[roman-r]

Would really appreciate some advice.

I have a Marantz CD63 Ki Sig CD Player and Denon 2900 for SACD / DVDA

Also own Grado SR1 headphones.

Any comments on what would be a good match for this setup cordially welcomed.

Currently looking at Sugden Bijou Headmaster and Graham Slee Solo Monitor Class so can anyone help on which is the better amp and more importanltly which would suit my setup.

Any one like to throw in another model pls feel free to do so.

Thanks
Roman

[GBDG1]

Hi,

Any reason you're not considering any tube amps?

[roman-r]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

Hi,

Any reason you're not considering any tube amps?

Main reason is I'm an amp novice so pls do enlighten me.

Thanks

[GBDG1]

Very good FAQ here if you want to learn more:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=121357

I'll leave it to others more knowledgeble to recomend specific amps however the inclusion of nothing from Ray Samuels seemed a glaring ommision from your list.

[doctorjuggles]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

I'll leave it to others more knowledgeble to recomend specific amps however the inclusion of nothing from Ray Samuels seemed a glaring ommision from your list.

I have three of his amps and I absolutely love them, but one must be aware of the possibility of having some weighty customs charges thrown at you if the goods get held up by HRM's representatives, so the Sugden and Graham Slee options are what seem to be most frequently considered by the UK headphone fraternity.

If this isn't a concern, however, I can heartily recommend Ray's products.

If customs/taxes are an issue, the EU still presents a few decent options. Jan Meier's gear is highly regarded and a very enjoyable listen, while Rudistor's amps are also up there with the best of them.

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by roman-r

Main reason is I'm an amp novice so pls do enlighten me.

Thanks

I've owned a couple of tubed headphone amps here(Earmax and Cary 300B) and both have been superbly reliable as well as very good amps in their own rights.

The sound from a good tubed amp can be at least as good as a solid state amp,but the tonal balance may be warmer in many but not all cases.

If you have any specific questions about tubed amps,please ask.

[roman-r]

Thanks for all your input.

Does anyone know if the two I mention are of similar performance ability.

From what I've read the Headmaster is warmer and seems like the Solo needs more warm-up time but I'm struggling to decide if one is specifically a higher end bit kit than the other - for headphone only use that is.

Please help as really want to buy one before Mrs R changes her mind

[GBDG1]

Unless I am missing something isnt the Headmaster nearly twice the price of the solo, meaning that if it isn't significantly better, it probably isnt worth it.

Also, warm up with a solid state amp? Am I missing something :S

As Dr.Juggles Mentioned Meier audio are worth looking at and there currently seems to be a sale.

http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/

Jan is very good for answering emails so might be worth asking him about your requirments. Also based in the EU so no import duty.

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

Unless I am missing something isnt the Headmaster nearly twice the price of the solo, meaning that if it isn't significantly better, it probably isnt worth it.

Also, warm up with a solid state amp? Am I missing something :S

Many S/s amps require significant warm-up times,esp those biassed heavily into Class A,and the sound can improve quite markedly once the amp is up to a stable operating temp.

The Slee solo with an upgraded PSU(which it does benefit from apparently) is £475,which although a good bit cheaper than the Headmaster does bring the price up.

To roman-r......If you're venturing into this sort of price band you really do need to hunt a few down and listen to them...the sound qualities of each can be very different and may not all suit your tastes.

[roman-r]

Thanks again for your advice guys.

As the headmaster has better build quality; specific pre-amp functionality; more inputs; two headphone sockets and a remote control I thought this could all easily make the price difference before one talks about sound quality.

It's all to much to think about

[GBDG1]

Originally Posted by roman-r

Thanks again for your advice guys.

As the headmaster has better build quality; specific pre-amp functionality; more inputs; two headphone sockets and a remote control I thought this could all easily make the price difference before one talks about sound quality.

It's all to much to think about

I understand that the remote control is a piece of crap, seen a few threads moaning about the quality of it.

[roman-r]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

I understand that the remote control is a piece of crap, seen a few threads moaning about the quality of it.

