Progression from PA2V2, MS-1 and iPOD

[Drunkeh]

Got a pa2v2, driving a pair of MS-1's and CX300's from an Ipod 5G.

Am looking for a boost in music sound quality, got around £150-£200 to spend (Nearer the £150)

I have been looking at the Hornet, Tomohawk from RSA , Corda from Meier etc, but they seem pretty hard to get second hand (Portable or non portable is fine). Also seen the multitude of Tube amps on the bay, any one any experiences?

OR, should i keep my amp and upgrade the cans, to say AKG701's?

Or is the iPOD to poor a source to even think about upgrading?

Any advice greatfully received, my head is already hurting !

Ta
Drunkeh

[McCol]

I use a 2nd gen Ipod nano with a Xin Supermini III amp, this was after using the pa2v2.

The Xin is a cracking amp which really was a big step sound quality wise from the pa2v2. Its also a very versatile amp, its possible to change the opamps in the unit(not something i have done). It also has jumper settings which can be adjusted for bass, impendence(sp?), Gain and crossfeed.

I use the xin to drive my Altec Lansing im716 and V-Moda Vibe earphones.

The Xin is now on Version 4 of the amps and comes in 3 different models, I would highly recommend the xin. I think prices range from approx $100 for the micro to $350 for the Supermacro. The supermini is $200. Worth a look at headfi for 2nd hand, i got my amp for £60 on their boards.

[Drunkeh]

Thanks McCol, Another amp to throw into the mix

How do you find hum/hiss on the Xin? Its quite noticable on the PA2V2...

[McCol]

I dont notice any at all on the Xin. Batteries seem to last for ever as well, i've been using for a few months now and still on the original batteries.

[McCol]

I also think the ipod is fine as a source, esp using using the line out instead of the headphone jack. I've owned various mp3/minidisc players over the years and find the ipod to be as good as if not better than most.

[Drunkeh]

Cool, getting closer to a decision, now down to which amp, or which cans.....

[DorKnight]

Originally Posted by Drunkeh

How do you find hum/hiss on the Xin? Its quite noticable on the PA2V2...

What batteries are you using?

Take a look at the Headphonia;

http://www.headphonia.co.uk/Amps/HEA...tches::43.html

[Drunkeh]

Tried various rechargables in the PA2V2, always have the background hum, mains adapter in or out makes no difference either. Gary reckoned it was normal...

The headphonia looks nice...another amp into the mix it seems.

[DorKnight]

Take a look at this thread over on Head-Fi, it may help take you towards where you want to go sound wise;

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216903

[Drunkeh]

Aye read that previously, thats waht was leaning me to the Hornet and Tomahawk. The Headphonia seems good bang for you buck though, and Uk as well.....

I take it as read that that in my set up, its the amp thats the limiting factor?

[DorKnight]

I suppose it depends on the music/sound you like, e.g. Grado work very well with the PA2v2 so you already have a very good sound there - And as no doubt you know they should sound excellent with Rock/Metal and similar.

Would you want something that you can use with other types of music and jump back to the MS-1 when being used with music which best matches them?

The AKG K 701s sound excellent but do require a decent amp if you want to enjoy the best sound, however, un-amped they also sound very good.

So an option could be new cans followed down the line with a decent amp?

[Drunkeh]

I think youve hit the nail on the head, i need to work out whether its new cans now, then amp, or vice versa. Its getting apparent, i am looking at Cans AND Amp

As you say the setup i have now works well (Metal/Rock mainly), without the "hum" of the PA2V2 i dont think i would have thought about upgrading, but as i get the hum, time to upgrade the amp.

Headphonia seems good on paper and in peoples hands so thats looking good at the moment. Would the headphonia be a downgrade in terms of ms-1s and metal music as partners compared to the PA2V2?

[DorKnight]

Is a portable Amp a must?

I'm just thinking a Desktop Amp might be a better solution if you're going to be listening at Home most of the time as you could still use the PA2v2 when on the move.

[Drunkeh]

No, portability isnt high on the agenda. If theres an amp bigger than a biscuit tin and it sounds good then its a go

[DorKnight]

OK, you've got the CORDA ARIETTA coming in at £160, the CORDA ARIA (with built in DAC) for £260 and the Heed CanAmp 2 coming in at £250;

http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/
http://www.needles-and-spins.co.uk/pd_heed_canamp.cfm

All of the above are supposed to be very good for the price, I've not heard to Heed but everything points towards it being excellent - I own a NAIM & CORDA which I use at home, I've not heard the CORDA above but again, everything points towards them being excellent and if mines anything to go by then they should be pretty good.

You could always go for new cans followed by something like the ARIETTA, if you then feel the need to upgrade from the ARIETTA then you know you're going to have to start moving up the ladder