[Peterg2]

Quote:

Originally posted by tonyjang okay i think i'm crazy but after reading into the PPA... suddenly i don't want the MkII anymore. is this sick or what someone set me straight... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I do think that one should take time over this. I love this place but the level of unbridled enthusiasm for flavours of the month here I find is not very helpful at times. One ends up buying the current "flavour" and then 3 months later suddenly it is a bit out of favour and there is suddenly a new GREAT product and the buyer's remorse creeps in ("Perhaps I should have waited a bit longer").

One thing I can say is that Jan Meier and the Corda amps have a rock solid reputation and my next headamp purchase may well be the Corda HA-2 (which I know is outside your price range).

Peter

 

[kentamcolin]

Eddie Current HD300 has the reputation of Moth behind it and some very positive initial reviews. The fact that it allows multiple sources is a big plus in my book, plus preamp capabilities. I'll admit to being a big Moth fan. But that's after spending two months with the HD300 prototype and several weeks now with the Si2A3.

 

[tonycool]

http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showt...threadid=67242 go and see this thread,maybe it's a choice.

 

[go_vtec]

Why not Corda? I'm relatively happy with my Corda HA-1. I used to own Headroom Max in the past, and I found Corda to be quite a deal for 1/4 of Max's price. Sure there were some differences (less powerful/less definition/less dynamic), but for only around $300 its very good (plus it comes w/ crossfeed). HA-2 offers nearly same peformance of Prehead for significantly less $$$.

Perreaux is a good alternative (get v0.5 or later in case you want to use your amp with low impedance cans), but it is difficult to find (depends on where you live I guess).

 

[Dan the audioman]

Quote:

Originally posted by gpalmer I would suggest the Perreaux or a used Gilmore if you can find one.

Ditto.

The senns go very well with gilmores.

 

[mulveling]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan the audioman Ditto. The senns go very well with gilmores.

Me too. I've had both the Perreaux and a gilmore V2, and definately prefer the gilmore with the HD600s and 650s. The main difference I hear is that the Perreaux sounds slightly soft and blurred (may be pleasing to some ears) compared to the razor sharp focus of the Gilmore. The Gilmore tightens the sound up more, and this may also be why the sound of the gilmore varies more as you swap out sources. The Perreaux sounds more consistent from source to source. I still prefer the Gilmore on any of my sources, but the decision is a bit more difficult on my RME soundcard - things can get a tad dry and harsh with the gilmore (not the amp's fault).

 

[kartik]

How about the woo audio headphone amp that CWCalk just reviewed? Seems a great bargain for $390.

 

[ooheadsoo]

Not only that, I've fired a few emails to WooAudio and he has a wooAudio-I with preamp capabilities in the works, just about ready! Talk about best of both worlds! He says you can use it as a preamp AND headphone amp at the same time! My interest is piqued.

 

[kelesh]

Quote:

Originally posted by kentamcolin Eddie Current HD300 has the reputation of Moth behind it and some very positive initial reviews. The fact that it allows multiple sources is a big plus in my book, plus preamp capabilities. I'll admit to being a big Moth fan. But that's after spending two months with the HD300 prototype and several weeks now with the Si2A3.

my money is on the eddie current HD300 (literally!)

 

[sacd lover]

I too would take the hd 300 over the Woo, and I did buy the hd 300. The hd 300 has been auditioned by several head-fi members and all their comments were overwhelmingly positive; as was the single review on the Woo. However, even though the sound quality should be excellent with both, the value of the Eddie Current hd 300 sets it apart, IMO.

Another amp to consider is the singlepower ppx3. The price is slightly above $450, and its a headamp only for that price, but the ppx3 is a wonderful sounding amp. The build quality, new styling, and again sound quality, are first rate.

 

[gsferrari]

Singlepower PPX !!!

Bang on your budget...

 

[kartik]

If you must singlepower, Maestro. I'm so tempted to take the introductory discounted price. If only my wife would agree.

 

[gsferrari]

Where is the discounted introductory price listed?!?!?

Got a link??

 

[ipodstudio]

Quote:

Originally posted by gsferrari Where is the discounted introductory price listed?!?!? Got a link??

gsferarri, goto the singlepower homepage and click on "Descriptions and Prices"

Read through that text and you'll find it. It says and I quote:

"The Maestro headphone/preamp is our latest offering. The
Maestro is available for $2300 for Head-fi members for a
limited time. Retail will be $3095 in full production. We
can build a Maestro within 4 weeks."

 

[meech]

Hey Kartik & GSferarri,

If you guys are thinking about getting the Maestro at the discounted price then you better hurry up. I spoke to Mikhail last week about the Maestro and he told me he only has two units left at the discounted price. After that he'll be starting the new production line which will sell at full price ($3095).


P.S. Guess who snatched one of them (

)

Only one left now.
Good Luck.