Itching to buy an amp!

[Tull1996]

Unfortunately, money IS an issue...so the Singlepower and Ray Samuels amps, although I'm sure they are top-notch..and if money weren't an issue I'd probably snatch up one of each

, aren't in my budget at this time.

My computer setup will not be my main way of listening. It will be a secondary setup, so I feel at present my sound card audio will suffice. Yes, at some point I would likely purchase a (reasonably affordable) DAC, but I'm having to go slow for financial reasons..and quite honestly, I want to make sure I'm hearing a real improvement before I start just throwing cash around. (What with paying $4.30/gal for gas and closer to $5/gal for heating oil!! Yikes!

)

For my main system, the DAC wouldn't be necessary at present. The converters in the cd player I am planning on purchasing are fine.

But, all are valid and valuable points and concerns for sure...and I'm making mental notes on all of them.

 

[Ricey20]

I'd recommend Darkvoice, Little Dot, WA6, maybe a Glow Audio or a Travagan's amp too. Also the recently reviewed by Skylab, Purity Audio K.I.C.A.S/Caliente, sounds like a good choice too.

 

[Tull1996]

Thanks Ricey,

I think I'd be willing to take a chance on the Little Dot series.....my main concern right now is the threads I've come across that discuss a hiss out of (at least) the Mark V with lower impedance headphones (I'm mainly a Grado person....Sennheisers (to ME) seem to lack some detail on the top end.)

Once I get that cleared up, I think I'll be ready to take the plunge (anyone have knowledge of similar hiss out of the Mark III, or IV??)

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tull1996 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks Ricey, I think I'd be willing to take a chance on the Little Dot series.....my main concern right now is the threads I've come across that discuss a hiss out of (at least) the Mark V with lower impedance headphones (I'm mainly a Grado person....Sennheisers (to ME) seem to lack some detail on the top end.) Once I get that cleared up, I think I'll be ready to take the plunge (anyone have knowledge of similar hiss out of the Mark III, or IV??)

Not that I'm aware of. The ground loop noise heard with lower impedance headphones on the MKV can be cleared up without too much trouble.
Several folks have posted their fixes in that thread.

 

[Tull1996]

Ok....hopefully, the last (or one of the last) questions....for those who use their amp in their main stereo system (or those who watch movies on their computers).....tubes vs solid state....do you enjoy the "tube sound" you love so much on music, with a MOVIE as well? Or is that when you aren't so thrilled with the "tube sound"?

To me movies and music are two VERY different things....a subwoofer designed for movies is usually boomier or thumpier, and doesn't sound as good (IMO) for music purposes.


Does Tube and SS work the same way?

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tull1996 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok....hopefully, the last (or one of the last) questions....for those who use their amp in their main stereo system (or those who watch movies on their computers).....tubes vs solid state....do you enjoy the "tube sound" you love so much on music, with a MOVIE as well? Or is that when you aren't so thrilled with the "tube sound"? To me movies and music are two VERY different things....a subwoofer designed for movies is usually boomier or thumpier, and doesn't sound as good (IMO) for music purposes. Does Tube and SS work the same way?

To be honest, I've never tried using my headphones for movies, except for with my notebook when traveling.

 

[Godkin]

Speaking as a Darkvoice enthusiast, I could not recommend their amps with Grado headphones: the DV amps - Figaro, 336i and SE, the 332 and 337 - are designed for high impedance cans. With the exception of the 337, they simply do not have enough power to drive the Grados, and so can sound forced and harsh. Now if you had HD650s (580s and 600s) or Beyer DT880s, I would say go for a 332 - perfect combo.

 

[GordonFreeman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godkin /img/forum/go_quote.gif Speaking as a Darkvoice enthusiast, I could not recommend their amps with Grado headphones: the DV amps - Figaro, 336i and SE, the 332 and 337 - are designed for high impedance cans. With the exception of the 337, they simply do not have enough power to drive the Grados, and so can sound forced and harsh. Now if you had HD650s (580s and 600s) or Beyer DT880s, I would say go for a 332 - perfect combo.

This is why I recommended the EC\SS, if you look at the specs it has more power with lower impedance cans.

 

[Ricey20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tull1996 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok....hopefully, the last (or one of the last) questions....for those who use their amp in their main stereo system (or those who watch movies on their computers).....tubes vs solid state....do you enjoy the "tube sound" you love so much on music, with a MOVIE as well? Or is that when you aren't so thrilled with the "tube sound"? To me movies and music are two VERY different things....a subwoofer designed for movies is usually boomier or thumpier, and doesn't sound as good (IMO) for music purposes. Does Tube and SS work the same way?

From what I've experienced SS tends to give more impact and better formed bass while some tubes tend to just be boomy and all over the place unless you have a more expensive and better designed tube amp or a very good sub. Still if its just movies I wouldn't worry too much about it, your going to be too preoccupied with the movie instead of focusing on the sound like you would with music. Unless its a musical maybe

 

[Tull1996]

Hmm...I have found another potential.......in addition to the LD's, I have been reading about the Heed Canamp...Maybe it would be a little better with low impedance/high sensitivity phones? That MK V still calls to me, though...(C'mon Tull, you know you want me.....BAD!!)......