David1961
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2010
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I've just placed an order for the Headamp GS-X so when it's ready to be shipped, I'll buy some PS500's
Okay everyone, my final decision was to go for the RS2i a few days ago. My dad and I dropped by the audio specialty store near our house and the owner Tim decided to give us a $150 discount on them since my dad found a home theater system from B&W that he really liked in the store, so he decided to pay for both the system and my headphones as a gift for helping him weed my back yard that I was just weeding since it we were gonna get fined by the county for fire hazard (5.3 acres by hand a few weeks back). I still got $500, so now I'm gonna see how my friend's PS500 is this august. I'm lovin my RS2i at the moment while listening and watching music videos on youtube while writing this at the moment.
So Grados don't really need an amp even at the level above 325is? Wow, that's pretty cool. The info on DAC you just described is quite fascinating. There really IS alot to learn in this high end audio world. I'm thinking of starting a family owned headphones store to show everyone what they're really missing. I don't know any store like that in my county that carries more than just 2 headphone brands. Best Buy promotes mostly beats by dre *vomits* and Bose *more vomits*. Sony and Sennheiser are the only note worthy I've tested there. They don't even carry Shures where I live anymore but I heard some great things about those. Soul by Ludacris I haven't tried but I have my doubts about them for the same reason I do towards beats. Next subject. I do listen to flacs and compare them to mp3 with just the Sr80i and I feel the difference. I don't plan to sell my Sr80i because I like to show people I meet who want to taste high end sound what it supposed to sound like. More like a showcase to promote Grado as a whole. My RS2i's is just my serious headphone for pure audio nirvana. My plane/travel buddy is my Audiotechnica ATH WS70 which I feel is more stylish than the beats line. Amazing noise isolation and sound, but abysmal comfort. I think I will stop ranting now.
another option would be just going for the rs1i (best choice, awesome midrange, better detail, great clean highs, nice bass way better than the rs2/325)
So Grados don't really need an amp even at the level above 325is? Wow, that's pretty cool. The info on DAC you just described is quite fascinating. There really IS alot to learn in this high end audio world. I'm thinking of starting a family owned headphones store to show everyone what they're really missing. I don't know any store like that in my county that carries more than just 2 headphone brands. Best Buy promotes mostly beats by dre *vomits* and Bose *more vomits*. Sony and Sennheiser are the only note worthy I've tested there. They don't even carry Shures where I live anymore but I heard some great things about those. Soul by Ludacris I haven't tried but I have my doubts about them for the same reason I do towards beats. Next subject. I do listen to flacs and compare them to mp3 with just the Sr80i and I feel the difference. I don't plan to sell my Sr80i because I like to show people I meet who want to taste high end sound what it supposed to sound like. More like a showcase to promote Grado as a whole. My RS2i's is just my serious headphone for pure audio nirvana. My plane/travel buddy is my Audiotechnica ATH WS70 which I feel is more stylish than the beats line. Amazing noise isolation and sound, but abysmal comfort. I think I will stop ranting now.
neverd heard the ps 500s
the RS2i/RS2 i've never seemed to like. they've all seemed bright, even harsher than the 325 at times on the highs (this was on 3 different pairs in different setups in different stores). i didn't like them one bit tbh, just a little more warmth on the midrange vs the 325. might have been lack of burn-in, or poor sources, but i never liked it too much.
the 325 can definitely be very bright and shrill at times, but only on poorer recordings or louder volumes, they sound great otherwise. less warm than either of the rs series. can sound rather grainy depending on amp
i'd go for the ps 500s since every1 seems to love them. another option would be just going for the rs1i (best choice, awesome midrange, better detail, great clean highs, nice bass way better than the rs2/325)
Since I was lucky enough to have my dad repay me for the 5.3 acre weeding in my yard, I already have the RS2i's and still have my $500 I was going to dish out. Do I have to be a skilled audiophile to tell the difference between the RS1i and RS2i? If so, I better start training my ears to the point of noticing more detail. It helps since my uncle is lending me his Grace Design M903 amplifier to welcome me " Into the audiophile world" as he said it. I'm still gonna save up and while doing so wait to test out the PS500 from one of my friends when he gets it this August.
Yes the rs-1 and the rs-2 is a noted difference, mostly for me in soundstage and overall sound fullness. The signature however remains very much the same.
Keep in mind that the grace amplifier must be used through a direct out line, putting it through another headphone jack (aka another headphone amp) will not improve the sound quality.
With that 500 dollars I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing a Dacport Lx dac (250-300 dollars) and a gilmore lite amp (used for about 230). That combination with the rs-2 pairs incredibly well and will compare very well to much more expensive setups. Remember to always use flac files!