PPA vs. Corda HA-1 .. confused ..

[Taurui]

I just got back from the great meeting at Jan Meier's place. I tested the Prehead, RKV, HA-1 and Gilmore Lite and.. well.. the HA-1 falls in my price class. And I liked what I heard.
It'd cost pretty much the same as a basic PPA, and now my trouble begins.
There are pretty few HA-1 owners out there and noone bothered to put up a review or comparison. There are a lot of PPA owners out there, but noone bothered to put up a review or comparison, too.
Is there actually anyone who heard the HA-1 and a simple PPA? Is there anyone who can compare at least the normal PPA to the Prehead cause I know that one now?
Aside from sound, I can say

HA-1 pro:
Manufacturer nearby, no shipping problems
Built-in 230V PSU
Great craftsmanship
Jan rocks!
No OpAmp rolling necessary

PPA pro:
DIY designs may have better value
Well known, noone seems to dislike it
Upgradeable

Can anyone help me?
Please no "I only know the PPA and I love it" or "I only know the HA-1 and I love it" replies please

thanks,

Taurui

 

[Sovkiller]

And what is a normal PPA? I don't think that somone is going to pick up a DIY design to use cheap parts. If you go that route is to get a good bang for the buck, and get a nice trully high-end amp, with a nice cost, please define first what do you consider a "normal PPA", the one the DIYers offered in their websites....????

 

[TMC]

I don't have an answer to your main question, I just have a comment about what you think could be pro for the PPA, that DIY designs may have better value. I think it would make a much bigger difference if you're comparing PPA with Xcan, Rega Ear or other real commercial amps that is sold in audio shops. Because the shops, distributors etc will have to add on their own cost/profit on top of the price they bought the amp for which will make the amps cost a lot more for the consumer in the end. But when we're talking about amp-designers like Jan Meier, Kevin Gilmore etc that sell their amps directly, a lot of those costs will be eliminated and keep the cost/value high for the consumer. For example the XCan V3 would cost about the same as the HA-1 mkII for me and the Xcan really can't compete. I found it to be closer to my Meta42 in overall performance. Anyway I hope you'll find some good answers for your query, I did quite a bit of research myself about this and came up just about empty. One of the main problems is as Sovkiller mentioned that there are so many configs of PPA.

 

[Zoide]

Out of prudence and respect for the builder I won't say the source or price of the following config (not even if you PM me), but how good would the following be? I will be using it for my HD580s and hook it up to an M-Audio Sonica and a Toshiba 3960.

Tangent's PPA Circuit Board.
8 Nichion UPW 1000µF 35v power supply Capacitors (C1).
4 Nichion UPW 100µF 35v Capacitors (C4).
9 Wima 3.3µF 50v metalized polyester capacitors (C2/C5).
6 Wima .1µF 50v metalized polyester capacitors (C3).
1 10pF silver mica capacitor (C6).
12 power supply rail isolation JFETs
JFET Cascode class "A" bias
3 Texas Instruments TLE2426 "rail splitters"
12 Intersil HA3-5002-5 output buffers (socketed)
3 Analog Devices AD8610AR opamps (mounted on Browndog adapters and socketed)
1 50k Alps "Blue Velvet" potentiometer
Vishay Dale 1% metal film resistors.
Hammond 1455N16xx enclosure.
Cardas CTFA RCA input jacks.
Neutrik 1/4" locking output jack.
Isolated, locking type 5.5/2.5mm DC power jack.
Rear mounted Mountain Toggle power switch with aluminum baton.
Kilo International H series .95" silver knob.
Blue led mounted with a solderless Fresnel lens system
Front mounted bass boost switch.
Socketed bass boost components
Socketed Gain Resistor (gain is set to 6 now)
Socketed R8 (class A bias adjust)
Socketed LED resistor.
Solid silver Teflon coated wire was used for all of the signal connections, stranded silver plated copper Teflon coated wire was used every where else.
An Elpac WM080 regulated DC power source

 

[fewtch]

Looks quite good to me. Some people will complain about the Elpac PSU, but some of these same people will also recommend sky-high priced power sources rather than just building a nice $40 battery pack (which would be cleaner than nearly any wall power).

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch Looks quite good to me. Some people will complain about the Elpac PSU, but some of these same people will also recommend sky-high priced power sources rather than just building a nice $40 battery pack (which would be cleaner than nearly any wall power).

Yep, some members had problems with the Elpac, hum/hiss....a quiet power supply IMO is the best way to go, get the best you could afford, or as fewtch said, a battery pack....

 

[SteeleBlayde]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taurui Is there anyone who can compare at least the normal PPA to the Prehead cause I know that one now?

I VERY much doubt a "normal" PPA could hold a candle to the Prehead. The only amp I have heard that can stand head-to-head with the Prehead is a maxed-out extreme LaRocco-configured PPA with Lab PSU. Keep in mind, both these units with the larocco at that high of a level, cost approximately the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taurui HA-1 pro: No OpAmp rolling necessary

I'd be inclined to think that this is a con. User configurability is a nice feature. And op-amp installation is a snap; pun intended.

I've always felt that the greatest strength of a well-implemented and supremely flexible DIY design such as the PPA is that it is always upgradeable; you can tweak and play with it to your hearts content until you reach the perfect sound to match your components.

On the other hand, Jan makes some very solid designs that have been proven to work and sound very good. Plus, you've got the feature set. If I wanted crossfeed and the pre-amp capability, then the Prehead would be my choice.

As for the HA-1, I've never heard it, so I cant say what it would sound like in comparison to the Prehead.

 

[Taurui]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sovkiller And what is a normal PPA? I don't think that somone is going to pick up a DIY design to use cheap parts. If you go that route is to get a good bang for the buck, and get a nice trully high-end amp, with a nice cost, please define first what do you consider a "normal PPA", the one the DIYers offered in their websites....????

Heh, sorry

I'd define a "normal PPA" as a non-Larocco one

For example the one jmt sells .. or headsave used to sell .. or basically any builder who builds PPAs that cost not much more than the HA-1 (375 euro / 440$)

-Taurui

 

[Norbert]

I have the one of last of the first generation HA-1's (not the MK). I sat with a ppa at a recent Chicago meet. Both are impressive, but (I may be biased) I like my Corda better. I love the crossfeed. I like the "analytical" sound, it seems accurate. It powers my ATW1000's, Grado SR-80's, and Senn 525's with equal vigor. Of course, the MKII is even better. I'll just let you know that I have no regrets. Jan is like a DIY'er in terms of economy but with brand name quality confidence. Top notch. Don't look back.

 

[Taurui]

Oh, by the way, I just realized that the PPX3 isn't far from the price too. Any thoughts on that one?

 

[morsel]

Quote:

I VERY much doubt a "normal" PPA could hold a candle to the Prehead.

See this old thread: Has anyone compared a PPA to other amps?
Searching for "PPA Prehead" turns up 58 threads.