Finally listened to a Tomahawk

[JeffS]

So a friend of mine decided to call Ray and get a Tomahawk to add to his amp collection. He loves it, and I don't blame him. I was excited to listen to it since my only amps have been a Xin Mini-III and a Mini-IV (upgraded).

I had heard alot about the synergy with the Tomahawk and the Westone UM2s that I've been using. I'm in total agreement, that the combination sounds great. It definitely brings out the sound quite well. It's a great amp. My first thought was "Damn, now I have to get one". Sometimes having Head-Fi friends can be bad for your wallet.

Since I just got my Mini-IV a few weeks ago, I sat down to do a quick A/B session. Immediately I noticed that the Mini didn't quite come up to the level of Rays amp. Then I noticed that my buddy had the gain set on high, while I keep mine on low. I switched up the the Mini up to the same setting, so that I'd have a more even comparison, and that's when it hit me. I was hard pressed to hear a difference. I flipped back and forth between amps for a while and was amazed that they were definitely keeping up with each other. So, I put both amps down to low gain, and gave them another listen. I was happy to hear the same thing.

Waves of joy hit me as I realized that I can save a few dollars and not have to explain a new purchase to the wife. Though I do like the case for Rays amp a lot more than the plastic case used for the Xin. I get a bit of RF interference with the Mini since the IV upgrade, and I'm guessing that the metal case on the tomahawk wouldn't have that issue.

so for my mini-review here are my quick thoughts...
Construction: Ray
Sound: Tie
Battery: didn't get to test
Size: Xin (but only barely)
Looks: Ray
Cost: Xin

I'm curious to hear others opinions that have listened to both amps.

-Jeff

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffS /img/forum/go_quote.gif So a friend of mine decided to call Ray and get a Tomahawk to add to his amp collection. He loves it, and I don't blame him. I was excited to listen to it since my only amps have been a Xin Mini-III and a Mini-IV (upgraded). I had heard alot about the synergy with the Tomahawk and the Westone UM2s that I've been using. I'm in total agreement, that the combination sounds great. It definitely brings out the sound quite well. It's a great amp. My first thought was "Damn, now I have to get one". Sometimes having Head-Fi friends can be bad for your wallet. Since I just got my Mini-IV a few weeks ago, I sat down to do a quick A/B session. Immediately I noticed that the Mini didn't quite come up to the level of Rays amp. Then I noticed that my buddy had the gain set on high, while I keep mine on low. I switched up the the Mini up to the same setting, so that I'd have a more even comparison, and that's when it hit me. I was hard pressed to hear a difference. I flipped back and forth between amps for a while and was amazed that they were definitely keeping up with each other. So, I put both amps down to low gain, and gave them another listen. I was happy to hear the same thing. Waves of joy hit me as I realized that I can save a few dollars and not have to explain a new purchase to the wife. Though I do like the case for Rays amp a lot more than the plastic case used for the Xin. I get a bit of RF interference with the Mini since the IV upgrade, and I'm guessing that the metal case on the tomahawk wouldn't have that issue. so for my mini-review here are my quick thoughts... Construction: Ray Sound: Tie Battery: didn't get to test Size: Xin (but only barely) Looks: Ray Cost: Xin I'm curious to hear others opinions that have listened to both amps. -Jeff

Jeff, glad you are enjoying your Mini IV. Do you know if it was built after 4/11/07? If it was great you have the latest power supply upgrade, if not you should send it back for the latest tweaks. The difference will astoung you. Meanwhile enjoy your amp, later you could roll some op-amps. Good luck and you have a very nice amp.

 

[nfusion770]

I have a Micro from last fall and a Tomahawk. I bought the Tomahawk with the intention of using it while the Micro was "in the shop," but in its current configuration my impressions are pretty much the same. Both amps are pretty much on equal footing. With all this talk of the 4/11 updates, I question whether I should send it off to Xin or just buy a new one and send it off when the new one arrives. I would but there is something about the sweet Ray Samuels build quality, that makes me want to keep the Tomahawk. For half the price and the ridiculous size of the Micro, however, I am pretty sure I could find room for 2.

 

[jamato8]

I have too many protables but I agree the build and look of Ray's amps is enjoyable and you get good sound to boot. Well I don't notice the size or looks when I am mobile so. . .

