Headphone amp - Gatorised Caiman or Matrix M amp?

[Bonky]

The title says it all really. Would I hear any difference if I bought the (highly-acclaimed) Matrix M amp? (http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/475618/matrix-m-stage-amp-review-simple-cheap-and-excellent).

I have a wide range of musical tastes and already have a Fii0 E7 portable DAC/Amp. My (new) headphones are the Senn HD 598.

Thinking of doing a review of the above combinations later...

Thanks in advance...

BW


Bonky

[Tim]

You may have made my forthcoming review redundant now :lol:

I'm actually in the process of doing the exact same thing as your link, but have yet to finish it. The simple answer is yes, but also what will your source be for the Matrix? The Caiman and Matrix work extremely well together and as most headphone aficionado's will know, Sennheiser headphones go well with the Matrix, it being a Black Cube clone, especially the HD650's. Those three together have a synergy that really works for me. But the Caiman is a DAC not a headphone amp, it has a headphone output but the two are different animals IMO - it's been thrashed out a lot here already and to be clear this is my opinion, which fits my own personal requirements and one that is not universally agreed upon. But different people have different requirements and expectations ;)

My suggestion would be to get both and try them at home, as that's the only real test, it matters not a jot what people will tell you, it's what you hear that counts. Both Beresford and AmpCity for the Matrix have sale or return policies. But if you are considering either of them my advice is you need both.

http://www.beresford.me/mainsite/home.html

http://www.ampcity.co.uk/brands/matrix/matrix-m-stage-headphone-amp.html

[Bonky]

Hi Tim; thanks for the reply.

I hope you can see my gear now included (I hope) in the sig below.

BW

Richard

[Tim]

I'm a little confused Richard (sorry I can be thick at times), but you have a Caiman DAC already? If you are asking would it be a good idea to get a Matrix M-Stage to partner it, then most definitely yes - they go together very well. AmpCity are good too, I would choose them over eBay for sure. Give it a try, you have 30 days and I would wager it won't be going back ;)

Also, give it a week or two before properly evaluating it, mine was on 24/7 playing music for 3 days before I started using it in earnest. After a month now it's really come on and opened out. I'm extremely pleased with it and have no plans to change it anytime soon.

[Bonky]

I'm a little confused Richard (sorry I can be thick at times), but you have a Caiman DAC already? If you are asking would it be a good idea to get a Matrix M-Stage to partner it, then most definitely yes - they go together very well. AmpCity are good too, I would choose them over eBay for sure. Give it a try, you have 30 days and I would wager it won't be going back ;)

Also, give it a week or two before properly evaluating it, mine was on 24/7 playing music for 3 days before I started using it in earnest. After a month now it's really come on and opened out. I'm extremely pleased with it and have no plans to change it anytime soon.

Apologies; you're right. I should have stipulated that I have the camain already.

It looks as if my bank card will be red-hot again!

Many thanks.

Cables from the caiman to the matrix?

BW

Rich

[Bonky]

Narrowing it down slowly....

Is the Matrix m amp better than the NJC monitor 2 amp?

I really don't want to spend more than£250.
... Or, I could build my own ( I can solder and once built a Lindsey-Hood amp)

... If there was a kit of parts ( O2 ???)

So, which is the best for the money, the Matrix, the NJC or the O2 , ( very subjective I know)?

Thanks,

Bonky.

[Tim]

Narrowing it down slowly....

Is the Matrix m amp better than the NJC monitor 2 amp?
Can't help I'm afraid as I have not heard the NJC, I did consider this myself at one point, but opted for the Matrix. You may have more joy if you tried Head-Fi for answers?

http://www.head-fi.org/

What's an O2?

[Bonky]

Hi Tim,

O2 is the Objective 2 amp. See
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12818

And
http://www.epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/7.html


Thanks,

BW


Bonky

[Fi-Wi]

Apologies; you're right. I should have stipulated that I have the camain already.

Cables from the caiman to the matrix?

BW

Rich

Which cables did you get?

I am considering the M-Stage to take over the headphone amp section of my Gatorized Caiman, because my Gator has way too much gain for pleasant headphone usage (both with my Sennheiser HD570 and Superlux HD668B).

I do want to keep my Caiman though for its excellent performance with my speakers.

[Tim]

I am considering the M-Stage to take over the headphone amp section of my Gatorized Caiman . . .
At the risk of treading on some eggshells, that IMO will give you good results and the M-Stage does work very well with the Gator Caiman. I ran it for sometime with my HD650's and the sonic performance (especially with classical music) that I felt was lacking though the Caiman headamp was fulfilled by the M-Stage. Get the M-Stage via AmpCity and you have 30 days to make your mind up :)

[Werner Berghofer]

Tim,


But the Caiman is a DAC not a headphone amp, it has a headphone output but the two are different animals

I’m sure you won’t be surprised to read that I share exactly the same opinion. Guess I also can add that at least I obviously have very similar requirements and expectations as you.

Werner.