[sc53]

I am a big fan of Ray's amps and over the past 5-6 yrs have owned the original Blackbird, the Hornet M, and the Tomahawk. Currently all I use is the Tomahawk because of its very small size--I use the newest tiny Nano and the older square Nano (the one that came out just before the newer video camera Nano's) and the Tomahawk pairs up nicely with these small devices. But checking in at RSA.com and reviewing the forums I see he has come up with some new much smaller amps that are reputed to sound even better than the Tomahawk. I am particularly smitten by the Shadow and the Mustang, both of which just happened to show up used in the classifieds too. Has anyone compared all 3 of these little amps--Tomahawk, Shadow and Mustang? If I already like the sound of the Tomahawk, is either Shadow or Mustang similar in sound, or better? For reference, my other portable amp is the Larocco Pocket Reference II with its matching power supply. I don't really regard that amp as portable though you can pack it in a suitcase and take it along on a trip. The PRII has amazing sound, and I don't expect something as tiny as the Shadow or the Mustang to necessarily best it. But I would like an excellent truly portable, very small amp to pair with my Nano's and hope somebody out there has compared all 3 of these Ray Samuels products.

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Skylab has reviewed 2 of the three of those RSA products as well as the PRII in his massive portable amp shootout. Check it out:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/214588/review-portable-amp-roundup-56-portable-amps-reviewed-and-compared-last-update-12-20-10-added-rsa-sr-71b
 
FWIR, the Shadow sounds very similar to the Mustang. The biggest difference being the volume control.

 

[sc53]

I have seen Skylab's exhaustive review and rankings but have to admit I was a little overwhelmed by the wealth of possibilities. I think the consensus is the Mustang and Shadow sound very similar and are a step up from the Tomahawk. I bought the Shadow on the classifieds and will compare it to the Tomahawk. Size and fit with the smallest Nano are a big factor for me.

 

[kiwirugby]

You may want to check the reviews on the Pico Slim.   With a Nano it's a really small and perfect complement.   Good sonics too.   I have the Shadow, Mustang and Pico Slim and really like all three, with, right now, ever such a slight edge to the Pico on soundstage and lower base extension.  But, you'd be happy with any of these, in my opinion.

 

[Jalo]

Quote:

You may want to check the reviews on the Pico Slim.   With a Nano it's a really small and perfect complement.   Good sonics too.   I have the Shadow, Mustang and Pico Slim and really like all three, with, right now, ever such a slight edge to the Pico on soundstage and lower base extension.  But, you'd be happy with any of these, in my opinion.

 
Agreed.  I like the way the Slim attacks my music to the point of hyperventilation and then the Mustang will give me air, more air.

 

 

[kiwirugby]

Quote:

: Agreed.  I like the way the Slim attacks my music to the point of hyperventilation and then the Mustang will give me air, more air.

 

Sounds like fence-sitting to me, Jalo, but I like the imagery!!!!   Need a brown bag??????

 

[coolcat]

if slim sounds like the normal pico.I doubt you will like the slim "SC53".
 
This was my own experience ,as I sold my Hornet to buy the Pico. I was really disappointed. PICO made all my music so slow and  such a warm,that's not  the same good warm from the Hornet.
 
If you have a chance to try it before buying,it will be great.
Anyway many people here like Pico (or Pico slim) ,it must be a nice headphone amps,but it is really not my cup of tea.
 
(Pico , DT880 and GS1000 are the most disappointed purchases,I made)

 

[imademymark]

i'm completely the opposite! 
 
i used to own the pico and loved it, and the DT880 and GS1000 are two of my favourite headphones
 
it's quite interesting to see how much opinions can diverge around these parts!
 
Quote:

if slim sounds like the normal pico.I doubt you will like the slim "SC53".
 
This was my own experience ,as I sold my Hornet to buy the Pico. I was really disappointed. PICO made all my music so slow and  such a warm,that's not  the same good warm from the Hornet.
 
If you have a chance to try it before buying,it will be great.
Anyway many people here like Pico (or Pico slim) ,it must be a nice headphone amps,but it is really not my cup of tea.
 
(Pico , DT880 and GS1000 are the most disappointed purchases,I made)

 

[coolcat]

 
Quote:

i'm completely the opposite! 
 
i used to own the pico and loved it, and the DT880 and GS1000 are two of my favourite headphones
 
it's quite interesting to see how much opinions can diverge around these parts!
 
Quote:

if slim sounds like the normal pico.I doubt you will like the slim "SC53".
 
This was my own experience ,as I sold my Hornet to buy the Pico. I was really disappointed. PICO made all my music so slow and  such a warm,that's not  the same good warm from the Hornet.
 
If you have a chance to try it before buying,it will be great.
Anyway many people here like Pico (or Pico slim) ,it must be a nice headphone amps,but it is really not my cup of tea.
 
(Pico , DT880 and GS1000 are the most disappointed purchases,I made)

 

yeah right,the person who bought my GS1000 ,really love it,that shows ,it's not right to say ,which headphones are better than another one,it's only up to personal taste.
 

 

[Syan25]

I own the SR-71A and soon the HR-2 coming any day now and I too am a BIG Ray Samuels fan! I would NEVER part with my SR-71A. 

 

[MilesDavis2]

 
Quote:

I own the SR-71A and soon the HR-2 coming any day now and I too am a BIG Ray Samuels fan! I would NEVER part with my SR-71A. 

Me too.  Love it! Would love to hear your impressions on the HR-2 when you have had fun with it. Cheers!
 

 

[Syan25]

Will do when it arrives and but will do a proper review once I've had enough burn in on it.
 

 

[Syan25]

The HR-2 arrives! Yahoo! It's an old amp - but a DARN awesome one...can't wait to hear the darkness surround me...

 

[Nick01]

RSA fanclub??? Can I join please??
I paypal Ray last Tuesday and today I got the Predator, cool looking thing (but the metal is so cold, probably coz it's winter right now)
I've been listening nonstop with the K701 & Predator for the last 4 hours hehe

 

[Syan25]

OH yeah - this is the Ray Samuels fan club - will add more comments on the HR-2 in a week or two when i get it hooked up properly. Have no time now. Glad you are enjoying the Predator....how come u didn't go for the SR-71B?