[Zanth]

I'll agree with what most have stated. PS-1's will become the most prized and sought after Grado ever (unless something ever more limited comes out). I believe Mitch is right on the money, the PS-1's are likely the rarest headphone every made (at least production versions). The HP-1000's are 9x more common and likely 20-30x more common on Head-fi. It is true that HP-3's are the "rarest" but since they are simply inferior HP-2's, it's not like folks are going to be running after HP-2's with drivers that are not as equally matched.

Though the L3000's are in the 2k region or beyond, they have a distinct sound as do the PS-1's. For those that really adore the PS-1 sound, 2k may seem like a bargain in a few years. As stated, those that have the cash and the gear to pair with them won't feel like $2k is too much.

I have sold off 4-5 pairs of HP-1000's since I started this hobby. The last pair was the hardest to sell but the cash was needed for a phono stage which for me was more important at the time. The PS-1's stayed. The PS-1's are simply far more fun and enjoyable to listen to vs. the HP-1000's and parts are easier to come by since John had enough materials to make 250. The HP-1000's are still king at attack, snap and wallop in the bass, and their linear frequency response is something to behold...but otherwise, I'd choose PS-1's, RS-1's or GS-1000's to listen to over them.

 

[augustwest]

"“Still, my gut feeling is that we will see a prime condition PS-1 sell for well over $2k in the next year or so.”

Trust me it’s already happened."

I won't sell mine at any price!


- augustwest

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth I'll agree with what most have stated. PS-1's will become the most prized and sought after Grado ever (unless something ever more limited comes out). I believe Mitch is right on the money, the PS-1's are likely the rarest headphone every made (at least production versions). The HP-1000's are 9x more common and likely 20-30x more common on Head-fi. It is true that HP-3's are the "rarest" but since they are simply inferior HP-2's, it's not like folks are going to be running after HP-2's with drivers that are not as equally matched. Though the L3000's are in the 2k region or beyond, they have a distinct sound as do the PS-1's. For those that really adore the PS-1 sound, 2k may seem like a bargain in a few years. As stated, those that have the cash and the gear to pair with them won't feel like $2k is too much. I have sold off 4-5 pairs of HP-1000's since I started this hobby. The last pair was the hardest to sell but the cash was needed for a phono stage which for me was more important at the time. The PS-1's stayed. The PS-1's are simply far more fun and enjoyable to listen to vs. the HP-1000's and parts are easier to come by since John had enough materials to make 250. The HP-1000's are still king at attack, snap and wallop in the bass, and their linear frequency response is something to behold...but otherwise, I'd choose PS-1's, RS-1's or GS-1000's to listen to over them.

A John fan

I was too until I heard Joe's masterpeice. Of course I like nothing added to my music. I guess that's why my 2 favorites are the K-1000 and HP-2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog'd Thank you to Braillediver. you made my current financial shenanigans seem less stoopid. I loved my gs1k's, but missed the slam of the rs1's, so I managed to pull $350 together to buy the HF1's a week ago to fill the gap a bit. I really liked them. figured ok, when I can I'll get another rs1, but for now I can live happily with the hf1. the next day I got an offer I couldn't refuse: a friend (actually his brother) had bought a pair of PS1's new in Germany and NEVER USED THEM. he's a stax guy, and he wants new skiis/boots. I was offered the pair at $1400 usd plus shipping. so in the last days I have sold a woo audio 3, my gs1000's and my daughter's k701's. (no, I would not have sold my daughter.) I gave her the choice and she LOVED the hf1's. she grew up on grado cans so I was pretty sure these would please her more than k701's - they did and they are hers! I have "new" old PS1's coming this week. I figure I can always add gs1k's if I feel the need down the line, but I may never have had the chance for PS1's again, and since I love that sound... I'm so excited I couldn't fall asleep last night. and to return to the thread point, i would have paid even more if i had to.

Nice grab. And in good condition. You WILL enjoy them!!

 

[Zanth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 A John fan I was too until I heard Joe's masterpeice. Of course I like nothing added to my music. I guess that's why my 2 favorites are the K-1000 and HP-2.

Yep, different strokes for different folks. If I had my way, I would own a pair of HP-1000's too. But at this time, that is not an option. Yet, even when I had all three here (GS-1000's were not yet released) I found myself going for RS-1's or PS-1's over the HP-1's.

