Finally ready for the big home amp splurge... decisions

[bhd812]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teerawit Is Ray definitely going to re-release the SR-71 with AC option? Or is just a "maybe" ??

I havent talked to him about it, I just read it in the meet impressions thread, you know the thread about the biggest and badest meet ever with almost no pics..lol hahahahahahaha

 

[carlosgp]

Grawk, your silver one is a beauty! Is somewhat hidden, but we can guess it

. It must attract a lot of fingerprints too.

Sacd lover, with 4-5 singlepower amps you have an experience invaluable for all who are thinking in buying an mpx3. Can you elaborate a little more? I'd like to know your opinion about the main configurations, and for what uses are best.

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covenant Okay, i've been asking "what to get" questions on a hypothetical basis for the last couple of months, always short of the pocket change to actually make the plunge. Now, that is finally at an end, and i'm equipped to impoverish myself on sinfully self-indulgent audio. So, the question, one last time - which amp would be reccomended? My expectations of the amp: It needs to be detailed, very dynamic, good extension into the very highs and very lows, and on the warm side of the fence of neutrality, without crossing into overly euphonic territory. Imaging and soundstage ability are also important, and it needs to have that analogue, "organic" feel to it. Under $1,200, which amp would best suit these criteria? Thanks for the input all

I would consider the Lehmann Black Cube linear with Class A (and no global negative feedback) output. It is a no tube amp that serves also as a single source line pre-amp. I paid $655 shipped.

However it is utterly faithful to the signal (no added coloration) and you seem to want tube warmth added to the signal. I well understand this as such sound is really enjoyable and preferred by many to the more clinical and analytical neutrality of the Lehmann. I myself prefer the natural timbre of the instrument reproduced.

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhd812 I wouldnt do the RAptor if I were you.. In your profile you state you use low-grade grados and have a nad521?

I get that a great deal. I think i'll put a disclaimer in my sig or something to circumvent such comments in the future.

The short answer is - yes, i have minimalistic equipment currently. But i don't intend to stick with said equipment for very long. I have a set of SA5K in transit, and my last upgrade will be an Ack! Dack! 2.0 with the high-res option (probably near xmas). I see no reason to keep my upgrades "reasonable" in light of my current setup, because that just means i'll have to resell them for less a couple of months later when my rig begins to outgrow them. I'm trying to craft a setup for myself that leaves me with no reservations whatsoever, within a sane budget. Granted, it may be folly to try that without extensive auditioning of all equippment in question, but down here in Sydney that's not really an option. All i can really do is figure out my spending limits, read every review written about all potential candidates in that pricerange, discuss the technical/design choices behind the amp with the manufacturers (i've managed to pick up some basic audio-electronics knowledge in my time at head-Fi), and go from there.

Towards that end, i went ahead and ordered the Raptor, since it seems sufficiently no-compromise enough to never leave me wanting more (unless i suddenly win the lotto, and maybe not even then), and just from what i've observed of my sonic preferences thus far, it seems it'll be ideally suited to me.

Though a word about the MPX3 - i fully expect i'd be very satisfied with one of these as well. In the end, i decided on the more neutral Raptor simply because i'm pairing it with warm sources (the NAD and future Ack!), and while i enjoy a hint of euphonic distortion, i don't like anything more than a hint. That said, MPX3 i'm sure would have been a fine choice, and i've naught but respect for Mikhail and his creations. Ray's was just the slightly more tempting offering

 

[GoRedwings19]

Excellent thread. Educational.

I have never used my Grado's with the Raptor I think. Billy why do you say don't try the Grado's with the Raptor?

 

[Jahn]

Outstanding thread. Informative.

 

[Imyourzero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn Outstanding thread. Informative.

I was just wondering yesterday if, in any one of his 313 posts, he has posted anything other than, "Outstanding thread. Very informative."

Ken, don't think we don't like you buddy! It's just that we'd like to see you say more than just:

[size=small]Outstanding thread. Very informative.[/size]

edit: Holy crop circles Batman, I've managed to locate one from deep within the vaults!

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showp...5&postcount=18

 

[JzzMaTzz]

What's up to everyone. I spoke to Ray earlier this week and he said he is considering an AC Sr-71, however he is so busy with the Hornet right now that he won't be able to work on it until 2006.

BTW, this very informative thread is outstanding!

 

[insomniac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk Dude, STOP WITH THE "GOOD THREAD" posts Picture of silver mpx3:

grawk, that almost looks like a cubicle... You don't have an MPX3 and PS-1 at the office, do you??

 

[wakeride74]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn Outstanding thread. Informative.

Poor Ken36, he's probably said "you guys are d1cks, screw you all" and left head-fi by now

We want you to hang around man but gove us some meat with our fries

 

[bhd812]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRedwings19 Excellent thread. Educational. I have never used my Grado's with the Raptor I think. Billy why do you say don't try the Grado's with the Raptor?

I didnt mean not to use the Raptor with grados in general. I meant if you are using lower end grados (sr-60-sr-125) then you don't need a raptor...you wouldnt hear much of a sound difference with these cans esp a $1200 diff.


Covenant
good luck and congrats on your new purchase, just please don't be like some and post " My raptor and My receiver sound the same" type threads once you get her in...

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhd812 Covenant good luck and congrats on your new purchase, just please don't be like some and post " My raptor and My receiver sound the same" type threads once you get her in...

Little chance of that, i could easily tell the difference between my unamped iRiver and the addition of the Mint, when i got it (marginal though that was). I listened to the NAD C521BEE through the NAD integrated amp in the store before i bought it for a good hour, and even through the SR60's there was a wide margin between that and what it currently sounds like Mint-driven (since my Mint is the only amp i have atm).

People seem to underestimate the resolving power of the SR60. Sure, it can't hold a candle to the upper-end Grados or the likes of SA5K, but its more than capable enough to provide an audible difference going from a little pocket amp to a proper desktop module. The gap between the NAD integrated and the Raptor through them will probably be somewhat narrower, as i expect i'll be pushing them to the limits of their potential there, but hopefully i'll have some higher-end headphones coming in soon to more fully appreciate the amp.

 

[Estilo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion Sorry, I couldn't resist.

That is a good looking amp, I wonder How it will sound with a good Turntable or CD...

 

[tyrion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estilo That is a good looking amp, I wonder How it will sound with a good Turntable or CD...

So far it's sounds great with a VPI Scoutmaster, Music Hall mmf-5, Berendsen CDP-1 and tonight with Todd's Meridian G08.

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhd812 I didnt mean not to use the Raptor with grados in general. I meant if you are using lower end grados (sr-60-sr-125) then you don't need a raptor...you wouldnt hear much of a sound difference with these cans esp a $1200 diff. Covenant good luck and congrats on your new purchase, just please don't be like some and post " My raptor and My receiver sound the same" type threads once you get her in...

Doesn't matter what headphone you use as long as it sounds good. I dug out my 225's and hooked it up to my Melos. It was as cool as I remember it. The melos is well known for being good with the hp-series but I find it can drive all kinds of headphones.