n_maher

I don't know about you but little pointy legs don't scream "stable" to me...

I believe that if you look hard enough you can find the schematic of the Wheatfield HA-2 which uses the 6SN7. With a little modification it would seem possible to drive both low and high impedance phones with it. I'm in the process of modifying/repairing mine right now so if you'd like Pete's list of suggested changes (for high ohm phones) just drop me a PM. I'm 99% sure the amp can be built for under $500 in parts per your criteria.

I think (or at least the way I read it) that Kevin was trying to say that he has more knowledge of the commercialization side of the business than you were previously aware, not that he had superior knowledge in general. But I agree, it's hard to discern from just the words typed on a page. And I've said it elsewhere on this site but it seems more appropriately placed here so I'll say it again. More and more I see manufacturers (HeadRoom and Headamp NOT included) coming out with new products that are only a detriment to their current offerings. In one case the new amps only serve to further fragment an already small market segment (the high end portables) and in the other case the new products only show currently frustrated customers what has been putting off getting their already-paid-for amps. Neither manufacturer described above seems to suffer from lack of demand so one wonders what their motivation is for their actions. In a third case a well established manufacturer has essentially stopped production of his own designs and decided that it is better to farm all of this out to China in the name of bringing products in at a lower price point (or at least that's how I see it). He's now faced with a glaring example of how easily products are copied and how difficult it is to legally defend his designs. My guess is that had the had the copied design not come from the same country it may never have been discovered at all. All of this to me it points to the fact that none of them seem to have a long-term lookout for their business which makes me decidedly less likely to invest in one of their products.

Like I said, I'm not sure exactly what is in each box. I'm sure we'll be finding out relatively soon in the form of a sponsored thread "over there". I think that I saw in someone's pictures that Headroom did have product literature at each display. It's going to be a little while before any details come out. It's #1 on my priority list but I don't have all the necessary parts yet and it's not clear when they'll all be in. As far as rushing new products to market because of National Meet pressure, well I think man'f do this at their own risk. They're all well aware of the dangers of bringing a half-cooked product out and how strongly the Head-Fi reaction can be. It's funny that people bitch and moan about how Headroom does business but in my view they're the only ones with more than a 3 month outlook when it comes to their product line, marketing, etc. Ray creates his own obsolescence by having three portables in the same price category and having virtually no amps in the $500 to $1000 category that aren't way out of date, Mikhail instead of finding ways to keep up with already high demand fractures the product line further and makes things even more confusing. When was the last time he updated his website? I think Headamp also does a pretty good job of product distribution and information but I think he's ultimately limited by being a one man show. I do give him full marks for developing his own modules now and branching out from the Gilmore name (not that there was anything wrong with that). And I think Meier is reaping what he sows right now by having outsourced all of his new production to China, someone is going to have to explain the sense in that to me. Sure it results in lower prices but the end result looks shockingly similar to the stuff that's both designed and produced in China, the fact that Jan designs it and then sends it to someone else to build doesn't hold much appeal for me. [/rant]

I believe that it is the MAX Dac minus the upsampling, but I'm not 100% sure either. And I also think that the new standard Micro DAC has better electronics in it (Home equivalent?).

I'm with you. Until he's got at least a similarly sized power supply to go with it (battery or otherwise) I don't quite understand it's purpose. I'll hold further comment till after the official details are announced but it would seem to me a very hard sell at near $1000.

Pete (Dusty), Did you ever end up opening your amp to have a look inside? I had noticed a bit of low level hum with my Wheatfield and after talking with Mr. Millett we'd narrowed it down to a couple possibilities all of which involved visual inspection. Opening the amp was no problem (8 torx screws) and what I found inside was definitely worth the time. That's the primary power supply filter cap and it's pretty much ready to blow. We think that the amp was probably exposed to some sort of over voltage event during its life. I'm going to replace it along with the other 3 electrolytic caps in the power supply along with a resistor. I'm also going to change out the primary transformer which should help the amp run a little cooler. So if your amp is still chewing through tubes it might be worth having a look under the bonnet. If you do let me know what you find. Nate

My concern with any goods that come from outside the US has always been what do you do if repairs are needed. Whether it's a faulty power switch, crappy tube socket, etc, what exactly is your casual user supposed to do about it. It's one thing for idiots like me who'll take anything apart to go diving inside but I've met more than a few folks at meets who couldn't recognize the business end of a screwdriver. I'm not saying the equipment can't sound good just that you're up a creek if something goes wrong.

