Heed CanAmp

[educator]

I just think that a comparison of two amplifiers ought to mention the prices so people considering a purchase can take that information into consideration.

 

[PinkFloyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I have spent the last hour going back and forth between the Mapletree Ear Purist + HD and the Heed CanAmp driving the RS-1. I then asked my wife to listen and give me her opinion. We both agreed and preferred the Mapletree with the RS-1. Granted the Heed CanAmp has only 43 hours of burn in. I will check back in a couple of days to see if the additional burn in changes the sound. At that time I will check with the other high impedance cans as well.

Have you tried the HEED with a real pair of headphones yet?

It's pretty "astounding" with the Sennheisr HD-600 and drives them as if it were specially made for them (probably was!) Those Grado thingways are 32 ohm and I note that Alpar says "for optimal performance one should actually consider headphones from 64 ohms upwards, the higher the better."

As I said earlier I'm not sure about the amp with the Grado 225 (that mrarroyo kindly sent me) as they're not a 'phone I'm really acquainted with. The HEED appears to handle them ok but as I'm not a Grado man I don't know if it's handling them well or "very well". I know it handles the AKG and the Sennheisers "very well" as I have a lot of experience and eartime with these 'phones and know their sound inside out.. HEED + Sennheiser = heaven IMO. HEED + GRADO = Not sure yet.

mrarroyo likened the HEED to having a crap without struggling..... I have always likened the GRADO to having a dose of the runs after a hot curry (in yer face and all over the place) but, as I say, I'm not a GRADO person so am not the best to comment on their attributes with this amp.

 

[PinkFloyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by educator I just think that a comparison of two amplifiers ought to mention the prices so people considering a purchase can take that information into consideration.

Oh yes, for sure. If a £5,000 amp and a £50 amp are compared and the £50 amp sounds better across the board I want to know as it'll save me £4,950. Price comparisons are good

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkFloyd Have you tried the HEED with a real pair of headphones yet? It's pretty "astounding" with the Sennheisr HD-600 and drives them as if it were specially made for them (probably was!) Those Grado thingways are 32 ohm and I note that Alpar says "for optimal performance one should actually consider headphones from 64 ohms upwards, the higher the better." As I said earlier I'm not sure about the amp with the Grado 225 (that mrarroyo kindly sent me) as they're not a 'phone I'm really acquainted with. The HEED appears to handle them ok but as I'm not a Grado man I don't know if it's handling them well or "very well". I know it handles the AKG and the Sennheisers "very well" as I have a lot of experience and eartime with these 'phones and know their sound inside out.. HEED + Sennheiser = heaven IMO. HEED + GRADO = Not sure yet. mrarroyo likened the HEED to having a crap without struggling..... I have always likened the GRADO to having a dose of the runs after a hot curry (in yer face and all over the place) but, as I say, I'm not a GRADO person so am not the best to comment on their attributes with this amp.

LOL, I love hot curry. Yes I do have a pair of those phones, HD600 that is

with Headphile Senn V2 in Black Silver.

As of now I can say that if I had $750 to spend on a SS headphone amp I would jump all over the Heed. Specially if I had AKG K701, K340, or Senn HD600 (I would assume the HD580 and HD650 would be similar). It is the best SS amp I have heard and IMO it trounces some of the hybrids and tube amps as well.

It may very well be the Heed will sound better than the Mapletree once it reaches a couple of hundred hours of burn in, time will tell. Currently I am listening to:

The Rippingtons, Black Diamond CD => Arcam CD73 => Lite Dac-Ah => Heed CanAmp => AKG K340 (IC's are from BJC) and I have a very big smile on my face.

Besides, we all have different ears and preferences. Some of you would choose differently and that is OK.

 

[PinkFloyd]

Well Miguel, I've just been dumped so am getting into the Grado SR225 and listening to some well known Yello tracks. They're actually not bad at all, not as spacious as the HD-600 but very "honest" sounding. I'm going to have a long session with them and will return to this thread after it.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkFloyd Well Miguel, I've just been dumped so am getting into the Grado SR225 and listening to some well known Yello tracks. They're actually not bad at all, not as spacious as the HD-600 but very "honest" sounding. I'm going to have a long session with them and will return to this thread after it.

Have a great time, and listen with the pads reversed. Yes it does make a diference that many here prefer (not I).

 

[cosmopragma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo Have a great time, and listen with the pads reversed. Yes it does make a diference that many here prefer (not I).

Actually Mike has my flat pads at his disposal, just in case he gets into the mood for pad rolling.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Very interesting stuff guys, I hope to hear more input. I assume if it sounds good with the K701, it will sound good with the K601.

I like the fact that it is SS.

 

[PinkFloyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmopragma Actually Mike has my flat pads at his disposal, just in case he gets into the mood for pad rolling.

Thanks to both Cosmo and mrarrayo sorting me out a pair of Grados and pads I appreciate it very much. Unfortunately my Mother was rushed into Hospital this morning with serious pains in her chest so looks like my "listening time" will have to wait.

 

[Gradofan2]

Mike,

We all hope all is well with your Mother - may she back home soon!

GF2

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo LOL, I love hot curry. Yes I do have a pair of those phones, HD600 that is with Headphile Senn V2 in Black Silver. As of now I can say that if I had $750 to spend on a SS headphone amp I would jump all over the Heed. Specially if I had AKG K701, K340, or Senn HD600 (I would assume the HD580 and HD650 would be similar). It is the best SS amp I have heard and IMO it trounces some of the hybrids and tube amps as well. It may very well be the Heed will sound better than the Mapletree once it reaches a couple of hundred hours of burn in, time will tell.

Better than the PinkFloyd XCAN v3 with both Grados and Senns???

 

[mrarroyo]

Mike, I hope your mom is ok and gets back home soon.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 Better than the PinkFloyd XCAN v3 with both Grados and Senns???

Yes, at this time I would say go with the Heed. I may have to roll tubes to see if that makes a difference.

 

[BennyBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo Yes, at this time I would say go with the Heed. I may have to roll tubes to see if that makes a difference.

Whats this? is it also a tube amp? why would anyone go with the heed if they were looking for a tube sound?

Are you saying the heed is better than any other <$500. SS amp and also has a tube sound?

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo Yes, at this time I would say go with the Heed. I may have to roll tubes to see if that makes a difference.

What do you mean "roll the tubes?" Is the Heed a hybryd? I thought it was a SS amp - no?

Or... do you mean "roll the tubes" in your XCAN v3?