Looking for something different from headroom

[plonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif No, solid state varies just like tube amps do. Unless you're one of the people who claim all amps sound the same. Most of those people will automatically exclude something like a SET 2A3 amp, because those don't sound like the amps that all sound the same even though all amps sound the same. So you have to throw out the amps that sound different because they don't prove the point that all amps sound the same. Even that $10k amp challenge thing that purports to "prove" that all amps sound the same explicity excludes certain topologies and devices in the test. Apparently, to prove that all amps sound the same you're not allowed to listen to ones that sound different. Anyhow, yes, you'll get a dose of character with solid state, too. If you want a really nice sounding amp, put the $700 towards parts for a Beta22 and take a whack at building one. There are a lot of resources for builders and you won't have to make any excuses for it. That's a fine amp.

erik..thanks for the advises. i just prefer not to built an amp, i am not so good in this stuff and also too lazy

i also heard very nice comments about the beta22, you guys praise it very much here in head-fi, but i prefer to get a ready to go amp.
i already read some reviews on the gilmore light and i will continue to look for some more based on your comments.

 

[rangen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plonter /img/forum/go_quote.gif ,i am looking for kind of all arounder kind of amp, because i listen to electronics and metal/rock all together, so i want it to be balanced. not too warm (overbassy) and not to cold either, so i won't get shrieking highs with my RS-1 and the AHD5000 and get tired of it very quickly.

Are you quite certain that you want a change of amps, rather than a change of headphones? I'm sensitive to highs too, irritation and fatigue -- so I don't have headphones that are like that.

 

[Hopstretch]

Try some tubes for a change of pace. There's usually a Millett MiniMax or two on offer in the FS forum and if you buy used and don't like the sound signature you can recycle at minimal financial loss.

 

[peanuthead]

If you want a different sound signature, I think the easiest/quickest route is to try a different headphone...

 

[plonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopstretch /img/forum/go_quote.gif Try some tubes for a change of pace. There's usually a Millett MiniMax or two on offer in the FS forum and if you buy used and don't like the sound signature you can recycle at minimal financial loss.

I thought about tubes, and although it sounds very nice... but i don't want to look for good tubes everywhere and change them every once in a while, and although my grado will probably go well with tubes...i don't think my AHD5000 will like em'. they are already too bassy for me.

I think that tubes are for the more "involving" audiophiles that looks for more excitment...and sad to say this...but this is not my, at least for now.

I prefer to get myself a nice ss to serve me, turn the switch to on... and forget about it.
you know what i'm saying?

 

[plonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanuthead /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you want a different sound signature, I think the easiest/quickest route is to try a different headphone...

you are right,it's also a way to do it, but i don't want another pair right now and i want another sound sig with my current headphones which i love very much and really interested to see how they will sound with other gear.

as i said before i am looking for a good variable amp but i think i am more tend to the warm side just by a bit. my grado need a little more warm than the headrooms are giving them right now. IMO the headrooms are a little cold and analytical.

 

[mbd2884]

HeadRoom dudes are pretty responsive to email and they have a variety of products yeah? And some of their decked out Desktop solutions in the past have been considered some of the best on these forums, at least a few impressions.

Why not talk to them and see if they have something different that may interest you?

 

[plonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbd2884 /img/forum/go_quote.gif HeadRoom dudes are pretty responsive to email and they have a variety of products yeah? And some of their decked out Desktop solutions in the past have been considered some of the best on these forums, at least a few impressions. Why not talk to them and see if they have something different that may interest you?

I Just thought that all of their amps will have the same sound signature becaus they uses the same electronic parts, but i guess it also worth a try.

by the way... i also read some good reviews on the RSA HR-2...what do you guys say about it? any comments about this amp, i understand that it's tends to the warm side and i think that's what i am looking for.

 

[olblueyez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plonter /img/forum/go_quote.gif I Just thought that all of their amps will have the same sound signature becaus they uses the same electronic parts, but i guess it also worth a try. by the way... i also read some good reviews on the RSA HR-2...what do you guys say about it? any comments about this amp, i understand that it's tends to the warm side and i think that's what i am looking for.

If it were me I would hire someone to build me a CTH and spend the rest of the dough on tubes and music.

 

[plonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by olblueyez /img/forum/go_quote.gif If it were me I would hire someone to build me a CTH and spend the rest of the dough on tubes and music.

CTH?? please explain to a noob...

 

[olblueyez]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/ver...9/#post5256233

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/cav...2/#post5566518

It uses the 12AU7 tube and variations of that tube. I literally could have 50 different sound signatures. It only uses one tube and the kit costs 150+, and then you would need someone to build it for you, or build it yourself. Lots of power for your low impedance RS-1's and Denons, with the advantage of using different tubes to color the sound. You know Plonter, they have bright detailed tubes, just because its a tube amp doesn't mean it has to sound slow and warm. Hell, I have an RCA Cleartop 12AU7 that is too bright. Its cheap and would be a lot of fun. Tube prices for this amp range from 10 bucks to 50 bucks, some are super expensive but that doesn't make them the best. All of mine are in the 10 to 35 range per tube.

 

[thisbenjamin]

Headphone Amps : TTVJ, Todd The Vinyl Junkie

Look at the Millet Hybrid and the FET-A, both come with a money back so if you don't like you can give them back. If you want to keep your current phones and mellow things out going for a hybrid is the perfect advise. If you want to go portable, or just want to check out a great amp with a very unique, smooth sound - check out the Millet Hybrid, I doupt you'd return it.

 

[plonter]

thanks for all the advices guys. tube amps really look interesting.
is the sound signature really changes from tube to tube? i mean...a REALLY different sound sig?
it is starting to sound very interesting for me. i will check it out, thanks!

 

[rangen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plonter /img/forum/go_quote.gif thanks for all the advices guys. tube amps really look interesting. is the sound signature really changes from tube to tube? i mean...a REALLY different sound sig?

Yeah. No. There are those who consider the differences to be subtle. I am not one of them, in terms of their effect on my enjoyment of the music. And I'll bet you're not, because you report issues with treble being irritating. It's exactly the people who are sensitive to harsh qualities in the highs who benefit most from the tube signature IMO. It's not a massive change. But it can be the difference between euphonious music and grating music.

Tubes are a pain, if you don't want to deal with the hassle. I didn't. Why buy an amp that has parts that burn out like a light bulb? But I found, long ago, that that choice was not up to me. I needed the musically natural quality that tubes give.

At the least, you must listen to a tube amp to see if you need it too. And hybrids are OK, but one advantage of the headphone world is that full Class A tube amplification is available for something less than the price of a used car.

As a bonus, tubes look cool, and glow. You might come to enjoy that.

UPDATE: I will add a couple of points:

(1) HeadRoom products are great, as is the company IMO. I love their micro DAC, and their micro amp served me well for my main setup until I had selected a tubed amp, as I knew I needed to do eventually. Now I have a Woo WA6SE, and I'm thrilled. Reports are that the WA6 with PDPS gives quite similar thrills, minus that last jolt of extra power, for much less $.

(2) If you are subject to upgradeitis, then it's awfully handy to just keep the same amp and roll tubes, instead of swapping amps.

 

[olblueyez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plonter /img/forum/go_quote.gif thanks for all the advices guys. tube amps really look interesting. is the sound signature really changes from tube to tube? i mean...a REALLY different sound sig? it is starting to sound very interesting for me. i will check it out, thanks!

The 12AU7/ECC82 tube can sound like a dry solid state or like the warmest amp you have ever heard. The differences between tubes is enormous. Anyone saying it is subtle doesnt know what they are talking about.