Grado SR325i questions?

[Archospimp]

Hi All,

First post here! Please be gentle.

I am thinking of upgrading my Grado SR60's and Sennheisser HD555's to the Grado SR325i's. I much prefer the sound of the Grado's.

The question I have is this...

I have a Cambridge Audio A5 Amp and was thinking of getting a Pro-ject Head Box II headphone amp to run the SR325i's but was wondering if the system is far below the standard of the new headphones?

The source will mainly be my PC but I do have an Arcam Alpha 7se CD player knocking around that I can use.

Any replies will be welcomed as I am stuck trying to decide what to do.

Cheers

Jim

P.S. The reason for the headphone system is the arrival of a baby in about 2 weeks!

 

[silverrain]

Welcome to Head-Fi, and "sorry about your wallet"

Don't worry -- the 325i will sound good, no matter what you play them out of -- you will hear it all on these puppies....

THEN you can decide if you need/want to upgrade anything.

 

[moogoob]

Yeah, if you give 'em a listen and like the sound signature, pull the trigger! I didn't regret it. Heck, currently I'm running it out of a Headroom Total Bithead - certainly not a high-end amp. Pink Floyd and Nightwish both sound fantastic, as does downtempo, synthpop and industrial.

Though my next purchase will be a Woo Audio WA6... oh yes... tubes.

 

[ronnielee54]

I am using mine out of a Headamp AE2/Ipod 80 gig Classic at work and an Onkyo 575/Dual 721 at home. Bothe combos work really well. Doesn't take a whole lot to get these to sound good. Would love to get something with tubes for them one day. Have heard that this is the best way to go with 325i's.

 

[4a42]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moogoob /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm running it out of a Headroom Total Bithead - ... as does downtempo, synthpop and industrial.

you have no idea how much of a smile that post put on my face, being a bithead owner, synthpop/industrial fan and when the mail man turns up a sr325i owner!

now I can't wait

 

[fatcat28037]

You will be thrilled with the 325i's if you're happy with the SR60's This is the 325i owners thread. I sure you'll join us soon.http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/off...s-club-225954/

 

[GreatDane]

Archospimp,

Welcome to Head-Fi and since you have a new baby on the way I really feel sorry for your wallet. Just kidding. Congrats in advance.

I can use my 325i with a 1G shuffle and they sound very good.My favorite amp is a Woo Audio 3 tube amp. They are my only HP than can sound good from such a wide range of sources.

It took me more than 2 months to get used to their head feel but now I enjoy changing pads and they all are comfortable. You shouldn't have this problem since your ears have been Grado burned already...or have you not used bowls yet?

 

[Punnisher]

It's like everything good about the 60s, but improved. To what degree I can't say.

At first I didn't notice a significant difference, and both sounded the same to me. Though after I spent more time, I switched back, and there is a definite difference. The 325 offers a more full sound, even more forward than the 60s.

And I believe everything about the "harsh highs" and "fatigue" to be rubbish. This is probably coming from bassheads who turn them up too loud in order to feel more bass.

 

[tyoung]

The amp you have certainly is enough to drive them; however, a tube amp would pair up the best.

 

[compuryan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punnisher /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's like everything good about the 60s, but improved. To what degree I can't say. At first I didn't notice a significant difference, and both sounded the same to me. Though after I spent more time, I switched back, and there is a definite difference. The 325 offers a more full sound, even more forward than the 60s. And I believe everything about the "harsh highs" and "fatigue" to be rubbish. This is probably coming from bassheads who turn them up too loud in order to feel more bass.

fatigue isn't rubbish. some people are just more sensitive that others. I could listen to my HD650 for a couple hours, but I spent about 25m on the SR325 (at a fairly moderate volume) and I just felt like I had to set them down for a few minutes and give my ears a rest.

Even so, they are a fantastic pair of headphones, and I'd love to have a pair myself. Any tube amp would pair up well with the SR325. I personally heard them on the EC/SS, which sounded fantastic. Not too bright, quite synergetic actually.

 

[Archospimp]

Cheers for the responses guys.

I have 2 new arrivals at home now. A Pro-ject Head Box II and a baby boy called Sam!

My problem now is deciding between the SR325i's and the Alessandro MS2i's. The MS2i's are significantly cheaper for me to get as Grado prices in the UK are almost double what they are in the US.

Anybody got an opinion on which to get? New Alessandro or hang on for a used SR325i?

Cheers.

Jim

 

[silverrain]

Congrats on "Sam"!

Myself, I always buy new, so if cost is a problem, I would go for the lower-priced new ones.

 

[Archospimp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverrain /img/forum/go_quote.gif Congrats on "Sam"! Myself, I always buy new, so if cost is a problem, I would go for the lower-priced new ones.

Thanks.

Cost is not a problem but I am a little reluctant to pay double for very similar headphones. That is just one of the drawbacks to living in the UK! It's a question of if it's worth the extra for the SR325i's.

 

[hatethatgiraffe]

try turntablelabs.com
They ship to UK And are very reasonably priced just watch out for customs or try amazon or eBay!
I bagged my 325 for 210 from amazon!
I'm with punnisher tho!
They are awesome and not as fatiguing as many would lead you to believe!

 

[paaj]

that link doesn't exist... try it without the s!
accidently found it in the google-ads on the left