SS Amp to Compliment Earmax Anniversary

[Colhd]

I am looking to buy a SS amp as an alternative (not replacement) to my Earmax Anniversary. Unfortunately size is an issue or I would get a Dynamight or Headcode (both ofwhich I have considered recently). I am thinking of the Rudistor RP33, which at 12 x 12 in footprint is about the max I can cope with, although smaller is better.

How would an M3, PPA, Slee Solo or Meier HA MkII SE, "your suggestion" compare? In the UK so need 240V psu.

My 'phones are Sony SA5K, Grado PS-1 (soon) and HF-1 (not as soon!). Budget is open.

Cheers,

Col

 

[Jazper]

I've preached the virtues of the M3 for a while now, ultimately you have to tell us what you're looking for in terms of sound though

 

[Bosch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazper I've preached the virtues of the M3 for a while now, ultimately you have to tell us what you're looking for in terms of sound though

Yeah good point.

I'll chip in a vote for the UK-built Slee Solo 2004: very nimble and dynamic, nice bass slam and extension without being bloated, full-bodied midrange and controlled highs, good soundstage on the Senns. It drives Senns and Grados (for metal and distorted guitar music) really well, IMHO, although I've not had much experience with these cans on other amps.

I am now considering upgrading my CD source, since the Arcam 8 is getting a bit long in the tooth now, and suspect it's holding back everything else. I think the Solo is not too forgiving of the Arcam's deficiencies, which is a good thing from an amp-owning point of view. We'll see.

The Rudistor RP33 is very tempting....I've considered adding it to my arsenal of solid state amps just out of curiosity, and to have a dual-mono design at hand, but then the Solo is no slouch, so for a change of pace I probably should check out some tube amps to compliment it (same as you're going but the other way, LOL....I've considered the Ear Max Anniversary too. Round and round it goes!).

When looking for an SS amp I also picked one not many people owned, that way I could chip in opinions about it.... I think at this level (i.e. your current shortlist) they are all pretty good performers, it just depends on which nuances suit your tastes.

Note that because the Solo runs off its own PSU, you can't really upgrade the power cord. Mine is plugged into a power filter, which should help to clean up some/any AC noise anyhow.

EDIT: I've just seen Jahn's sale ad for his "Pinkie" modded Solo. I basically have the production version of that amp, without the PSU upgrade (oooh tempting) and other special tweaks Mr Pinkie made for him. Jahn's also said the Sony MDR-SA5000 and ATH-L3000 didn't sound great to him on the Solo. Which means the Solo might not be perfect for all cans (duh), but few amps are, really.

Something else I just remembered about my Solo: the four small rubber feet under the amp were not even....only three touched the level surface. I had to file the three down until they all four sat firm together. I might replace them with better supports one day. Also, the LED on my Solo is way too bright, which is a hassle if you're in Team Bed-Fi.

 

[drarthurwells]

I did have a solid state and a tube amp - loved them both for different reasons.

Now my Bada PH12 combines the best of the Lehmann with added body and richness, and the best, of tubes. It is SET, with Class A and no global negative feedback, and OTL output, with MOSFETS.

I got tired of switching between SS and tube amps and now get both in one.

 

[Colhd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazper I've preached the virtues of the M3 for a while now, ultimately you have to tell us what you're looking for in terms of sound though

Jazper,

You have recommended the M3 to me before when I was looking for my first amp, a search which ended with the EA. Now that I have that I feel a little more adventurous ie I may take an M3 unheard as opposed to when I auditioned the EA before purchase.

The sound I am looking for? At the risk of sounding too vague I would call it traditional SS but not overly bright as I think this would be a poor match with my 'phones. Deep, tight, punchy bass (why is it always more bass we hanker after?) and especially good rhythm and timing, something to favour rock music (I suppose in much the same way that Grado 'phones are said to favour it).

DrArthurWells,

I understand your comments regarding settling for one amp and I suspect I will eventually do the same but I need to hear this for myself. If nothing else I will have some fun on the way and wherever I end up settling at least I will be more content that I have made the right decision. The perils of being a gear freak.

Cheers,

Col

 

[Jazper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colhd Jazper, You have recommended the M3 to me before when I was looking for my first amp, a search which ended with the EA. Now that I have that I feel a little more adventurous ie I may take an M3 unheard as opposed to when I auditioned the EA before purchase. The sound I am looking for? At the risk of sounding too vague I would call it traditional SS but not overly bright as I think this would be a poor match with my 'phones. Deep, tight, punchy bass (why is it always more bass we hanker after?) and especially good rhythm and timing, something to favour rock music (I suppose in much the same way that Grado 'phones are said to favour it).

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showp...9&postcount=45

The m3 should be seen as a concept, rather than a signature sound piece. It will sound different depending on the opamps you use in it, and thus can cater fro a lot of different people's needs. I'm not familar with the other amps so I don't know.

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colhd Jazper, DrArthurWells, I understand your comments regarding settling for one amp and I suspect I will eventually do the same but I need to hear this for myself. If nothing else I will have some fun on the way and wherever I end up settling at least I will be more content that I have made the right decision. The perils of being a gear freak. Cheers, Col

Art: The stock Bada PH12 gives great SS sound but with some body to the tone - perfectly natural timbre with all the transient response, detail, tight and deep bass, and dynamics you will find in SS - but without the leanness that every SS amp has to some extent - it is the nature of transistors to lack some body or richness to tones. You simply can't get the glow and sweetness of a great violin tone with any SS amp. The Bada delivers some of this tube timbre with all other great things of a SS amp, and you can add some more tube richness by changing the two output tubes (the stock ones have more of a solid state flavor).

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colhd I am looking to buy a SS amp as an alternative (not replacement) to my Earmax Anniversary. Unfortunately size is an issue or I would get a Dynamight or Headcode (both ofwhich I have considered recently). I am thinking of the Rudistor RP33, which at 12 x 12 in footprint is about the max I can cope with, although smaller is better. How would an M3, PPA, Slee Solo or Meier HA MkII SE, "your suggestion" compare? In the UK so need 240V psu. My 'phones are Sony SA5K, Grado PS-1 (soon) and HF-1 (not as soon!). Budget is open. Cheers, Col

I've tried the Earmax Pro (not Anni) back to back with my Pinkie, and here's the tally-

SA5K - much better on the Earmax than the Solo. Something about that Sony is high and bright with the Solo and the earmax tube-warms it up.

Grados - much better with the Solo than the Earmax. With the Earmax the Grados seem syrupy and sluggish.

End result - which amp depends on which can you're using. They are compliments to each other, just as the cans are compliments to various diff types of music you might enjoy.