[animaal]

My current setup consists of a collection of consumer-level boxes stuck into a Sony STR-DB940 receiver. I use a Pioneer DVD/harddrive recorder to play CDs, connected by an optical cable to the receiver. I've been very happy with it up to now - it's very easy to use and can take my 5.,1 speaker setup.

I have ordered a nice set of Grado RS1 headphones. What should I do to make the best of them? What would you do? Just to show off my ignorance, here are the options I can think of (in increasing cost):

1. Just plug the headphones into the "headphone out" socket of the existing Sony receiver.

2. Buy a headphone amp (looking at XIANG-SHENG 708B) and plug it into the back of the Sony receiver

3. Buy a dedicated CD player and plug the headphones directly into it. I'd like to have my other sources available though.

4. Replace the receiver with a better one - plug the headphones into it.

5. Buy a dedicated CD player and a headphone amp. Keep it separate to the "under the tv" kit.


Thanks.

[DennyL]

I have no idea how good is the headphone out on your Sony receiver. Generally, headphone outs aren't good as they are not reviewed and no-one pays much attention to them. There are some exceptions.

Having bought such an up-scale headphone as the Grado RS1, I would seriously consider buying a headphone amplifier, and choosing it carefully, especially as the Grado is a low impedance phone and may not be straightforward to drive. To choose an amplifier that synergises well with your Grados, lurk at www.head-fi.org, and you will find plenty of discussion and opinions on the topic.

[TameRacingDriver]

I'd agree with that.

The RS1 should be considered high end hifi headphones and should be given a matching system that does them justice.

I'd be looking at a source such as a dedicated CD deck rather than a DVD player... I have nothing against people who use DVD decks as sources for music, but really, an external DAC or dedicated redbook CD player would give better results, and it would be a shame to not try and get the best out of them. Source first.

Amp wise, then Grado do an RA-1 amp that is a decent match, although arguably not the best amp for the money, it should at least mate well with the RS-1 and be a low risk purchase. Other than that, one of the best amps around at the minute for a reasonable budget seems to be the Heed Audio CanAmp.