[Cyrilix]

I currently only have MS-1s, but I'm wondering if getting an amp for it would be worth the money. As of right now, I only have about $200 US saved up, but with some time, I could probably double that. I'm currently looking at powering a set of Beyerdynamic DT880s (that I will get later on when I have the $). I'm also looking to get a desktop amp, since I wouldn't use my amp with an mp3 player anyways (too much of a hassle). My current source is an M-Audio Revolution 5.1 using foobar2000. My typical music is electronic/trance/hard trance with a bit of random pop (I don't like the american kind but I enjoy Alizée's music and certain bits of jpop I find from anime series). They are usually encoded in mp3 at around alt preset standard to 320 kbps, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Anyway, I was looking at the Gilmore Lite and the M^3 from Rockhopper Audio, although the M^3 seems to be very expensive. Does anyone have any opinions on these two amps or other amps that would have good synergy with what I'm looking to get?

 

[Jazper]

I have an M³ and use it with my MS-1s, the difference is incredible, they really open up

I recommend the opa637/627 opamp combo for them though, the ad8610 is just a touch too bright for them.

Synergy - definately.

The MS-1s are definately a giant killer for the price.

PS- if you can get the 637 with ths4601d in the ground it sounds even better (to my ears)..

 

[Teerawit]

Amping them really makes the MS-1 shine...and expensive amps aren't necessary either.

 

[HiWire]

Amping adds space and coherence, along with more detail. That's a "yes"

 

[Predator88]

Well i know they sound great running through my old receiver compared to straight out of my computer. As a side note sort of. Can anyone recommend me a good amp for under $80.

 

[saturnine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Predator88 Can anyone recommend me a good amp for under $80.

Why, yes! The aphered-47 amp. One can be built quite cheap, and they are made for Grado cans. Contact a builder if you cant/dont want to do it yourself. I have one, and it is great with Grado/Alessandro cans!

 

[Cyrilix]

Alright, thanks for the replies. Keep the comments coming on those two amps for Beyer DT880s and MS-1 if possible.

 

[sionghchan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrilix Alright, thanks for the replies. Keep the comments coming on those two amps for Beyer DT880s and MS-1 if possible.

Hey Cyrilix..

You have got almost the exact setup as I do. I currently have an MS1 that I'm amping through the PocketAmpV2. I have just bought a DT880 from Headroom and am waiting for it to arrive (Headroom is out of stock). I'm also considering another amp and another CDP/SACDP.

I'll be watching this thread....to see the suggestions...

 

[Cyrilix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sionghchan Hey Cyrilix.. You have got almost the exact setup as I do. I currently have an MS1 that I'm amping through the PocketAmpV2. I have just bought a DT880 from Headroom and am waiting for it to arrive (Headroom is out of stock). I'm also considering another amp and another CDP/SACDP. I'll be watching this thread....to see the suggestions...

Any difference between unamped MS-1 and PA2V2 w/ MS-1?

I actually had about 1 hour to demo Zemo's amps, and I tried all 3 (Epsilon, Mu and Lambda) with my MS-1s running out of both mp3 player and source. I can't say that I noticed an immediate difference although that's probably because I was a bit rushed and never got the chance to fully appreciate the amps (usually critical listening and comparing headphones takes me a couple of hours at least).

 

[Jazper]

I've been listening to Zemo recabled SA5ks (mine!) for a few hours now... and I can tell you ... they'd be very well suited to your music tastes and the M³...


(this is from experience)

 

[Oink1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrilix I currently only have MS-1s, but I'm wondering if getting an amp for it would be worth the money.

Hell yes - an amp takes them to a whole other level of performance

 

[deadlierchair]

The difference I had using my CMoy...not very much. The difference using a PIMETA that offers some buffers (I think that's why it's better for the Grados), large.

For me, it just made things clearer.