grado headphones

[aldave]

do the grado 3xx or 2xx (i dun kno the rest of the numbers)
require amps, and how much would a amp be, im new here so if im doing something wrong plz tell me, thx

 

[3x331m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aldave /img/forum/go_quote.gif do the grado 3xx or 2xx (i dun kno the rest of the numbers) require amps, and how much would a amp be, im new here so if im doing something wrong plz tell me, thx

It's dependent on how you can hear the differences, or if you want to hear the differences. I'd always recommend tube or hybrid amps for Grado cans.

 

[Nagasaki_Kid]

Basically they are okay to listen without amps, but to unleash thier true potential they need an amp

 

[kamal007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nagasaki_Kid /img/forum/go_quote.gif Basically they are okay to listen without amps, but to unleash thier true potential they need an amp

x2..a tube amp esp

 

[headphonejunkie]

MY 225's sound awesome with my SOHA amp. Especially with amperex tubes. WOW.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Depends on your budget, really. Generally speaking you will get the best sound by investing the first $300~$400 into headphones and then use what's left over to buy an amp. Also keep in mind that the difference between a $300 amp and a $3000 amp is not as large as, say, a $30 pair of headphones to $300 pair of headphones.

So. Spend what you can on the headphone, and then use the headphone as an anchor for your system and build around it.

 

[headphonejunkie]

You can build a SOHA for under $150 and it is really complementing my 225's. Especially with the amperex gold globes I just purchased off of ebay. I am impressed.

 

[Gradofan2]

The best price / performance ratio in almost any set of headphones is found in the SR225's. You can pick a new set up for around $160 from the right vendor.

If you want to save yourself a lot of agonizing indecision and upgrading (read hassle and money) - the best price / performance ratio in a matching headphone amp is found in the RA-1. Get the AC version to avoid the battery hassle. You can pick a new one up for around $350 (for the AC version) from the right vendor.

You will find this combination to be absolutely magical, and impossible to beat by much at almost any price - even with a simple Sony Discman as a source.

After this combo, you very quickly begin to experience the "law of diminshing returns" - realizing very slight improvements in SQ for huge increases in investment... which are very hard to justify... unless you've got "money to burn" - there, simply is not enough improvement to justify the increased investment.

http://www.goodcans.com/HeadphoneReviews/

The next best value in headphones is found in the Senn HD580 with the HD600 grills, and the HD650 cable, or Cardas cable. But... then you have to buy a more costly amp... and you're total investment will be a bit more.

But... the SR225 / RA-1 setup is most definitely the "sweet spot."

 

[headphonejunkie]

I would even say a millett hybrid or Soha are great and about half the price of a ra-1.There is not much to the circuit design in the ra-1. The millett and soha can be upgraded with tubes and op amps and for the SOHA the up and coming JISBOS buffer bds.I am telling you my 225's and the SOHA really crank.With the right tubes(Amperex 12au7 gold globes made by mullard blackburn).I only wish my wife would let me listen to it more.

 

[Blackmore]

I think you will be totally o.k. without any amp, if you buy SR225. They sound just great directly out of my iAudio XL5 player.
But than again, if you have an budget, go for the tubes.

 

[Gradofan2]

Forget about the circuit design - its not relevant.

All that's relevant is the sound produced by the combination of the RA-1 and the Grados - its unmatched at that price, or even higher.

There is a widely recognized "synergy" between the two, that is unmatched at the price - its a huge bargain.

You'll understand if you try it.

 

[headphonejunkie]

Never tried it.

 

[greenhorn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Forget about the circuit design - its not relevant. All that's relevant is the sound produced by the combination of the RA-1 and the Grados - its unmatched at that price, or even higher. There is a widely recognized "synergy" between the two, that is unmatched at the price - its a huge bargain. You'll understand if you try it.

x 2.

 

[Chri5peed]

Plenty of people don't like the Sennheiser or Grado 'house sound'. So, any great bargains are lost on them.

 

[kramer5150]

Not at all. They can benefit from amplification though, if you pick an amp that colors the sound to your liking. I frequently just plug my RS1 into my Denon HT receiver.