[shoe11]

Hello everyone.

I'm a new member here. Presently using HD-570's with either my Sony SCD-x33ES or Rotel RCD-1070 CD player via a Rotel RC-1070 preamp headphone jack as a source. I'm looking to upgrade my headphone setup as I use them all the time and their ability to reveal so much more of the music than my 2 channel speaker setup has me craving for more.

I've used the search feature quite extensively the last few days to review most of the questions I've had regarding amps, cables, and phones. At this point here are the new pieces I'm considering:

Phones
---------
HD-600/Cardas
Grado RS-1, 325, 225

Amps
---------
Headroom Max, MOH
Creek OBH-21SE
Grado RA-1

Interconnects
-------------
Cardas Neutral Reference
Kimber Silver Streaks or KCAG

While I have the equipment options pretty well mapped out, I have a few experience type questions that I would appreciate comments on:

1)
For people who have previously used the headphone jack on a modern preamp seperate and then bought a dedicated headphone amp, is the difference in performance substantial? I realize that this question is not straight apples to apples as some preamp headphone jacks may be better or worse than others, but I'm looking for general comments regarding perceived sound quality when going from one to the other. I say this as presently my Rotel provides 320mW to the headphone jack at 0.775mV ref. Now I'm not sure at what Ohm rating that's based on, but what I'm getting at is that this output power seems to be inline with the dedicated headphone amps I've been looking at. Assuming I buy the HD-600's is it even going to be worth it to buy a dedicated amp if I'm using a preamp with a high quality headphone jack?

This leads into my next question:

2)
One of the amps I'm considering is the OBH-21SE by Creek. The dedicated amp sells for $399 roughly. Creek also makes and I have interest in the 5350SE integrated amplifier with headphone jack. The 5350 is $1345. More costly than the dedicated headphone amp, but if the integrated simply uses the OBH-21SE circuits for it's headphone jack and also provides great 2 channel loudspeaker output, I'd prefer to buy it than the standalone OBH-21SE. Any Creek users who might be able to comment on this one?

3)
Max or MOH? Short and sweet as it's been asked a million times already I realize. Curious to know how many people feel the Max is worth the extra cash. If you feel like giving more than your choice, much appreciated.

4)
Lastly, my understanding of the Senn and Grado house sounds are that the Senn's provide a more laidback sound and the Grado's are the more forward and dynamic of the two. From buying my home speakers, I'm definitely not a fan of laid back sound. I prefer a more forward speaker. Having said that, I still very much enjoy the sound from my 570's. I know they're laid back and I also agree that they can be veiled somewhat(though I think some of this is source dependent), but I find the sound to be great. Question is with regards to detail. From some of the posts I've read, while I would have expected the Grado's to be the better with detail, from the forum comments I've read the Senns seem to rate higher. Again I know apples to oranges most likely, but would like some opinions and/or a better definition of their sound profiles.

I appreciate any comments on my questions and look forward to posting more as my headphone experiences ramp up.

~shoe

 

[markl]

Hi Shoe,
For one member's answer to #1, take a look at my comments down in this thread under WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT HEADAMPS:
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...e&pagenumber=3

That thread is also a review of the Ray Samuels Audio Emmeline HR-2, a solid state amp that goes for $875 direct from the manufacturer. Definitely worth considering amp-wise, it's a really sweet amp and my current fav.

Given that you said you are not a fan of laid-back sound, HD600 may not be for you. In addition to the Grados, I'd say take a look at the Sony CD3000, has a very lively forward sound, excellent soundstage without the Grados coloration (that some people do love of course).

Sony reviews:
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...=&threadid=844

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...=&threadid=429

Good luck!

Mark

 

[Ebonyks]

Ultimately, everyone has a different set of ears, and as far as phones go, everyone will have different tastes. It's best to try out both grados and senns to see what you like. Also, consiter etys, if you're into the whole in-ear thing, they're amazing phones.

For amps, I like the audiovalue RKV and the melos, the emiline sounds good with grados (The RS-1 espeically), but otherwise, i wasn't a big fan of the sound, especially at the asking price. Headroom amps seem to have a signature sound, in that they all have simliar sonic traits. I've heard the blockhead and the cosmic, which aren't bad amps, but IMHO not worth the money. I can't comment spefically on MOH vs max however. The gilmore is also supposed to be a great sounding amp, however, i have not heard it myself, so i cannot comment on spefics. The RA-1 sounds good with grados and little else. It's a much better value to simply make one for 30 dollars. I've never heard the OBH-12, so i can't comment on it

As for cables, i've heard the neutral referances, and really liked them. They're detailed unlike nothing i've heard before. I don't have experence with the cables there either.

Now, markl, let's be fair. How many of those amps have you acually heard?

 

[markl]

Quote:

Now, markl, let's be fair. How many of those amps have you acually heard?

I didn't comment on any amps I haven't owned, i merely suggested the HR-2 as another amp to look at.

Amps I have owned:

Headroom Home
Headroom MOH
Earmax
Earmax pro
Berning MicroZOTL
Melos Gold
Melos Maestro
Emmeline HR-2

Amps I have heard:
All the amps on the high-end rack at the Headroom WOH tour.

Mark