[WittyzTH]

Hi folks

I've been using Corda Opera as the main home rig for a while. and now I feel I want to upgrade to something new.

However, I don't have any clue about what I should get.

here's the amp I'm interested in: Max amp/DAC Headroom Desktop module, Single Power MPX3, and RSA Raptor. (or possibly EC Zana Deux)

The Maxed Desktop Module Headroom really get my intention since it has the usb DAC as the Corda Opera.

I'm also impressed by MPX3 after auditioned it at the last Seattle meet, but I'm a bit more curious about RSA Raptor since I never tried and many people said it's a good amp for AT cans like W5000s.

Now I use Corda Opera or EMU1616M as DACs. So I can upgrade only amp now and purchase DACs later or get the new combo like headroom Desktop module.

So, any body have suggestion about this?

Thanks

 

[Skylab]

My advice would be a high end tube amp. I think that the Opera is about as good a SS amp as you're going to find. Get a tube amp, and you will have something different!

 

[Cankin]

If I'm in your shoes, I'd be looking at beta22 seriously. Some say there are no commercial offerings(minus those from Headamp) at the same level as beta22.

 

[WittyzTH]

Skylab, thanks for your suggestion. I'm actually looking for the tube amp, but the one I really want to have is a bit too expensive to me. (Zana Deux) and I have no idea about others.

ps. I want the amp which has the similar dimension as Opera because it can fit in my desk.


@Cankin:

I love b22's sound, but personally I prefer MPX3's over it.

 

[Audio-Omega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif My advice would be a high end tube amp. I think that the Opera is about as good a SS amp as you're going to find. Get a tube amp, and you will have something different!

Is Opera really that good ?

 

[Ricey20]

Its pretty good and you would have to pay a lot more to get any real noticeable difference, diminishing returns already. There are 3 options for you i think at this point, go balanced or go high end tube or really high end solid state.

 

[WittyzTH]

Ricey20: that's a good point. I may go for tube. other choices sounds great but I don't want to go balanced for sure, and high-end ss (like Apache) is too expensive.

any suggestion for good tube amps that can surpass Opera.

 

[Ricey20]

Singlepower stuff is pretty good. EC stuff like Zana Deux are supposed to be good too as well as the Raptor. I guess the best thing is to list the cans you will be using so other people who have more experience with them can chime in.

 

[WittyzTH]

my main cans are W100 and W5000.

From what I've read, RSA Raptor is almost as good as Opera. Is that right?

 

[Ricey20]

also did you want a amp that only works very well with the W1k/W5k or did you want something that works well with many different cans but not necessarily the best with the W1k/5k, in case you were planning on getting other cans like senns or grados. From what i've heard Yamamoto HA-02 work well with W5k but not sure about other cans.

 

[WittyzTH]

Well, I sold HD650 and bought W5000 instead.

and not big fan of Grados. I just look for well-round amps.

Actually, I'm looking for many of tube amps - Yammy, Raptor, MAD Ear+, PPX3, MPX3, and Zana Deux.

I ever auditioned the MPX3 which is very great. So this can be one of my choice for sure, but I'm still looking for something else.

Zana Deux is what I pretend to buy also, but I still need more info about other amps because ZD is a bit over my budget and if there's anything as good as ZD in the lower price, it would be great.

 

[Audio-Omega]

Have you looked into Rudistor amps ?

 

[Ricey20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WittyzTH /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I sold HD650 and bought W5000 instead. and not big fan of Grados. I just look for well-round amps. Actually, I'm looking for many of tube amps - Yammy, Raptor, MAD Ear+, PPX3, MPX3, and Zana Deux. I ever auditioned the MPX3 which is very great. So this can be one of my choice for sure, but I'm still looking for something else. Zana Deux is what I pretend to buy also, but I still need more info about other amps because ZD is a bit over my budget and if there's anything as good as ZD in the lower price, it would be great.

I feel that too man, I bought the HD650 to get a different sound, they sound terrible with my HA5000 though so waiting until my GS-X is finished before I make judgement. I can say though, I absolutely love my W5000 w/HA5000, sounds like heaven. GS-X is supposed to be a step up though and gonna balance my W5ks to see what they can do.

Side note: did you do the Fitz mod?

 

[number1sixerfan]

I'm using my W5000 with a RSA HR-2 and I absolutely love the sound. Very warm and plush, but still articulate. I prefer this combo to the ppx3 slam and the W5k. The slam had more bass , but the HR-2 is better at resolving detail and is a bit faster.

My next move may be a raptor or apache. I really like the rsa sound with the W5K.

 

[WittyzTH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audio-Omega /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you looked into Rudistor amps ?

I did, but I want to try tube amps and Rudistor's tubes are a bit over my budget.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricey20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Side note: did you do the Fitz mod?

I did. Originally my W5000 was Fitz's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by number1sixerfan /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm using my W5000 with a RSA HR-2 and I absolutely love the sound. Very warm and plush, but still articulate. I prefer this combo to the ppx3 slam and the W5k. The slam had more bass , but the HR-2 is better at resolving detail and is a bit faster. My next move may be a raptor or apache. I really like the rsa sound with the W5K.

yeah I'm interested in RSA as well, but also have a doubt. Many people claims Raptor is good but not for the price.

Apache is interesting too, but it's over my budget.