Advice on an transportable AMP (another thread asking for advice?)

[Michael10]

I have about $1100 to spend on a new amp (or amp and headphones). I live in front of a computer and I want something I can transport back and forth every day to work and home. It doesn't have to be a portable amp but something I can put in a well padded briefcase for a 5-minute drive. I would be killed in traffic.

I have a Cayin HA-1A, HeadRoom Micro (desktop module), and HeadAmp AE-2.

I have a lot of different phones. But probably I will be using DT-990's. Right now I am listening to Stanley Turrentine's Joyride using my office computer and the AE-2. I think the AE-2 is a great portable amp and like the HeadRoom Micro but it runs through batteries. I want to raise my office listening to a higher level.

I am thinking about a Ray Samuels amp and have considered the XP-7, the HR-2, the P-51, and SR-71A. After reading a bunch of reviews, I guess I am more drawn HR-2 and the XP-7 and would probably purchase the XP-7 without a power supply. I am getting ready to upgrade my battery charger and rechargable batteries.

JAZZ and classical are my main thing -- but I listen to almost all types of music.

My favorite headphone time is with the Cayin and a pair of SENN 650 with a Cardis cable and a big red extension so I can sit in leather chair with Scotch in hand. Unfortunately this happens only late at night.

I want an amp (and or headphones) that really revel the music. I like smooth, rich, but detailed. My source for this will be either a computer or a portable CD unless I move a CD player to my office. I have a Pioneer Elite (one of the less expensive models) that I could move to the office .

I am open to all suggestions. I am thinking maybe XP-7 and purchasing Denon or AT wood phones.

I know that these threads are hard to answer but any advice is appreciated. I am in Greenville NC and the closest shops that even carry higher end audio are almost 100 miles away. Not much in the way of headphones except for Moon Audio and he doesn't really have a storefront where you can drop in and listen to amps. I did purchase my HE-2 from Drew and think he a good person to deal with.

 

[Michael10]

I know these threads are kind of stupid -- but all I can do is ask.

What is the opinion about the RSA HR-2? Great or over hyped?

 

[-=Germania=-]

Have you looked at the M3 or CKKIII?

The Gilmore Lite is a pretty safe bet. It is small, well built, and relatively inexpensive.

You may want to consider getting cheaper amps such as these above and be able to leave the amp at work, using your tube amp at home. Over the summer, this is what I did with the Desktop MisterX XP amp I had at the time. It was small enough and not flashy enough that it worked out very nicely.

The HR-2 is a nice sounding amp, but I think that lower priced options might fit your needs better.

 

[EFN]

For $229.00 the MiniBox-E+ have been proven to deliver sonic performances of a $600-900 amps. It's almost rediculous actually that an amp that tiny and nondescript could perform so good. Even if I have $1000 in my hand I'd still go for the MiniBox-E+. The rest of the money goes to CDs and Music.

But then again, the money is yours and yours to decide on how to spend.

 

[Michael10]

More questions:

First thanks toGermania and EFN for the advice.

One reason I am interested in RSA is that I tend to keep things for a long time and RSA has such a good reputation for fixing any problems. I have had trouble even finding the MiniBox for sale. The Gilmore Lite is an amp I have thought about purchasing and the AE-2 is certainly built like a tank.

The Gilmore Lite is $400. The XP-7 without a power supply is $495. If I bought one of these amps. I could pick up either the AT ATH-W5000 or the Denon Ah-D5000 phones. All of my headphones are open back except my ATH ART A-900 and SENN 280. I like the 280s but I can't wear them for long periods of time. The A-900's are good but not in the same class (in my opinion) as the HD-650 and DT-990.

I listen to very little rock or electric music. Mainly jazz and classical. A lot of women vocalists. I have lots of blues and alternative music (Wilco, Steve Earle, Charlie Patton). I do listen to some blues influenced rock.

Opinions about the Gilmore Lite compared to the XP-7?

I have a lot of music (certainly over a 1000 cds) and I can afford to continue to buy CDS (I shop for used and bargins) plus I have access to a large university music library where I can check out CDS.

It is just that this is going to be my last major music equipment purchase for the next 5-years or so. I am 60 and I have got to finish paying off the mortgage so I can retire before I pass on to the great headroom in the sky, or what multidimensional fate awaits me.

I can close my office door at home and at work so it is relatively quiet. But a nice set of closed backed earphones would be nice.

What would you recommend for closed back headphones? I certainly don't have to have wood. But great sound and comfort are big issues for me.

