MalHead

Hi all May I know where can I find LPCD or K2CD? I just attended my first hifi show in Parkroyal and am impressed with the free test CD from the show, so wondering where can I find Hugo or FIM production CDs here. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance. Malhead

Thanks, aaron-xp. May I know which tube headamp is good as a preamp? In terms of power amp, must this be a dedicated power amp or an integrated amp will do? Thanks again. Malcolm

Thanks for all the advice, I finally got a Marantz CD6002, latest with good review from Whathifi, from Alpha Audio. Having compared the CD5001 OSE and CD6002, I would say the CD6002 is much better... more airy, very detail, good soundstage, sounds more natural than the CD5001 OSE. I also tested Cambridge Audio 540C but still finds the CD6002 more natural. Now, my next question: currently I listening mostly using my MS2 cans, but may get a pair of bookshelf speakers for the CD6002, so will an integrated amp serve well now for headphones or a dedicated headphone amp is still better than an integrated amp? I'm of killing 2 birds with 1 stone. If integrated amp, I'm exploring Rotel RA-04. If headamp, I'm thinking of XCanv3 or Diva. Any advise on above questions? Appreciate all inputs. Malcolm

Thanks warsurferX, looks like I'll spend few hours there.

Hi all What are the shops in Adelphi that sell headphone amps and CDP? Understand there's quite a number of good Chinese CDP/amp, so which shops carry these products? I only heard of COEM Audio in #B1-46. And what is the best time during weekdays to go there? After noon? Or are they open in late morning? Thanks all. Malcolm

Diva headamp retail at S$750

Hi Rameish, thanks, how would you compare the sound of Cayin/Dugood with that of modded Marantz CD63/67, Marantz CD5001, and Cambridge Audio 640Cv2. Hi sghound, it is DVP-F11, an old compact Sony DVDP. The sound is normal, that's why I'm thinking of upgrading, but due to budget constraint, I can only upgrade either the CDP or amp, not both.

Hi all Given that I will upgrade both amp and CDP but with limited budget, which one would you suggest to upgrade first - amp or CDP? Currently, I don't have an amp and my source is a make-do DVD player used as a CDP. I'm tempted to go for the amp first (since I don't have one now) but I wonder if even a good amp will be dampened by a low end source. But if it is the CDP, then the choice will be limited because there isn't many good budget audiophile CDP with headphone jack. An example is Marantz. The rest like NAD and Cambridge Audio do not have headphone jack built-in, meaning I need an amp. Please advise. Thanks all.

hi charismatic, thanks, I'm planning to visit them soon.

Thanks Charismatic, I've just tested the Diva headamp with the MS2 at Sky Audio, and am impressed with the details, clarity and extra soundstage from this amp. Next, I like to test a good solid state amp, so will make a trip to Adelphi or SLS. Any suggestion? Thanks

Hi Rameish Do you know where I can audition the RA-1 with my MS2? Referring to my earlier post, I'm actually referring to Meier Corda Aria or Cantate. Do you have any experience with these amps or Corda amp? What's your opinion? Thanks.

Hi all Thanks for the inputs. Will check out Dugood and CEC. Rameish, how would you compare the sound from Dugood compared to Cambridge Audio 640Cv2 or NAD C542? Which one sounds more neutral, detail, clear with least color? For the setup/upgrade, it's more for personal enjoyment. Question, in future, in case I want to hook to speakers (like bookshelf due to small room space), can I still use the same setup, probably with something else... extra amp... what's is it? Can someone enlighten/advise? In terms of amp, at the moment, I'm looking at Meier Corda Arietta, Eddie Current SS amp, Mapletree Ear+ HD2, Grado RA-1 and Gilmore Lite. And of course our own Diva, but so far I only read about it on sgheadphones, little mentioned in head-fi. So I need some opinions on these amps' synergy with MS2. As for source, I'm exploring Marantz CD5001, Cambridge Audio 640Cv2, NADC542, and now CEC and Dugood (again Dugood little mention in Head-fi and also Sgheadphones). Btw, which one should I get first, amp or CDP? On one hand, I agree that CDP is the source for the signal/frequencies so it is of utmost importance. On the other hand, how far can the amp bring out the best of this source. Need more inputs and suggestions, thanks. Malcolm

Hi warsurferX Thanks, I may be more inclined to SS amp as I believe it is more hassle-free, easy maintenance, last longer and not as fragile. With tube amp, I guess there's a need to replace blown tubes. Any idea which SS amp matches well with MS2? Whether dedicated headamp or integrated amp for speakers, my choice boils down to cost. I believe a good integrated amp naturally cost much more than a headamp since the formal is meant to drive speakers rather than headphones. Or is there a headamp capable of driving, say bookshelf speakers as well? As for CDP, the CD5001 cost around S$300 while the CA 640Cv2 cost around double, right? What is the lowest price for the 640Cv2 now? So far, is there any feedback on the build quality of this 640 made-in-China CDP? Reviews from Head-Fi on 640 do not look that good, but sound quality is very good. With MS2+CA640Cv2+ Mapletree Ear+, this will cost in total around S$1800+, which can easily get a complete home theatre system. Maybe this is not a good comparison. Any other inputs? Thanks again to all.

