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Post by harj on Aug 30, 2007 17:12:11 GMT
hi ppl,
just after some advice on how the slee solo would match up with the gs1000's, as anybody tried the two?
thanks
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 30, 2007 18:53:03 GMT
Hi harj,
The closest I have come is Solo / Grado SR225 and the Solo drives them very well. Insanitybeard (forum member) has the earmax silver pro and the Solo and is using Grado 'phones, maybe he will chip in with his impressions (I believe you were also considering the earmax) I had a shot of Paul's Earmax silver and, like him, found it ran out of steam when driving low Z 'phones such as the Grado.
mrarroyo reckons the mapeltree ear is very good with the Grado 'phones, it's a valve amp.
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insanitybeard
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My head feels like a frisby, like a football.....
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Post by insanitybeard on Aug 30, 2007 19:50:19 GMT
Yep, I'll get the earmax warmed up and give her a test against the solo in the next few days. I'd do it now but I'm not at home! Whatever my observations, the Solo is more dynamic and has much more "feel" to the sound. Sonically a superior amp in just about every area, IMO!
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Post by harj on Aug 30, 2007 21:45:05 GMT
thanks guys for the input. spoke to stone audio today and they said the earmax silver for the gs1000 was not good but really good and 2007 wasn't very good but really good with the hd650. Some how i think they trying to make me buy something which they probably make a good mark up on.
After that i spoke to graham for about hour today. I would like to say grahams one nice guy, honest, cuts the bullshit out and so is John which i also spoke. There both very helpful people who try and answer every question you have. Guys if you see this, i just want to say thanks for the time and advice you gave me. John when i see you il get you a drink mate.
In couple a weeks ago, i was going to buy the earmax ae from the us second the only thing that put me off was the power supply which was 120 volts. Earmax wanted more then 250 pounds for a new 240v power supply which they use with the silver, which a bit silly if you ask me.
In about a week i plan to go to grahams work shop and try the green. going to take ra-1 and Gilmore lite and my cans with me to some a/b testing with them.
thanks
p.s Were about you from in the UK insanitybeard? PinkFloyd can the green be modded or tweaked to perform better?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 30, 2007 22:19:21 GMT
Blimey! Steady on man! Hold your horses! You haven't even listened to the thing yet.... take your time, calm down dear it's only an amp Stoneaudio are a bunch of box shifters and they will tell you day is night if it means them shifting a surplus... they will also charge you full retail price for the privilege. They are talking BULLSHIT. The Earmax silver pro is not at all suited to the Grado as both insanitybeard and myself both found out..... it runs out of steam on complex passages and that is FACT. It's a lovely sounding amp and if you will be doing all your listening at low / volume levels then it may be right up your street. It is NOT a Gradomeister however and the information they have fed you is misinformation. If you like valves then the mapletree gets a very good rep from seasoned Grado users in the US and beyond. I'm actually going to phone Stoneadio tomorrow and ask them what the best amp to drive Grado 'phones is.... if they say "earmax" then I'll tell them what I think and why they are wrong saying that. Bloody superb amp but not a Grado driver! Mike.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2007 23:08:30 GMT
"Whatever my observations, the Solo is more dynamic and has much more "feel" to the sound. Sonically a superior amp in just about every area, IMO! " - Insanitybeard
Come on guys, get into the 21ST century !!! Not only will the Solo 2008 cost peanuts to run, there is virtually nothing to wear out.(except perhaps a volume control replacement in the distant future) No valves to slowly lose emission,and replace a few years down the track. That is , if you can still find spares that don't cost an arm and a leg. Hint : buy a few spare valves now. It should be obvious by now, from the many positive reports, that this is one very fine amplifier. For those of you who also listen on speakers, why not use the Solo as a reference to judge your stereo amplifier ? Don't forget also, that a good set of headphones is roughly the equivalent of most speakers costing > 5 times more. I am willing to bet, that for the majority of people, the performance of the Solo 2008 will be so revealing about shortcomings in your main listening system, that you will either almost exclusively start listening with headphones, or start on the very expensive upgrade path for your home stereo. SandyK
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insanitybeard
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My head feels like a frisby, like a football.....
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Post by insanitybeard on Aug 30, 2007 23:15:11 GMT
I second all of Mikes comments regarding the Earmax. It looks lovely and sounds nice with sennheisers, and grados at lower volumes with accoustic music. But to say it is the best for grados is utter rubbish, it just doesn't have the oomph. P.S, Harj, I live in Exeter, south west England. Paul
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Post by harj on Aug 31, 2007 8:31:26 GMT
Its a bit to late mrarroyo ive got the gs1000's, I'm not to disappointed with them i guess, ive never heard the rs1 or rs2 so i could never say that they are better or worse but your not the first to say that the rs1 are better then gs1000's. Seems like 50% of people who have listened to both cans say this. i have also read many times that you just need a good setup to bring the best out the gs1000's. I read a lot of reviews of the gs1000's which were all in favor of the cans some even saying the best cans in world, but reading professional reviews was my mistake, i just wished a new about websites like this to get a honest view.
