anyone has compared the Larocco pocket reference to the sr71 ?

[boodi]

title asks all ..
I didn't see comparisons lately in head-fi ... so .
there's been some or not ?

can someone give some information about differences in sound between the two ?

 

[mneuwiueyagaobcf]

Hello boodi,

I had the maxed out pocket reference for about 3 months. I've had the emmeline XP-7 (AD797) for 2 weeks. From what I have read the XP-7 shares the same sound signature as the SR-71.

For me, build quality (and looks) is as important as the sound. In terms of build quality the emmeline wins (although I prefer the blue LED on the PR). The Larocco case was solid no doubt however it had imperfections and some panels were not excellent fit. The volume pot and knob on the larocco feels cheap (and loose) even though it is machined (note: I had the original maxed out version with a cheap volume pot and crazy hiss). The emmeline's case is just as solid (fits perfectly) whilst the volume knob is very very very nice, it doesn't turn easily a la PR and L/R channels are even at very low volumes.

I find the Pocket Reference to be an agressive amp. It makes my Grados too bright and brittle however it complemented my darker Zu/SennHD650 very well. It really made my HD650 groove. The emmeline is a much smoother amp and for my purposes (grados) bests the PR. I sold the senns before I got the emmeline so I am unable to help there. The PR has an excellent bass boost option that you might like to use.

If you are in Europe, I'd be wary of getting the PR unless you feel like making international calls. Not only are the lead times long but Larocco audio don't seem to check their emails regularly. Ray on the other hand replied to all my emails within 12 hours. Ordering from overseas becomes stressful and frustrating when there is a lack of communication.

I hope this helped!

 

[xtreme4099]

the PR comes with the 8610 by default, though the ad8066 i think is a better choice unless you have etys, it makes slight hiss on the etys, only with 8066 opamps nothing else. The 8610 to many can be bright, detailed, but sometimes overly-dynamic, i liked the 627s with the PR, that and the discrete buffer on the pocket makes it sound way better than before. There coming out with the variable bass boost on the PR, bass with a volume knob. Its implementation on my ppa makes some otherwise unlively music sound LIVE, bass still very tight.

 

[boodi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by extreme4099 signature PPA-X -Custom PPA Made at LaRocco w/Tweaked Internal Regulation - Variable Bass Boost - All Blackgates --Discrete Dynamically-Biasing Diamond Buffer w/NP Blackgates Onboard w/Custom LaRocco Lab Power Supply

your sig make me want to spend some 1000$ at larocco audio..
must sound good

so i should go for 627 not 8066 ?
what does 8066 offer the most over the 8610 ?

 

[TrevorNetwork]

Xtreme; despite what his loud listening volume might indicate, has excellent hearing. I have heard his PPA-X, and can vouch that it sounds incredible I have not yet heard the diamond buffered PR, nor the self-biasing new generation diamond buffer, but I will soon. If Xtreme says they are a significant improvement, there is.

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorNetwork Xtreme despite what his loud listening volume might indicate has excellent hearing. I have heard his PPA-X, and can vouch that it sounds incredible I have not yet heard the diamond buffered PR, nor the self-biasing new generation diamond buffer, but I will soon. If Xtreme says they are a significant improvement, they is.

I will hear it pretty soon, hopefully by this weekend, I will let you know how it sounds to my cloth ears.....

 

[xtreme4099]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boodi your sig make me want to spend some 1000$ at larocco audio.. must sound good so i should go for 627 not 8066 ? what does 8066 offer the most over the 8610 ?

to me the 627s sounded meatier than the AD opamps, i like that, not sure what battery life is with 627s though, theres other opamps i gotta try, the ad8066 is a less brighter version of the 8610, with about the same dynamics, detail, but bigger soundstage methinks. I listen rather loud because i like my music to feel like its part of my environment, and not simply coming out of something, that and i like to feel like that band is actually in my room rockin out. OH my grado225s are sounding amazing after replacing the stock cable with a pure silver one.

 

[eric343]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorNetwork Xtreme; despite what his loud listening volume might indicate, has excellent hearing. I have heard his PPA-X, and can vouch that it sounds incredible I have not yet heard the diamond buffered PR, nor the self-biasing new generation diamond buffer, but I will soon. If Xtreme says they are a significant improvement, there is.

I'll second the note on the PPA-X. It's the best solid-state dynamic amplifier I've ever heard, bar none.

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric343 I'll second the note on the PPA-X. It's the best solid-state dynamic amplifier I've ever heard, bar none.

Wait until you hear the Epoch....Phil...hurry up man!!!!...LOL