Headroom maxed out to drive Grados

[PatLogan]

Hello,
I have the opportunity to buy a Headroom maxed out for 300 euros (in france).
I don't have the headphone yet but I think it will be the Grado 325 which I liked very much on the first listening (waiting to have the opportunity to listen to the RS1 & 2 to take a decision).
I mostly listen to classical music + rock and like precision, neutrality, "space" and... musicality...
I already have a meier xxs, will buy an ibasso D10.
Do you think it's worth having a third amp, I mean, is its quality of sound really better than xxs and D10 ? (source is Naim CD5)
Any advices ?
Thx++
Pat

 

[logwed]

As in a Headroom Desktop Amp?

 

[PatLogan]

Sorry, don't understand what u mean.
It is this amp: http://www.headphone.com/pdfs/MaxedHomeManual.pdf
++

 

[tattoou2]

Pat, Before plunking down the money for an HR Maxed Home, go ahead and order the iBasso D10 you mentioned. I only say this because you might find the D10 (or the XXS) to be all you need provided you stick with the Grado line. Although not absolutely necessary, I believe all Grado HP's can benefit from some amplification despite their low impedance. I own an old RS1 which even the inexpensive HR Total Airhead makes righteous. Bottom line: unless you begin to experiment with hard-to-drive and high impedance HP's, the XXS and the D10 may be satisfactory for a long time.

Good luck in your decision and welcome to this maddening world of Head-Fi. There is no "perfect" HP nor amp or DAC, but there is a point where you will discover a 'perfect sound' for you without spending a great deal.

 

[PatLogan]

Thank you tattoou2 for your contribution.
In fact, I succeeded in listening to SR325, RS1 & GS1000 today with a Talisman T-3H and the Grado amp.
I must say the difference on the GS1000 between the Grado (which is apparently known to be quite a bad amp) and the T-3H was surprising.
On the Grado, GS1000 is a good amp, but I wouldn't spend my money for this.
With the T-3H is was sooo good, my god, I must have it !!!
I think that each time it's a question of assembling the products that fit well together, so at the end of this day, I wonder it the Maxed out would fit well with the GS1000...
But finally, I think I'll just buy what I liked, unfortunately, I won't be able to try other amps...
Cheers

 

[logwed]

The Grade RA1 Clone can be built for ~$20 US I think, so no reason to fork over $400 for the same amp. The Maxed Out is an older item, out of build, so I'd be tempted to snap it up. If you don't like it, I'd imagine that it'd be fairly easy to sell.

 

[tattoou2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatLogan /img/forum/go_quote.gif But finally, I think I'll just buy what I liked, unfortunately, I won't be able to try other amps...

That's the key! Buy what you like and be happy.