Singlepower PPX3 or Mapletree Ear+ HD?

[DrJon]

As the amount I'm thinking about spending on an amp gradually increases...

I was kind of thinking about a Mapletree Ear+ HD. About $600 with the upgrades and if I buy it already built. (Although I'm considering a kit.) And for a mere $50 more I could get a Singlepower PPX3, the base model with no upgrades. So the 2 amps are basically the same price. Any thoughts about one versus the other? Thanks.

 

[mrarroyo]

I have listened to both and would take the Mapletree Ear Purist + HD.

 

[DrJon]

Thanks. Anything specific to add? Were they close or a big difference?

 

[Solude]

For what headphone?

 

[sacd lover]

I have listened to both extensively and I would take the ppx3 .... especially with high impedence senn headphones. The amp is even better now that we know you can use a 6gu7 as a drop in replacement for the 6cg7 for gain duty .... resulting in a more airy and open presentation. If you want or need more power you can buy a pair of tube adapters later and use 5687 output tubes.

 

[DrJon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude For what headphone?

Not sure yet. I want something that will be flexible for whatever I may want down the road. For now, I'm looking at the usual suspects: K701/HD650/990/RS-1's, etc. But I want an amp that I'll be able to use for whatever headphones I may buy many years from now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacd lover I have listened to both extensively and I would take the ppx3 .... especially with high impedence senn headphones. The amp is even better now that we know you can use a 6gu7 as a drop in replacement for the 6cg7 for gain duty .... resulting in a more airy and open presentation. If you want or need more power you can buy a pair of tube adapters later and use 5687 output tubes.

Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[Hi-Finthen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacd lover I have listened to both extensively and I would take the ppx3 .... especially with high impedence senn headphones. The amp is even better now that we know you can use a 6gu7 as a drop in replacement for the 6cg7 for gain duty .... resulting in a more airy and open presentation. If you want or need more power you can buy a pair of tube adapters later and use 5687 output tubes.

Could someone confirm this Quote for verrification: "SP PPX3 will accept (presupposed with adaptors) 5687 output tubes" ... As I was under the impression the 250v transformer would not allow this output tube. However, I may have misunderstood this, and is why I ask for confirmation. My understanding is the PPX3 would not play the AKGs to their fullest potential; Whereas, the MMX3 would due to its 600v (or 650v) transformer would handle these 5687 output tubes with adaptors for my AKGs...

Excellent news to me if the PPX3 would accept the 5687 output tubes with adaptors. I certainly hope that is the case...

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi-Finthen Could someone confirm this Quote for verrification: "SP PPX3 will accept (presupposed with adaptors) 5687 output tubes" ... As I was under the impression the 250v transformer would not allow this output tube. However, I may have misunderstood this, and is why I ask for confirmation. My understanding is the PPX3 would not play the AKGs to their fullest potential; Whereas, the MMX3 would due to its 600v (or 650v) transformer would handle these 5687 output tubes with adaptors for my AKGs... Excellent news to me if the PPX3 would accept the 5687 output tubes with adaptors. I certainly hope that is the case...

The PPX3 can use the 5687's for sure. The tube the PPX3 cant handle is the 6bl7gta/ 6bx7gt. This is due to the demanding heater current requirements of the 6bl7gta/6bx7gt tube.

The PPX3 can handle the AKG 701 fine using 5687's for the output tubes. The amp only runs into trouble with the AKG 701 when outfitted with the lower output/ stock 6cg7 output tubes.

Here is my PPX3 ( the SLAM version) thats wired to use the 5687 .... as well as one of my MPX3's using 5687's with adapters. In case you wonder both amps have octal to loctal adapters in the gain tube socket where I use the 7n7 tube type.

 

[Solude]

Something to consider is the Mapletree comes stock ready for any headphone and already decked to the nines with upgraded parts.

That $50 gap grows fast if you add 5687 output, capacitor upgrades... Something to consider. The stock PPX, non slam is also described as a very tubey midrange prominent amp. Where the SLAM version is a bass machine. All within the bounds of audiophile accepted levels of course.

