Ray Samuels Hornet vs. Headamp AE-1,Larocco

[Pete7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracyrick For the last 3 weeks, every day. Yes, I've heard it. Sounds good to me. I keep it in wide bandwidth mode and class A biasing on.

I agree with you wholeheartededly, it is a really good value, and it sounds really good. I sold mine because of the extraordinarily low battery life. I didn't like having to carry around a spare.

 

[Romanee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7 I agree with you wholeheartededly, it is a really good value, and it sounds really good. I sold mine because of the extraordinarily low battery life. I didn't like having to carry around a spare.

The latest Portaphile is a whole other animal, moving up from the original PV2^2 Maxxed (if yours was an earlier model). The latest is much more upwardly extended, bass is very tight and well-defined, great resolution and imaging, great timbral/ambient/spatial nuances and marvelously layered view into the music.

With Class-A + Wide Bandwidth on, I get about 9-9.5hours continuous play using iPower 500mAh Lithium-Polymer 9V rechargeables, which are lighter in weight than most 9Vs (Never buy iPower 400mAh Li-Po 9Vs!!!). I expect it will play a lot longer with those power-hungry features off, but haven't tested that yet.

The new Hornet mod brings that little gem into the arena of open/extended/resolving portable amps. I'm still burning one in and can't give detailed comments yet. -- but for those who are only familiar with the original Hornet's sound which is very warm, bassy/tube-y, closeup/intimate, etc. -- Ray's new mod creates a completely different sonic signature that's more open and spacious, much more detailed and well-defined.

 

[kool bubba ice]

FYI The PR 2 stock gain is set to 5..When ordering you have the option of changing the gain upwards to 30DB. Personally, I'd go with the Larocca..Best design & look out of any portable I have seen.. & comparable to home set ups.. RCA inputs is a plus too..