[droht]

I'm on my second pair of 225s right now. I really love most of what they bring to the table. I just get a bit fatigued after a while with them. I've gone from a Keces DA-152 amp to a Carat-Topaz. Different 225s with each, but the Topaz seems a bit better to me. Lots of folks recommend tube amps with Grados. I've searched and read here. Seems like WooAudio6 is a good choice, maybe the entry point of good tube amp for Grados? Seems like I don't want an OTL amp, which eliminates lower priced options. I'm curious if there is a real consensus on that point.

I'd really like to believe that the WA3 would be all I need, as the tube pre flexibility would be cool to have, but considering the WA3+ costs more and is strictly a HP amp I'm fairly sure I am deluding myself to think I'd be satisfied with the 3.

Any other candidates or thoughts? Any non-tube choices that might tame the 225s a bit?

My apologies for another one of "these" threads...

Thanks!

 

[jdkJake]

IMHO, a millett miniMax (tube/SS hybrid) with 12FK6 tubes, but, I have not heard a lot of other amps, so, YMMV.

Search is your friend, my friend

jk

 

[1UP]

Minimax is an excellent choice for a tube amp

 

[panda]

why tame the 225? you might as well go with a different fone. if you want to preserve what makes it so good, look for a headamp gilmore lite. it's a great match and affordable amp.

 

[droht]

Quote:

Originally Posted by panda /img/forum/go_quote.gif why tame the 225? you might as well go with a different fone. if you want to preserve what makes it so good, look for a headamp gilmore lite. it's a great match and affordable amp.

Yeah, I thought of different HPs, but somehow the amp solution seems like it might be easier. I don't want to change the 225s much, just want to get away from that aching sensation in ears after 30 minutes or so.

 

[Bullseye]

I wouldn't call affordable something that costs more than the headphones itself.

You might like the Little Dot I+. I bought it, apart from the price and looks, to try the "sound of tubes", and it seemed to tame them a bit. Maybe the measured distortion up to 1.6% that it can reach. It is a great match for my srr225.

However gonna go for an SS amp (like Musical Fidelity V-can, with low output impedance). Will not change the SQ of the headphones. Plus if you find them too harsh you might want to put the volume down. It will help you bear the sound and your ears will get used to the lower output.