Back to square one!!!

[KenW]

My journey continues. While not ampless thanks to the GS-1, I'm yet again looking for new blood for my setup. Yep....another source and/or amp.

What's really frustrating and what apparently is impossible task is finding an amp which can bring out the best in both the 650's and RS-1's. Figured it to be trying to fit a square peg in a round hole as they are so different sonically. With that in mind, I guess I'll build the new setup around the 650's BUT if I could find a way to make the 650's sing and make the RS-1's at least respectable, I'd love to do it. Guess I'm going for two rigs??

There are times where I just feel like listening to the RS-1s but if they're too bright, I just get fatigued with them. Yeah, I know that their sonic signature is not something that gear can change and I'm not trying to make them another set of Senns with my rig but I just want to hear them, if not at their best, at least respectable.

Definitely prefer tubes. It's gotta be warm and lush as I just don't like bright gear. Having said that I'm also wondering if my source and IC's simply must be changed as well. Not really anti-vinyl and have considered it but I'm doubtful that would be my first choice. Really would prefer to stay digital here.

So I guess I start over. Ain't this place fun!!!

Anyway, I first considered limiting this to the amp forum but then figured if I want true synergy, I mustn't resist changing anything and that includes my beloved 555ES.

So here it is. I want warmth, lushness but don't want to sacrifice impact and detail. In short, I want it all. Gimme some suggestions and again, nothing is off limits in terms of sale/change. Yet, I want synergy with both my favored cans(650 and RS-1) as if that were possible. Primarily listen to rock but do get "moods" and slip in classical/jazz from time to time. Also some easy listening when I need to chill a bit after a tough 14 hour day.

As for price range....I enjoy this "hobby" but it isn't a lifestyle for me. I'd have to say...hmmmm....3-4K for a source and amp.

Don't think I've left anything out so there it is. Whatcha got?

 

[jpelg]

Does your GS-1 have multiple inputs? If so, consider a DAC that gives a different signature for redbook playback than your Sony, which could still be used for SACD's via the analog outs.

 

[agile_one]

KenW: have you ever heard a Blockhead with RS1's and/or HD650's?

To my ears, that is exactly what you are looking for. Were I you, I'd be contacting HeadRoom for a 30 day trial of either an old stock BlockHead or a new Balanced Max.

Sure, it's solid state, and sure, it's at the very top of your budget, but if you've never heard one, you owe it to yourself to give it a go. Of course, you'll need balanced cables (Drew at Moon Audio will fix you right up), but that just adds to the fun.

[EDIT]
Ken ... despite the fun at your expense in some of the posts that follow, this post is in all seriousness. I really think the Blockhead or equivalent is worth your serious consideration. And, yes, as jpelg pointed out, that also means balanced inputs, so new cdp or dac required.
[/EDIT]

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenW My journey continues. While not ampless thanks to the GS-1, I'm yet again looking for new blood for my setup. Yep....another source and/or amp. What's really frustrating and what apparently is impossible task is finding an amp which can bring out the best in both the 650's and RS-1's. Figured it to be trying to fit a square peg in a round hole as they are so different sonically. With that in mind, I guess I'll build the new setup around the 650's BUT if I could find a way to make the 650's sing and make the RS-1's at least respectable, I'd love to do it. Guess I'm going for two rigs?? There are times where I just feel like listening to the RS-1s but if they're too bright, I just get fatigued with them. Yeah, I know that their sonic signature is not something that gear can change and I'm not trying to make them another set of Senns with my rig but I just want to hear them, if not at their best, at least respectable. Definitely prefer tubes. It's gotta be warm and lush as I just don't like bright gear. Having said that I'm also wondering if my source and IC's simply must be changed as well. Not really anti-vinyl and have considered it but I'm doubtful that would be my first choice. Really would prefer to stay digital here. So I guess I start over. Ain't this place fun!!! Anyway, I first considered limiting this to the amp forum but then figured if I want true synergy, I mustn't resist changing anything and that includes my beloved 555ES. So here it is. I want warmth, lushness but don't want to sacrifice impact and detail. In short, I want it all. Gimme some suggestions and again, nothing is off limits in terms of sale/change. Yet, I want synergy with both my favored cans(650 and RS-1) as if that were possible. Primarily listen to rock but do get "moods" and slip in classical/jazz from time to time. Also some easy listening when I need to chill a bit after a tough 14 hour day. As for price range....I enjoy this "hobby" but it isn't a lifestyle for me. I'd have to say...hmmmm....3-4K for a source and amp. Don't think I've left anything out so there it is. Whatcha got?

