Quote:
Originally Posted by zulu934
I no longer have the Melos. I would try and purchase another on the used market, but it is too big.
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I happen to auditioning an RA-1 right at the moment. I initially borrowed it from another local Head-Fier to test something in my system but the darn thing sounded so good I just had to give it a more serious listen. I had briefly tried it a few months back and was only lukewarm on it but giving it more serious attention shows a great little amp that has some serious synergy with the RS-1’s.
Briefly, (or not so briefly I guess
) I will say that it has decent bass weight with very good definition, speed and punch. By comparison my PPX3 has more weight and body but sounds a bit slow by comparison. This seems to be a real shining point for the RA-1, the overall PRaT characteristics are outstanding making it a lot of fun to listen to.
The mids are detailed and forward yet still sweet sounding with the RA-1. The PPX3 sounds a bit recessed in comparison but has a fullness and a somewhat more organic quality. This is not to say the mids on the RA-1 are bad by any means, they are quite engaging but again they lack some of that tube warmth and body of the PPX3
Highs on the RA-1 are not quite as refined and relaxed as the PPX3 and they can sound a bit grainy at times but they are in very good balance with rest of the spectrum. They never seem to be overbearing nor do they hide underneath everything else. My biggest issue with my system has been with sibilance. I’ve gone to great lengths to eradicate it and have for the most part succeeded. The PPX3 sounds very smooth but at times an s or t can jump out. The RA-1 is a tad less smooth but seems more consistent in how it deals with sibilance.
The PPX3 is a much more spacious, deep and airy than the RA-1. With the RA-1 everything is very close, there is less width and less depth to the headstage giving it a more closed in feel.
Both these amps are quite different but both are very good. On a technical level the edge would have to go to the PPX3 plus the capacity to fine tune through tuberolling is a plus that can’t be ignored but there is a special synergy that the RA-1 and RS-1 seem to have that can’t be ignored either. Overall I think my preference would be for something in between.
It sounds as if space may be a concern for you which it could be for me soon as well. I may be losing my dedicated listening space in the relatively near future so I’ve been looking at options for downsizing. I must admit hearing the RA-1’s synergy with the RS-1’s has opened up some possibilities. Adding some tubes into the mix with the RA-1 could address some of the shortcomings I found and I might have a solution to that.
I won’t go into detail with that here but if your interested feel free to PM me.
