[tang]

Hey guys,
I currently have two systems at my office and home. I didn’t use the one in my home very often so I am thinking a new portable system might be a good idea. But after a little research (mostly on RSA P51 and SR71), I found out some people mentioned that portable amp might not drive the full size headphone very well.
my current equipment are ...
headphone: Grado: RS1 and SR325i; Beyerdynamic: DT880’80 and DT880’03; (I guess the beyer ones might be the bigger problem?)
amp: Amtech HA1 and ra1 battery
Could you give me some advises, if I should forget about the idea or any option on the amp (within 600USD, 2nd hand or new).
Thanks a lot.

Regards,
Tang

 

[rasmushorn]

Hey tang - go for the RSA P-51. It is fantastic with SR325i and it will probably feed the RS1 great too. I have not tried P-51 with the Beyers but I can imagine that combination would be great too. The DT880's are really neutral and the great bass and dry sound of the P-51 would be great for DT880 - but I am guessing here.

All I can say for sure is that SR325+P-51 = a fantastic combination. Specially if you like the forwardness and intimate sound in the SR325 the P-51 will contribute to these virtues in the SR325.

 

[tang]

Thanks for the reply.
I asked Ray the same question, he said SR71A is the answer. It can drive the full-size headphone better than P51. So I am thinking which to buy now.
Actually I am also interested in LISA III, any advise?

 

[rasmushorn]

The LISA III is even better than all the other amplifiers I have. In fact I have sold off some guiet expensive headphone amplifiers only to keep the LISA III. Together with both Sennheiser HD650 and SR325i it gives a fantastic listening pleasure. It is more expensive though but I would say all worth it. It has more speed, more soundstage, deeper and tighter bass. The mids are so alive with the 325's and vocal jazz is pure pleasure.

I have read about a new version of the LISA III - called LISA RS. It shoudl be even better. But I can not find any information on it in Triad Audios Website. But write them an email and ask if you are interrested.

If you go for the LISA III or RSA P-51 / SR71A you will not be dissapointed with any of them at their different price points.... They are all great amplifiers.

 

[shigzeo]

Another great choice is the Graham Slee Voyager which has a little colour in for headphones such as the DT880. Mine are the 600 ohm versions. They are better driven through a mains amp, but the Voyager is excellent by all standards.

 

[Duckman]

It's not technically a portable, but it's small: the CTH will drive both your Grados and your Beyers with authority and beauty. And it's inexpensive - a couple of sold here for around $250 recently.

 

[cfcubed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckman /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's not technically a portable, but it's small: the CTH will drive both your Grados and your Beyers with authority and beauty. And it's inexpensive - a couple of sold here for around $250 recently.

It's sure doing so for me - see sig, listening to nice cheap miniwatt (7v tube @ 6.3v) now w/HF-2s... Very good match. CTH allows lots of contouring to cans though tube rolling.
But quite enough from me as I did have hand in it

 

[tang]

Thanks for the recommendation. I will try the find more about them =)

 

[Rico67]

Another one to drive your Grado : ALO RX (sound really great with my GS 1000).

 

[MacedonianHero]

My RSA Hornet sounds great (on mid gain) with my RS1s, sounded great on my DT880s (high gain...I no longer own these) and amazing with IEMs (on low gain).

A very versatile amp indeed!