Mrarroyo would you say the rs-1 are better then gs1000's at soul and r&b music? Ive been thinking about the Mapletree Ear + Purist HD but even with that you get some people say its not very good with the gs1000's. I really want a top end single power amp or the ear hd4 but cant pay the price there asking for. Mrarroyo when will you be able to do a/b comparison of the amps and have you got rid of the gs1000's? Have you heard any of the Gilmore amps and which amps did you try with the gs1000's, was bad midrange always the case with these amps?
Im going to order the green solo i think some time next week when Graham gets back from holiday. Just hope this does the job for me.
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Sol
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Post by Sol on Aug 31, 2007 13:52:24 GMT
Don't forget also, that a good set of headphones is roughly the equivalent of most speakers costing > 5 times more. I am willing to bet, that for the majority of people, the performance of the Solo 2008 will be so revealing about shortcomings in your main listening system, that you will either almost exclusively start listening with headphones, or start on the very expensive upgrade path for your home stereo. SandyK Mmmmm ... yes and no .... I love the Solo - but there's something visceral about a speaker system. Bass in the gut can be so moving (actually sub-bass can be very moving - but that's something else). Even with the shortcomings the Solo as a reference can show! So ... while my headphone listening will increase .. I'll still listen to my defective speaker set up. Actually that's the thing about comparison - once at a certain level they are all pretty much 90% - it's the 10% that costs the money - and that 10% is made up of a multitude of small nuances. Can you truly say, all other thing being equal, that Amp A is crap because it doesn't have the treble extension of Amp B? No, of course not .. but you can say that Amp A has more extension that Amp B. In other words, I have a speaker rig and a headphone rig - I'll always enjoy both. ps I really should go search out some record player - vinyl is intriguing me - and I know where I'll be putting my phono amp money base don my experience of the Solo so far.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2007 23:38:21 GMT
"Bass in the gut can be so moving (actually sub-bass can be very moving - but that's something else)." Sol I know exactly what you mean, and completely agree. But the Solo will certainly show areas of possible improvement in most systems. Whether people are able to follow it up or not, is completely up to their wallet/She who must be obeyed ? SandyK
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Post by Rincewind on Sept 3, 2007 23:53:42 GMT
Beware the box shifters man. I've only been on here a short time but found it very informative. The best people to speak to are the guys that design the things and tweak 'em.
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Sol
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Chief Technical Numpty
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Post by Sol on Sept 4, 2007 12:53:06 GMT
But the Solo will certainly show areas of possible improvement in most systems. Whether people are able to follow it up or not, is completely up to their wallet/She who must be obeyed ? SandyK Absolutely spot on ... I think the time is coming soon to dust of those X-DAC V3 mods you suggested, and maybe have a word with Mike to see if he would take them on. Listening last night the X-DAC V3 and the Bursons definately has the edge over a modded CD63KI analogue out (has teh audiocom clock and PSU) when using the Solo as the amp ... but it's not as marked as you might think. There's obviously far more to come. I'm sure I can bear to live without the X-DAC V3 for a wee while. My X-CAN V3 is up to Mike for repair mid september ... and it would give Mike an opportunity to listen to an X-DAC V3 with and without one of his new improved Pinkie's!
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Post by harj on Sept 4, 2007 23:42:00 GMT
thanks for the advice matey. i don't have much experience with amps, what amp would you suggest. does the green solo have these characteristics in the midrange? i might go for a modded v3 if the price aint a lot more.
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Post by bozzy on Oct 8, 2007 22:15:22 GMT
Hey - Gs1000's already on board and (grudgingly) getting better. No can amp yet but Green Solo ordered. Should be easy to dust the existing - only has to compete with ageing Revox integrated amp headphone output...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2007 23:21:41 GMT
" does the green solo have these characteristics in the midrange?"
harj Graham designs all his gear for accuracy over the whole audible range and beyond. So with high quality headphones there should be an accurate and neutral sound. Unfortunately, most headphones have lots of peaks and dips right throughout their frequency response range !
SandyK
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Oct 9, 2007 12:25:46 GMT
My Solo should be fairly well burned in by now, and my GS thousands also. I am very pleased with the sound, my only quibble relates to sibilance with vocals and as well as I am aware that is a characteristic of the headphones and not the amp. Dynamics, bass, detail all superb and better than any of my previous listens. I've said it before but it's more engaging to me than anything else I've heard.
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