Newbie Perspective on Amps -- Emmeline SR-71

[PATB]

I just received my Emmeline SR-71 from Todd (the Vinyl Junkie), along with a Grado SR225 and an Ear Candy Mini to Mini cable. I don't have the proper 1/4 inch to mini adapter for the Grado, so I auditioned the SR-71 with my Shure E3c. The SR-71 was connected to the line out of my iPod mini dock using the Ear Candy cable.

At first I was skeptical that any amp wolud make a difference with my Shure E3c. After all, a little volume goes a long way with In Ear Monitors. Boy was I wrong!

I am not experienced enough to properly describe the sound with or without (using the iPod headphone jack) the amp, but I can say that I can hear separation and more emphasis on certain notes. For example, the bass in the beginning of "Running on Faith" (Eric Clapton) is a lot more pronounced with the SR-71 -- I listened to the song many times before and this is the first time I noticed it. I listened to the same song without the SR-71 and I now know the bass is there, but I had to listen for it. The same is true with the piano in the beginning of "Manic Monday" (The Bangles). With the SR-71, the piano in the beginning is a lot more pronounced than without it. Also, I notice that as I kept moving the E3C from the SR-71 to the iPod headphone jack, my subconscious mind wants to keep the E3C in the SR-71!

The only "negative" with having the SR-71 is I can now hear artifacts in some of my AAC, mostly the old ones I ripped at 128AAC (for some reason the iTunes music store 128 AAC is not as bad). The 192AAC songs are good enough, although the Apple lossless are, surprise surprise, the best. Need to get a bigger iPod or a real source (I can feel my wallet squirming again). The other negative is that I now like to listen with the amp all the time. The SR-71 is a small amp (the pictures posted in some of the threads make it appear big). However, it is still another unit I have to lug around.

Too bad I couldn't properly try the Grado SR225. Todd is supposed to send me a Grado 1/4 inch to mini adapter next week. I tried an RCA $1.45 adapter and I kept getting sound break-ups in both the iPod headphone jack and the SR-71 when the adapter rotates a litte.

I couldn't tell any noticeable improvement with my Senn PX-100 with or without the SR-71. Oh well.

In summary, I am now a believer that amps can make a big difference! I am sure most of the people in this part of the forum already know that, but it is worth saying for all the other newbies that are wondering, like I was. The only question left on my mind is whether I would get the same results with a cheaper amp. In any event, I am happy camper.

Thanks to Ray Samuels for making a great product, and for Todd the Vinyl for excellent customer service (super quick shipping and answered all my questions).

 

[Jahn]

your setup is just like my friends - yeah he "auditioned" the sr71 before giving it to me and now he's in amp withdrawal lol. the 225s ROCK with the sr71/ipod combo - you'll be very happy!

 

[PATB]

Quote:

he "auditioned" the sr71 before giving it to me and now he's in amp withdrawal

This is another "negative" I forgot to mention. Prior to having the SR-71, I was perfectly happy listening to my music without an amp.

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATB This is another "negative" I forgot to mention. Prior to having the SR-71, I was perfectly happy listening to my music without an amp.

yep, welcome to headfi and sorry about your wallet. i remember sweating getting sr60s instead of using the stock ipod buds. since then it was ms1, dt770, toshiba 3960, slee solo amp, ms2, ANOTHER dt770 to replace the one i traded away, interconnects, mods to my gear, upgrades to my turntable, even a graphic equalizer to fool with. and all just this summer. someone shoot me. buy what you need and run far far away - what you dont know wont kill your wallet.

 

[bLue_oNioN]

LOL how ironic huh? You spend lots of money on something that allows you to reach new heights, but requires you to spend even more time and (in some cases) more money.

 

[taoster]

Just wait till your brain adjust to the new sound! Soon you can't go back, the 128 are no more, followed by the 192 and then you'll become an audiophile nutter! enjoy

 

[martycat]

I have the same view with you, PAT.

The little amp came this morning and I ran downstairs to pick up some 9V batteries. Sadly I don't have a modern iPod which comes with a lineout... I tried the great amp with little footprint hooked to my dear old 2G iPod's headphone jack. Obviously it's not as good as a clean lineout but it really does difference. My ER6i sang more sweet and more bass. But on the other hand, some of the poor encoded mp3 really sucks... They were not as bad as now until they came through the SR-71. I was not disappointed but happy about that because it's a head amp that I want. Now I have to find some good rechargeable 9V and charger...

 

[raisin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATB In summary, I am now a believer that amps can make a big difference! I am sure most of the people in this part of the forum already know that, but it is worth saying for all the other newbies that are wondering, like I was. The only question left on my mind is whether I would get the same results with a cheaper amp. In any event, I am happy camper.

A lot of on-point observations in your review and in the following posts that any lurker or newbie can take to the bank. You really can't miss with this amp, the consensus just keeps building. So why worry about missing a few bucks- so that then you can worry about the quality's you're missing?

 

[j3brow]

Very happy to hear that the iPod + SR-71 + 225s have nice synergy. I was thinking about purchasing the SR-71 as i already own the other two. thanks guys!!!!

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by j3brow Very happy to hear that the iPod + SR-71 + 225s have nice synergy. I was thinking about purchasing the SR-71 as i already own the other two. thanks guys!!!!

yep my friend loved that combo, and so will you!