Solid State for RS-1

[steaxauce]

Hello, I've been looking at amps for the RS-1. It appears that the Mapletree Audio Ear + HD is the most recommended for this headphone, but I don't like the idea of using tubes. What is the best solid state amp for Grados? I'm thinking about attempting a DIY Gilmore Design, but I've never soldered before, and that's a complicated design. I've just started Calc based Physics 2 here at Baylor, which is mostly on electricity and magnetism however, and I'm definitely interested in building my own amp/up to a challenge. That's not the main question, though

. I mainly want to know what solid state amps are best for Grados.

 

[TiTaN]

I loved my Gilmore Lite V2 with DPS with mine and am enjoying my Little Dot Micro+ equally as well. I actually did an a/b between the two and found very little difference on the songs I tested with which suprised me. I've never had a PINT or PPA or cmoy or PA2V2 but the LDM+ seems to be a hell of a portable amp for $69 shipped.

I am looking into getting an RA-1 to hear that true synergy between the RS1/2 and RA-1 so I would suggest one of those if you can get on for a good price. I'm trying to secure one myself for $250

 

[mrarroyo]

For the Grado RS-1 the Mapletree is the way to go, what holds you back?

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiTaN I loved my Gilmore Lite V2 with DPS with mine and am enjoying my Little Dot Micro+ equally as well. I actually did an a/b between the two and found very little difference on the songs I tested with which suprised me. I've never had a PINT or PPA or cmoy or PA2V2 but the LDM+ seems to be a hell of a portable amp for $69 shipped. I am looking into getting an RA-1 to hear that true synergy between the RS1/2 and RA-1 so I would suggest one of those if you can get on for a good price. I'm trying to secure one myself for $250

I would highly recommend tubes, but if not, I second any Gilmore amp.

 

[steaxauce]

Why tubes? I just don't like the idea of adding arbitrary distortion because some people like the way it sounds. I'm with the wire-with-gain mentality.

 

[dhp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaxauce Why tubes? I just don't like the idea of adding arbitrary distortion because some people like the way it sounds. I'm with the wire-with-gain mentality.

errr, why do you think distortion is arbitrarily bad?

 

[analog'd]

the Ray Samuels Audio solid states are fantastic with RS1's.

 

[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaxauce Why tubes? I just don't like the idea of adding arbitrary distortion because some people like the way it sounds. I'm with the wire-with-gain mentality.

have you ever heard a tube amp?

 

[saturnine]

Dynahi!! Sounds amazing with my RS-1. The only tube amps I've tried were the standard PPX3 & a Woo Audio, so keep that in mind.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaxauce Why tubes? I just don't like the idea of adding arbitrary distortion because some people like the way it sounds. I'm with the wire-with-gain mentality.

Actually both amps have distortion. The difference is 1st order or 2nd order, the tube distortion does not clip the signal like SS amps tend to do. Perhaps the best would be for you to listen to comparable examples of both types.

If at the end of the day something like the Mapletree Ear Purist + HD does not interest you look into the Heed CanAmp. It is a SS amp, there is a thread here: http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=194441

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaxauce Why tubes? I just don't like the idea of adding arbitrary distortion because some people like the way it sounds. I'm with the wire-with-gain mentality.

Do yourself a favor and get past that attitude. Most noobs start out that way.

Tubes and vinyl have a lot of enemies, but only because they are jelous. Or go the long route and complain about brightness, digital edge, and sibilance, until you stumble into tubes down the road. It's up to you

(k - solid staters hammer away)
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I'm kidding by the way, well it's true, but don't take my upfrontess as too serious.

 

[steaxauce]

No, for everyone's informatoin, I haven't tried tubes. Mrarroyo, solid state amps only clip when they don't have the juice to power the headphones, which isn't all the time. I consider it malfunctioning if it does. An adaquetley powered solid state amp does come close to being a wire with gain. Tube amps don't just clip at the top, but do so gradually, so there's always some distortion. Maybe I would like it better, who knows? I might give it a try if I get a chance. Can anyone tell me exactly how ithe Ear+ affects the RS-1's sound?

 

[steaxauce]

BTW, I don't put Vinyl in the same category as tubes. I think being able to use analog recordings should be fantastic if it's practical (it's not for me).

 

[kuma]

Naim Headline 2.

 

[steaxauce]

That one's pretty. I'll check it out.