Before yesterday, I went to Diva website and found that most amps are in the thousands, until last evening I realize that they also have headamp (not mentioned in their website). If it is around S$750, then it is within my budget. Do you have any experience with Diva headamp + MS2? Can give any input? Thanks.

Thanks for the prompt reply. What is your current setup? Any suggestion for the MS2? Apart from the X-Cans, the rest seem like real portable amps. X-Cans receive good reviews in Head-Fi. DIVA is too high end and very x.

Hi warsurferX Ok, I understand that head amp can cost from couple hundreds to couple thousands. What I meant is that if a gilmore lite cost USD299, then it should cost around the same in SGD equivalent, probably a bit more for shipping (which shouldn't be the case if the shop carries stock). Actually, I'm looking for a amp to pair my Alessandro MS2. Since it's MS2 (ie. mid-range cans) I don't want to spend too much on amp that may be an overkill for MS2 Also, it depends on the source as well, which I'm also looking for an upgrade from my current old Sony DVD player. So, any good place to suggest? Thanks

Hi all May I know where can I find the most head amp at reasonable price in Singapore? Thanks in advance. Malcolm

Hi all For all of you currently using MS2, may I know what CDP and amp do you use to synergize the SQ? I'm currently using my MS2 directly out from an old Sony DVD player. Time to upgrade so I like to have opinions and suggestions on a good match. My budget is less than SGD1000 for CDP + amp combined. On the amp, will tube or solid state amp work better with MS2? I like the sound to be as original as possible with details and clarity. Thanks in advance. Malcolm

Hi all, thanks for all the inputs. I went down to SE and finally got the MS2. After listening to MS1, SR80, SR225, and MS2, I just couldn't resist the detail and clarity of the MS2. Thanks for the folks at SE for allowing me to test so long. Now the itch comes again, maybe a bit too fast, but I'm wondering if my source is not up to par to pair the MS2. I'm plugging the MS2 directly into a Sony DVD player to listen to my CD, and I found that the sound quality is not as good as when I audition at SE. Then past few days I was listening to some SACDs at Sembawang Music and wow! the quality is exceptional even by just playing the SACD on Marantz CD5400 (not a SACD source) paired with AKG100. Now, my next question: 1. Is MS2 good enough to pair with a SACD player? I mean is MS2 able to get the most or enough out of SACD? Of course, the much better cans eg. RS1, etc. will be better but is MS2 good enough to get much out of SACD players? 2. If MS2 is good enough or is able to reap much from SACD player, can anyone recommend a budget yet good SACD player? Thanks.

Hi, Alex from Dark Audio has finally replied and that the price including delivery to Asia is USD42. Very expensive indeed. He also said that felt dampers are included to make the Grado frequency response more even. Have anyone done any mod to the Grado or Alessandro cans to increase the soundstage, or use felt dampers? Or what do you think of these liberators? If anyone interested in the email, can pm me and I'll forward to you.

Actually, I don't know if it's available in Singapore, but I've sent an email to Dark Audio asking about ordering. Still waiting for their reply. As it is pricey, I'm still comtemplating whether to get it, so now asking for opinion on these "plastic rings" whether they are worth the SQ. Cost-wise it is defintely over-priced, but from SQ point of view, how much difference will they make that qualify the investment? Thanks.

Hi, I've finally bought my first good quality cans, ie. the MS-2, and have been enjoying the SQ since then. Now I read about the Liberator from Dark Audio that can increase the soundstage and improve SQ. But so far, I've only read about Liberator fitting Grados, but what about MS-2? Anyone here has Liberator with Alessandro cans? Any feedback and is this plastic thing worth the price and SQ? Thanks.

Thanks for the input. I don't have any cans now, but planning to get a set of good cans. Currently, only own a Bose system. Sorry I couldn't find the thread from Mackie on the P2AV2 headamp review. Can you pass me the link. I plan to go down to Stereo tomorrow afternoon to try out a few cans, likely MS1, MS2, SR225, K601, etc if possible, basically in the budget range of below S$400. Read that Grado cans don't need amp, but the rest like Sennheiser, AKG and Audio Technica preferably should have to drive the cans. In terms of cans, which one/s do you think is/are most neutral, without emphasizing on the high and low? Music preference: instrumental, jazz, pop, new-age, but not rock and other heavy stuff. Care to recommend? Thanks in advance.

Hi loop_ Have you use any of these amp before? Or anyone can share their experience on these amp with the cans they use? Read review somewhere that they work well with Grado/Alessandros cans. Any input is most welcome. Thanks Malcolm

Hi all Have anyone use these amp? And are they avail in Singapore, at what price? Thanks Malcolm