GoRedwings19
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2004
- Posts
- 5,014
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- 12
I have decided to post a mini review as I have all of these amps. These are in the midrange price bracket and it is here where you will find if you bought a donkey or a amp maestro. All these amps are stock with no mods whatsoever. Listening was done with a senn hd600 (stock cable). I choose the senn hd600 because it is so neutral that I almost find them dull. So if any amp can wake it up then it can't be a bad amp at all!!!!!
Sugden Bijou Headmaster Headphone Amp/Pre-Amplifier:
The build quality on this amp is magnificent. The casework is solid and machined from aluminium. It feels like a million pounds. I can see why a lot of people like this amp from the versatility of it. Multiple inputs, remote control and also can be used in a normal hi fi setup. From this initial impression it should beat all the others right, unfortunately this does not seem to be the case. As far as solid state goes it does have a tubey sort of sound quality but when u listen carefully to the music you notice there is slightly grainy topend or that's what you think, it is in fact a lack of bottom end. This was a real archilles heel in this amps performance. You just didn't know if it was a grainy topend or was it because of the lack of bottom end, in any case the music just didn't sound "right". Considering the high price tag and the build quality the sound quality can't match up to either. IMO if you need the versatility otherwise look elsewhere.
Graham Slee Project Solo 2004
This amp is actually smaller than what it looks like in photos you have seen. It's quite dinky actually. Build quality is of a quite high standard although not as good as the sugden. But while it only has two inputs and one headphone socket and no remote option, it has one trick up its sleeve. It sounds amazing as solid state amps go. The first thing that grabbed me even listening at very moderate levels is the bass. It's like my senn hd600 are two subwoofers stuck to me ears! But it is not just all about bass, it can do the subtle things as well as any other amp out there. Timing is amazingingly accurate. I really do like this amp. It has restored my faith in solid state amps after the Sugden nightmare.
Rudistor RP5
Build quality is acceptable. The sugden and gsp solo 2004 have better build quality. Very simple features one input, one headphone socket, no remote option, unless u buy the RP5 cav. Jury still out on this one, When I press skip on my dvd/cd remote i can hear a pop or a click but I haven't noticed it on any of the other amps. If team rudistor could confirm this. Seeming as this one of the more expensive amps I just though it would operate quieter than this. Sound quality wise I find it very full-bodied. Because I listen to a wide variety of music some of it includes classical. The problem with lesser amps is when u hear violins or piano's it can be quite painful, but not with this amp. Brilliant soundstaging. To be honest it took me a while to get used to this amp sound but then I realised I had the volume at the lowest setting so it didn't sound as good as the gasp solo. But when u raise it to adequate levels u don't notice it taking grip of you. And that's what I like about this amp. At first u don't quite like the sound and then without even noticing it swallow u whole. Very subliminal this amp. I think for most headfiers it will be an acquired taste.
Earmax
This has to be smallest of all the amps and the cutest. Build quality is OK but one niggle is the headphone adaptor socket is slightly on the large side and their is not a secure enough grip. But what is it that has so many people raved about these mini tubes. I can understand why people like the sound so very natural, warm bass and a midrange so sweet I almost wanna cry. All this from a mini marvel. But I found there is one problem. It always seem like the earmax is struggling. If you listen to it at moderate volumes then it is fine but if you like to crank it up then it sounds like it's out of breath. Whereas the sugden and gsp solo are kings in this department.
Conclusion.
All of the amps I have tested are really good apart from the sugden (sorry team sugden). I couldn't say which one I would choose after another because I like them all for different reasons. GSP solo 2004 is amazing for bass and excitement and this amp can go really loud. The Rudistor RP5 because it is so subliminal you don't even notice. And the Earmax, because it is well dinky sounds great but only if you listen at moderate volumes.
But the real dissappointment is the Sugden. It has a lot going for it, build, versatility, tubey sound for a solid state but up against the other three. it gets slaughtered. And seeming it is the most expensive here that is out of order. So after this mini review I will be selling the sugden. All of these comparisons are my opinion only. You might like the sugden and not the GSP solo 2004.
Music Used:
The shawshank redemption soundtrack,
Final Fantasy X soundtrack,
Metallica Black album,
Meet Joe black soundtrack
Nirvana Unplugged.
