Headphone amp combos ... the best?

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnylexus What's the best amp for RS-1's?

That's a really good question I've had a number of folks ask me. I'm setting up for a comparison of most of the high end solid state amps in the very near future so keep an eye out!

 

[planar]

Dear gpalmer, I am highly looking forward to that. particularly the association with ATH-W2002

 

[gpalmer]

The ATH-W2002 pairs very nicely with the modded Sugden Headmaster I have. With this combo the bass tends to be a little soft, but it's still a wonderful combination. The Grace 901 sounds godd with them if the source is right. I love the combination with my Wadia 830, but less so with my portable or Pioneer. I tried the Gilmore SE with the portable and Pioneer sources and wasn't too impressed, but the same was true of the Grace.

 

[pbirkett]

I got to add that I think the MF X-Can V2 is also a very good match for the CD3000, I am impressed at this amp for the money. Also makes the DT531's sound pretty darn good as well...

 

[TimSchirmer]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sovkiller ........and sterile, much better the Perreaux or PPA, far better by a good margin.....and at least one is cheaper....

Perhaps thats because the gilmore doesn't try to cover up the flaws of inferior headphones.

It is my belief that "fixing" the flaws of headphones with amplification is quite stupid. It goes back to the idea that two wrongs don't make a right. Lots of people seem to enjoy doing it though.

Anyways... here are the headphone/amp combos which use less than perfect headphones yet still sound okay.

Conrad Johnson CAV-50/ AKG K1000's

This combo is the best i've heard with the AKG's thus far. I didn't like the K1K's very much with the headroom max or any SET tube amps. However, for some reason they worked quite well with the CJ.

X-Cans with HD590

I usually hate the 590's, but for some reason they were listenable with this setup.

HD600's with modded sugden

Aside from the EAR HP4, this is the most decent setup i've heard that used HD600's.

AKG K501's with Headroom max

Honestly... this combination is an atrocity in terms of price/performance, but i should mention its the best i've heard with K501's.

To be honest... i really wouldn't use any of these except for maybe the k1k combo. You can get MUCH better performance for the money. However, if you are one of those stubborn people who have to stick to one headphone, these are the amps I recommend with them.

 

[GlowWorm]

Quote:

Originally posted by Uncledan Maybe just get a used Senn HE60/HEV70, you may able to find it within $1000.

We all wish.

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally posted by TimSchirmer Perhaps thats because the gilmore doesn't color over all of the flaws of inferior headphones.

What...? An amp can "color over" the flaws of inferior sources, and a pair of headphones can "color over" the flaws of an amp + source. But I don't have a clue how an amp is going to 'color over the flaws of inferior headphones' -- that statement makes no sense from here.

It's like you're suggesting that an amp can improve the sound of a pair of cans by adding some sort of coloration -- care to explain how this magic works? And where can I get such an amp, because I want one...

Edit -- thanks for clarifying in your post. You seem to be suggesting that synergy is something to be avoided, unless I've completely misunderstood you. A very unusual viewpoint, to say the least.

Oh yeah...

Quote:

Originally posted by TimSchirmer Anyways... here are the headphone/amp combos which use less than perfect headphones yet still sound okay.

Please suggest a "perfect" pair of headphones, and define your criteria for perfection. I suppose one variable would be that it would sound perfect with any and all amp/source combos, but maybe you could clarify.

Are you merely saying that you feel a person should match headphones to amp, rather than amp to headphones? If so, why not just say so?

 

[sacd lover]

Gilmore v2-se / Beyer dt 880
Gilmore v2-se/ Sennheiser hd650
Singlepower Supra-SDS/ Sennheiser hd600-equinox
Gilmore v1/ Beyer dt 880
Gilmore v1/ Grado sr-225

Favorite? The Singlepower/ Senn 600 or the Gilmore v2-se/ Senn 650

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnylexus Thanks for all your suggestions. What's the best amp for RS-1's?

Grado RA-1.......to my ears, of course. There is something that is just so "right" about this combo.

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnylexus Is there anything specifically that sounds great with the CD3000? - Johnny Lexus

So far of what I have tried, the Perreaux SXH-1, and PPA.....other than this, in SS, some of the Corda amps, HA-2 and Prehead (well the prehead is supposed to sound good with everything IIRC) and maybe the Emmeline, those are a guess, I have not heard them, and on tubes there is long list, Zolt, Melos, Supra amps, EMP, OTL32, Twinhead, even the X-Can after some mods....just do a search there are tons of threads about that......

 

[zeplin]

for the W1000's, I've noticed two amps that really shine...
the ZOTL tube
and the HR Cosmic
both are warm and punchy, which compliment the W1000's forward and dynamic sound.