Warm amp for Grado 325i?

[manstretch]

I'm thinking of selling my LDII+, so I'm looking for a good, warm sounding amp for my incoming Grado 325is. Ideally I would like a tube amp, but a SS amp would be fine as well... as long as it isn't too bright with for the Grados. Under $300 would be ideal, but I could be convinced to spent a little more.

 

[augustwest]

Both the HEED, and EC-SS, solid state amps are around $400, and have gotten good notices here. Both are too new to have much of a used market at this point.

As for tubes you could look for a used Mapletree, or Woo Audio amp, both of those should be in your price range.

- augustwest

 

[manstretch]

What about an X-Can v3? Are those considered warm?

 

[3x331m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by manstretch What about an X-Can v3? Are those considered warm?

You might want to check with Pinkfloyd. This head-fier has done quite a few mods for other, using the X-Can's with great results. I found quite a few of these amps were mod'ed for Grado cans.

Or, you can just check his posts to get more information.

 

[mrarroyo]

I have all three of the referenced amps. A Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 modded by PinkFloyd with a Little Pinkie power supply, a Mapletree Ear Purist + HD100, a Heed CanAmp, and shortly I will receive a modded X-Can V2 from PinkFloyd with a Little Pinkie power supply.

To me the Mapletree is tops on the list, with the Heed a second, and the V3 behind. I will say that the V2 was very close to the Heed before being modded, when I receive it and let it burn in for 50 or so hours I would not be surprised of the results. However I will cross that bridge in its due time.

Anyways the best advise is for you to go and test as many of these amps as you can. Only you can make the final decision. Good luck.

Edit 1: Corrected reference HD100 instead of HD150

 

[manstretch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo Anyways the best advise is for you to go and test as many of these amps as you can. Only you can make the final decision. Good luck.

If only it were that easy.

 

[3x331m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I have all three of the referenced amps. A Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 modded by PinkFloyd with a Little Pinkie power supply, a Mapletree Ear Purist + HD150, a Heed CanAmp, and shortly I will receive a modded X-Can V2 from PinkFloyd with a Little Pinkie power supply.

mrarroyo,

I think you had the HD version in the past? What's your impression of the HD150 vs. the HD ?

 

[Zanth]

Talisman Audio 35HP. It is solid state however. RKV for tubes!

 

[manstretch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth Talisman Audio 35HP. It is solid state however. RKV for tubes!

Umm... that's $650, way out of my range. What about a Millet Hybrid variant? Are they considered any better than my LD2+?

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3x331m mrarroyo, I think you had the HD version in the past? What's your impression of the HD150 vs. the HD ?

Sorry for my mistake, I have an HD150 on order. Currently I only have my HD100.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by manstretch Umm... that's $650, way out of my range. What about a Millet Hybrid variant? Are they considered any better than my LD2+?

How about if I break it by price?

-Musical Fidelity X-Can V2 can be bought used from $160 to $175 including S&H. The PinkFloyd mods can go from $100 to $400 depending who does them and how far you go. For example with new valves and new Little Pinkie power supply.
-Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 can be bought used for $325. But to truly hear this amp in all its glory it should receive the PinkFloyd treatment and IMO the Russian 6H23-EB valves, with the possibility of the Little Pinkie power supply. These mods range from $100 to $400 depending on who does them and how far you go.
-Heed CanAmp is being sold to HeadFiers by Dan for $340. His contact information is:
Dan Muzquiz
Blackbird Audio/Gallery
619-449-2787
http://www.blackbirdaudio.com
-Mapletree Ear Purist + HD sells for $600 plus S&H

Good luck.

 

[Kees]

A Head5 could be pretty convincing in your setup I think.
A rather warm sounding ss amp, with more than enough power to do the SR325i justice. Good price too.

 

[toastmaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kees A Head5 could be pretty convincing in your setup I think. A rather warm sounding ss amp, with more than enough power to do the SR325i justice. Good price too.

Seconded. I used the Head Five and PA2v2 with 325i and got good results.

 

[SK138]

M^3 amp has excellent synergy with 325i and it's within your budget.

 

[manstretch]

Well, I just picked up this: http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=199244

Thanks for all of the suggestions!