[Galesden]

I have 2 questions about the sr225
1) Would using a good amp with it improve the sound quality enough to justify buying one?
2) If so, what portable amp would you recommend?
I will be listening to music through my 80 GB ipod classic at home or on long car trips so i need the amp to be portable.
Any help would be awesome.
Thanks!

edit: one more question do i need to use a mini-adapter to plug into an amp or does it accept 1/4" plug

 

[baka1969]

Hi

The simple answer is yes, the 225 sounds better when driven with an amp. There are plenty of amps under and around $100. I use the Headroom Total Airhead with great results. It's worth the investment. It uses a mini to mini plug.

Ross

 

[Rednamalas1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galesden /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have 2 questions about the sr225 1) Would using a good amp with it improve the sound quality enough to justify buying one?

yes. Difference won't be night and day, but SR-225 does benefit from amping

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galesden /img/forum/go_quote.gif 2) If so, what portable amp would you recommend? I will be listening to music through my 80 GB ipod classic at home or on long car trips so i need the amp to be portable. Any help would be awesome. Thanks!

depends on your price range. I personally liked Corda Move for around 200$ range, and if you can fork our for one, Pico with DAC or without were quite good with grados.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galesden /img/forum/go_quote.gif edit: one more question do i need to use a mini-adapter to plug into an amp or does it accept 1/4" plug

you need a mini-adapter such as this one :Grado quarter to eighth inch plug Adapter @ HeadRoom - Right Between Your Ears

cheers!

 

[Galesden]

thanks for the help guys
any other suggestions, my price range is about $100-$200.

 

[CapQ]

buy the corda headsix
the size and power will amazing you

 

[nineohtoo]

I wouldn't say it's a necessity, but if you can I'd highly recommend it. I find with my amp, the highs are tame without losing clarity, the vocals are oh so smooth and the bass has a little more oomph.

 

[mdarnton]

I guess I'm going to just reinforce everyone: my SR325s work great with my Corda Move and iPod. The difference for me is mainly in how "real" the music sounds, and though without the amp the combo is fine, I prefer to use the amp when I can.

That's my preferred around-the-house setup when I don't want to be tethered.

 

[Rednamalas1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdarnton /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess I'm going to just reinforce everyone: my SR325s work great with my Corda Move and iPod. The difference for me is mainly in how "real" the music sounds, and though without the amp the combo is fine, I prefer to use the amp when I can.

325is are good pair of cans; unfortunately, they're extremely fatigue-inducing and in my opinion, they do need a tubey amp to tame those highs.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galesden /img/forum/go_quote.gif 1) Would using a good amp with it improve the sound quality enough to justify buying one?

Yes, but only if you also upgrade your source. The SR-225 sounds terrific when plugged directly into an iPod, though.
Quote:

2) If so, what portable amp would you recommend?

None. I don't think the SR-225 benefits from an amp unless the amp is geared towards Grados and delivers the current necessary to drive them properly (Gilmore Lite, Dynalo, some tube amps). Unless you get the gear right and invest in it with the specific intention of making the SR-225 sound its best, your money will be wasted.

 

[yashicaman]

A Total Bithead (amp and DAC) for $150 is pretty good deal. If you will be listening off your laptop, the DAC is nice. The Total Bithead also has a good crossfeed circuit (which I really like). I've been using mine with my laptop for the last few years. My phones? Usually Grado 325i.

Cheers!

 

[dontgetpwned]

What about at home amps? I keep hearing people say you should get a tube amp with the 225s.

I was thinking of getting the Little Dot +I Hybrid with the EF92 tubes to start. Anyone have an experience with 225 and tube amps/ what tubes work well with 225s? looking to spend 150~ or less.

Edit: Also, I listen to a lot of hip hop and old funk and soul.

 

[charliex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontgetpwned /img/forum/go_quote.gif What about at home amps? I keep hearing people say you should get a tube amp with the 225s. I was thinking of getting the Little Dot +I Hybrid with the EF92 tubes to start. Anyone have an experience with 225 and tube amps/ what tubes work well with 225s? looking to spend 150~ or less. Edit: Also, I listen to a lot of hip hop and old funk and soul.

Spend an extra $50 and get the Little Dot MKIII - you won't be sorry.

 

[hottyson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontgetpwned /img/forum/go_quote.gif ---- I was thinking of getting the Little Dot +I Hybrid with the EF92 tubes to start. Anyone have an experience with 225 and tube amps/ what tubes work well with 225s? ----

I started a thread about the Little Dot I+ with stock tubes here ---> Initial impressions - Little Dot I+ hybrid tube/transistor headphone amplifier

So far it has not looked all that promising to mate Grado SR-225 to the Little Dot I+ with the stock tubes, but I shall soon find out for certain.

I am at about the 90-hour mark for burn in. I shall be completing a full follow up review soon after I pass the 100-hour mark.