Grado SR125 - suitable CD/HeadAmp Combo

[southak]

Afternoon Guys & Girls -

I have a set of Grado SR125's that I am very pleased with, but after my 15 year old Merdian CD player died recently (RIP) I am looking at a suitable CD player & headphone amp combination for under £300.

I listen mostly to rock music, and some pop music, with a smattering country/acoustic/blue grass type stuff a la Dixie Chicks, Sting, Eagles.

Any recomendations would be welcome.


SouthaK

[Reano]

Originally Posted by southak

Afternoon Guys & Girls -

I have a set of Grado SR125's that I am very pleased with, but after my 15 year old Merdian CD player died recently (RIP) I am looking at a suitable CD player & headphone amp combination for under £300.

I listen mostly to rock music, and some pop music, with a smattering country/acoustic/blue grass type stuff a la Dixie Chicks, Sting, Eagles.

Any recomendations would be welcome.


SouthaK

Wow for £300!! here goes Marantz CD63 KI Signature and Musical Fidelity V3 (may be able to get for £300 if you check out ebay)

[pbirkett]

Forget the X-Can. I think its rubbish. Bright, tinny sound and weak bass.

Personally, I'd be inclined to go for a quality second hand cd player that has a built in headphone socket and volume control. Something with a smooth sound.

Cant really suggest anything as I'm not sure what fits that criteria as I use a DAC and dedicated headphone amp, that, even at second hand prices, costs a lot more than £300, however, i know it also wouldnt go with your cans.

I think some of the TEAC players might be worth a look, but not 100% sure. Maybe someone else could recommend something?

[Reano]

I am responding according to his request £300 amp and CD player If we start going up in price then I would suggest others. The Marantz is warm and the MF are brighter (and can be improved with tube changes and buffers between source but thats not what you asked). The Teac are good transport but then you would require a DAC and then the amp which would go outside your price range most likely. You will get what you pay for and £300 is your budget so try the marantz/MF route at that level of expectation you shouldn't be disappointed.

If people ask for £30 headphones we should respond with as best a headphone as can be got for that price and advise about the ones higher up in price not everyone wants or can afford things at a higher price regardless of the sound quality. The same goes for anything in life, car, food and drink, etc, etc.

[pbirkett]

I suppose so... however i'd always recommend to look elsewhere than the x-can v3. The only thing IMO that it had going for it was decent residual values, which is more than can be said for my Goldrings... but even at a budget theres betters amps out there, IMO of course.

I had a X-Can v2 and v3 and the v3 while a bit better was struggling to justify its £250 price tag. I know you can improve it with better tubes but thats not for amateurs and the extra price will put it in contest with fundamentally better tube amps anyway.

I'd go for a decent "enthusiast" brand solid state anyday... the Gilmore Lite the last time i looked was around £180ish new and would be a better choice. Unfortunately since headphone playback is usually overlooked by most, most will choose the mainstream amps even though there is better available. A shame TBH.

[Reano]

Originally Posted by pbirkett

I suppose so... however i'd always recommend to look elsewhere than the x-can v3. The only thing IMO that it had going for it was decent residual values, which is more than can be said for my Goldrings... but even at a budget theres betters amps out there, IMO of course.

I had a X-Can v2 and v3 and the v3 while a bit better was struggling to justify its £250 price tag. I know you can improve it with better tubes but thats not for amateurs and the extra price will put it in contest with fundamentally better tube amps anyway.

I'd go for a decent "enthusiast" brand solid state anyday... the Gilmore Lite the last time i looked was around £180ish new and would be a better choice. Unfortunately since headphone playback is usually overlooked by most, most will choose the mainstream amps even though there is better available. A shame TBH.

Woops just to clarify I am not advocating buying a brand new MF V3 no way!! My eBay rating now 415 100% yeehaw So look on there they have been going for £150! and less Thats what I'm saying c£150 or less for the amp and £150 for the CD player something like the marantz cd63, 67 or 6000 KI signature versions will combine well and for the cost, well..... Also the reason why Im saying the mainstream MF V3 is you usually have more people in forums that have wrote about various tweaks you can do. So that if in the future you want to improve the sound you have a route to follow.