Perreaux SHX-1 vs Headroom TAH vs Headroom Little

[dfong87]

while i've enjoyed reading this site over the past few months, the more i know, the more options and confused i become.

i think i've convinced myself that i should go for the 650 over the 600/580 rather than question myself down the road (although i still think at $149, the 580 seems like a great deal and perhaps buying it now will free up more funds for the amp and a future 650 could come down the road in a couple of years).

anyway, i digress.

i find myself in the <300 budget left over for a decent amp. while it would be nice to have it be portable, that isn't an absolute necessity. i also think that the howbrew crowd with their PPAs have a lot to offer, yet i'd like, for my first headphone amp to stick with "larger manufacturers" with a warranty and return policy, so with that in mind, i'm still quite undecided on how to proceed. my leading candidates right now are:

1. Perreaux SHX1 : $349 -- i bit beyond my budget, but given that i hear it has great synergy with the 650s, perhaps i should just try it and break the budget (with a 30 day return policy from AA)

2. Headroom Little: is this a major step up from the portalbe Headroom amps (like #3)?

3. Headrom Total Airhead: it seems to be getting rave reviews and offers the nice option of being portable. although this isn't necessarily important for me since i'm pretty happy with my ipod and Ety 4Ps for a light small traveling package.

reviews would suggest that you pay for what you get. that #1 is superior to 2 and 3. However, one final wild card is the crossfeed. i recall liking it when i heard that circuit on as "supreme" (? whatever was the 300 portable amp sold by HR back in the mid 90s feeding a pair of 580s) in comparison to it being disabled.
i'm definitely a "speaker person" who would prefer some soundstaging, however artificial. it seems like the crossfeed actually is a wortwhile feature.

any other options? it seems the next step up in HR's line beyond the Little is well beyond my budget...sigh.

finally, what are my aims:

1) a headphone amp to drive the 650s at my office playing high bitrate AACs and occasionally WAVs on my ipod.

2) occasional use at home with my SACD and CD players. it will be an interesting comparison with the headphone jack on my Creek 5350SE as well.

thanks for any thoughts and helping me wade through my way too many options!

 

[nilanjan]

I just got myself a pair of Sennheiser HD-580's for $149. We all know that the HD-650's are incrementally better, but their high price reflects the fact that they are new, not that they are three times as good. I don't believe you will suffer any remorse for getting the 580's.

I am driving the Sennheisers with a slightly used Meta42 built by JMT. His work is flawless, and the innards are beautiful to see. I have no concern whatsoever about the reliability of this product.

If I were you, I'd check the quality of the headphone jack in the Creek integrated first before buying a dedicated headphone amp.
With that being said, I cannot believe the Headroom Little can compete with a comparably priced PIMETA amplifier. Check out the attached review of the Max and the Little in Positive Feedback:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue5/headroommax.htm

Last but not least, I noticed that Audio Advisor has stopped carrying most Perreaux products. I wouldn't be surprised if the headphone amp was also closed out in due course at a substantially lower price. I suspect that it is the people on this forum who are keeping sales strong for now.

 

[dfong87]

thanks nilanjan for your thoughts.

the 580 is so tempting at that low price.

you're right, my Creek's headphone jack should be pretty darn good. but i still need someting for my office if i want to have any hope to decent sound from my ipod as a source using Senn 580/600/650 type 'phones.

 

[Stoney]

I don't think you can say a headphone is "three times better" or any such nonsense.

I can tell you that the HD650 is tremendously satisfying and really without obvious flaw. The HD600 was tolerable to me, despite the rather recessed midrange, but I was torn about whether I wanted to buy it. The HD590 and HD580 were simply unacceptable sonically when compared to the HD600, much less to the HD650 or live music.

So, the HD650 it was to be.

Once I get it home, I find its presentation is very much like my tubed, very high-end, Vandersteen 3A signature based stereo system, in tonal balance, musicality, detail, dynamics, and more. Of course, the headphones lay bare the detail a bit easier (takes some high levels to hear it all on the speaker system). Others have compared the two systems in as many words.

I can listen to inner detail and be very analytical, or I can relax, close my eyes, and fall asleep to the luxurious musicality. It has both capabilities.

One can get HD650s for $340, if I recall correctly. Call AA and ask for a price to match the online discounters. There is nothing that matches this value out there.

Don't skimp -- you'll regret it, or at least you should regret it if you knew what you were missing. I don't bother with my SR-125s any more, even for rock music. The HD650 does it all.