Please feel free to give opinions or critiscm's that u might have. This is my first ever mini review. BTW can anyone help me host the pics because I am crap with computers.
Sugden Bijou Headmaster Headphone Amp/Pre-Amplifier:
The build quality on this amp is magnificent. The casework is solid and machined from aluminium. It feels like a million pounds. I can see why a lot of people like this amp from the versatility of it. Multiple inputs, remote control and also can be used in a normal hi fi setup. From this initial impression it should beat all the others right, unfortunately this does not seem to be the case. As far as solid state goes it does have a tubey sort of sound quality but when u listen carefully to the music you notice there is slightly grainy topend or that's what you think, it is in fact a lack of bottom end. This was a real archilles heel in this amps performance. You just didn't know if it was a grainy topend or was it because of the lack of bottom end, in any case the music just didn't sound "right". Considering the high price tag and the build quality the sound quality can't match up to either. IMO if you need the versatility otherwise look elsewhere.
Graham Slee Project Solo 2004
This amp is actually smaller than what it looks like in photos you have seen. It's quite dinky actually. Build quality is of a quite high standard although not as good as the sugden. But while it only has two inputs and one headphone socket and no remote option, it has one trick up its sleeve. It sounds amazing as solid state amps go. The first thing that grabbed me even listening at very moderate levels is the bass. It's like my senn hd600 are two subwoofers stuck to me ears! But it is not just all about bass, it can do the subtle things as well as any other amp out there. Timing is amazingingly accurate. I really do like this amp. It has restored my faith in solid state amps after the Sugden nightmare.
Rudistor RP5
Build quality is acceptable. The sugden and gsp solo 2004 have better build quality. Very simple features one input, one headphone socket, no remote option, unless u buy the RP5 cav. Jury still out on this one, When I press skip on my dvd/cd remote i can hear a pop or a click but I haven't noticed it on any of the other amps. If team rudistor could confirm this. Seeming as this one of the more expensive amps I just though it would operate quieter than this. Sound quality wise I find it very full-bodied. Because I listen to a wide variety of music some of it includes classical. The problem with lesser amps is when u hear violins or piano's it can be quite painful, but not with this amp. Brilliant soundstaging. To be honest it took me a while to get used to this amp sound but then I realised I had the volume at the lowest setting so it didn't sound as good as the gasp solo. But when u raise it to adequate levels u don't notice it taking grip of you. And that's what I like about this amp. At first u don't quite like the sound and then without even noticing it swallow u whole. Very subliminal this amp. I think for most headfiers it will be an acquired taste.
Earmax
This has to be smallest of all the amps and the cutest. Build quality is OK but one niggle is the headphone adaptor socket is slightly on the large side and their is not a secure enough grip. But what is it that has so many people raved about these mini tubes. I can understand why people like the sound so very natural, warm bass and a midrange so sweet I almost wanna cry. All this from a mini marvel. But I found there is one problem. It always seem like the earmax is struggling. If you listen to it at moderate volumes then it is fine but if you like to crank it up then it sounds like it's out of breath. Whereas the sugden and gsp solo are kings in this department.
Conclusion.
All of the amps I have tested are really good apart from the sugden (sorry team sugden). I couldn't say which one I would choose after another because I like them all for different reasons. GSP solo 2004 is amazing for bass and excitement and this amp can go really loud. The Rudistor RP5 because it is so subliminal you don't even notice. And the Earmax, because it is well dinky sounds great but only if you listen at moderate volumes.
But the real dissappointment is the Sugden. It has a lot going for it, build, versatility, tubey sound for a solid state but up against the other three. it gets slaughtered. And seeming it is the most expensive here that is out of order. So after this mini review I will be selling the sugden. All of these comparisons are my opinion only. You might like the sugden and not the GSP solo 2004.
Music Used:
The shawshank redemption soundtrack,
Final Fantasy X soundtrack,
Metallica Black album,
Meet Joe black soundtrack
Nirvana Unplugged.
Please feel free to give opinions or critiscm's that u might have. This is my first ever mini review. BTW can anyone help me host the pics because I am crap with computers.