Thanks for that Lawrenzini.

Much apreciated.

[Reano]

Originally Posted by roman-r

Would really appreciate some advice.

I have a Marantz CD63 Ki Sig CD Player and Denon 2900 for SACD / DVDA

Also own Grado SR1 headphones.

Any comments on what would be a good match for this setup cordially welcomed.

Currently looking at Sugden Bijou Headmaster and Graham Slee Solo Monitor Class so can anyone help on which is the better amp and more importanltly which would suit my setup.

Any one like to throw in another model pls feel free to do so.

Thanks
Roman

Hopefully I can comment I have owned both these amps you mention and also the Marantz (but se version and Denon but later models) and the Grado RS1. Firstly the Sugden for me was better. and it's also a good preamp. The cost are similar if you get the Graham Slee Monitor Class (PSU upgrade). So without going into detail go with the Sugden if you can get if for say £400 as thats what the monitor class tend to go for or under. You can see my various setups in the rig post (portable one on the way). But anyway a straight answer for the setup you have based on your question of camparison go for the Sugden. Just leave it switched on it remains cool to the touch so no warm issues with that.

Hope this helps

[roman-r]

Thanks very much Reano.

Just took a look at your rigs. Some great stuff - love the AV setup.

Excuse my ignorance but whats on the book shelves? Looks like record sleeves but obviously too narrow for that.

Again, appreciate everyones advice, I'm ready to roll

[Reano]

Originally Posted by roman-r

Thanks very much Reano.

Just took a look at your rigs. Some great stuff - love the AV setup.

Excuse my ignorance but whats on the book shelves? Looks like record sleeves but obviously too narrow for that.

Again, appreciate everyones advice, I'm ready to roll

Records. Here's a story. I wanted to buy the Project Perspective I saw advertised in a local paper for £450 (complete with Cartridge goldring 1042) anyway. The deal was I had to take the owners entire record collection. I had to hire a van to move the 2500 albums!! Yes 2500. Some really good albums, classical mainly, rock, jazz, soul, etc and some pretty awful ones but all in very good condition, etc. I haven't got round to cataloguing them all yet but will do at some stage and sell on eBay or something. I'll probably keep maybe a couple of hundred but even if I made 50p profit per album I'd get my money back for the turntable and some change left over.

I only tried to put things up that related to where I use headphones but the AV rig includes a 92" screen, lumagen HD Pro and Screenplay 4805 projector too

[roman-r]

Originally Posted by Reano

Records.

OK records it is then but looks like you broke them in half to fit the shelves or there's a whole in your wall

Nice collection though, especially for what seems to be nothing.

Anyway, great kit and sound advice........although I ended up buying a Solo MC

Bidded for the Headmaster in the last seconds with a very generous and what I hoped was an auction winning £471 and saw the £400 current bid change to me having the winning bid at £410

By the time I got my home page up I lost to the same £400 bidder with an enrty at £481 - some software assistance is what I'm thinking


Anyway, back on two hours later and was the only bidder for a 2 week old (has receipt) Solo MC i.e. with better power supply - I went in at £400 and got it at starting price of £350.

Odd thing is the seller is from.........Telford

So thanks for advice and hope to be enjoying the less favourable amp in a week or so's time

[BrianPK]

Originally Posted by roman-r

hope to be enjoying the less favourable amp in a week or so's time

Please report back and tell us of your impressions of the Graham Slee .Is there a substantial improvement over the h/phone socket on the Marantz cd63 KI Sig?Is the improvement worth the outlay?