PS: I'm running mine with a Perreaux SXH1, happily. I also use them with an M-Audio Firewire 410 ($320) connected to a Powerbook G3/500 and a Radio Shack Optimus, but it is not as loud or as musical as the Perreaux. The HD650 also sound fine out of my SCD-XA777ES's headphone out.

 

[nilanjan]

I have no firsthand experience with the Perreaux, but the 30 day return option certainly sounds good. If you like crossfeed and portability is not mandatory, you might ask for a quote from JMT for a fully tricked out Home with a 2-level crossfeed. The quality of the parts and care of assembly seem beyond most commercial amps in this price range.

 

[dfong87]

thanks for all the comments.Getting closer and yet still not completely sure.

- with the $149 deal on the 580s expiring, i think that may be the route to go for now. i'm not sure i need the utmost in resolution and ability (at 2-3x the price) for my office rig.

- i'm leaning towards the Total Airhead, but as suggested above, i contacted AA just now and got an offer for a Perreaux at $299. again, no crossfeed, and not portable, but may be a steal for the money. maybe i should get the perreaux to try out for 30 days and if i don't like it with its lack of crossfeed, i can always return it for a less expensive TAH.

decisions, decisions. too many to make. i never rush myself on these things, but by delaying my decision on the 600s in December (which could be had for $199) and the 650s a few weeks ago (could have been had for $339 [but no longer]), i missed out on some fabulous deals. but perhaps, i'm now settling into something more reasonable here.

the 580s and TAH only come to $350. sure its not as good as the 650s +Perraux for twice the price, but i don't expect it to be. is it only half as good? pretty subjective...but i'm guessing with my work environment and ipod, the cheaper option may be the most practical and offer "most" of the sonics.

the extra few hundred bucks could go to retivalizing my viynl rig. (yet another story...)

 

[danaa]

Sounds to me like you'd be getting great bang for the bucks.

Enjoy them!!!

 

[rsaavedra]

In AA's weekly newsletter there's a $50 off coupon for any headphone between $195 and $500, so basically you can get the 650's for $400:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/pr...0%20Headphones

I do seem to remember that a few weeks ago the 650's were available for less than that amount.

Currently Headroom has them also for $400 after the 10% discount they issued for headfiers recenlty:

http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?...tID=0020080650

Quote:

Originally posted by Stoney One can get HD650s for $340, if I recall correctly. Call AA and ask for a price to match the online discounters. There is nothing that matches this value out there.

Stoney I wonder which are those other online discounters you are referring to. Where can the 650's still be purchased for around $350 new?

Cheers,
Raul

 

[Stoney]

Head-Fi - Great prices on HD650
Head-Fi - AudioAdvisor will match HD650 price $339

 

[rsaavedra]

Thanks so much Stoney!!!! Incidentally I'm also planning to get the Perraux.

Cheers,
Raul

 

[dfong87]

Unfortunately, i think these deals are long gone. according to AA, Sennheiser recently changed their price policies. Ecost no longer has it for $339 either. the cheapest i've seen is $400 from either AA (via coupon) or Todd/HR who are selling it for 10% off of 449.

AA had it for 374 a week ago when they had a $75 coupon, so maybe that will come back at some point. but i think the great deals appear to be gone, at least for now.

FWIW, the best prices on the other models appear to be around $239 (Etronics) for the 600s and $149 (Etronics and AA) for the 580s.

 

[rsaavedra]

Yes, just noticed those deals are gone. Was going to place the order for the Perreaux on AA, tried to use the coupon for $50 off, got a little popup dialog saying it's no longer valid. Didn't even try the 650's yet. Will call Joe tomorrow to see if it's possible to honor those recent discounts if buying both the Perreaux and the 650's at once.

 

[Ramtha604]

If I was in your situation I'd probably buy used 580s and an amp that works well with 650s (will probably also work well with the 580s) and then later, when more cash is available again I'd finally get the 650s and resell the used 580s at litte or no loss

...just an idea.

 

[naughty#9]

Quote:

Originally posted by rsaavedr Yes, just noticed those deals are gone. Was going to place the order for the Perreaux on AA, tried to use the coupon for $50 off, got a little popup dialog saying it's no longer valid. Didn't even try the 650's yet. Will call Joe tomorrow to see if it's possible to honor those recent discounts if buying both the Perreaux and the 650's at once.

i sent you a pm about a perreaux amp.

 

[rsaavedra]

Thanks very much naughty#9!
Cheers,
Raul