This system is built around headphones. There are plenty of people who frown upon this but in my circumstances (young child, I'm a student, limited space and moreover limited availability to listen given my wife and son's early sleep time and my late nights). Therefore, I have scoured the world for the best headphones and have consistently stopped in my tracks after listening to a Grado. I have had the opportunity to listen to all of the best, including Stax Omega II's, Sony R10's, Baby Orpheus, Sennheiser HD 650, and yet I continually come back to the Grado sound. Given this, I set out to leverage the best sound possible starting with my fine front-ends and moving down the line.
I am in transition now looking for a solid phono stage to match my new TT. I will then research some PC and Phono cables and be done for the time being (aside from tube rolling) until I graduate at which point I will investigate speakers which match the qualities of the Grados (Reference 3a's come to mind immediately).
Because I am a newbie in the analogue world, I would very much like some recommendations on phono stages in particular, 1k ballpark. I have on my short list:
Ear 834p
SFI Phono 1
Wrigth Sound WPP200C
Rogue Audio Stealth
Audiomat PH-1
As for phono cable, I will stick with the Extremephono Crimson for now until I can afford a better cable and moreover, become familiar with the sound of my tt.
Heavily modified unit. First modification was to the transport by Shanling - T200 SACD transport installed. Second modification by North Audio - headphone section disabled, transformers coupled to tube output, Hovland caps installed in tube output stage, all caps in SS stage removed and circuit rewired to avoid the need for any. Third batch was undertaken by Parts Connexion - LC Audio L Clock XO 3 + PSU, Black gates througout (save for Hovlands replacement), WBT NeXt Gen RCA jacks, damping coat, and vishnay resistor upgrade throughout.
Michell Engineering Gyrodec
This is the Gyrodec + Orbe platter/bearing upgrade as well as the HR DC motor upgrade
SME V
Grado Labs Statement Statement
An excellent upgrade from my Koetsu Black
EAR USA E.A.R. 88pb
Telefunken 6922
Wyetech Labs Opal
Not yet here, but on its way, this tube pre is known to offer incredible bandwidth and with a roll of the tubes one can get that tubey goodness or stick with eh stock NOS and get clean and mean.
Harbeth SHL-5
Rosewood finish
Wyetech Labs Sapphire
18W 300b monoblocks
E.A.R. HP4
One of the best headphone amps ever made. It uses 4x 6sl7's, I'm using a quad of 1944 Sylvanias which just sings with my Grados.
Melos SHA-X
This is the prototype model built for Joe Grado to test his HP-1000 series headphones. It was subsequently modified by Carlo Flores of Head-fi and Positive Feedback fame. The mods included black gates and auricaps througout, a neutrik headphone jack and a DACT stepped attenuator
Grado Labs RA-1
Battery Powered
Grado Labs HF-2
Prototype of the www.head-fi.org exclusive release
Grado Labs PS-1
This is from the special German run of headphones designed specficially for German studios. Unavailable directly in the US, it merges the warmth of the RS-1 with a close proximity to the neutrality of the HP-1000 series
Grado Labs PS-1000
Prototype of the flagship offering
Grado Labs RS-1
Original batch, brown leather headband and gold lettering
Audio Metallurgy GA-Zero
Audio Metallurgy GA-Zero
An interesting cable that offers the advantages of copper and silver with a sprinkling of gold, whatever that does
System edited: I've settled for now on my phono stage and have upgraded my old faithful Koetsu (it served me well) to the Grado Statement Statement. The inclusion of the Wyetech Labs Opal is my first full step in the direction of speakers. Graduation is approaching! and then a new house and a listening room and finally, after many years...speakers!
great setup...i am using a gramm slee V with my gyrodec...did you get a chance to audition it when you chose your EAR 834p? i wanted to go solid state since i have tubes everywhere else. by the way i am a headphone listener myself...singlepower ppx amp with senn 650's or ath w11jpn's. would love to hear all the gyro upgrades you have...not to mention that koetsu cartridge! congrats on the new grado's...i need to get myself to another head-fi meet to have a listen...
New in the house (well since June) is a pair of the new Grado Statement 1000's. Top of the line from one of the world's most acclaimed and aged privately owned and family run audio houses. Am i thrilled? You bet!
In the mean time I had to let go my Melos and PS-1's at least temporarily.
I have picked up another pair of the Audio Metallurgy GA-Zero's and am going to convert one pair of the W Enterprises NW tri-alloys to a phono cable. Then I need to think about: phono stage modifications, new tube set (using Teles at the moment) and perhaps a record cleanng machine.
The near future, as in 1 year or so, sees some sort of integrated SET and some monitors. I keep hoping to stretch the budget to Cary 300SEI and perhaps some Coincident Victories. Audio gods willing, this will hit by 2008.
Hey Jason, sorry to hear that your HP-1s are gone. I have been lusting for another pair off and on, but ultimately, they are too $$$. Did you sell your custom Melos as well? I really liked the Grado Sonata 0.5mV that I had paired with the Scout. The Gyrodec + Orbe platter sounds like a sweet TT. I'd love to get a TT again but I don't have the room. Congrats on your system.
I have recently made some changes. After my time with the P75 I discerned it was not for me, thus I have sold it and an Ear 834p Deluxe is onroute to me. I have also recently sold off the legendary HP-1's and added an Ear HP4 as a partner to the RS-1's. The Melos for now will stay with the PS-1's. As for my cartrige, the Koetsu may be in need of retipping. Until I decide what to do with it, I'm currently using a Grado Reference Platinum but I will be moving towards a Statement Reference or a Statement Statement in the coming months.
After living with the P75 for about 2 months I am still uncertain of the sound, or rather, if it offers what I want. I have used a Clear Audio Aurum Beta S, presently a Dynavector 20xH and of course my dying Koetsu Black. I am shortly going to try a Grado Reference Sonata and lastly I'll try my hand with a Dynavector 17D2 before giving up on it. I believe I will be saving my pennies for a Hagerman Trumpet or the new Eastern Electric Phono stage. I do enjoy vinyl though. Much involving than RBCD and by that I mean tinkering, my cd player lets me enjoy the music as much as my vinyl rig, at least for now.
ear hp4 + grado rs-1, mmmmm, need not say more? ;) hp-1 is also a perfect compliment, both are friendly. although our directions differ a lot, i think i would still enjoy your rig once it is finished. can't wait to see where you go for speakers when the time comes...
Well, I decided on the Dynavector P-75 after much research and many high acclamations. I pick it up tomorrow and will get this rig finally going. Two weeks in a box. Such a shame!
