Bob_McBob

The more I think about it the more I feel the PPX3 SLAM is the way to go. I have a WTB ad up on head-fi, but it is complicated because I will have to find a Canadian seller in order to afford it. If it has indeed gone up to $900, I may not even be able to buy it at this time. In that case, I wonder if it would be better to just buy an Ear+HD and be done with it -- probably not, better to wait and save. I sent an e-mail to Mikhail asking about current Singlepower pricing.

So much for a cheap amp upgrade... As the topic says, I'm now trying to decide between the Singlepower PPX3 SLAM and the Mapletree Ear+Purist HD. I would have to find the Singlepower amp second hand to be able to afford it, probably in Canada (a long shot but I can wait). The Ear+HD is not worth buying used since I can get it tax-free here, and I seriously doubt I would be able to buy it second hand from a Canadian. They would likely end up being about the same price. As I said in the previous thread, I currently own RS-1s and UM2s, and I will probably be picking up some Senns or Beyers in the not-too-distant future to see how I like them. However, RS-1s are my primary listening headphones, and I don't see that changing any time soon. The Ear+HD comes up in pretty much every discussion about RS-1 amps, and it definitely has a cult following. The same can be said for the Singlepower amp, though. I had a chat with tkam on IRC and came to the conclusion that the Singlepower amp would probably be the better of the two if I could find one, and I'm wondering what other people think. I was checking out some old head-fi threads on Singlepower amps, and it seems there was quite a contraversy over their design and internal construction a couple of years ago. Someone posted photos of supposed "sloppy wiring" and such and claimed that they don't work well with low impedance headphones, though PFK tells me the thread is full of RSA fanboys Any thoughts? Also, what if I were offered a non-SLAM PPX3? Thanks again, guys.

I guess this is going to turn into a tubes vs. SS battle! tkam also suggested a used GS-1, which I am checking out right now.

Upgrading parts on the Millett board probably isn't a real option since the builder is in the US and the cost of sending it back and forth is prohibitive. The DDBs are small drop-in parts, so easy to install (and cheap to mail). I am competent enough to do that, bias the tubes, etc., but I have never used a soldering iron beyond reflowing a few points, and I don't think I'd like to learn on an already nicely working amp. I agree that a nice M3 is probably better than a Millett, but based on conversations with various people, it is probably a better idea to go for something that's a real step up. I am giving some serious consideration to the Ear+HD mentioned earlier in the thread (apparently it is wonderful with Grados), but it is rather expensive. On the plus side the builder lives in Ontario, so I would not have to deal with international shipping and customs crap. I am looking for other suggestions for amps of a similar level. I had a look through the big list of DIY amps on head-wize, and the only one that jumped out at me was the Dynahi, and that would probably end up costing just as much as the Ear+HD. I am definitely going to wait and hear how my Millett sounds when I finally get the DDBs back before making any decision on upgrading amps.

Okay, the general consensus is that the M3 probably isn't much of an upgrade for me. I checked out the Ear+HD, and it is pretty nifty, but at $500-600 probably out of the range I'd like to pay for an amp. I am definitely open to suggestions for other amps, as well as persuasion to buy the Ear+HD...

I currently have a Millett Hybrid as my main headphone amp, and I'm considering switching to an nicely speced M3. I would probably have to sell the Millett to finance the M3, but I don't think it would be a significant financial outlay beyond that. I know people here and on head-fi have a pretty high opinion of the M3, and think perhaps somewhat less of the Millett (I have heard it described as a "fun" amp especially with Grados). The real issue is that I don't have the oppertunity to compare the two before I do this, so I would definitely appreciate some comments from you guys before I proceed. The Millett has fairly nice components. Here is what the builder says: "tread (27v), vishay dale 1/4w resistors, wima film caps, nichicon upw electrlytic caps, buf634s, nobel black beauty pot (10k)". I also have DDBs that I have unfortunately never heard with the amp because they were destroyed in shipping (currently being repaired). I use 12FK6 tubes. The M3 I would have somewhat better speced components, such as steps for the psu. My setup at the moment consists of RS-1s and UM2s, and an iPod/line-out as my source (yeah yeah...). I realize I should probably be upgrading other components, but I have the oppertunity to get the M3 pretty cheaply right now, and I am quite keen on taking it if it would be an upgrade. I feel it would probably be a better amp than the Millett to have as the basis for a system. In the future I plan to get a nice DAC and run everything from the computer, though it will take some time to save for that. I will probably also end up adding some other headphones for more variety (perhaps Senns or Beyers). What do you guys think? Go for it right away? Save my money? Get something different (Dynahi?)? Any help would be VERY much appreciated!