Mine's been built for something like 4 months now and I still haven't even fired it up. I've got way to many have finished projects these days!

Not gonna happen, unless I get one for my work rig which is highly unlikely. I should have a new DAC by the next Boston meet assuming it doesn't happen in the next 4 months. All I can say is that it'll be DIY, balanced and, well, evil.

As far as stuffing the pcb is concerned it doesn't get much easier. If you've got the basic tools (DMM, iron, etc) it's only a few hours work. But as with just about anything DIY the devil is usually in the casework.

I've always been put off by the cost of entry with Larry's woody stuff, not that it isn't great looking. But even with the Grados unless you're really after one-off headphones it would seem that you'd be better off just buying a pair of used RS-2s. The Senn Woody's never made a damn bit of sense to me.

It's hard, I've had them in a couple of my amps and definitely like them and certainly found that they sound better than your average alps blue but in the beta22 there was just wasn't enough range. Heck, listening to my HF-1s last night while reading I was at a half-click on my RK40 which is a detented continuous pot. They do tend to look the business though...

Well according to my sources (not Tyll ) the timeline to bring these two products to market is not long. I wish I could share more but I lack the proper clearance and don't want to spoil the fun that will be Saturday's unveiling. And like I said, if you listen closely to the podcast (Tyll's part is early ) you'll get an idea of what's going on.

There might be something in the single-ended realm coming down the pipe worth considering. I figure most people won't get what they're hearing when they listen to the Head-Fi podcast so I'll sneak it in here. Headroom went ahead and made a standalone DAC, actually they made two. This should all be confirmed with the unveiling of the prototypes at the National Meet this weekend.

Jpak, Did you get in touch with Todd (skullguise)? I almost sent you a PM when I saw his TT listed for sale.

The last time I noticed there was discussion about all of the following: R10's K340's K501's K1000's GS1000's I'm sure there are more but I try not to pay close attention to it.

My favorite little trend is how every headphone now has at least two versions, the bass light and bass heavy.

I have to admit that I find nothing lacking the presentation of my SS amp with Grados or otherwise.

Would something like the Bel Canto PRE3 work for you?

I run a couple of setups. (see updated sig) SB3 as a standalone (much better now with a new linear, regulated PS) or SB3 --> Denon DA500 DAC or Denon DVM 3700 Don't get me wrong, they all sound pretty damn good but I've unfortunately been spoiled by hearing a couple of really nice rigs in the last year. I'm currently working on plans for a standalone DAC to couple to both a CD transport and the SB3. I hope to have it done some time mid-summer. And for the record I'd qualify just about any of the sources I've heard in the sub-$1000 bracket as mid-fi so it's not really a dis on the Denon gear.

I love it, I just wish I had a better than Mid-Fi source for it. Soon enough, soon enough...

Grado certainly does repairs and that is probably your best bet for getting them fixed. Sorry to hear of your troubles, I can't say for sure what might have happened since you rolled all the tubes at the same time (right?). The only thing that sprang to mind is that I've heard it's a very bad idea to roll in cold tubes in combination with warm ones, but even then I'm not sure it would have caused what happened.

I nominated you ages ago (July 16th), but the powers that be haven't activated you yet. I'm sure it's just an oversight.

As far as I know the only choice in your price bracket will be Hammond enclosures (from the likes of Angela, Partsconnexion, etc.) and whether or not it qualifies as "nice" is debatable. I'm using one for my Aikdio project but it certainly won't be staying stock.