[BigSurSpoon]

My question is: What are the sound characteristics of the Lunch Box II amp coming from either an E-MU 0404 usb or an iMod to my RS-2's and maybe even to my Beyer DT-880. Does anyone have any experience with any of these setups?

Why, you ask? Well, it's because I would very much like a tube headphone amp for my grado's and beyers, but I'm short of cash at the moment and I have heard some good things of the Lunch Box II. How would the tubes affect the beyers and also the Grado's? I love how my Grados sound now, very punchy with an aggressive midrange that is excellent for the metal I usually listen to, while still maintaining clear, but non-fatiguing highs. I use my beyers to listen to jazz and classical.

Thanks guys, I have no experience with tube amps and I would really like to get into them!!!

 

[kamal007]

nice..i have almost the same setup as you, the 990 and SR125 (woody) and using an emu 0404 too. Will the lunchbox 2 be better or should we go for darkvoice? or maybe save abit and go for little dot?

 

[BigSurSpoon]

yeah, I was checking out the darkvoice, but if we get recommended components that are too pricey, I'll just go for the MAD Ear+Purist HD. But I don't want to go that high... Yet...

 

[bebanovich]

I can't quite get you all the way there . . .

I'm using the 0404 and Lunchbox II but my cans are SR80s and RP21s. While you are waiting for first-hand impressions, I can give you my take on this set-up and you can extrapolate as best you can.

First of all, I know that Skylab has auditioned the DT880 600ohm version and has proclaimed them to be a good match with the Lunchbox II. I am currently considering a pair 880s because I imagine the classic tube sound of the LBII would be a great match for their treble-leaning/neutral sound.

I've got to say, as Skylab predicted would happen with some Grado models, my SR80s do not synergize very well with the LBII. The phones just really lose their edge (not in a good way) and sound almost flat to me. They are hanging on their stand trying to hide behind a box of Kleenex so I won't try to sell them. I would imagine the SR125 would suffer a similar sonic fate.

Now, as far as the RS-2 goes, I don't know enough about their similarity to the 80s to guess how they would sound with the Lunchbox. If you don't get a direct response tomorrow, I can listen more carefully to the problems w/ the 80s so I can give you a more specific idea.

Overall, I am loving the LBII. It really has a classic tubey sound that I was looking for that really brings the RP21s to life but it can be a little dark/warm. I imagine that cans that are already warm or have emphasized mids might not pair well. Mine is a novice guess, though, and not nearly as informed as Skylab's would be.

EDIT: I'm giving the Grados another listening and wondering if my assessment is too harsh. It might be a case of the RP21s sounding soooo lush and bassiriffic that the SR80s on their heels need time for adjustment. Will listen cold to Grados tomorrow and update.

 

[BigSurSpoon]

bebanovich, thanks so much for your time and effort in helping us out! I used to own the SR-80's, and I can say that the RS-2's have a very similar sound to the SR-80's. I will await your reassessment of the LBII and Grado synergy!!

 

[kamal007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bebanovich /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can't quite get you all the way there . . . I'm using the 0404 and Lunchbox II but my cans are SR80s and RP21s. While you are waiting for first-hand impressions, I can give you my take on this set-up and you can extrapolate as best you can. First of all, I know that Skylab has auditioned the DT880 600ohm version and has proclaimed them to be a good match with the Lunchbox II. I am currently considering a pair 880s because I imagine the classic tube sound of the LBII would be a great match for their treble-leaning/neutral sound. I've got to say, as Skylab predicted would happen with some Grado models, my SR80s do not synergize very well with the LBII. The phones just really lose their edge (not in a good way) and sound almost flat to me. They are hanging on their stand trying to hide behind a box of Kleenex so I won't try to sell them. I would imagine the SR125 would suffer a similar sonic fate. Now, as far as the RS-2 goes, I don't know enough about their similarity to the 80s to guess how they would sound with the Lunchbox. If you don't get a direct response tomorrow, I can listen more carefully to the problems w/ the 80s so I can give you a more specific idea. Overall, I am loving the LBII. It really has a classic tubey sound that I was looking for that really brings the RP21s to life but it can be a little dark/warm. I imagine that cans that are already warm or have emphasized mids might not pair well. Mine is a novice guess, though, and not nearly as informed as Skylab's would be. EDIT: I'm giving the Grados another listening and wondering if my assessment is too harsh. It might be a case of the RP21s sounding soooo lush and bassiriffic that the SR80s on their heels need time for adjustment. Will listen cold to Grados tomorrow and update.

