Nik
Headphoneus Supremus
During this vaciation I had the time (long and relaxed time) to do a detailled comparison between the RP5 cav and the EAR HP-4 used with the hi sensitive CD 3000.
First I must to tell that this headphone is a very good object. I did not found that exagerrated hi fr. as generally people find on them. My reference system in this comparison is the Omega/Egmont. I find the CD 3000 very detailled, precise sound with a big soundstage that remember me my old R10. The CD 3000 do not has the med quality of the R10, but for some aspects would be preferable even to the wooden Sony.
Not so simple to find an amp that gives the best amplification for a very hi sensitive can: 104 db !!!
The EAR HP-4 is a good amp, you do not hear any hiss or humm with the CD 3000, the volume knob can to be positioned to a quarter of the way and you will have a hi level signal. The little color of this amp (output transformers, 4 tubes, and kind of circuitry used) goes very well with the neutrality of the CD 3000 without any “problem” in the medbass region as the closed headphones generally have. Only comparing with the Omega/Egmont I noticed this coloration in the EAR/CD 3000 setup.
I was very surprised when I tested the CD 3000 with the RP5 cav: no more color you can hear, this amp gives to the CD 3000 a better transparence, a more clean sound that goes in the electrostatic sound direction. The bass is even better with the RP5, tight, very clean and fast.
So my conlcusion is that the RP5 cav goes very, very good with the CD 3000, better than the EAR HP-4, this is a good conclusion considering that the price of the RP5 is cheaper than the EAR HP-4 amp: 1250 € against 2500 € !!!
Best!
Nicola
First I must to tell that this headphone is a very good object. I did not found that exagerrated hi fr. as generally people find on them. My reference system in this comparison is the Omega/Egmont. I find the CD 3000 very detailled, precise sound with a big soundstage that remember me my old R10. The CD 3000 do not has the med quality of the R10, but for some aspects would be preferable even to the wooden Sony.
Not so simple to find an amp that gives the best amplification for a very hi sensitive can: 104 db !!!
The EAR HP-4 is a good amp, you do not hear any hiss or humm with the CD 3000, the volume knob can to be positioned to a quarter of the way and you will have a hi level signal. The little color of this amp (output transformers, 4 tubes, and kind of circuitry used) goes very well with the neutrality of the CD 3000 without any “problem” in the medbass region as the closed headphones generally have. Only comparing with the Omega/Egmont I noticed this coloration in the EAR/CD 3000 setup.
I was very surprised when I tested the CD 3000 with the RP5 cav: no more color you can hear, this amp gives to the CD 3000 a better transparence, a more clean sound that goes in the electrostatic sound direction. The bass is even better with the RP5, tight, very clean and fast.
So my conlcusion is that the RP5 cav goes very, very good with the CD 3000, better than the EAR HP-4, this is a good conclusion considering that the price of the RP5 is cheaper than the EAR HP-4 amp: 1250 € against 2500 € !!!
Best!
Nicola
