Is the Rockhopper M3 the answer for me?

[redrich2000]

I have some DT-880s arriving any day. I have been doing my head in over whether to go for the Corda Aria or the XCAN3 as a home amp. I am attracted to descriptions of pairing of 880s with tubes but am concerned about the extra costs of tube rolling and modding the XCAN. But the Aria sounds like a great amp and I could just plug it in and enjoy.

I just read a review of the Rockhopper Mcubed that described it as very tubey sounding. Could this be the perfect solution? The tube sound with the ease of SS?

My source will be a Red Wine modded iPod (or my PC with the Aria) and I listen indie rock, post rock, jazz, classical and some electronic music but I am NOT a base head.

What do people think?

 

[Andrea]

Just to add another option -- see sig.

 

[KimbaWLion]

WOW same question I have been pondering!!!
This was my identical thinking, a Corda Aria by Jan or an M3 by Rockhopper! I use Senn HD 600s and a Clou blue cable. Nothing all that fancy, its just hard to make choices sometimes.

Only so much money to spend if at all, I can wait for the Rockhopper but you can only get the Corda Aria until 12/31
OR he runs out! All that plus no chance, atleast for me to get to hear either both, though Rock hopper has demo units available.

That is what makes it the hardest choice! Both are OBVIOUSLY great products, just hard to figure what to do... Further input would REALLY be insightful.

Thanks muchly

 

[Teerawit]

Hmm....it's really hard to say, especially since not many have heard the Aria nor the new Rockhopper M^3s.

Do you need a USB DAC too?

I can see why people say the M^3 is tubey-sounding, but it still isn't tubey like real tube amps are.

 

[n_maher]

And just to add fuel to the fire there's a DIY M3 that just popped on the for sale forums - it's being sold for the cost of parts only which is pretty hard to beat if that's what you're looking for. Granted Stephen offers a great product at a great price along with a 3yr warranty so that is certainly to be considered as part of the equation.

Personally I think the M3 is a great match for just about anything - I've used it with Senns, Grados, Etys and Shures and it hasn't made any one of them sound bad. It is certainly more forgiving of poor source material compared to other solid state amps that I've heard which can be revealing to a fault. But to my ears it is not so much a tubey sounding amp as it is smooth, refined and perhaps warm in its presentation. Perhaps it could be best described as the most tube-like of any solid state amp I've heard, but still once you've heard a tube amp you'll know the difference. And that's not to say one or the other is "better", just different.

So, given what you've told us yes, I think the M3 would make a fine amp for you.

HTH,

Nate

 

[BushGuy]

oops

 

[BushGuy]

....for those who may be unaware - the M^3 designer is Ti Kan whose website is http://www.amb.org/audio/mmm/ . The M^3 was designed as a super DIY project and he also lists several professional builders on his opening page as competent, including Rockhopper.....meanwhile, the website provides explanations and serves as an easy source for many of the building components....an excellent amp!

 

[redrich2000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea Just to add another option -- see sig.

Thanks but I am not adding anything else to the short list, if I do i will never make a decision.

its between:

XCAN 3
Meier Corda Aria
MisterX Mcubed (cheaper than rockhopper)

I asked MisterX for some info on his M3 and he told me the stuff about the M3sounding like tubes is crap

 

[KimbaWLion]

It's kinda funny, the more I read about all the amps the harder it gets to choose. I checked out Rockhoppers pricing and its pretty good, but you say MisterX is even cheaper! I so wish I could hear both.. Let alone the Corda Aria!

What might really tip it is the DAC that the Corda Aria has. I spend I lot of time watching movies etc. on the ol' puter and the sound from those other amps maybe be a little better or maybe JUST different but features that are useful to me most may tip in the Cordia Aria's favor. PLUS there is only a limited time to get the Corda Aria. I can always get the M^3 later since the price and available seems to be stable.

One other thing to think about also is that Jan has 2 MORE specials coming out so who KNOWS what they can be! All these choice and SOME day I want a tube amp also, its nice to want isn't it?

Once again thanks for all of head-fi's members input into this matter. Money is hard to come by and everyone wants the most bang for the buck! To be honest I really think I do not lose no matter what choice it ends up being. Any further thoughts on the above are welcome.

 

[xand1x]

I can't see you going wrong with an M3!

 

[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrich2000 Thanks but I am not adding anything else to the short list, if I do i will never make a decision. its between: XCAN 3 Meier Corda Aria MisterX Mcubed (cheaper than rockhopper) I asked MisterX for some info on his M3 and he told me the stuff about the M3sounding like tubes is crap

in my opinion it's warm, not tubey.

 

[redrich2000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdipisReks in my opinion it's warm, not tubey.

Could expand on that in newbie-speak, what does that mean exactly?
Thanks

 

[n_maher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdipisReks in my opinion it's warm, not tubey.

Agreed, but it's also more smooth in its presentation than most SS amps I've heard. This trait is often associated with tube amps (i.e. not harsh) which why I think the M3 gets the reputation that it does.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redricch2000 Could expand on that in newbie-speak, what does that mean exactly?

I think that it's something only listening can cure my friend - after a while you'll find your ears get better at hearing differences between things.

Nate