Progression from PA2V2, MS-1 and iPOD

Drunkeh · 03-02-2007, 8:44 AM

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 · 03-02-2007, 10:07 AM

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 · 03-02-2007, 10:13 AM

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 · 03-02-2007, 10:21 AM

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 · 03-02-2007, 10:25 AM

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 · 03-02-2007, 10:29 AM

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

DorKnight · 03-02-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

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 · 03-02-2007, 10:52 AM

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 · 03-02-2007, 10:55 AM

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 · 03-02-2007, 11:02 AM

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 · 03-02-2007, 11:08 AM

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 · 03-02-2007, 12:20 PM

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 · 03-02-2007, 12:36 PM

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 · 03-02-2007, 12:47 PM

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 · 03-02-2007, 1:10 PM

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

Drunkeh · 03-02-2007, 1:15 PM

hehehe good advice Dorknight thanks!, although, climbing that darn ladder is gonan make my wallet cry!

Havnt seen many Corda or Heed second user, which is a pity.

DorKnight · 03-02-2007, 1:20 PM

I don't think I could part with my amps, I have the NAIM HEADLINE 2 and the CORDA PREHEAD-1 MkII SE and both are fantastic.

There was a CORDA Head Five for sale on here not so long ago, unsure if it sold or not.

If I was in your shoes at this moment I would probably go for;

1. New Cans,
2. Save for a Amp like the CORDA ARIETTA or something higher up the ladder.

DorKnight · 03-02-2007, 1:25 PM

There's a CORDA ARIA for sale on Head-Fi for <£200 from a chap in Ireland;

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=222706

Drunkeh · 03-02-2007, 1:30 PM

Will look into that Headfi adervtised amp. Thanks Dorknight!

Youve got me thinking along hte lines of Cans first now as well.... You reckon if i am used to MS-1s, with a mainly rock/Metal bias AKG 701's are a go? or is it a case of once a Grado fan, always stick to Grado?

(Im learning alot here

)

DorKnight · 03-02-2007, 1:36 PM

Is it mainly Rock/Metal etc you listen to?

If so I suggest the Senn HD 650s over the AKG K 701s or move up the Grado line.

I like to listen to hard stuff (Opeth, Ministry, Pantera, Metallica etc) through my Grados, the not so hard stuff (Metallica again, Red Hot Chili Peppers etc) through the Senn HD 650s and the the lighter stuff (Kate Bush, Bob Dylan etc) through the AKG K 701s.

That's my preference as it sounds best to me ears though.

Drunkeh · 03-02-2007, 1:41 PM

Similar tastes in music to yourself.

Thanks for he advice Dorknight

...now have to ask SWOMBO for permission to spend double what i agreed

DorKnight · 03-02-2007, 1:51 PM

Also check out Head-Fi.org and just search the Headphone area for the Sennheiser HD 650 & AKG K 701 threads, that way you'll also get many other peoples opinions on these cans.

Enjoy your audio journey Drunkeh

Snaques · 08-02-2007, 2:07 PM

I have exactly the same setup which I have already upgraded a bit, so I feel I can comment this issue a bit.

One thing that your setup is missing tho is a Line-out-Dock aka LOD. When you feed your amp with a signal that bypasses the iPod amp the sound really improves. Then the signal is amplified only once which is naturally a good thing. I personally opted for Qables LOD 'cause it's an europe based company and the shipping costs wheren't too bad. So investing 40€ in a LOD would be a good idea.

What comes to my setup, I was pretty happy with all those parts, but upgraditis just bit me. First part was the Corda Headfive, that I just HAD to get since they were slowly running out. A very good decision on my part

MS-1 and Headfive really shine together. For this reason I could recommend the new Arietta which is supposed to sound pretty much the same as H5.

My other upgrade was moving up from those bass-heavy CX300's. I liked them, don't take me wrong, but I just felt that they were the weak link in my chain. So I bought me some Westone UM1 IEMs that I'm also very happy with. The amount of bass got reduced a bit, but that just made the sound more balanced. Otherwise the sound is much more accurate and the isolation is from another planet.

So that's what I ended up doing, coming from the very same starting point as you. Hope this gives you an idea or two or atleast educates you a bit of your options

Drunkeh · 08-02-2007, 2:21 PM

Excellent advice thanks. Ive just ordered all the parts to make my own Cotton LOD, so hopefully got that link covered. I am quite liking the looks of a USB DAC at the moment, so the Corda Aria, or headphonia are high on my list.