[roman-r]

BrianPK, more than happy to do so though I've read I need to run in for 300 hrs so gonnat take two weeks of 24/7 radio before I can even take a crack at it

Lawrenzini, that was the one. maybe if I saw that post I could have negotiated but his buy-it-now was £550 and although I dived in at £471 I really was not comfortable at that price - hoping to win just over the £400 current bid [/I]

Anyway, Graham Slee Solo MC it is........for now

[Reano]

[QUOTE=roman-r;4450504]OK records it is then but looks like you broke them in half to fit the shelves or there's a whole in your wall



Odd thing is the seller is from.........Telford

QUOTE]

Nope thats actually the size of the records, vinyl or whatever really. This is about a quarter of them maybe 500 - 600 records loads in the loft, etc!!! Funny thing is I only sold both those amps last year from telford and my user name is reano7 so wasn't me selling it The Graham Slee vs the Headmaster is not massive difference but The Headmaster is a good preamp and has more inputs, etc so more flexible in the long run but you will be happy enough. I must admit that the Marantz headphone out are really, really good. Not sure what the difference will be between that and the Graham Slee

My headphone evolution (from my study rig was as follows). Terratec card out but found it a bit harsh. So went to a Creek I think 11se. That was good then moved to a Musical Fidelity v3. Loved the tube sound, then acquired the Project Headbox v1 (not better really but also had the x10 v3 tube stage) which was better than the x10 just on its own as it had 3 inputs and two headphones out. Then moved to Graham Slee. Then Headmaster which also had preamp capabilities that I ran to some MF x200 amps and B&W 805's. To my current Grace m902 favorites which has DAC, preamp, xfeed, independent volume control, balanced input, etc, etc

[roman-r]

Reano......god help me if I go through that many amps as Mrs R will surely be long gone.

Just did a look at a Grace M902 review on Stereophile.com and looks very nice indeed one to save up for

I'm going to give my Solo a good run in first (it's meant to have only clocked about about 5hrs) and then will keep my fingers crossed. Also curious how my SACDs will sound from my Denon so all my eggs aren't with the Marantz

Worst sernario is it's back for sale to recoupe my costs which of course is the beauty of buying second hand

I'll let you know all what I think in a week or twos time.

[Reano]

Originally Posted by roman-r

Reano......god help me if I go through that many amps as Mrs R will surely be long gone.

Worst sernario is it's back for sale to recoupe my costs which of course is the beauty of buying second hand

I'll let you know all what I think in a week or twos time.

Yep I brought them all secondhand and on resale I sometimes make a profit but rarely a loss so all in all not really that much of a cost. I have a wife that has given up complaining as "there are a lot more worse hobbies out there...." hehe

There are other amps after the Grace but I don't want to keep looking at them!! Look at my signature it tells you all you need to know

[roman-r]

Reano, listening to Radio London on the bus this afternoon and they were going on about telephone boxes....K8 1960s design that has only 8 left in the country and what do you know, one of them is in Telford Must be more to this place than meets the eye .

Anyway Solo MC arrived this morning and must say worth the money on esthetics alone Looks great under my PW7 Plasma and feels so Sexy

Hooked it up to my Sony tuner via a £20 Cambridge Audio "Pacific" (I think) and Grado 225s (Keeping SR1's for a late faunally) have had it on Radio 2 all day.

Had a listen this evening and must say impressed with detail already but a little bright when I concider my Sony Tuner is on the warm side. Anyway hope this will smooth over a little with time although not two much as I do prefer forward rather than laid back.

That's it for now...

[Reano]

Originally Posted by roman-r

Reano, listening to Radio London on the bus this afternoon and they were going on about telephone boxes....K8 1960s design that has only 8 left in the country and what do you know, one of them is in Telford Must be more to this place than meets the eye .

Anyway Solo MC arrived this morning and must say worth the money on esthetics alone Looks great under my PW7 Plasma and feels so Sexy

Hooked it up to my Sony tuner via a £20 Cambridge Audio "Pacific" (I think) and Grado 225s (Keeping SR1's for a late faunally) have had it on Radio 2 all day.

Had a listen this evening and must say impressed with detail already but a little bright when I concider my Sony Tuner is on the warm side. Anyway hope this will smooth over a little with time although not two much as I do prefer forward rather than laid back.

That's it for now...

Telford is lost in a time warp (modern town surrounded by good old country folk). I found it (Graham Slee) slightly bright the sugden sounds warmer to me for sure. I use the Musical fidelity x10 v3 buffer to warm the sound up as Grado's are forward (woops shouldn't have dropped names about setups there)....

