Well, as with any large purchase, you really need to hear it first, but yes, it's worth adding to the list of things to hear. I remember hearing Juan's only briefly, but the two words I came away with was warm but clear. Alright, that's three words.

And yeah, understood -- that's a lot of money into that DAC if you aren't going to use it. But it is standard not to use it amongst the people that I've known to have heard it.

Yup. Well, I guess it'd be better than my current DacMagic, but in any case I'd prefer to upgrade my DAC later. I'm inclined towards the DSHA-1 since that would maximize my HP2s performance, which is my main headphone at the moment.

Just remembered the SPL Phonitor though... I quite like crossfeed.

Now I want a DSHA-1... at least to review. I'd also like to compare it to the Apex Hi-Fi Arête.

Edited September 16, 201213 yr by HiWire

The dsha1 is pretty killer with the hp2s. However I also really liked it with tyll's hd800 and johns lcd2.

The dsha1 is pretty killer with the hp2s. However I also really liked it with tyll's hd800 and johns lcd2.

My experience with Doug's amps is kind of Grado-biased but I'd listen to what this guy has to say.

Guess I'm going for a DSHA-1 indeed!

Good choice. Reminds me I gotta get my SHA-1 fixed.

I like my DHSA-1 a lot w/ my HP-1s. This reminds me that I still haven't gotten around to listening to the LCD-2 with the DSHA-1 yet! I definitely need to do that!

The Arete/Volcano was very clean, but a little sterile for my taste. I still have it in a box if someone wants to buy it!

Edited September 17, 201213 yr by jvlgato

Good choice. Reminds me I gotta get my SHA-1 fixed.

Thanks, Rob. A friend of mine (the one who sold me the Eartube, actually) just got an upgraded SHA-1 for like 350 bucks on eBay. Can't believe I missed this!

I like my DHSA-1 a lot w/ my HP-1s. This reminds me that I still haven't gotten around to listening to the LCD-2 with the DSHA-1 yet! I definitely need to do that!

The Arete/Volcano was very clean, but a little sterile for my taste. I still have it in a box if someone wants to buy it!

Really? The opposite of what I'd expect from a tube amp! But then again, the Little Dot MKVI sounded more like a SS amp than the Burson HA-160D.

The Arete is SS, you are probably thinking of the Peak.

Oh, true! Indeed, got it mixed up with the Peak.

Still love my SR200 with HP1000 drivers...

Thank you for your opinion, I will file that away with the rest of the trivial and useless information I've read

Despite originally intending to get a DHSA-1, I managed to trade my Eartube for that friend's upgraded SHA-1 (the Meier was originally his), because it was a great opportunity as well as a cheaper option of something that theoretically has great sinergy with the HP1s. But I gotta say, I'm very disappointed. I get the pairing, it makes the Grado a lot mellower, but it takes away that raw character that I love about those Grados. Makes the lows a lot fuller but also less defined. I much prefer the result with my old JVC A-S5 integrated...

Bummer Leonardo. I think the whole Melos/Grado thing is overblown and your comments are typical of my limited experiences with the combo.

I concur. I've always thought the Grado Melos thing was way overhyped. However it sounds like something is wrong with your Melos. Mellow was never my impression, it was always more on the side of way too hot, way too much gain, and just really a raw, unrefined sound. I think that's why people liked it, because it was basically loud and gritty and the whole Grado rock thing made sense.

X3. Had a chance to buy one cheap at a meet once and thankfully I listened before buying.

Yeah, me too. Sorry, but I owned one for a while, and was underwhelmed. Just seemed flat and uninteresting at low volume, and I didn't like turning up the volume. Didn't think much about why, but Ryan's experience makes sense as an explanation.

I'd guess at the time, since it was early in the evolution of headphone amps, it might have been a new and exciting thing. But much has been learned over time, and there are just a lot better options now.

Frustrating, but also a good learning experience.

Well, it was definitely a learning experience as I learned a bit more about what I don't like – which is always a good thing, but I hope I can sell it at little to no loss...

I really do feel, as you all said, that it's really overhyped... but well, the deed is done.

recstar, that's a possibility, but the first owner had it upgraded, checked and everything. He may have messed it up, though. It is definitely unrefined, but I think because it adds too much bass, with no definition. The mids lack definition as well. Simply not a pleasant experience. Guess I'm really going for a wire-with-gain thing, à la GS-1. If I can find one, that is.

The GS-1 is completely opposite of the Melos and to this day remains one of the most refined and transparent amps I have ever listened too.

Hopefully there's nothing wrong with it. When I sold mine a year ago, it sold within a few hours of listing. Good luck! It's the journey not the destination. Kinda. Sorta.

That's what I'm looking for, Ryan! Just an amplifier that goes out of the way.

jvlgato, I hope I manage to sell mine here in Brazil, so that I wouldn't lose any money. And I do agree it's about the journey! Except when you get frustrated along the way hahaha!

Agreed, it's about the torturous journey that leaves you with an unresolved feeling

Have to agree with the SHA-1 sentiments. It's probably the reason mine will never be fixed.

Indeed!

If anything though, recently I finally figured out what I'm actually looking for, and I guess I'm getting close to reaching the point where I'm getting the things that will make me totally satisfied with my gear!

I guess I'm getting close to reaching the point where I'm sort of getting the things that will probably make me "totally satisfied" with my gear for at least a few minutes!

FTFY