[Lazyboy_sg]

Dear head-fiers

I'd like to seek some opinion on an headphone that will go well with the Grado PS1000. I don't currenty own any amps except for portable ones and I'd like to get an amp that goes well with Grados and Audio Technicas. I currently own the ATH-W5000, ATH-ESW10JPN, Grado RS-1i and Grado PS1000 (soon).

I mostly listen to audiophile tracks, female vocals in particular, jazz and occasional Pop, R&B. I enjoy good seperation, wide soundstage and warm/lush vocals.

I'd pretty much decided that I am going to get a tube amp. At the same time, I am also in the market for a good DAC. My preference is to have a DAC as a source into my amp, and I prefer my source to be neutral, good clarity, detail and as little colouring as possible.

My current choices for the DAC are:
- Lavry DA10
- Lavry DA11
- Benchmark DAC 1
- Audio-gd Reference 1 DAC (what I am currently leaning towards)

My choices for amps are:
- EAR HP4
- Woo Audio 5 LE (stock or max) (1st choice but can't get over the $1100 caps upgrade and the $500! shipping)
- Woo Audio 6 SE Max
- Yamamoto HA-02

- Being able to drive both high and low impedence CANS is a plus.
- Having balanced input/output is a plus.

Would appreciate anyone's suggestion of a good combo/match for consideration. or in other words, HELP!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lazyboy_sg]

Any help guys?????

 

[Blackmore]

Your answered your question already, EAR HP4, dont look further. Oh, you need DAC as well, find some which is transperent enough to compliment EAR, done.

 

[Lazyboy_sg]

Thanks. You've never had the need to tube roll the HP4? Just curious as the case profile is quite low in the HP4 and fully encased.

 

[fkclo]

The HP-4 uses the short bottle version of 6SL7. This limits the tube rolling choices. Besides the stock tubes picked for the HP-4 is already very good match to the HP-4.

Of course, if you want to tube roll, you can. There is no big deal opening up the HP-4.

Regards,
F. Lo

 

[fkclo]

Just want to add that now is a good time to buy the HP4 new, given the much more affordable British Pounds nowadays.

F. Lo

 

[olblueyez]

One of the Luxman models.

http://www.ttvj.com/index.php?main_p...3738f9ed549e55

 

[Lazyboy_sg]

Thanks for the suggestions. Fcklo, any experience on the synergy betwwen the ATH-W5000 and Denon D7000? I also own these CANs.

Oldblueeyez, thanks for another recommendation. Will certainly look into it.

 

[edisonwu]

For DAC option, I can say DA10 plays very well with most of my Grados, even through the internal headphone amp.

 

[Kclone]

I would kind of like to know what would be a good choice for the PS 1000s too. Of course there is not going to be a lot of feedback since hardly anyone has it yet. I'm going to start mine off with the MPX3 Slam, but I am willing to get something else if it is a better fit.

 

[punk_guy182]

Audio-GD Phoenix. н¨ÍøÒ³ 1

 

[limpidglitch]

WA2