[size=medium]IMPRESSIONS: Grado SP1000/NuForce Icon HDP/PURE i20[/size]
[size=medium]Greetings fellow HF’ers! ‘Just dropped in again to see what’s happening on the HF forum . I haven’t posted for about 20 months or so - last post was back in Feb ’09 after I’d just bought some Grado HP-1 ‘phones from a good friend I’ve known for many years. He originally bought them new in ’88 for a grand total of $850. I happened to notice, leafing through some of the current threads, that there’s been interest in several components that I currently use- viz, the Grado PS1000, NuForce Icon HDP headphone amp, and the PURE i-20 IPod station. I’m hoping that this (rather lengthy) post will serve as an overview of how these components can be successfully integrated into a delightfully satisfying listening experience – with some insight into how I perceive their resultant sonic qualities.[/size]
[size=medium] My prime headphone listening station is: Toshiba Laptop>Audioquest USB cable>NuForce Icon HDP>PS1000 . I have two i-20s, used as follows: One is used as an alternative input source to my headphone listening station – as a replacement for the Toshiba laptop. Configuration is: IPod Classic (80gb)>PURE i-20> >AudioQuest toslink cable>NuForce HDP>PS1000 . The other i-20, interconnected into my living room stereo system, is: IPod Classic (80gb)>PURE i-20>Audioquest toslink cable>Integrated HK Receiver (or McIntosh Preamp>McIntosh Amp)>surround sound in-ceiling speaker system. [/size]
[size=medium] By the way, I had the Grado HP-1 for about a year and a half when the friend I bought these cans from lamented that he wished he’d never sold them…and (pitifully) asked if I’d consider selling them back to him at 15% more than I paid him for them. He was truly pathetic in his dismay over having given up those grand old ‘phones. Even though I cherished these cans, I honestly emphasized with him - and sold them back to him for the same price I previously had paid him because he’s always been a revered friend. He assured me that whenever I wanted to “borrow” them, that he would be glad to accommodate me. He was happy; but I was sad – because I would sorely miss the HP-1 in the coming weeks because of the spectacular sound I’d come to know and love. But, I felt like I did the right thing. So…I decided to take the plunge and bought the Grado SP1000 from The Listening Station (Bill-The Headphone Guy) several months ago. I also bought the NuForce HDP and a Grado SR-80i (used primarily for foreign language study) from Bill at the Listening Station. I got the i-20’s from PURE North America. Incidentally, Bill (The Headphone Guy) is a prince of a fellow and has been an outstanding merchant to do business with. This guy really cares about his customers and goes the extra mile to make sure they are satisfied. So, all that being said, just what do I think of these sonic gadgets? [/size]
[size=medium]IMPRESSIONS: PS1000 vs HP-1: It’s estimated that the HP-1 cans that I owned (for too short a time) have no less than 2000-2500+ hours on them – so they are well-used, vintage transducers. When I first got the PS1000 and the NuForce HDP, both were brand new (as well as the AudioQuest USB cable) and, frankly, after setting up the collective rig I anticipated great things, to say the least. But, I will have to admit that even though the sound was truly excellent from the git-go, I was a bit disappointed – because I expected at least the equivalent of the mature, refined Grado sound I had experienced through the HP1 (driven through the Headphone Out from my McIntosh preamp. There just seemed to be something lacking; but it was hard to pinpoint. Little did I realize that “burn in” of these components could make such a significant difference in the sonic quality of this rig.[/size]
[size=medium] After well over 250 hours of natural listening burn-in for the integrated rig, the PS1000 presents an incredible listening experience when driven by the NuForce HDP and continues to bring a smile to my face every time I think back on my initial skepticism regarding the potential musicality of this duo. I must be candid in saying that I did not use the HP-1 in tandem with the NuForce HDP for comparison - having returned those ‘phones to their original owner before buying the new rig (note: as an aside, my buddy lives in New Orleans and I live in Baton Rouge). However, I can attest to the fact that the two ‘phones have more similarities than differences! - very much the Grado “house sound” (you’re effectively onstage amidst the musicians) that I’ve come to love with the HP-1. Very, very involving! I can’t say that the PS1000 at this point significantly outclasses the HP-1 (because it does not), but, if pressed to choose between the two, I would opt for the SP1000 with no hesitation at all as being the clear ‘phones of choice for the type of music I like best (jazz, rock, sax and piano instrumentals, male and female vocals, chamber music, concertos, and particularly, Bach organ, to name just a few). My music files are mostly Apple lossless; but I have a large number of 320kb mp3s as well (which my wife says is perfect for her) - which ain’t bad to say the least. I’m definitely not a “base head”; but I do like well-controlled, tightly articulated base – which the SP1000 provides in ample measure. The HP-1 is not exactly a slouch here, but SP1000 wins hands down in the lower registers, without a doubt. I can hear clearly-articulated, solid, double base from the SP1000 in some recordings, which the HP-1, in my judgment, would mightily struggle to replicate. [/size]
[size=medium] There is tough competition between the two ‘phones in the mid range; and here, there is no overall winner, in my opinion, because the articulation is clean and pure on both ‘phones. I do solidly and unequivocally prefer the PS1000 in the higher end of the upper registers, however. The higher notes of the piccolo on some ensemble recordings are clearly rendered better by the SP1000. As it turns out, the SP1000 seems to me to be a sort of Jack of All Trades, and pretty much, Master of All. Again, I haven’t done an A/B comparison with both ‘phones on the same NuForce HDP rig; so a lot of this is simply my brain’s recollection of how the HP-1 sounded to me coming out of my Macintosh preamp Headphone Out – so there is considerable subjectivity here regarding a true analytic comparison. Please take these comments as such. Both sound very similar in the midrange through my McIntosh preamp; but the SP1000[/size] seems to have more “reach” , both upward and downward – and hence provides more enjoyable listening to a wider variety of music. But, I will add that I would be totally happy with either set of ‘phones for the kind of music I listen to - and of that, I am sure. All said, I am now unequivocally happy with my decision to abandon the HP-1 and embrace the SP1000! One more thing – I have never owned any other brand of headphones except Grado, so, in some folks’ eyes I would not qualify as a bona-fide critic of phones of any ilk - nor would I purport to be.
