[mmcjbrick]

Hello all, I am in need of some assistance. I have recently purchased the Grado GS-1000s and am need of a Dac and and an Amp, or a Dac/Amp combo. I am pretty new to this whole audio world and am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks

 

[FallenAngel]

Source?
Budget?
Portable/Stationary (please say stationary, otherwise it'll be quite funny).

 

[mmcjbrick]

my source is my laptop. My price range around eight hundred dollars. And i'm not looking for anything portable

 

[charli3]

The HA160D is an awesome Dac/amp combo, but its slightly over your budget. 
Another choice, you can get the HA160 (standalone amp) for $700 and get a Dac with the remaining money. 
 
Just my 2 cents. 

 

[mmcjbrick]

thanks!

 

[FallenAngel]

I generally recommend spending most on the DAC and getting an amp with the remainder.  Especially so for the GS-1000, along with most other Grados as they don't need much in terms of amplification - any low voltage amp will work well, as long as it can supply a decent amount of current.
 
One of my favorite DACs in your price range is the NorthStar m192.  Of course the Gamma2 is another great option, considerably cheaper and a great value.

 

[estreeter]

Can I ask why you went straight for the Grado model which evokes the most passion, both from those who love them and those who, er, dont ?

 

[kboe]

 
 
The Headroom Desktop amp/dac would be a great way to get started.  No interconnect cables to buy, only a digital one.  

 

[yifu]

I reckon you should look at some tube amps, from the Little dot series since many people claim that tubes have got good synergy with the Grados.

 

[mmcjbrick]

Umm a friend of mine has a pair of Rs-1s that he let me borrow for a while. I was going threw some audio stores around soon after and found a pair of Gs-1000s and fell in love

 

[estreeter]

May I ask what you used to audition the GS1K with ? I am not being nosy for the sake of it - its just that so many of the impressions on HF are initially very negative when it comes to the GS1K - your experience would seem to be the exact opposite. Interesting. 

 

[mmcjbrick]

yeah, some pink floyd: breathe, great gig in the sky, and hey you. Some porcupine tree. And some tool.