For those reasons, unless you are stepping way up to a MPX I'd go Mapletree for the more neutral presentation and higher value. Fairly certain no one has been unhappy with their Ear+ HD.

Stepping away from tubes there is the HeadAmp GS-1 and Meier Corda HA-2 to add to your short list.

 

[mrarroyo]

Currently I have the RS-1, K701, K340 with Headphile mods, and HD600 with Headphile Senn V2 Black Silver cable. The Mapletree makes all of those cans sing by being very clear/fast/detailed and above all very dynamic. The bottom end is tight and punchy. I also love its industrial/retro look.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude Something to consider is the Mapletree comes stock ready for any headphone and already decked to the nines with upgraded parts. That $50 gap grows fast if you add 5687 output, capacitor upgrades... Something to consider. The stock PPX, non slam is also described as a very tubey midrange prominent amp. Where the SLAM version is a bass machine. All within the bounds of audiophile accepted levels of course. For those reasons, unless you are stepping way up to a MPX I'd go Mapletree for the more neutral presentation and higher value. Fairly certain no one has been unhappy with their Ear+ HD. Stepping away from tubes there is the HeadAmp GS-1 and Meier Corda HA-2 to add to your short list.

I have to disagree with you on the value comment. The $595 version of the EAR+ does not come with any upgraded parts. Secondly, you dont need the cap upgrades for first rate sound quality with any version of the PPX3. The SLAM PPX3 is not just a bass machine .... the entire presentation is near flawless at this price point. Depending on what tube set is in a PPX3, the PPX3 can be equally neutral compared to the Ear+, if not more so. But most noteably for the extra $$, the midrange of the SLAM PPX3 has a degree of naturalness and "REALNESS" that eludes the Ear+ in direct comparison.

I have had a stock and a modded to the hilt Ear+ through here for extended auditions and the SLAM PPX3 was a definite step up to either Ear+ build to my ears. To me the extra cost is well worth the improvements offered by the SLAM. In fact, for most headphones headphones I still like the stock PPX3-6CG7 better than the Ear+. A simple upgrade of the gain tube from a 6CG7 to a 6GU7 ($5-6) in the basic PPX3-6CG7 results in much more treble extension and openess and the main criticism of the basic PPX3 evaporates.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacd lover I have to disagree with you on the value comment. The $595 version of the EAR+ does not come with any upgraded parts. ...

The Mapletree Ear Purist + HD does come with Black Gates, Auricaps, and high-speed HEXRED rectifier diodes and Alps or Noble volume control. To me those are indeed upgraded parts. By the way the price is $600 plus S&H.

 

[Gradofan2]

It sounds like the EAR+ HD is outstanding at it's price point, and maybe a bit above. But... that if you're willing to invest in the SP Slams, or even the PPX3 with upgraded tubes, they may be as good as, or better than the EAR+ HD, when considering all aspects of their relative sound.

So... if I'm only willing to spend $500, or $600 for the assembled unit, I'd be pleased with the EAR+ HD... but, I'f I'm willing to spend somewhat, or a lot, more, I'd be more pleased with the SP's, with the right tubes, and enough power/gain.

Is that about it???

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo The Mapletree Ear Purist + HD does come with Black Gates, Auricaps, and high-speed HEXRED rectifier diodes and Alps or Noble volume control. To me those are indeed upgraded parts. By the way the price is $600 plus S&H.

Solude was right. The Ear+ I originally had was before they had the Purist upgrade package standard and the parts package is improved. I hadnt looked at the website in awhile and I see he only sells one version now. But regardless, the modded unit I had went well beyond the Purist upgrades and the amp still didnt equal the SLAM to my ears. I have always thought the Ear+ is excellent with grados .... but I have never warmed up to the Ear+ for the higher impedence headphones.

 

[DrJon]

Thanks for the further thoughts, fellas. I'm not surprised to see the differing opinions. But it's all helpful to me.