DarkAngel
DarkAngel's a man, baby!
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2001
- Posts
- 7,235
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- 15
Just to give members my perspectives on several amps I have owned and tried in my own system, with some relative comparisons and quick thoughts on each one. To see equipment used with main system see my profile and web page. I am SS man, I want the power, detail, control SS offers.
First I will rate on 1-10 scale, baseline #1 is the sound quality acheived using headphones directly out of Pan CT470 CDP with no other amp.
1 - Pan CT470 CDP
This is baseline reference, good sounding portable CDP, some headphones like Grados can sound OK driven only by Pan CT470.
5 - Creek OBH11 Amp.
A noticeable step up in all respects, simple, reliable, good amp for beginer, $199 retail. Now you can get good sound from Senn 600/580, makes you wonder what a better amp sounds like........hmmmm?
6.5 - Creek OBH11se
A good power supply plus improved electronics take us to another level, more detail and refinement vs OBH11, at $350 retail
offers good value.
7 - Grado RA1
Elegant little amp, clean, natural, refined sound. Slightly edges out
OBH11se overall (close call), and mates very well with Grado cans. Will also drive Senn 600 no problem, very smooth almost tubelike. Retail is $350, beautiful amp.
7.5 - Corda HA1
Moving up slightly in quality we have probably the best value for any SS amp, the Corda. Offers 3 important new features vs previous amps: 1)removeable AC cord 2)variable crossfeed settings 3)two headphone outputs with 0 ohm + 120 ohm impedance to tailor sound and match cans. Capable of slightly more detailed refined sound vs RA1, OBH11se this maybe all the amp most members need (and you will pay much more to get better sound) I do not care for the Corda crossfeed and never use it myself, $320 retail.
9 - MOHR 2002 (maxed out home reference)
There is a big step up here in sound quality (also big price jump)
but the fine detail and subtle nuances are captured here that elude the previous amps altogether. The crossfeed Headroom uses is very effective and I always use it, creates more 3D space than any previous amp, the musical experience is just much more realistic. Many usefull features also that the other amps lack, this unit could be used as a pre-amp. I can honestly say I have no desire to try another amp, I am a satisfied audiophile. (unless I win the lottery) Retail is $1150
9.5 - Max
Have not tried in my system, this is an educated guess
10 - Blockhead, Orpheus
These are amps that cost more than I would ever spend, but establish the upper end of scale.
These are my approximate rankings according to my musical preferences, and used in my main system. Your rankings may be much different but I offer this assesment for general information.
First I will rate on 1-10 scale, baseline #1 is the sound quality acheived using headphones directly out of Pan CT470 CDP with no other amp.
1 - Pan CT470 CDP
This is baseline reference, good sounding portable CDP, some headphones like Grados can sound OK driven only by Pan CT470.
5 - Creek OBH11 Amp.
A noticeable step up in all respects, simple, reliable, good amp for beginer, $199 retail. Now you can get good sound from Senn 600/580, makes you wonder what a better amp sounds like........hmmmm?
6.5 - Creek OBH11se
A good power supply plus improved electronics take us to another level, more detail and refinement vs OBH11, at $350 retail
offers good value.
7 - Grado RA1
Elegant little amp, clean, natural, refined sound. Slightly edges out
OBH11se overall (close call), and mates very well with Grado cans. Will also drive Senn 600 no problem, very smooth almost tubelike. Retail is $350, beautiful amp.
7.5 - Corda HA1
Moving up slightly in quality we have probably the best value for any SS amp, the Corda. Offers 3 important new features vs previous amps: 1)removeable AC cord 2)variable crossfeed settings 3)two headphone outputs with 0 ohm + 120 ohm impedance to tailor sound and match cans. Capable of slightly more detailed refined sound vs RA1, OBH11se this maybe all the amp most members need (and you will pay much more to get better sound) I do not care for the Corda crossfeed and never use it myself, $320 retail.
9 - MOHR 2002 (maxed out home reference)
There is a big step up here in sound quality (also big price jump)
but the fine detail and subtle nuances are captured here that elude the previous amps altogether. The crossfeed Headroom uses is very effective and I always use it, creates more 3D space than any previous amp, the musical experience is just much more realistic. Many usefull features also that the other amps lack, this unit could be used as a pre-amp. I can honestly say I have no desire to try another amp, I am a satisfied audiophile. (unless I win the lottery) Retail is $1150
9.5 - Max
Have not tried in my system, this is an educated guess
10 - Blockhead, Orpheus
These are amps that cost more than I would ever spend, but establish the upper end of scale.
These are my approximate rankings according to my musical preferences, and used in my main system. Your rankings may be much different but I offer this assesment for general information.
