[trevorlane]

I'm about to do a major upgrade to my listening experience. It seems just having a CD3000 and hooking it to my Marantz receiver isn't cutting it for me. I've been looking around for a good setup and I've found setups like Headroom's Blockhead+650 combo. I'm also looking at amps like the Gilmore Reference. Now can anyone recommend an amp for under $4000? I'm actually using another 900 or so for the Benchmark DAC-1 for the Pioneer DV-47 that I have. Or if you have a headphone+amp combo you'd recommend for $4500 that would be helpful as well.

 

[Blahh]

hmm, im thinkin the qualia 010s with a decent amp in the 1000-1200 range sounds awfully sexy. But im way underqualified to anser that question, however with that kind of money i would deffinately look into that qualias as anyone on these forums swears these headphons will make you hear the voices of angels... or deamons i guess it depends on your music tasts

 

[aeriyn]

Stax Omega II. Maybe for a little more than $4000 total you could get a KGSS too.

 

[Swampwalker]

At that price range, it really gets down to personal taste. however, I would suggest a Cary 300b SEI which has a 1/4" jack and speaker outs, so you can use it for a conventional dynamic like the Qualia or HD-650 or with the AKG K100s (my personal recommendation) or with speakers. A used amp and K1000s would set you back about $3K, which would leave you with $1.5K to upgrade your source. At that level of amp and can, you want the best source you can muster, and while the Pioneer is a nice unit, you will be able to hear the difference with a new source. The amps and cans at this level are very transparent and resolving and a good source will round out the package (maybe a modded Sony 9000, or modded Denon 2900, if you want the hi-rez capability). Of course, the Omega 2s are great and there is a set with the solid state Stax amp on Audiogon right now for $2.9K

 

[Kirosia]

Hirsch is selling a pair of R10s if that's relevant. You'd have about $1500 left to screw w/ amp and source. Just throwing it out there.

EDIT: There appears to be a sale pending on the phones.

 

[bifcake]

This would be my choice:

HD650 w/Equinox cable (about $550)
Cary 300SEI (About $2300 -$2800) on the used market

That combo is VERY hard to beat.

 

[Nightfall]

I'm not quite ready to do the full review yet, but my new Moth si2A3H with the Grado PS-1's is an incredible combination. You could do both for just about your 4k limit.
I've heard everything of note out there, and in terms of amplifiers in production, this combo is equal or better than anything out there, excepting maybe the Moth and a Sony R10 which would cost you FAR more.
I would talk to Craig at Moth (now Eddie Current) he's just a wonderful guy to work with, a great amp designer and a pleasure to know. Cant recommend this setup any more highly.


JC

 

[emelius]

let me suggest what i have...

Gilmore Reference Preamp...i use it with balanced PS-1, but you may prefer a different Grado (or other)...sounds amazin'

...it's the exact amp that was @ the maryland meet not too long 'go...can't give you an exact dollar figure as it's a custom job, but it's well within your budget (even if you also decide to get the PS-1)...

hope this helps...

 

[Sovkiller]

if you already have the headphone and you like it, I suggest you just to get the right amp for it, why not trying a Rudistor RP31, or a turbocharged PPA, it sounds amazingly good with any of the two, and if you like it maybe later on an RP33 that is supposed to sound better, till now the RP31 sounds terrific paired with the CD3000, same as a good PPA, I will receive the RP33 soon, and I will post my impressions, if you want to wait for it....

 

[tjkurita]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bifcake This would be my choice: HD650 w/Equinox cable (about $550) Cary 300SEI (About $2300 -$2800) on the used market That combo is VERY hard to beat.

WOW! I'm selling my 300sei in the FS section for $2000. How come nobody's bought it yet!?

 

[Canman]

Top Tier Stax System:

Stax Omega II: ($1800 from Audiocubes or EIFL)
Headamp KGSS: ($1500) (plus shipping)
Total: $3200

Top Tier Dynamic System:

Sony Qualia 010: $2600 (plus tax?)
Singlepower Supra: $1700 (plus shipping)
Extra Tubes: $250
Total: $4,550

I don't think its worth spending $4,000 on an amp for the Sony CD-3000 when there are other headphones that are significantly better.

 

[dave-the-rave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canman Top Tier Dynamic System: Sony Qualia 010: $2600 (plus tax?) Singlepower Supra: $1700 (plus shipping) Extra Tubes: $250 Total: $4,550

FWIW, the Supra is now listed on the Singlepower site at $1899.

 

[bifcake]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjkurita WOW! I'm selling my 300sei in the FS section for $2000. How come nobody's bought it yet!?

Dude,

If I had the money, I'd snatch it right up. Wanna give it up on consignment?

 

[trevorlane]

it seems the qualias are a sure winner. it also seems the stax omegas are on the same level too. at this point i'll have to audition the headphones, and locating them for an audition could be a problem..

btw.. i do have $4500 to spend on a headphone/amp combo. i'll worry about a source later, but for now i'd like to see what i could get.

 

[Canman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevorlane it seems the qualias are a sure winner. it also seems the stax omegas are on the same level too. at this point i'll have to audition the headphones, and locating them for an audition could be a problem.. btw.. i do have $4500 to spend on a headphone/amp combo. i'll worry about a source later, but for now i'd like to see what i could get.

If you happen to drive through Philadelphia, you are welcome to audition my Stax system.