[MTL]

First post.
Right, knowing that the RA-1 has been designed especially for the needs of Grado phones I guess this would be the way to go. Nevertheless I'm still wondering if the Musical Fidelity x-can v3 would be an alternative and if anybody actually has compared these two side by side?
I don't really like the idea of changing batteries every 50 listening hours or so - on the other hand the x-can is designed to be left on permanently...

 

[gpalmer]

I haven't compared the amps in question so I can't help you there, but there is an AC powered version of the RA-1 which you can use if you're worried about battery changing.

Oops, and welcome to Head-Fi, sorry about your wallet!

 

[jpelg]

Melos.

 

[Chefguru]

prehead?

 

[NeilPeart]

In my limited experience with the MS-Pro:

Gilmore V2-SE
Melos SHA-Gold (Maestrobated) with Mullards (I think?)
RA-1

All sounded good, and I think I preferred the MS-Pro with the Gilmore, the RS-1 with the RA-1 and the SHA with the HP-1 & HP-2. I've also read good things about the RS-1/Emmeline HR-2 combo, but I've never personally heard it myself (HR-2 sounded nice with RS-2, SR-225, HD600, CD3000).