Cans+Amp for Primare I30/CD31 setup

[miceri]

Well, I'm loving my new MA-GS20s with Primare I30/CD31.

Trouble is the SWMBO isn't loving the volume levels quite so much .

So, I was thinking along the lines of Pro-ject Headbox MkII with Grado S60/80 - Does anybody have any reservations / recommendations to suit my system? (I believe that as the I30 doesn't have Headphones jack then I must use something like the headbox...)

Music type varies from Classical (String), Swing, Vocal Jazz, Radiohead, Air etc. not so much heavy rock / punk etc...

Thanks forumites!

[extremelydodgy]

In which case the Sennheiser HD5x5 series sounds like a better bet to me, especially the HD595. The Grados are very upfront in their presentation and ultimately, quite graty once you get past the novelty of a bright and etched dynamic presence (which is mainly due to the drivers being so close to the ears). I'd of course say try both if you can. But I'm betting that you will probably find the Senns more to your tastes.


As for the headphone amp, the Ray Samuels XP-7 is a good bet. Battery power and lasts quite a long time on a set of rechargeables (option for separate PSU), tank-like build that'll look like a mini-Primare, excellent sonic specs and an agreeable sound with provision for opamp swapping if you want to get your geek on.
http://www.ttvj.com/index.php?main_p...roducts_id=163

[miceri]

Never heard of any of em!

Time for a bit more research then... Thanks for the reply by the way, I was actually gonna buy the headbox+grado's tomorrow as nobody had responded (No news is good news eh?)

Cheers //miceri

[mrfaize]

miceri,

just seen your post. Was tempted with a Headbox MKII also for my 'baby' Primare setup - I20 CD21 - but cannot get the Headbox in black in the UK and the rest of my Primare gear is black.

I've gone ahead and ordered a Go-Vibe 5 from Norm of Headsave fame. See what it's like when it arrives.

Jealous of your set-up How are the MA GS20 (monsters!)

[pbirkett]

Please dont spoil what is a good system with a POS like the Project Headbox.

There are many other headphone amps out there worth having, if you would just spend a bit more.

You can get really good quality from headphones if you spend a bit more money.

For your tastes, I reckon an amp like the Heed Audio CanAmp (around £200-£250) and Sennheiser HD600 (around £100-£150) would give a great sound with your rig.

Please dont buy that POS.

[miceri]

Weellll.

I demo'd (In shop) numerous headphones and amps. Decided upon the Grado SR80 and Headbox. Sounded good with my Violin concerto demo disc (I love that CD... Scratched to hell now, time to replace).
Happy.

Hooked it up at home to my Primare's. Listened to the same disc.
Still happy.

Listened to quite a few other discs.
Not happy

I tried the headphones in other equipment that could accept directly headphones. Okay, the quality suffered as they were not audiophile quality - But using the original disc as a reference I could tell the headphones were performing satisfactorily across music genres. (I actually like the slighty abraisive feel of Grado muffs ).

I kept the Grado's. Returned the Headbox. Thanks to my local store, they were great considering I didn't home demo (A SIN!). They were happy to chat why the sound was so, gave good pointers for choices etc. No quibbles returning as I didn't like it. I like that service.

Decided that maybe I should just invest in an AV Amp sooner rather than later to get the headphone connectivity - Its not such a big deal, so I can wait a while longer.

Paul: You were right, a POS

Mrfaize: GS20s. heh heh heh b-e-a-u-t-i-e-s! Cannot even describe how happy I am with them. They reach deep down and pull the bass along lovely and snappy, and the treble is divine. A singing angel! (Although, this brightness is something I prefer, some people are put off - Must be the metal tweater issue).

[pbirkett]

Just a word of warning about using an AV amp as a headphone connection. When I had my Yamaha AV amp before i sold it i decided to try my Beyers on that, and that was terrible as well.

You really are better off with a dedicated unit TBH. The thing with the Grados is, they are fairly easy going by nature, so you wont need anything mega expensive. Even their on amp (RA-1) is essentially a very simple CMOY circuit wrapped in a fancy box. I wouldnt go paying for that though. Actually if your up for some DIY then there are plenty of designs on headfi that you could try.

Clearly though, the Grados arent so easy going that they'll put up with crap like the headbox