HEADLINE VS GRADO RA1

Posted by: David Ng on 04 May 2001

Just did a very detailed comparison between my headline/hicap and the Grado RA1 with my Grado 225 headphones.

My system consists of cdx/52/scap/135s/dbls/pxo3. Judging from my system, you can see I am a true naim devotee. I bought my system in 98 and have not look back since. As much as I would like to crank my dbls, there are times (late nights) that I have to settled for headphones listening. I strive to achieve the same level of enjoyment as my dbls through headphones listening. So far, I have to agree with Headroom that the 225s are the most dynamic pair of headphones available, period. I had compared side by side my 225s with the HD600. The grados won hands down. Even the Senn dealer couldn't believe it, and gave me some "hifi" crap about sound quality, details etc. But I can see from his face he was rather disappointed, especially judging from the cheap looks of the 225s compared with the luxurious Senns.

Unfortunately, I regret to come to the conclusion that the Grado RA1 won hands down with the 225 against my headline/hicap. I have to say I was a bit disappointed because I was so sure that my headline with hicap is going to trash the much cheaper battery powered grado amp. But in this case, I have to agree that the RA1 is truely great value product and a perfect match for grados phones. I strongly recommend the RA1 with any Grado headphones for anybody thinking of setting up a decent headphone rig. This is the one and only time I would recommend a non-naim product. I think Grados is just better with headphones stuff.

Any views from those that have tried the Grados RA1 amp?

Yours truly,
David Ng

Posted on: 07 May 2001 by uem
David,

Looking at your really top end system, I can only recommend that you try out a STAX electrostatic headphone system, preferably with a tube driver unit.
I've been using an older Nova Signature & Tube driver system for some time and the sound is divine, especially, but not only, with vinyl. I should add, that I'm listening to classical music a lot and voices are just great.
One word of caution: Due to the total absence of any distortion etc. with the STAX, one tends to listen at (too) high volumes..!
Best regards
Urs

My system
CD2, 82 &HiCap, Ayre V-3, Wilson Benesch ACT1
TT: REVOX Empire & Benz (modified Glider), Benz PP1 Phono-pre
Tuner REVOX B261

Posted on: 07 May 2001 by David Ng
...I'm a rocker, although I have not listened to electrostatic headphones before, my guess is that they may be too 'cultured'. It is therefore no surprise that I preferred the grados over the senns.

But I take your advice and visit my local stax dealer for an audition. Who knows...But for now, I find the grados RA1 and 225 able to fill the gap of the dbls during late nights. May also try the grados 325.


david ng