[MessierObject]

I've got a Headroom Max, and some very decent pre-amps (Conrad-Johnson, Forte). Noticing that the RCA outs on the Max's back respond to the volume control (unlike my old Stax amp), I experimentally compared the Max to them.

Whoa! It seemed better in all ways! Primarily, the sound was "rounder", with distinctly better bass and a deeper 3D dropback from the speakers (ProAc Response 2, driven by tubed Audio Research power amp).

Without turning this thread-opener into a full and perhaps pointless review, I'd like to know if others in this forum have similar reports. If so, we have some verrry interesting messages for Tyll...

 

[MacDEF]

>Without turning this thread-opener into a full and perhaps pointless
>review, I'd like to know if others in this forum have similar
>reports. If so, we have some verrry interesting messages for Tyll...

Actually, the HeadRoom web site mentions using the Max as a pre-amp

 

[Ross]

I've tried my Maxed Out Home as a preamp. It is okay, and probably as good as some budget preamps. It was nowhere near as good as my Exposure preamp, however.

I would consider using the Maxed Out Home as a preamp in my second system (which is based around headphones, and in which the speakers are secondary), but it would need more inputs, as well as a line out.

Once again, I would request Headroom to make a version of their amps with multiple inputs and a line out. This would probably increase the cost, but it would make the amp far more versatile, and would attract a lot of purchasers who would otherwise buy a normal preamp.

 

[Ross]

Damn, I wish you hadn't told me that. Now I have to buy one!