solbergg
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2003
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Just a warning in advance, my sentence structure in this post will be horrible as it will be in a "stream of conciousness" style of writing. Here goes:
I've been wanting to pick up a tube amp for quite some time, and I just can't get myself to decide on anything. I recently had a "mini-meet" with mrarroyo to test his two tube amps, a modded X-can V3 and a Mapletree Ear Purist ++ (I think that's the model name, not quite sure). After a good amount of comparing, I preferred the Mapletree with the HF-1s and the XCV3 with my 580's. So, my thought at the time was that I should just get the X-Can V3 since it's cheaper and also because the 580's had a larger margin of sound improvement with the xcans than the HF-1s did with the Mapletree (I hope the makes sense). I'm watching the used boards for an X-Can, and may just jump on an opportunity if one does show up on the for sale forum for $300, BUT a nagging thought in the back of my head reminds me that 75% of my music is rock, and I prefer to listen to rock with the HF-1's.
So, I was wondering if there is some kind of alternative to these two amps that has great synergy with both headphones? I might be trying to have my cake and eat it too, as both headphones did sound wonderful on both amps. But again, now I know what I might be missing, it's hard to let that feeling go.
It's probably best if I explain what I liked about the sound of each. When listening to the Mapletree/HF-1 combo, the sound was more lively and upbeat, with nice, punchy bass. It really made rock sound like it was a live performance in my head. With the Senn/Xcan combo, I tested with Tori Amos. The sound was so rich and sweet, it was sonic chocolate!
So, I guess I'm just fishing for opinions, comments, ideas, suggestions, etc. If there isn't such an amp that can play both roles well, I guess I should just get eventually get an amp that caters to the individual headphone. If I were to go that route, should I necessarily get two tube amps? Perhaps a SS is more appropriate for the fast pace rock sound? I was planning on getting the HR Micro, but then I realized I didn't need to make any sacrfices in the name of portability, since this will be a home rig only. Budget should be less than $800, but less is definitely better so I have some money left over to purchase a DAC soon.
Here are my setups:
Vinyl: Musichall MMF-5 -> Bellari VP-129 Phonostage -> Insert amp here -> Headphones (currently using headphone out on the VP-129's)
Digital 1: Sony dvd player for redbook -> Insert eventual DAC here -> Insert amp here -> headphones (currently using headphone out from HK receiver)
Digital 2: iTunes from Laptop -> Insert eventual DAC here -> Insert amp here -> headphones
Heh, if it's not obvious already, I'm a little light on equipment. Grrr, if only I had more money, none of these issues would exist
Thanks in advance!
I've been wanting to pick up a tube amp for quite some time, and I just can't get myself to decide on anything. I recently had a "mini-meet" with mrarroyo to test his two tube amps, a modded X-can V3 and a Mapletree Ear Purist ++ (I think that's the model name, not quite sure). After a good amount of comparing, I preferred the Mapletree with the HF-1s and the XCV3 with my 580's. So, my thought at the time was that I should just get the X-Can V3 since it's cheaper and also because the 580's had a larger margin of sound improvement with the xcans than the HF-1s did with the Mapletree (I hope the makes sense). I'm watching the used boards for an X-Can, and may just jump on an opportunity if one does show up on the for sale forum for $300, BUT a nagging thought in the back of my head reminds me that 75% of my music is rock, and I prefer to listen to rock with the HF-1's.
So, I was wondering if there is some kind of alternative to these two amps that has great synergy with both headphones? I might be trying to have my cake and eat it too, as both headphones did sound wonderful on both amps. But again, now I know what I might be missing, it's hard to let that feeling go.
It's probably best if I explain what I liked about the sound of each. When listening to the Mapletree/HF-1 combo, the sound was more lively and upbeat, with nice, punchy bass. It really made rock sound like it was a live performance in my head. With the Senn/Xcan combo, I tested with Tori Amos. The sound was so rich and sweet, it was sonic chocolate!
So, I guess I'm just fishing for opinions, comments, ideas, suggestions, etc. If there isn't such an amp that can play both roles well, I guess I should just get eventually get an amp that caters to the individual headphone. If I were to go that route, should I necessarily get two tube amps? Perhaps a SS is more appropriate for the fast pace rock sound? I was planning on getting the HR Micro, but then I realized I didn't need to make any sacrfices in the name of portability, since this will be a home rig only. Budget should be less than $800, but less is definitely better so I have some money left over to purchase a DAC soon.
Here are my setups:
Vinyl: Musichall MMF-5 -> Bellari VP-129 Phonostage -> Insert amp here -> Headphones (currently using headphone out on the VP-129's)
Digital 1: Sony dvd player for redbook -> Insert eventual DAC here -> Insert amp here -> headphones (currently using headphone out from HK receiver)
Digital 2: iTunes from Laptop -> Insert eventual DAC here -> Insert amp here -> headphones
Heh, if it's not obvious already, I'm a little light on equipment. Grrr, if only I had more money, none of these issues would exist
Thanks in advance!