Thanks, if theyre great with RP21 and DT880 (i have 990 which is pretty similar) and maybe a bit of synergy with Grado, why not..will wait for the grado synergy again before deciding

 

[westies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bebanovich /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've got to say, as Skylab predicted would happen with some Grado models, my SR80s do not synergize very well with the LBII. The phones just really lose their edge (not in a good way) and sound almost flat to me. They are hanging on their stand trying to hide behind a box of Kleenex so I won't try to sell them. I would imagine the SR125 would suffer a similar sonic fate.

Hmm, that's a bit worrying. I've got a par of SR225s myself and just ordered a LBII...

 

[kamal007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by westies /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmm, that's a bit worrying. I've got a par of SR225s myself and just ordered a LBII...

let us know the results too westies

 

[westies]

I'll try to remember to post some brief impressions

Don't expect much, though. I'm not good at describing what I'm hearing

 

[bebanovich]

OK. Lesson learned the hard way . . . don't A/B a Lunchbox II-amped RP21 and a Grado SR80. When I did a cold session with the Grado today it was much more favorable and more a little closer to what I should have reasonably expected.

There is not a magical synergy here that creates an unexpected sound that neither the amp or cans seem predisposed to. Being a tubey sounding tube amp, the LBII makes everything through the SR80 sound more full-bodied and rounded at the edges. As you might expect this is both a blessing and a curse depending on the type of music you are listening to.

I didn't really attempt to find well-known artists or tracks as a frame of reference, I just went through my collection on a fact-finding mission. On tracks where you want to hear the razor-sharp edge of the music (especially jangley guitar) the LBII tends to give the Grados a fat lip. I A/B'd between the LB and the 0404 tracks by Paul Weller and Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros and the 0404 definitely presented a cleaner, tighter sound that was more suited to this music.

As the music was intended to be more rounded, however, the LBII sounded better and better. Dick Dale with the hall of reverb sounded slightly better on the LB. The acoustic guitars on Johnny Cash and Joseph Arthur took on another dimension. The lush horn sound of Coleman Hawkins was like day and night better on the LBII.

I think there is a trade-off - a gain of lushness at the expense of speed and sharpness. I thought the acoustic guitars and saxophone sounded especially good and there was an overall increase in bass. There is some room to mess around with different styles but if you buy Grados for that edge, solid state seems like the way to go.

 

[kamal007]

One quick question bebanovich:

Did the bass quality/quantity increase or decrease when you're using the LB2? and do you have any SS amp to compare?

 

[BigSurSpoon]

I think he has the amp on the E-MU for solid state. Bebanovich, would you prefer the SR-80's with the E-MU's amp over the LBII's?

 

[bebanovich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSurSpoon /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think he has the amp on the E-MU for solid state. Bebanovich, would you prefer the SR-80's with the E-MU's amp over the LBII's?

Not really. I do think it's more situational to the music but, in general, I prefer the warmer sound of the LBII. Keep in mind that the 0404 is not my preferred solid state amp, however. Normally I would use the mSeed Spirit but it is hard to A/B and I wasn't sure it would help your situation for me to do so.

Also keep in mind that I have 2 $100 pairs of headphones and the SR80s are currently getting their ass kicked by the killer synergy between the LBII and the RP21. I don't know that too much hair-splitting with the 80s will hold up with your superior cans.

In terms of bass quantity, the LBII has slightly more than the 0404.

 

[kamal007]

i bought an lb2..if they dont have that synergy for my grados, my rp21 and dt990 will be happy with them

 

[BigSurSpoon]

Tell us what you think when you get it!!