noelweichbrodt
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2006
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I'm currently rocking at work with an iPhone 3GS -> LOD -> PA2V2 -> Grado SR-60. Very happy, have been for the past 3 years since I first researched amps & cans here on Head-Fi! $120 sure went a long way to making my music really swing!
Now I'm ready to add to my collection with a home office rig. I listen to mostly digital files (256+ kps MP3 and AAC of rock, jazz, hip-hop) on my Macbook Pro. I'm going to stick with Grados, probably 225i to begin (and step my way up the Grado line if I'm not satisfied, so perhaps 325i, RS-2, HF-1, etc).
Value is king for me. If someone has an unbeatable argument that some $1500 rig will give me guaranteed daily eargasms and the eternal worship of fellow Head-Fians, then I'll dutifully save my pennies. I doubt that, though, so satisfaction/$ is my key ratio.
With that background, it seems there's a sweet spot for powerful, integrated, desktop DAC/tube amps around the $200-400 mark. Beresford TC-7520, Mini Millett Max Tube, NuForce Icon, hifiman EF2, iBasso D10, Creek Audio OBH-11, Gilmore GS-1, Head-Direct EF1, Corda Swing, Audio-gd Compass, and of course the Little Dot Mk II - IV. Whew. [a]
All the above have been mentioned on various Head-Fi threads for pairing well with Grados, whether 225, 325, RS-x, whatever.
I have four questions for the amp/dac heads here.
Thanks, and keep rocking!
[a] I know a couple of those may not have the DAC (Corda, I believe), and I think a couple may be solid-state not tube (Gilmore GS-1?).
found the following threads partially helpful: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/tub...-combo-443935/, http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rec...i-325i-444060/, and http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/new...16/index2.html
Now I'm ready to add to my collection with a home office rig. I listen to mostly digital files (256+ kps MP3 and AAC of rock, jazz, hip-hop) on my Macbook Pro. I'm going to stick with Grados, probably 225i to begin (and step my way up the Grado line if I'm not satisfied, so perhaps 325i, RS-2, HF-1, etc).
Value is king for me. If someone has an unbeatable argument that some $1500 rig will give me guaranteed daily eargasms and the eternal worship of fellow Head-Fians, then I'll dutifully save my pennies. I doubt that, though, so satisfaction/$ is my key ratio.
With that background, it seems there's a sweet spot for powerful, integrated, desktop DAC/tube amps around the $200-400 mark. Beresford TC-7520, Mini Millett Max Tube, NuForce Icon, hifiman EF2, iBasso D10, Creek Audio OBH-11, Gilmore GS-1, Head-Direct EF1, Corda Swing, Audio-gd Compass, and of course the Little Dot Mk II - IV. Whew. [a]
All the above have been mentioned on various Head-Fi threads for pairing well with Grados, whether 225, 325, RS-x, whatever.
I have four questions for the amp/dac heads here.
- Benefits of Macbook Pro -> DAC -> Amp -> Grado versus MBP -> builtin 1/8" out -> Amp -> Grado?
- Are integrated DAC/amp combos good value?
- Tube vs Solid State for Grados?
- Any specific recommendations for my home office rig give the above?
Thanks, and keep rocking!
[a] I know a couple of those may not have the DAC (Corda, I believe), and I think a couple may be solid-state not tube (Gilmore GS-1?).
found the following threads partially helpful: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/tub...-combo-443935/, http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rec...i-325i-444060/, and http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/new...16/index2.html