[vjcs20]

Hi guys,

I just received my P-51 Mustang yesterday from RSA. Was using a Tomahawk previously. Firstly, I have to say that Ray has outdone himself with a newer smaller amp but yet at the same time, upping the sound quality a notch.

So I was trying out the Mustang and I really like how it sounded out of the box. If it sounds this good before burning in, I can't imagine how it would sound after 100hrs of burning in.

Anyways, a sudden inspiration came to me. I recalled reading previously how some Xin users were using two Xin Super Macro 3V6s in their portable setup as a pre and power amp combo, and how amazing the dual combination sounded. So I though to myself, why not try something like that with my two RSA amps?

So I plugged in my iPod classic 160gb to my Turbo LOD to the Tomahawk (as pre-amp) to the Mustang (as power amp) to my Triple-fis.

[size=xx-large]WOW!![/size]

Instant music nirvana. The music sounded so real and life-like and present in front of you. I'm not very good with words so please pardon my lack of a better description. But, the sound is really that good! There was so much more details and nuances present in the music & voices that I was taken aback. Listened to rock and jazz, instrumentals and vocals and all sounded so much better than with just the Tomahawk or Mustang alone.

If there's anybody out there with both amps, do try it and see how you find the sound.

Lastly, do note that for the Tomahawk (as pre-amp), I turned the volume knob all the way to max while keeping the gain at LOW. For the Mustang (as power amp), I turned the volume knob to about 10 o-clock.

Hope this helps!

 

[HK_sends]

Sounds like a good idea. Silly question...was the Mustang's gain at low too?

Thanks for the write up.

-HK sends

 

[qusp]

why not just get can do all that all by itself. lisa III

 

[vjcs20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HK_sends /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sounds like a good idea. Silly question...was the Mustang's gain at low too? Thanks for the write up. -HK sends

I'm using Triple Fi IEMs, so Mustang gain is at low and it's already plenty loud.

 

[vjcs20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qusp /img/forum/go_quote.gif why not just get can do all that all by itself. lisa III

Hi qusp,

Not sure what exactly are you trying to say?

 

[mattcalf]

This looks like a perfect setup for me.
I'll get a new Mustang and a second hand Tomahawk, and get some new IEMs soon after that.

 

[vjcs20]

Just to add more info, I was actually gonna sell my Triple Fi and get the Westone 3. But with this new pre & power amp setup, the Triple Fi sounds pretty much perfect to me now.

The Triple Fi with the Tomahawk makes the sound presentation abit more laid back and distant, while the Triple Fi with the Mustang brings things more forward abit and makes things more intimate.
With the pre & power amp combo, the distance seems to be perfect, intimate without being too in your face, forward without being too aggressive, and at the same time, still sufficiently laid back but punchy and dynamic.

The best analogy I can think of is the Tomahawk with TF10 to be like listening to a live concert, while the Mustang with TF10 is like the person is singing to you right in front of your face. However, the pre & power amp combo is the best, like the singer is playing live right in your living room. Not too far and not too near.
Instrument separation is excellent with various degrees of depth, width and height clearly and accurately presented in the soundstage.

 

[Duggeh]

I'm lolling.

 

[vjcs20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggeh /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm lolling.

Why??

 

[Duggeh]

So many things.

 

[Rico67]

So many things .
X2
Life is too much short to complicate it.
Keep Simple, and enjoy the sound diretely out of this GREAT AMP.

 

[Duggeh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico67 /img/forum/go_quote.gif So many things . X2 Life is too much short to complicate it. Keep Simple, and enjoy the sound diretely out of this GREAT AMP.

I believe that you may have misconstrued the intended definition of my phraseology.

 

[Rico67]

Sorry , so i just say X1 for my phraseology.
My english have to improve !

 

[Jalo]

The op raise a very good question. So I want to ask this since I have the Mustang, Predator and SR71a:

1. In general, does daisy chain portable amps increase sound quality? If so, how does it work?
2. I thought the volume at the pre amp usually needs to be set at the minimum and the volume is adjusted by the amp section.
3. Do you want the best sounding amp (i.e. Mustang) to be the one driving the headphone?

 

[Kahuna]

This is by no means anymore than a guess, but I have to believe the daisy chain approach with the amps will only degrade the output, as each amp's signal forwards it's own 'signature' sound to the next one etc...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jalo /img/forum/go_quote.gif In general, does daisy chain portable amps increase sound quality? If so, how does it work?