[revan]

So - I am enjoying my newly acquired L40 (thanks again FJC) and reading the multitude of posts concerning upgrading (sources, amps, etc.). Now I am wondering where on the spectrum of high quality sources does the L40 sit (how long can I head off upgraditis). Is it close to a Rega Planet - don't know - probably not, but you get the idea. Any thoughts?


Revan

 

[Budgie]

http://www.audio-ideas.com/reviews/r.../nad_l-40.html

http://www.nadelectronics.com/Review...ystem-200.html

Quote- "Its construction is solid, its performance flawless, and its ease of use, especially from the remote, exceptional."

 

[Wodgy]

A new model of the L40 is rumored to be coming out soon. If it plays DVDs, it could be a huge hit.

 

[revan]

OK - well let me ask a slightly different question since I'm getting alot of lookers but no takers.

My current set-up at work:

Source - L40
Interconnect - Outlaw
Amp - Headroom Little More Power
Phones - Beyer DT250 / Ety / Senn HD580

given this set-up and an upgrade allowance of around $1,000 where would you go?

I'm eyeing a cosmic with BS1, I like the idea of portability with my PCDP and Ipod.

Looking for loads of replies building to a consensus (yeah right!)

Revan

 

[bootman]

Quote:

Originally posted by revan OK - well let me ask a slightly different question since I'm getting alot of lookers but no takers. My current set-up at work: Source - L40 Interconnect - Outlaw Amp - Headroom Little More Power Phones - Beyer DT250 / Ety / Senn HD580 given this set-up and an upgrade allowance of around $1,000 where would you go? I'm eyeing a cosmic with BS1, I like the idea of portability with my PCDP and Ipod. Looking for loads of replies building to a consensus (yeah right!) Revan

How about some speakers?
With $1000 you could get some killer sound out of that system.

 

[Budgie]

If you want to stay with headphones, the Cosmic may be a reasonable upgrade, but I have not heard both units side by side, so it is a tough call. However, doesn't Headroom have a good return policy? I would give them a call or post it in the Headroom forum for more opinions.

 

[revan]

Bootman and Budgie - Thanks for your replies - seriously!

Speakers are out since this set up is in my cube at work - so it's headphones only.

I plan on keeping the Little and if I go Cosmic, I'll transfer the it to my home system.


Revan

 

[FCJ]

Revan,

Well, since it was my L40 I might as well chime in. . . .

I had the Little More Power for a number of years (I've since sold it). I always thought it was a very "punchy" amp that mated pretty well with the Senn 600s (I know you have the 580s). I also had the Cosmic for less than a month, but sent it back. I wasn't a big fan of the amp--I just didn't think it was enough of an upgrade over the LMP to justify the price differential.

Given that, maybe you should consider the new Corda HA-2. I have the HA-1 and really like it. It too does a good job with the Senns. I have not heard the HA-2, but given the comments I have read here it may be a worthwhile step up from the LMP.

If you're looking for portability with the iPod, why not consider a portable Meta42?

 

[revan]

FCJ,

Thanks.


I have a META42 and just put it through it's paces on my 6 hour flight to San Diego today with the Ipod - made the flight quite a bit more enjoyable.

I am considering the Corda HA-2 and Pre-amp as well as the Gilmore, I am interested in hearing that you weren't super impressed with the cosmic.

Revan

 

[FCJ]

Revan,

One of the issues that I had with the Cosmic (which not everyone has, from what I've read) is that it can be noisy when music isn't playing and you turn the volume knob past 12:00 or 1:00 o'clock. You may ask whether that matters (since it didn't happen when music was playing), but it did bother me.

Also, the sound just didn't "wow" me enough to think it was a substantial upgrade over the LMP. Yes, it was extremely detailed, and yes, I do like the Headroom crossfeed effect (although the Meier is much more subtle), but I just didn't see the price/performance ratio of the amp. And while my main setup is the AKG K-1000/SE-9 combo, I do use my HA-1 quite a bit and am more than happy with it. I also have a Home Meta (built by JMT) that I also use, and that I recommend extremely highly.