Have you tried a Raptor

You have been served "fuzzbox" style.

Here's a list of alternatives:

Dynahi
singlepower
dynamight
Eddie Current.
Headroom

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRedwings19 Have you tried a Raptor You have been served "fuzzbox" style.

rofl - too funny.

 

[jpelg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agile_one have you ever heard a Blockhead

The Blockhead requires a balanced source, as well. I don't think his Sony has balanced outputs, unless is was modded to have them (I think SACDmods does this now).

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRedwings19 Have you tried a Raptor You have been served "fuzzbox" style.

He actually just sold his Raptor

 

[Jahn]

You are the LTucci of amps, KenW!

Not a bad thing tho, since that means you are usually on the forefront of checking out the latest and greatest amp offerings to cater to your tastes.

Personally I would just bite the bullet and keep 2 home amps, one perfected for each can. Both cans are so different from each other, that it would make sense that it would be two diff amps to make each sing.

Look at it this way. The HD650 is plain vanilla. The RS-1 is choco goodness. You think an amp is like a bowl, and you're just trying to find one to hold both scoops of ice cream. But it's actually more like an amp is another flavor of ice cream.

So what is the complimentary ice cream? Just get a vanilla amp for the vanilla can and a choco amp for the choco can. If you try getting a mix, you'll get a Rocky Road and end up with undesirable chunks in the signal. Or even worse, get Strawberry or something else blecch that doesn't match either flavor.

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teerawit He actually just sold his Raptor

Oh wait a minute he's mr. Ampless again? sweet. The GS-1 is not his. I bet it's Earl's GS-1. Tut tut Mr. Ampless tried to sneak one past me.

teerawit>I know Mr. Ampless. He's well known on these forums. Why else did you think I contributed to head fi. People pay to troll him. That is why we contribute isn't it?

Get ready Headfiers the whiny one is back....I can't wait to get started again....hockey's back and i get to goad mr.ampless for the second time in a year....this is a good year

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg The Blockhead requires a balanced source, as well. I don't think his Sony has balanced outputs, unless is was modded to have them (I think SACDmods does this now).

Good catch, Jimmy. Of course you are correct (as usual), but that will just add to Ken's fun and his wallet's pain. A nice new player with balanced outs, or a dac with balanced outs would do nicely if he wanted to keep that nice 555ES.

We're all here to help, after all ...

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn You are the LTucci of amps, KenW! Not a bad thing tho, since that means you are usually on the forefront of checking out the latest and greatest amp offerings to cater to your tastes. Personally I would just bite the bullet and keep 2 home amps, one perfected for each can. Both cans are so different from each other, that it would make sense that it would be two diff amps to make each sing. Look at it this way. The HD650 is plain vanilla. The RS-1 is choco goodness. You think an amp is like a bowl, and you're just trying to find one to hold both scoops of ice cream. But it's actually more like an amp is another flavor of ice cream. So what is the complimentary ice cream? Just get a vanilla amp for the vanilla can and a choco amp for the choco can. If you try getting a mix, you'll get a Rocky Road and end up with undesirable chunks in the signal. Or even worse, get Strawberry or something else blecch that doesn't match either flavor.

Man, you're really good with the ice cream analogies.

 

[jpelg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agile_one We're all here to help, after all

Evil, Gene. Simply evil

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jahn ...

Ice cream - you crack me up

!

 

[akwok]

The GS-1 doesn't synergize well with both the HD650s and the RS-1s?

 

[bozebuttons]

Singlepower Supra

I had one in my system for over a month as a loaner,works extremely well with the HD650s & the RS1s.I was suprised how good the HD650s sounded out of this amp.

 

[Bill Ward]

Ken, you may be approaching this from the wrong angle.

Pick up a set of those Bose Triports everybody's talking about lately. Then spend six months or so listening to them exclusively. I don't thing the choice of amp, source or ICs will be a significant factor, but I can promise that at the end of this experiment you'll have a completely new appreciation of your Senns and Grados.

You've spoiled your palate by trying to consume too much high-end audio in too short a time. The Triports will give you a baseline from which to properly evaluate your options and a revised perspective on what really matters in quality sound reproduction.

Hope this helps.

BW