 

[qusp]

well having heard both of your options for closed phones there I would recommend the denon; I played the D5000 off against a few headphones at last years sydney meet with a view to buying some and came away with the desire to buy the denon. I found the W5000 to be overrated and IMO very boring; its all very well to present a very 'matter of fact' sound signature, but there was just something that seemed wrong about them; certainly not as engaging as the Denon. admittedly the D5000 I listened to were Stevekelby's jena cables markl modded ones. the MarkL mod is IMO a must for teh DXXXX series headphones and turns them into a much more balanced phone. I ended up buying some used D2000 (same drivers as the D5000) and bought some Markl woodcups which I find to make the sound even superior to the D5000 woodies. they also look fantastic and you can to some degree choose the kind of sound you want by the density of wood you choose. medium/light (like mine the Tasmanian Blackwood) density gives a more open and expansive soundstage, with more extension in bass and highs. now the LA2000 which is the high end version that lawnton audio sells, is maybe above your budget at about $1200USD. but you can get the D2000 for $220-250 and add some of the Lawnton woodcups ($240 shipped) and you have a superior can to the D5000. the cups include the damping to bring the mids forward a little. the cups are easy to install yourself and later you can add a cable or even talk to Mark about doing the install and maybe adding a D5000 cable to them while you wait and decide whether you want to add an aftermarket cable. the cable on the stock D2000 is the only real problem with its construction. now with all this said, the stock D5000 is a very nice spounding headphone, but seeing as the only difference between the D2000 and D5000 is the woodcups and cable, this to me seems the obvious choice as it costs about the same and you get rid of the Achilles heel of the D5000 which is that the wonderful bass can get in the way of the detail in the mids, which if you love the human voice, is where its at. the Denons are also extremely comfortable. and more easily driven than senns and other headphones of that ilk

you could also look at a used CD3000 from Sony (not sure if you can still get them new)

 

[Michael10]

I have thought about the D2000 -- seems some people prefer them to the D5000.

You have given me something else to think about.

 

[Skylab]

The only issue with the Denons is that they don't isolate all that well, but they sound GREAT.

$1100 is a good chunk of change - I don't think you can actually spend that much money on a truly portable amp. So maybe the Triad Audio Lisa III is the best choice for you - transportable, to be sure, and terrific sounding. And then if you don't need too much isolation get some D5000's (which are better than the D2000 no matter what anyone says

) That would be a very nice system!

 

[Michael10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif So maybe the Triad Audio Lisa III is the best choice for you - transportable, to be sure, and terrific sounding. That would be a very nice system!

The only thing about the LISA III that concerns me is reliability (I don't mean that I think the LISA is not reliable but it doesn't seem to have been around that long) and the ability to get the amp repaired. How long has Triad been in business? RSA seems to have a very strong business model and has great reputation for fixing problems.

I am making a 5-year commitment to whatever I end up buying. Right now I am trying to decided between LISA III, RSA XP-7, or perhaps the Gilmore Lite.

Hard time figuring out what is best for me.

 

[Skylab]

RSA amps are well built and sound fantastic. I have no experience myself with the XP-7, but every other one of Ray's amps I have heard sounded excellent at the very least!

 

[Michael10]

Skylab,

Thanks, I always value your opinion.

Michael

 

[-=Germania=-]

If you like classical and were looking at D5000 prices....

I would recommend the CD3000 or perhaps the DX1000
It depends on whether you want bass or a balanced/neutral headphone.

If you go with the CD3000, you will need to do some modification and get a recable. Once you do this, the CD3000 will edge out the DX1000 on detail and from a comparison of my modded CD1000 (CD3000 drivers) to the Ed. 9 it actually had more detail than the Ed. 9 as well. Burn in matters on these. So NOS is going to need lots of time. Good news is that because of age, most of these have lots of time on them.

Comfort wise, the CD3000 are very light and you can wear them for 8+ hours without discomfort. There is a source for pads so that you can get a new set for $45 shipped, so that is no longer and issue.

The DX1000 I think are the one headphone that sound the closest to the Bass Heavy R10 in terms of balance and presentation. IMO, the CD3000 is the one that comes closest to the soundstage, speed, and detail of the R10.

It is just all about what you are looking for. I will say that the DX1000 is much less of a beast to drive and far less picky.

Have you completely rulled out Tube Hybrids? The Millett MiniMax and EF-1 would be great canidates. I have heard the normal Max and for the money it would be hard to beat. If you are interested in an EF-1, I do know someone who is looking to get rid of theirs.

If you would get a Gilmore Lite or the RSA XP-7, you would get a great product and great support.

 

[Uncle Erik]

If you like jazz and classical, be sure to consider the Beyerdynamic DT48. New, they run about $350 but they turn up used between $100 and $150. They're as resolving and neutral as the Quad ESL-63s I listen to, as well as my ribbons and AMTs. They're sensational, but get very little attention here. Probably because Beyerdynamic targets them towards the pro audience. If you want to step away from the crowd, the DT48 is worth considering. If they're too unconventional, I'd stick with the HD-650 you already have. Those are excellent headphones.

As for an amp, look for a transportable desktop. Though tubes are wonderful for you music, I would not want to put a tube amp into a briefcase every day. I think highly of Dr. Meier's Corda amps - most of which are transportable - as well as the EC/SS from Eddie Current. There are several amps that

 

[Michael10]

Germania and Uncle Erik,

Thanks for the input. I have read about the CD3000 and made an offer on the JVC HP-DX1000 for sale on Audiogon about a year ago.

I have the DT-880 and DT-990 and like both. I had never heard of the DT48. I do have AKG271 MKII that I didn't mention in my equipment profile. I think I may get the AKG K702 since Headroom has an excellent offer on those phones.

I will check out the EF-1.

Thanks again, Michael

 

[boomy3555]

Denon AHD7000's and Head-Direct EF-1 Tube//SS hybrid......................... God made them at the same time and commanded that they stay together for all eternity.