[size=medium] Further, even though considerably heavier than the HP-1, I find the SP1000 to be at essentially an equivalent comfort level to wear for long listening sessions (several hours or more). Neither phone can truly be called “comfortable” in my judgment. The kind of pressure exerted on the head/ears between the two phones is just different. You will notice the substantial presence of both. The sound is so good, however, that one tends to ignore any apparent discomfort. No question about that. The build quality of the SP1000 is, unfortunately, not up to that of the HP-1. I particularly liked the set screws on each side of the HP1’s more substantial ‘phone suspension bars (encased in metal mini-holders - rather than the plastic ones on the SP1000) to allow the ‘phones to stay at the same height without further adjustment. The HP-1’s phase switches had little or no value to me except to hear what an “out of phase” sonic presentation sounded like (horribly mushy and muted). For listening in-phase – all one has to do is put one switch up and the other down – no matter which.[/size]
[size=medium]IMPRESSIONS: NUFORCE Icon HDP Headphone Amp: Unfortunately, I have nothing else to compare this device with – and only use it as a headphone amp for the SP1000 via the USB connection port using an AudioQuest Cinnamon cable). In this capacity it is nothing short of marvelous. The device works impeccably, is solidly built, and easily lives up to its reputation of being a stellar higher-end performer. The impedance of the SP1000 is such that I usually run the HDP between 10:00 and 11:00 for my optimum listening level. Totally quiet background and loads of headroom reserve. The unit feels extremely solid and well-put-together. It is, obviously a highly capable, multifaceted piece of audio gear. I intend to live with this little guy for a long time with no worry about moving up. It’s that good! The HDP is so easy to use on an end table next to your sofa because of the surprisingly small footprint. Do not hesitate to use this amp with your SP1000. You won’t be sorry! Put your ‘phones on a WOO Audio adjustable headphone stand and you’re all set. [/size]
[size=medium] If one considers the new Stax 009 headphones running through a WOO WES amp to be the new state-of-the-art sound stage, then the system I currently have (and have talked about herein) might aptly be described as the “poor man’s setup”. But this poor man is, indeed, a happy poor man –and, as I said, without further delusions about moving up to “better” headphone listening experience. I like where I am – and I’m definitely sure I’ll be content with this gear for the foreseeable future.[/size]
[size=medium]IMPRESSIONS: PURE 1-20 IPod dock+: In my prime stereo system, this little jewel makes the IPod Classic sound like a very expensive CD player connected to my HK integrated amplifier via toslink. I am totally awed by how well the digital signal pass-through from the IPod Classic succeeds – and the resulting sound is simply superb played through my 6ch surround system. The little remote control directs the system effectively, if not instantaneously. There seems to be a very slight delay in response from the i-20 with respect to button presses from the remote. However, that’s quite OK with the way I use my system. Incidentally the folks at PURE (UK) and the US Office supporting PURE products offer outstanding customer support. I bought my i-20 from PURE USA. When I emailed them informing them that I couldn’t get a dependable handshake between the i-20 and its remote (couldn’t pinpoint which was at fault – the i-20 or its remote), they immediately shipped me out a complete new i-20 system and another remote – telling me to keep the components that played together – along with a prepaid label to send the components that were suspected of not working properly back to them. Now that’s good PR and solid customer service if I’ve ever seen it! I absolutely love the functionality and musicality of the IPod/I-20 combination in my prime music system and would heartily recommend it to anyone who prefers listening to continuous music – without having to get up and change CD’s. The little I-20 does everything is says it can do – and with extremely satisfying results. I can recommend it highly. [/size]
