[tubaman]

I got my buddy a (used) Grado RA-1 to pair up with his Grado SR-325. I go the amp, tested it, spent some time listening to it, and everything was fine.

However he told me that when he tried it, one side is louder than the other, and that the amp was on when he took it out of the box. I don't think the box was damaged. I did have my mother pack it for me as I was running late for work that day, so that explains why the power was on, she might have flipped it accidentally. My friend tried the headphones out of the jack of the CD player and no problem, so it's not the headphone. Also he has connected the RCA cables correctly.

Can anyone tell or speculate what might possibly the situation be? Obviously this really upsets me...could this be the batteries running low?

 

[watchluvr4ever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubaman /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...could this be the batteries running low?

I don't know for sure but worth a try though. Good luck!

 

[Rav]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubaman /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can anyone tell or speculate what might possibly the situation be? Obviously this really upsets me...could this be the batteries running low?

That would be my first thing to check, get him to put a fresh pair in and try again.

 

[tubaman]

Thanks for the replies I'm grateful. My friend has just informed me that it was bad cables. He switched cables and it now works flawlessly...!

 

[cherepashka]

that amp is very mediocre. Probably 90% of cost is due to wooden case and prestige factor

 

[freakmax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherepashka /img/forum/go_quote.gif that amp is very mediocre. Probably 90% of cost is due to wooden case and prestige factor

ฺBut it sounds good to my ears no matter what

 

[Chris_Himself]

who actually has one? ive been curious to ask. despite its innards, are people still happy with them?

 

[M0T0XGUY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherepashka /img/forum/go_quote.gif that amp is very mediocre. Probably 90% of cost is due to wooden case and prestige factor

Actually, most people agree that the amp sounds great with Grado's and is built well, although it's true that it probably costs Grado no where near $300 + to make.

 

[Chris_Himself]

but considering that its not very hard to power Grado headphones, thats not saying much.

how does the amp sound in general? with other headphones? because if i could spend that kind of money on a AE-2 instead, it better at least SOMEWHAT sound right.

its made out of about 20 dollars worth of parts and some nice wood.

 

[recephasan]

Haha, this will never end.

Yes, the RA-1 is worth every penny. And it's not the innards, it is the sound. People have tried duplicating it with the same components, and though I've not tried them, I've never read one who said it was 1-1.

The amp also sounds very good with my HD600 w/Equinox.
It is full, punchy in bass, fast paced and delicious.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_Himself /img/forum/go_quote.gif but considering that its not very hard to power Grado headphones, thats not saying much. how does the amp sound in general? with other headphones? because if i could spend that kind of money on a AE-2 instead, it better at least SOMEWHAT sound right. its made out of about 20 dollars worth of parts and some nice wood.

Listen to the AE-2 before you buy it. Some of us do not like it as much as the SR-71, LaRocco PRII MkII, Supermicro IV, Millet Hybrid Portable, etc.

 

[gz76]

I was going to suggest switching out the cables, as most people don't consider trying this, but looks like you already discovered this. A lot of people (read: non-audiophile) use whatever cheap cables they have lying around to connect components. The problem here is that many of these cables are made as cheaply as possible, and are prone to failure.

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by recephasan /img/forum/go_quote.gif "...People have tried duplicating it with the same components, and though I've not tried them, I've never read one who said it was 1-1..."

What I have never read is the opposite...this amp is really simple, that is not a secret, and if you duplicate it, value by value, and use the same OPAmp they use, it is really naive to beleive that it will sound any different, even while you will maybe use a better pot, what will be different? Just the mahoganny enclosure...be serious man!!!!

 

[riceboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubaman /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the replies I'm grateful. My friend has just informed me that it was bad cables. He switched cables and it now works flawlessly...!

Sweet. So glad that it's working. I haven't seen a thread with a defective RA-1 yet. I'm sure your buddy is enjoying the amp.

 

[tjohnusa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sovkiller /img/forum/go_quote.gif What I have never read is the opposite...this amp is really simple, that is not a secret, and if you duplicate it, value by value, and use the same OPAmp they use, it is really naive to beleive that it will sound any different, even while you will maybe use a better pot, what will be different? Just the mahoganny enclosure...be serious man!!!!

Electrons must love Mahogany more than anything

Or maybe the secret is in the pot.....or whatever you may smoke