basiltahan
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2009
- Posts
- 11
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(Be kind to the newbie)
I just got my Corda 3MOVE in the post and wanted to post my first impressions. My prior listening has been using a XIN Supermacro-3 (now defunct) through the HD600's and Shure E5c's. My first impressions are that this amp has plenty of power to drive the HD600's.
[I have read many posts suggesting that portable amps can not power full size cans, HD600 / 650's in particular. This is just not true. Are they going to match anything plugged into the mains? That is just an apples and oranges comparison. I can't put a tube amp in my pocket to take to my cabin in the French alps.]
That out of the way, I am using a LOD from my iPod Classic with slightly compressed audio files (320kb and V0). Both headphones shined. Compared to my Supermacro-3 this sound is more up front and not quite as warm (expected right out of the box). The lack of extension in the highs that has been mentioned in other posts I would agree with, but the highs are crystaline pure. The lows (Dead Can Dance / Fever Ray) are deep and strong but very well controlled. I would put this amp ahead of the Xin in this area. The mids (Norah Jones) are smooth as butter and roll out of the HD600's like they were meant for each other. The soundstage seems a bit tight compared to the Xin but I expect that to open up a bit with hours.
Paired with the E5c the difference was less impressive. In High current, High Gain mode (I am not going to switch back and forth) the volume dial is at 2/10 for comfortable listening and 4/10 is too much. They certainly sound plesant, but not dramatically different from the Xin.
It is early days and early morning. Gotta go to work. More later if anyone is interested.
Keep On Rockin'
I just got my Corda 3MOVE in the post and wanted to post my first impressions. My prior listening has been using a XIN Supermacro-3 (now defunct) through the HD600's and Shure E5c's. My first impressions are that this amp has plenty of power to drive the HD600's.
[I have read many posts suggesting that portable amps can not power full size cans, HD600 / 650's in particular. This is just not true. Are they going to match anything plugged into the mains? That is just an apples and oranges comparison. I can't put a tube amp in my pocket to take to my cabin in the French alps.]
That out of the way, I am using a LOD from my iPod Classic with slightly compressed audio files (320kb and V0). Both headphones shined. Compared to my Supermacro-3 this sound is more up front and not quite as warm (expected right out of the box). The lack of extension in the highs that has been mentioned in other posts I would agree with, but the highs are crystaline pure. The lows (Dead Can Dance / Fever Ray) are deep and strong but very well controlled. I would put this amp ahead of the Xin in this area. The mids (Norah Jones) are smooth as butter and roll out of the HD600's like they were meant for each other. The soundstage seems a bit tight compared to the Xin but I expect that to open up a bit with hours.
Paired with the E5c the difference was less impressive. In High current, High Gain mode (I am not going to switch back and forth) the volume dial is at 2/10 for comfortable listening and 4/10 is too much. They certainly sound plesant, but not dramatically different from the Xin.
It is early days and early morning. Gotta go to work. More later if anyone is interested.
Keep On Rockin'