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth Yep, different strokes for different folks. If I had my way, I would own a pair of HP-1000's too. But at this time, that is not an option. Yet, even when I had all three here (GS-1000's were not yet released) I found myself going for RS-1's or PS-1's over the HP-1's.

Different strokes indeed. I prefer the PS-1 to the RS-1. But there is something about the timbre of the RS-1 and GS-1000 that the others can't seem to replicate.

 

[1911]

ps-1 all the way....i bought one and loved it so much i picked up another....and they are getting harder to get....but once you obtain them there are no regrets..

 

[VR6ofpain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog'd I gave her the choice and she LOVED the hf1's. she grew up on grado cans so I was pretty sure these would please her more than k701's - they did and they are hers!

How old is your daughter? I am picturing a young girl with 'refined tastes' (you know Grado's instead of some junker Sony MDR-...). You must have raise her right! When I was a kid I used to use those stupid Sony "sport" headphones that were like earbuds attached to a plastic headband. They were yellow...ugly.

 

[VR6ofpain]

I feel as though the discussion in this thread I created is going to artificially raise the value of the PS-1, now that people know they are 'at least' worth a good $1400.

 

[tyre]

.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyre Here's the best advice I can give you, don't ask! You may not realize it, but by starting this type of thread you could potentially be raising the price.

Read my post above yours.

 

[analog'd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain How old is your daughter? I am picturing a young girl with 'refined tastes' (you know Grado's instead of some junker Sony MDR-...). You must have raise her right!

well, since you asked...

she turned 20 on friday and does indeed have refined taste in music and equipment. she's a full time musician, drummer primarily, playing around NYC and the woodstock area.

she's had grados and porta-pros for well over 10 years. all that gigging and her sr60's finally got beaten to death. she logged a lot of hours under my RS1's from age 10 also.

her rig is a fisher 400 receiver w/orig tele's in it; a cary 308 cd player, music hall 2.1(?) t.t. with a grado gold cart on it. ety er4's, her new HF1's (happy birthday Sammi), and a ray samuels sr-71 amp.

she's been saving every penny for a new drum kit for 3 years, and won't take help from anybody in getting it. smart girl. I am very very proud of her.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I, for one, don't understand all the fuss about the PS1, aside from its' obvious rarity. It is so bass-heavy that I can't see it as anything but a novelty headphone (the L3000 retains a much better overall balance while having very powerful bass). Combined with the worst comfort of any high-end headphone, I'd pay more for an HD650 than a PS1, assuming I couldn't re-sell either

The HP1000 on the other hand sounds a lot more special to me, with a way of getting out of the way of the music that very few other headphones I've heard have. On the merits of sound alone, I think they're worth far more than the PS1. Of course, they are more common and much harder to repair/mantain, so...what's one to do? Buy several pairs and hope for the best? Well I know a few people have already done this!

 

[VR6ofpain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog'd she turned 20 on friday and does indeed have refined taste in music and equipment.

I am sorry, but you will probably get a bunch of creepy single head-fiers coming after you for her number now. I shouldn't have asked. That is cool though.

I have tried to ease my girlfriend into the whole headphone/audiophile thing, but she really doesn't seem to notice. She does enjoy the HD555's I got her, but only because they are comfortable. She claims they don't really sound 'that much better' than the iBuds that came with her Nano. I also made her listen to a few tracks she was familiar with, with the HD555, my K601, and my (sold) HF-1 with Flats. She said they all sounded 'pretty much the same'. I was disturbed to say the least. To me these 3 cans all sound very different. With the K601 and HF-1 (w/Flats) on opposite ends, with the HD555 somewhere in between.

I guess I just find the idea of a woman who can appreciate high quality sound on her own very cool. Her father taught her well!

 

[Usagi]

The price tag of the PS-1 will definitely parallel that of the L3000 for two reasons.

1. It is a rare and respected production item
2. Owners are reluctant to part with a renowned member of the Holy Trinity

I only say this from personal experience. Someone would have to slide a brief case across my desk containing an incomprehensible amount of money to convince me otherwise; you know, the kind that emits a profusion of scattered light when its contents are revealed and renders viewers to a hypnotic, almost vegetable-like state!

Even if that happened, I would still possess latent feelings of regret and curse the buyer for his/her shrewd negotiating techniques.

 

[dmcom]

I wouldn't sell mine. Not even for 2k$.