[bcwang]

I'm looking to get the best amp I can to pair with my RS1 while trying to stay under $300. It can be portable or not, crossfeed doesn't matter, I just want the best sound quality I can for under $300. I currently use a supermini v5 but I'm hoping a better amp can do more justice to this headphone, it'll also help that I can bypass 2 sets of adapters that I need to use with the supermini.

Thanks!

 

[MacDEF]

At that price point you could get the amp designed for the RS-1, the Grado amp. Grado fans seem to be in agreement that the two work extremely well together.

 

[bcwang]

I hear the RA1 is just a basic cmoy design though, is it actually better sounding than any other cmoy design at this price point or below?

 

[BoardC3]

Ra-1 is an incredible amp, it lets the Grados shine with out adding too much coloration, not too mention its portable and looks great

 

[bcwang]

So would this amp be a big upgrade over the supermini v5? One other thing I wonder is if the RA1 can drive other phones like the HD600 pretty well too. Though I'm looking for an amp for my RS1, I do hope it is very good for any other headphone I may end up with in the future.

Thanks!

 

[dd3mon]

The RA-1 is a basic amp design, similar to a CMOY, but still different. A "clone" can be built much cheaper than Grado sell theirs for, but of course you won't be getting the beautiful wood case and commercial product support and backing. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Grado headphones + RA-1 amp.

-dd3mon

 

[SteeleBlayde]

Do you know how the RA-1 compares with the Emmeline HR-2 with the RS-1?

Jeez....I'm turning into a geek...

 

[Ebonyks]

I personally perfer the emiline with the grados, an awsome combination, but, they're not exactly in the same price leauge

 

[SteeleBlayde]

I know, I was just curious.

 

[bcwang]

So the RA1 looks like the one to beat at this price point. Is it going to be significantly better than the supermini? None of the headroom amps seem to get any mention, are they any good?

 

[kentamcolin]

I used to have the RS-1 & RA-1 combo, and it was fantastic. Perfect match. I also liked the fact that the RA-1 was battery powered, I could connect a PCDP and be on my way!

 

[Guyferd]

I've heard grado with HA-1 and it's wonderful IMO!!!
The brightness of 325 is tames with 120 ohm jack and I don't experience any shrill or harshness at all.
Besides, it's 305 from meier-audio.com , nicely fit in your budget

I've never heard the Ra-1 though!

 

[r3cc0s]

my HPA-1 Audio Alchemy with the PS2 power supply works amazing, and I personally find it to be just as sweet as the Ra-1, maybe even a bit smoother in the upper mids, yet also has the crossfeed from headroom.

Very nice, and I like that I don't need to replace batteries

 

[MacDEF]

You may also want to consider the Creek OBH-11SE, which should be coming down in price a bit with the release of the OBH-12SE.

 

[nebuchadnezzar]

I use the Creek OBH-11 (with the OBH-2 power pack) with my RS-2s. Sounds really good to me, although, the only other amp I've used with these has been the MG Head.