[arnett]

Well, I either have a bum unit or the RA-1 *can’t* drive the HD580s after all.

Just got my new RA-1, plugged it into my CDP via my outlaw IC’s and . . . whoa! . . . it’s distorted as hell.

The sound is okay until about the 9 o’clock position. Then only the left side becomes distorted.
I thought it was my Plainview 9 volts, but a battery switch didn’t do the trick.

The amp kind of reminds me of this distortion pedal I once had called ‘classic fuzz.’

Anyway, I’ll call Grado tomorrow and send it to them for repairs.

With the HD580s, this distortion is not normal

. . . right?

Reminds me of all those mg head reviews: “the amp has really bad hum on the left channel . . . but God, I love the sound!”

 

[KR...]

I am using the hd600 with the ra-1 and they make a beautiful pair.

I am sure something is really wrong with your unit.

Make sure you post and follow up when it's fixed.

 

[ChenaynayC]

Are you sure both of your batteries are good? Mine starts to distort when batteries are low. Thought I'd ask - just in case.

 

[ChenaynayC]

Never Mind!

 

[ninoe99]

I am using my HD600 and RS1 with the Grado RA1. They both sound great with this amplifier even at the levels you mentioned. I've used it with a home CDP and a portable one. Though the sound is much cleaner, smoother and tighter using the home CDP, the portable with the RA1 (at the levels you mentioned) still managed to put out a very respectable sound. I am certain it's your RA-1 which can be repaired most likely free of charge at Grado Labs.

Here's my setup -
Sony DVP-NS700P/Philips CDR765/Pioneer DVL-700 - Tributaries Silver Series SC300 - Grado RA1 - Senn HD600 or Grado RS1
Sony 828K - Straight Wire portable cable - Grado RA1 - Senn HD600 or Grado RS1

 

[arnett]

Quote:

Originally posted by ChenaynayC Are you sure both of your batteries are good? Mine starts to distort when batteries are low. Thought I'd ask - just in case.

yes. brand new energizer alkalines.

 

[arnett]

Quote:

Originally posted by ninoe99 HD600 and RS1 . . . sound great with this amplifier even at the levels you mentioned.

at 9 o'clock i get distortion. that's not even a decent listening level for me (and i listen at low levels).

i also tried deoxit. but, alas, no avail.

 

[erix]

Sounds like a bad volume pot. The pot in the Grado amps is an, um, low-cost unit, that can go out of wack if a small piece of something (sawdust? silver paint?) falls in it.

See the guts, including the pot, here.

ok,
erix