[TwoTrack]

Thanks in advance.  Not looking to spend crazy money, ideally less than $400 or $500.

 

[havagr8da]

I have RS1i Grados and love the way they sound with my Practical Devices XM5. The XM5 is an awesome amp reasonably priced and full of options. XM6 is worth looking at too.

 

[Mad Max]

Minibox-ES.
Replace the stock socketed opamps with OPA209 or OPA827 for optimum sound with Grados.
 
A used RSA P-51 might be good from what I've read.  I would expect the Stepdance (v1 or v2) to also pair well with Grados.  An iBasso P4 with an opamp configuration of OPA209 + some buffer will make you very happy.  You should ask in the P4 thread for more on that.

 

[MacedonianHero]

RSA Hornet was quite good...and an the really cheap, the PA2V2 was a great combination. I would recommend scouting out a warmer sounding amp to pair with Grados to help tame the treble (except for the HF-2s that is).

 

[TwoTrack]

Good ideas.  
 
What about the TTVJ amp?  I hear it has a nice analog sound...?

 

[alphaphoenix]

TTVJ Slim is a very nice amp and I actually preferred slightly over the really hard to find used TTVJ Portable Millett Hybrid.  I sure wish I kept mine (both amps).
 
I can also speak for the P-51.  It matched pretty well with the middle gain switch.  However, I'm basing everything on the RS2 rather than the RS1i. 

 

[TwoTrack]

Quote:

TTVJ Slim is a very nice amp and I actually preferred slightly over the really hard to find used TTVJ Portable Millett Hybrid.  I sure wish I kept mine (both amps).
 
I can also speak for the P-51.  It matched pretty well with the middle gain switch.  However, I'm basing everything on the RS2 rather than the RS1i. 

Thanks alpha, that is helpful as the RS2 and RS1 are close based on my listening.
 

 

[FlatNine]

 
Quote:

Good ideas.  
 
What about the TTVJ amp?  I hear it has a nice analog sound...?

I just got the TTVJ Slim last week, and with my Senn 650's am loving the combo to death! A link to my review is below, and although the review is about the headphones, it is just as much about the TTVJ amp, since that was part of the setup. The Slim is a very nice amp, not sterile or cold in any way, and was very suprising.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/572691/a-review-of-the-sennheiser-hd-650-s-oh-so-nice#post_7773262

 
 

 

[TwoTrack]

Good review FlatNine.  Thank you! 

 

[PANGES]

I actually like the Headstage Arrow (1G) with my RS1i's and Denon D2000 alot. I have a Practical Devices XM6 coming in on Friday though, so we'll see how that compares.

 

[havagr8da]

Quote:

I actually like the Headstage Arrow (1G) with my RS1i's and Denon D2000 alot. I have a Practical Devices XM6 coming in on Friday though, so we'll see how that compares.

I will be very interested in your opinion on that. Looking forward to it.

 

[markkr]

+1. subscribed.
 
Quote:

I will be very interested in your opinion on that. Looking forward to it.