable amp for my new Sr225's but i really have no idea what to look for, im a pretty big new when it comes to this. Im looking into something for $150-$200 that will actually provide a decent amount of current to my Sr225s, i've heard alot of the standard budget amps can't give the Sr225's a good amount of current and end up just sounding yucky. The amp doesnt have to be portable and the source, a computer with an AV710.

Please help me
smily_headphones1.gif
 
Jul 17, 2004 at 2:39 AM Post #2 of 17
Used RA-1 should be around $200. Otherwise, a META42 built by JMT shoudl do the trick. I think one can be constructed for around 150-200. Otherwise it's finding someone to do the CMOY or CHA47 point to point (as I don't think any boards exist at this time).
 
Jul 17, 2004 at 2:42 AM Post #3 of 17
you might also look into building your own...or have someone build you an amp that's very similar to the ra1, which matches really well with the grados. also a good match is the gilmore lite.
 
Jul 17, 2004 at 3:47 AM Post #6 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by madcow235
I'd be interested in building my own amp because I'm decent in soldering and all that stuff. I don't have the know how to design an amp and i'd need a guide.


I would recommend that you take a look at Tangent's Site, specifically look at the "Getting Started In Audio DIY" and the "Cmoy Tutorial."
 
Jul 17, 2004 at 4:16 AM Post #7 of 17
I just want to tell you, a cmoy will be able to drive your grados. a 225 has a low impedance, so a cmoy will be able to drive it and give you an improvement in sound. right now i'm kicking myself because i rushed out of the house and forgot my ms-1s - i'm gone from the house until sunday too! but i picked up misterx's cmoy from the mailroom on the way out, so right now they are driving my ipod buds and making them sound like R10s. an amp makes a BIG difference. any amp that can make these buds deliver this type of bass - when before there wasn't even any bass at all, nevermind muddy bass - is amazing.

if you want to pay more than a cmoy (or not want to build one for 25-50 bucks) then look up the many builders here, or some of the commercial DIY offerings. look for Meta42, Pimeta, Vibe (either GoVibe or Mint Vibe) and so on - the search function is handy. Good luck!
 
Jul 17, 2004 at 4:39 AM Post #8 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn
I just want to tell you, a cmoy will be able to drive your grados. a 225 has a low impedance, so a cmoy will be able to drive it and give you an improvement in sound. right now i'm kicking myself because i rushed out of the house and forgot my ms-1s - i'm gone from the house until sunday too! but i picked up misterx's cmoy from the mailroom on the way out, so right now they are driving my ipod buds and making them sound like R10s. an amp makes a BIG difference. any amp that can make these buds deliver this type of bass - when before there wasn't even any bass at all, nevermind muddy bass - is amazing.

if you want to pay more than a cmoy (or not want to build one for 25-50 bucks) then look up the many builders here, or some of the commercial DIY offerings. look for Meta42, Pimeta, Vibe (either GoVibe or Mint Vibe) and so on - the search function is handy. Good luck!




Ahhh I did the same thing last weekend! I was housesitting my father's house. I came home from work, packed up and left. It wasn't until a got there I realised I forgot my SR-80s. Ohhh it was a horrible weekend.


I'll agree on the cmoy as well.
I have a cmoy as built on the tangent website.
It made absolutely no difference in audio quality on my old SR-80s, but it's making a considerable difference on my 225s. After hearing the 225s with this simple inexpensive amp I went out and bought 3 rechargeable 9v batteries and a charger, so I will never be without powar!
 
Jul 17, 2004 at 4:48 AM Post #9 of 17
Someone on another forum told me the cmoy can't drive the Grados properly for some reason or another. Guess I will order up some parts tonight for a new CMOY unless anyone says otherwise.
 
Jul 17, 2004 at 6:42 AM Post #10 of 17
it seems that the opamp is crucial for the grados...make sure you use the same opamp the ra1 uses...heck, just find a circuit schematic for the ra1 and build something "very similar"...
 
Jul 17, 2004 at 6:48 AM Post #11 of 17
If it were me, I'd wait for a Gilmore Lite to come up for sale used. One of the old ones might be as low as 200. I was going to put mine up for sale for that much but I have to leave on a long trip...
 
Jul 17, 2004 at 7:01 AM Post #12 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by madcow235
I have been trying to find a good affordable amp for my new Sr225's but i really have no idea what to look for, im a pretty big new when it comes to this. Im looking into something for $150-$200 that will actually provide a decent amount of current to my Sr225s, i've heard alot of the standard budget amps can't give the Sr225's a good amount of current and end up just sounding yucky. The amp doesnt have to be portable and the source, a computer with an AV710.

Please help me
smily_headphones1.gif



The portable Headsave Go-Vibe ($65) or the stationary Headsave Classic ($110) will drive those SR225's nicely indeed. I own the SR225's and a Go-Vibe and a Cmoy. I find the depth and translucency of sound and coherency of soundstage to be quite a bit better with the Go-Vibe than with the Cmoy. The Classic, with a 24v power source, will give even better depth and translucency of sound. For the SR225's, you'd want the stock OPA2227 opamp (available with Go-Vibe and Classic) or the OPA627's upgrade (Classic only) for a real sonic treat. Take a look at them at www.headsave.com
 
Jul 21, 2004 at 4:03 AM Post #15 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by madcow235
So the headsave Classic with OPA627 and Elpac 24v power source should be good?


It will complement the SR225's beautifully, providing plenty of depth, translucency, and richness of detail across the acoustic spectrum. Also, the bufferless design of the Classic provides a clarity of sound that the SR225's will really let you appreciate. I own a Go-Vibe with dual OPA627's and Jeri-rigged with a battery cable to run from two 9v's in series (18v), and it is a wonderful match for the SR225's. The dark richness of the OPA627's and the forwardness of the SR225's were made for each other. The Classic, with its improved power source circuitry and a 24v source, will sound even better.
 

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