Got My HF-1's ...Now What? (amp opinions)

[shawntp]

Hey folks …I just got my second hand Grado HF-1’s (#382) and I must say they are very nice. I wasn’t really sure what to expect …my only real headphone experience has been with Senn 590’s, Sony 7506’s, and listening to s friends Grad 125’s.

I can say they sound very enjoyable …a very pleasing sound, and with the 414 pads they are very comfortable as well.

I got them because I moved to Indianapolis and work remotely out of the house, I am moving into a new condo next month and will have a dedicated office to work out of an I plan to put my main stereo system in the living area so headphones are my new office system.

Ok, enough background …on to the post

I currently am playing these though the headphone out on my Motu 828MKII firewire interface. It can drive them quite well, but I am finding that the more I crank it the better the HF-1’s sound. With the amount of time I am spending with these cans I have budgeted for an amp about $300 (which I will use the Motu 828MKII outs to feed so it acts as my DAC).

I originally planned on just getting the Grado RA-1 because its sort of a “no-brainer” though a little pricey. I was also considering the sr-71 because it seems popular on this site. Then there is the buzz of the “Millett” and HF-1 which people love (though I wouldn’t build it/just look for one used).

I was sort of leaning towards the Grado to simplify things for myself, but then my buddy back at my NY office (who I will see in 3 weeks) offered my his Musical Fidelity X-CANv3 tube amp for $300 Rolled with NOS RAC US tube mods (selling his phone rig to upgrade his living room system). It seams like I might just better go for this since its tube and a great price plus I am already comfy with the musical fidelity sound.

So here is the deal …my max is $300 and I am looking for your suggestions on the above scenario. Unfortunately I can’t really demo the above so I am just diving in.

 

[jpr703]

Gilmore Lite would be worth considering in that price range.

 

[grawk]

Grados and the blueberry audio emotion+ are a very nice match.

 

[MikeW]

stay away from that RA-1 that thing is severly overpriced. I've never heard it but i've seen the inside of one before. Mr.Grado probably dug the coins out of his couch and told his R&D people, here's 50 cents built me an amp! The most expensive component in that amp is 1.30$ capacitors.

 

[BRBJackson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpr703 Gilmore Lite would be worth considering in that price range.

+1. I had a Lite, and it really sang with my SR-225's. Also, if you buy one used and end up not liking it, the resale market for it here is fairly strong.

 

[shawntp]

I did manage to dig up this thread (http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...=Gilmore+X-CAN) which inquired about the Gilmore and the X-CANV3 (origionally with Senn's but people drop Grado in there too).

The Gilmore seems great and people love it but does anyone think the $300 is better spent on the MF at this price?

 

[EdipisReks]

i think it's basically a was between the Gilmore Lite and the X-Can V3. it really comes down to what kind of sound you want. the Gilmore Lite is going to be very linear, very fast and tight, and pretty nuetral, whereas the X-Can V3 is going to be a bit less linear, and be just a little "mushy" (with stock tubes, in my experience) but will have a warmer, more musical sound. either will drive and control the headphones well.

 

[shawntp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdipisReks i think it's basically a was between the Gilmore Lite and the X-Can V3. it really comes down to what kind of sound you want. the Gilmore Lite is going to be very linear, very fast and tight, and pretty nuetral, whereas the X-Can V3 is going to be a bit less linear, and be just a little "mushy" (with stock tubes, in my experience) but will have a warmer, more musical sound. either will drive and control the headphones well.

Nice breakdown. I think that in headphone sound, I tend to admire the characteristics of the Gilmore (based on your description) for what I concsider to be more exciting. I guess its also the matter of a relativly cheap tube amp versus an average priced solid state.

To my ear (which is tuned to my home system) these headphones allready sound somewhat "looser" in comparison.

 

[PsychoZX]

I really like my millet hybrid with grados.