This is a system that I've thrown together for the past 6-8 mos. I just recently purchased the speakers, and cables, so I dont have too much $$ to spend in that area. (Especially the speakers) However, I would really appreciate some suggestions as to an inexpensive MD recorder with a PS/2 input if anyone has one to sell etc. Also, I would like to evolve into a real nice headphone system, but still have a speaker system that can hold its own. If anyone knows of a good headphone amp to power my Grado SR-125's that'd help. Last, should I upgrade my phones? They seem to work really well through the output of my reciever (gasp!) but I was wondering if I'd get a better sound with say a tube headphone amp. Thanks!!!!!
I'd recommend the Grado RA-1 (retail $350; used $200-250) as a good mate to your Grado headphones. I'm using one with my RS-1 and love the combo. For more headphone lovers, check out the fun folks at Head-Fi http://www.head-fi.org
System edited: The LD Player was purchased because my girlfriend got about 70 LD's. I think I got a really good deal. The picture quality is not up to DVD standards, but it's better than VHS.
I have more optimism for the future now that I know that there are still high school students who care about quality audio!
All in all, this system looks like a good start.
For the headphone amp, you might also consider the one Grado makes. It's supposed to sound pretty good, especially with Grado headphones. But, it wouldn't have the tube magic....
Another option would be to look at getting a good integrated amp that has a good headphone connector. Some used the speaker output circuit as part of the headphone circuit, giving better sound than a "cheap" integrated circuit based circuit. Such an amp would also improve the sound from your speakers.
I don't know enough about headphones to be able to say if it's worth upgrading. But it seems to me that headphones are like speakers--they are only as good as the signal fed into them. Thus, you might focus on other things first.
Finally, there are many DIY cable designs. You might be able to make something for a few dollars that will be better than many or even all budget cables.
I haven't compared the two, but at the highest levels of Grado headphone line you really should get a more expensive music source to enjoy all that such a tube powered system can deliver. Also refined interconnects to preserve the subleties and pace of great recordings. Of course, if you consider this to be an inspiration to be on the lookout for such upgrades (which will be easily audible with your superior headphone system) then having part of your system be ahead of itself is the way many of us have seen our system evolve. I have owned the original Grado HP1 which preceeded the RS1, and if the RS1 is better than that it should be simply heavenly!
I had been looking at tube headphone amps, and I liked the Wheatfield Audio HA-1. Any opinions? Also, the sound quality on the latest MD players/recorders is actually quite respectable for portable use (which is my primary use). I use it to archive songs etc. off the radio. I have the Sharp MD-DR7 and it's quality is much better than that of any MP3. The ATRAC compression is clearly superior. Anyways, I looked at the Grado RS1 and RS2's. I was wondering what the realistic difference is between these two? Is the RS1 worth the extra $200 or so?
Grado has mastered the art of delivering excellent musical sound reproduction even when modest headphone jack used on a receiver, or Cd player. So you can just sit back and enjoy your present Grado headphones without restlessness. When you are ready to make the plunge, the regular Earmax tube headphone amp dramatically upgrades the listening experience (even though there is a more expensive Pro version which was developed especially for the Grado line.) The regular Earmax runs $300 used on Audiogon which may be too expensive for you at this time. Other Audiogon members may have knowledge of cheaper, high quality tube headphone amps. By owning a better amp you will be able to audition the differences between interconnect cables used between your source and your amp which tempts one to upgrade the Headphones to SR-225's. Pretty soon you are skipping lunch to save money for upgrading your system, and your friends have to shout loud enough to be heard over the music constantly pumping into your ears since so much music will sound so much better. When you squander your car insurance money on more stereo upgrades your worried family will have to begin taking you to live concerts to bring you back to the real world you are trying to create in your head. Actually, if planning to listen to music on MD recorder, or computer downloads then the quality offered by tube headphone amp may be overkill, and your present headphones already provide more musical quality than most moderate priced headphones.