[roman-r]

Originally Posted by Reano

I found it (Graham Slee) slightly bright the sugden sounds warmer to me for sure. ....

That's the concensus but that will be fine with me as long as it's not over bright ....time will tell.

What is now a little disappointing is the MC Solo makes my speakers hum if my Yam A1 HCA is turned on.

Not a major problem as I can obviously just have only one running at a time and no reason why both needs to be on. Would have been nice if there wasn't any interferance between the two of them though.

[roman-r]

Originally Posted by BrianPK

Please report back and tell us of your impressions of the Graham Slee .Is there a substantial improvement over the h/phone socket on the Marantz cd63 KI Sig?Is the improvement worth the outlay?

Have run amp continuosly for 100 hrs (300 hrs recommended) so switched from Tuner to CD 63 KI for first time and can report the following:

Sound is definately cleaner, clearer...unvealed to coin a phrase.

Having said that after about an hour I decided to take the family out to dinner and think why I wasn't convinced.

Tried again when I got home and finally put my finger on it. Although the sound was more detailed and seperated I realised it was less musical so less enjoyable than using the CDs headphone socket

However, it therefore meant it was time to take this testing seriously so replaced the VDH brown £40 ICs with VDH £90 D102 Hybrid MKIIIs that were plugged into my other CD 63 KI Sig which is in my Stereo setup in my main bedroom

Different ball game completely Musicality is the dish of the day. A little less "obvious" detail but smooth, passionate and just totally absorbing.

Also feel the amp is definately not over bright. Far from it. With these ICs my CD sounds smooth but totally coherent.

I've still 200hrs to go so hoping to sqeeze some more from this baby

[BrianPK]

Originally Posted by roman-r

Different ball game completely Musicality is the dish of the day. A little less "obvious" detail but smooth, passionate and just totally absorbing.

Also feel the amp is definately not over bright. :

I'm pleased that you feel it's money well spent.I often considered getting the G.slee to drive my Sennheiser HD650 h/p's but I hesitated as I was not able to demo. it.I currently use the socket on my Audiolab 8000Q pre-amp(original) and which I find outstanding.Consequently I have been slow to purchase the G.Slee.I have also used the socket on my Marantz CD63 KI Sig.which I found to be good but less refined than the Audiolab.
(Actually I've been upset since I bought the Senn,s as they show up my "normal" hi-fi system on which I spent a small fortune a no. of years ago i.e. much less sense of involvement.)
you've given me plenty of food for thought.Thanks for the report and enjoy your set up.

[roman-r]

Originally Posted by BrianPK

you've given me plenty of food for thought.Thanks for the report and enjoy your set up.

Your Senn's should also be a better match with the Solo as it would wipe-out any forward sounding issues some would have with my Grado/Solo combination.

Must however add that I didn't say it was money well spent but it's a step in the right direction but whether it's worth £350-£470 (+ICs) is down to individual views.

I bought my CD63KI about 2 years ago for about £150 (replaced my CD67OSE) and my SR1s a year ago (replaced my Grado 225s) for about £400. This Solo hasn't had the immediate positive impact that my other upgrades had but to be fair it's new and is still in the running in process.

At this moment in time it is still questionable if it is value for money for a CD sound upgrade however I am also hoping my DVDA SACD will sound great through it and if so that will clinch it.

I'm a big advocate of the law of "Diminishing Returns" as well as being a tight git

[Reano]

Dont want to say but the Sugdens are better but after that there's not much in it between them and the Grace m902. The Grace just has a lot more facilities

[roman-r]

Originally Posted by Reano

Dont want to say but the Sugdens are better

I'll be keeping my eye out but I'm very happy with the Solo. Having added VDH The Seconds I/C brings out symbols and double bass on Diana Krall in Paris CD to a very impressive standard. Symbols are just amazing and for the first time the Double Bass solo in track one sounds musical.

I've spent £360 for Solo and another £77.50 for I/C and some may think that's too much against sound improvement

Alternatively could have spent it on a PS3 but what a waste of money that would have been