[fatman711]

I'm debating which amp I should get. Right now, I have a home based Pimeta. I would like something warmer though. Which of these amps should I get? I only use Grado headphones (sr225 and sr100)


thanks

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

How about a tube amp like the Little Dot MkIII?

 

[tomb]

I'm biased, of course, but I think the MAX is tailor-made for Grados. It can pump out massive amounts of current. The onboard heat sinks allow the buffer to run Class A bias of 50-150ma, depending on the size of the sink used.

 

[FallenAngel]

Well, HeadFive looks similar to the Pimeta in topology (opamp + 2x BUF634), so I'd say go with SOHA+JisBos or Millet MAX

 

[fatman711]

does anyone make the millet maxes?

How much do people charge for either the millet max or soha + jisbos?

 

[FallenAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatman711 /img/forum/go_quote.gif does anyone make the millet maxes? How much do people charge for either the millet max or soha + jisbos?

I'm not sure what professional builders are charging (which is nice considering professional build quality, likely great parts used, safety that it works and of course likely some warranty), if you find someone's used personal model it's $200 for very basic to $300 maxed. I sold mine for $250 and it was totally MAXED

, but I like to have sales not last more than a day or two so I price a little under what people charge for similar stuff.

Hey, you're a DIYer, why don't you just build one

 

[fatman711]

I just hate trouble shooting...lol...thanks for the ideas guys. I might spring for the millet max.

Is there a guide somewhere to building one?

 

[FallenAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatman711 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just hate trouble shooting...lol...thanks for the ideas guys. I might spring for the millet max. Is there a guide somewhere to building one?

Of course, look at the fantastic site TomB made for the MAX, it's simply stunning and of course there is the huge thread in the DIY section.

 

[synaesthetic]

I'm very interested in the SOHA + JISBOS, since I can have my cake and eat it too (drive low impedance headphones and still have tubey sound).

While I do have DIY electronics experience (I'm quite handy with a soldering iron thanks to numerous repair jobs) I don't currently have ANY tools; assembling the amp doesn't require much more than a Radio Shack 15W soldering iron, but casework is the real kicker.

I'm wondering about finding someone who can build a SOHA w/ JISBOS, and how much it would cost, and comparing the price to that of something pre-built, like a Cute Beyond or a Corda Arietta (the other two amps I'm looking hard at).

 

[PhaedrusX]

apparently a SOHA II is in the works, which will incorporate the output stage onto the main board, along with some other enhancements.

it might be worth it to wait a little while and see what the new version offers.

 

[MrSlim]

I wouldn't hold my breath on the Soha II. According to EricJ here:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/soha-312569/, there is a blocking issue that doesn't have a solution at the moment. I started down the path of collecting the parts for a SOHA , Jisbos, e12 etc a few months ago, and then started wondering if I should have waited, but it looks like I made the right decision. If I can just get through the last 3 weeks of night classes then its DIY'n time.. I've got a Hagerman Bugle, 41Hz Amp6, Passive Preamp(gleaned from the Net), SOHA X2, mods to a Silverstone EB01(caps and Opamps), a Squeezebox music server to tweak and another one Im configuring to rip my albums. Whew..
Oh yeah.. and rip out my Bathroom somewhere in there..
3 nights a week classes plus a regular job, for the last year and I have a lot of pent up DIY energy to release..

 

[regal]

I just finished building a SOHA+Jisbos. It is very unique as a tube amp in that the gain can be set (adjusted even.) The Jisbos is a high current device and the adjustable gain makes this an ideal tube amp for low impedance phones like Grados.

The Max would be a good option too, I have its predecesor (Millet+dB) and I find the SOHA + Jisbos more revealing. My Millett has a sligtly less exciting sound compared to the SOHA.

If this is your first DIY build I would recommend the Max over the SOHA. With the SOHA some of the PCB's are bad and need surgery. Also the support for the Max is amazing, with the SOHA I reached several roadblocks that I had to overcome on my own (luckily I've got a background in electronic troubleshooting.)

 

[synaesthetic]

I'm probably just going to wind up splurging on a Little Dot Mk-III. I can't resist the glowy tubes!

 

[regal]

You should really consider the max, even my old millett+db is superior to a LDIII. Its an easy build and extremely well documented by TomB

MAX Overview