N@Z 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Precursor Finally got round to finishing the write up, nice to be on leave. I wanted to try the Mint META as I’ve already owned a mid speced META & a relatively Maxed out META. Just to see how much difference in sound quality there is and mostly because I have always wanted the META in a Mint tin. This actually is more expensive than MatBon0013’s Headsave Mint. Purely because I was not aware at the time that others were already able to build it. Anyway it was built by the ‘legendary’ Tangent the ‘T’ in the acronym META42 hence that is worth the small extra expense alone to get his unique ‘craftsmanship’. Look at the lovingly braided cables (pictures attached seperately). This is also a bit of an oddball amp because instead of using internal batteries it either uses wallwart or external battery pack power. This actually suits my needs better as I do not require the amp to be portable but transportable. When stationary I can use wallwart whereas for travel I can use my external battery pack. Once I get round to doing it I will get that 4x 6v Lantern batteries & house them all in a nice little tin lunch box for home use. I've got the crocodile clips only just yesterday. Just couldn't find 4x cells of the same brand. Music used: Blur – Think Tank Diana Krall – The look of love Thomas Crown Affair movie soundtrack Gear Used Marantz CD-80/Sony D-EJ925 PCDP -> Van Den Hul D102 Hybrid MKIII I/C/DNM Reson (with RCA to mini plug converter)/Canare mini to mini cable with switchcraft 90 degree plugs -> amp -> Grado RS-1/Senn HD600/Sony MDR-7506 headphones Amp Specification AD8620 OPA. Class A. Gain 10. External power via wall wart/battery pack. (18v for this mini review). Marantz CD-80 with VDH I/C & RS-1 This was used pre burn in to have an idea what the sound is like & to gauge the amount of improvement after burning-in. The initial sound had very good clarity but a tad grainy/harsh at the top. Bass is typical of META, plenty of it. It was obvious that this little amp needed to be burned in to smoothen out the sound further. Next listen was done after 24 hours and the proper listening session was done after 48 hours of continuous running in via a Sony pocket radio with the Canare mini to mini cable & Eggos. The sound seems to have opened up slightly, grain is almost gone & harshness is not as pronounced as before but still need more mileage for it to fully ‘breathe’ so I ran it in again for another 48 hours. Out of curiosity I plugged the RS-1 directly out of the CDP’s headphone out. The sound is surprisingly acceptable. There is plenty of power to drive it around 10 o’clock for moderately loud sound like the Mint Meta. However the sound is less airy/dryer, some sibilance on cymbals, boomy on heavy basslines & more compressed. AKG K501 I wanted to gauge how it fared with a high impedance & difficult load so this headphone was used. The Mint has acceptable bass performance & it helps power the K501s along fairly well. The headphone’s signature midrange clarity is well potrayed but since the bass is lean it highlighted the amp’s weakness which is the harsher top end. Sony MDR-7506 I’m beginning to get familiar with the sound from these cans so I wondered how it fared in the compromised Mint board. Compared with the PCII the Mint’s bass control is looser & midrange is a tad recessed. Mint Vs KurtW (using CDP gear) Briefly compared between the two just to see (hear) how much of a difference the compromised Mint design sounds. The typical character of the Meta is still there. Clear highs, forward mids & punchy bass. The KurtW has more power by virtue of being able to play at the same volume position louder than the Mint plus it’s ablilty to play the music with less… what’s the word, less effort? Soundwise the Mint exhibited less ambience, slightly harsher and bass was less defined or muddy (however double bass sounded more resonant & full of impact). Overall they sound nearly similar. Based on memory these differences stated was heard to a greater degree with the Headsave Mint. Bare in mind, that amp is using a different OPA (2132AU), a single 9v battery & is ALOT more affordable. Conclusion Anyone looking for a good value + performance starter headphone amp, look no further than the Mint Meta amp! Improvements can be had with the bigger Meta board but if you are tight for budget & need to use a fully portable setup you can at least revel in the fact that you are getting close to the v2.0 board & getting a good quality sound. Also this is a good alternative for Max out Meta lovers to go uber portable without missing out on their favourite signature sound. Dare I say it the CMOY may now no longer be the best value for money amp unless you build it yourself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Next to the early generation iPod. The tin actually is smaller than the normal Altoids/Penguin mint tin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Input on the left headphone out on the right. Blue LED in the center Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Mini toggle switch for power & the external DC power socket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 And finally the photo you've all been waiting for the PORN! Let me know what those PS caps & blue thingies are! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blues 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Good review N@z! I am tempted to get it as my portable!! How does it help the ety er-4s? I love the look of the amp!!! stylo!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adhoc 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 oh, N@Z, now i see the link between that perppermint tin you posted so long ago and the mint now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Thanks. I haven't tried it with my etys but like I mentioned above it won't be that far off the KurtW Meta & this is my favourite combination for portables. ER-4S+Meta+PCDP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rameish 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Blue things are caps - could be Wima. Round things are electo caps ( 1 looks like panasonic the other should also be but...) The black thing with the silver band is the rail splitter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sipher 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 good-looking amp u have there N@Z Really love the silver theme! especially the volume pot. great "interior" too much neater than mine.. haha congrats N@Z Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jasonhanjk 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Rail splitter have 3 legs, the black thingy with silvery band is diode. Err, rite? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ckng 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Hi N@Z, How does a "regular" META42 sound with the K501? Regards CK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northern Oak 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 Interesting ... any lobang for the Mint METAs? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WatCult 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2003 I am also interested in any lobang. Keep me inform Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted August 16, 2003 Lobang in SG? You might as well get from tigger www.headsave.com cheapest is US$69 for the Mint META headamp but using the same specs as MatBon0013's (which you can upgrade) The Sound on the K501 on the regular META? I'll get back to you by tonight if I get a chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