 

[909]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffS /img/forum/go_quote.gif Then I noticed that my buddy had the gain set on high, while I keep mine on low. I switched up the the Mini up to the same setting, so that I'd have a more even comparison, and that's when it hit me. I was hard pressed to hear a difference. I flipped back and forth between amps for a while and was amazed that they were definitely keeping up with each other. So, I put both amps down to low gain, and gave them another listen. I was happy to hear the same thing.

Not surprised. I don't think most people realize, but when comparing two amps and one is louder, even slightly, most usually pick the louder one as the better sounding amp.

I did a similar comparsion between my Hornet and Total Bithead with IEMs and was hard pressed to tell any difference whatsoever as well. Though, the RS chassis, brand name, and reputation around are nice you'll pay the premium, without question. And if using IEMs there are quite a few small portable amps that are less expensive and sound equally just as good, if not, impossible to hear the difference when compared against the (more expensive) Tomahawk or Hornet. Yet looks wise, IMO, usually RS wins hands down.

 

[3x331m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffS /img/forum/go_quote.gif Though I do like the case for Rays amp a lot more than the plastic case used for the Xin. I get a bit of RF interference with the Mini since the IV upgrade, and I'm guessing that the metal case on the tomahawk wouldn't have that issue.

The tomahawk was built with latest stealth technology to deflect RF and absorb other types of radiation... and can do auto-pilot if you engage the GPS guidance system...

Actually, I chose the Tomahawk over Smini or Smicro for many factors. It's great that you enjoy your Smini.

 

[Orcin]

Tomahawk battery life FTW

 

[chris_ah1]

Nothing beats tomahawk on battery life.

Good to see they are so close - I would've got the tomahawk if it wasn't for my desire to get a jack of all trades amp with rolling like the supermacroLE. It is FAR prettier and better made.

I would've got the hornet actually if it had a better battery life - with some opamps you can get over 120hours with supermacroLE. Not 400 like the tomahawk, but sitll rather good.

I'm not looking forward to hearing interference on the xin - bad enough with everyone using mobile phones coming through my UM2s.

 

[Wildcard30]

I love the Tomahawk I bought it because I wanted a good amp now and got tired of waiting on the Supermicro IV I will probably keep both though.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

jamato make your signature smaller

edit: oh yeah, tomahawk, xin amplifiers. for your iems. congrats.

 

[EFN]

I fully understood your situation.

I was in a similar situation two or three weeks ago. But I have a 04/11 SuperMicro-IV with me and it only took 3 days for my SuperMicro-IV to convince me that she has better synergy with my IEM. So with heavy heart I sold off my Tomahawk.

I still miss my Tomahawk, for that industrial look, size and battery life - none of which my SuperMicro-IV can beat. But in the end pure SQ proved to be the core subject over my decision. - They were close indeed, but considering a 43 hours SuperMicro-IV sounds similar to a 700 hours Tomahawk, I was piqued to keep the SMIV

 

[JeffS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Jeff, glad you are enjoying your Mini IV. Do you know if it was built after 4/11/07? If it was great you have the latest power supply upgrade, if not you should send it back for the latest tweaks. The difference will astoung you. Meanwhile enjoy your amp, later you could roll some op-amps. Good luck and you have a very nice amp.

WHAT??!!??

I sent my Mini-III into Xin back in early December for the upgrade to IV. I finally got it back at the end of March. There is ANOTHER change that this amp has yet to go through?

I have to say I love Xin and his policy of free updates to the hardware he sells. However the wait times for them can be unbearable.

Do you know if this power supply upgrade affects the upgrade board, or only the originaly IV boards?

-Jeff

 

[3x331m]

Now, I finally figured out why the lead time for Dr. Xin is too long compare to others.

It's the free upgrade policy.

He's too busy upgrading his old amps and forget to build to the new orders.

 

[jamato8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thelonious Monk /img/forum/go_quote.gif jamato make your signature smaller edit: oh yeah, tomahawk, xin amplifiers. for your iems. congrats.

I would but then I would forget what I have and I would listen to it as often.

 

[65535]

It doesn't surprise me, RSA stats that his amps are made to project the music without adding much distortion if any, it's made to sound true to the recording. The Mini sounds the same (quoting your experience) so it has low distortion too, which is good for your wallet, but the Tomahawk is plain sexy.