Matrix m amp and Hlly amp on eBay.

[Bonky]

I am now seriously thinking of the Matrix m amp, but do I buy from eBay and if so, which seller?

One such seller is offering the Hlly t amp 'for free' with the matrix ( no ps though). See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Matrix-M-stage-Headphone-Amplifier-Amp-LATEST-VERSION-S-/330454610560?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf0a13280#ht_6717wt_897

I live in the UK, any advice as to the best supplier would be welcome. Has anyone who has bought from HK/China had to pay extra taxes etc?
I am aware of a UK supplier:http://www.ampcity.co.uk/matrix-m-stage-headphone-amp.html
Thanks,


Bonky.

[Tim]

I bought my M-Stage from Ampcity and found them to be helpful prior to the order being placed and have had no problems since. They also have a 30 day sale or return policy, should you not like the amp. That's a no brainer for me and you would be looking at quite a hefty charge for import duty on top of the eBay price too. If the eBay price was massively differenct it may be worth it, but we are talking a few quid in price difference at the moment, which is going to be eaten up with import duty - the Post Office also charge an admin fee (around 8 quid I think) for processing imported goods.

Try sorting out a problem with a buyer in HK/China too :scratch:

Finally, the M-Stage is a very impressive headamp for the money.

[Bonky]

I bought my M-Stage from Ampcity and found them to be helpful prior to the order being placed and have had no problems since. They also have a 30 day sale or return policy, should you not like the amp. That's a no brainer for me and you would be looking at quite a hefty charge for import duty on top of the eBay price too. If the eBay price was massively differenct it may be worth it, but we are talking a few quid in price difference at the moment, which is going to be eaten up with import duty - the Post Office also charge an admin fee (around 8 quid I think) for processing imported goods.

Try sorting out a problem with a buyer in HK/China too :scratch:

Finally, the M-Stage is a very impressive headamp for the money.

Thanks Tim,

I will let you know how I get on!

BW

Richard

[alan47]

Hi,I have bought three headphone amps and two mini-T amps from China and HK from ebay, over the last couple of years,plus a Yulong U100 Dac.All have arrived in a week and i have never been charged any import duty,just sign here..They have all been well made,( I always take the top off and have a peek)
Having said that if i get anything else it will probably from ampcity,now that i have discovered them. America is the only place that i always get charged duty from.
Good luck.

[Bonky]

Hi,I have bought three headphone amps and two mini-T amps from China and HK from ebay, over the last couple of years,plus a Yulong U100 Dac.All have arrived in a week and i have never been charged any import duty,just sign here..They have all been well made,( I always take the top off and have a peek)
Having said that if i get anything else it will probably from ampcity,now that i have discovered them. America is the only place that i always get charged duty from.
Good luck.
Thanks; I now have the Matrix m from Ampcity too.

BW

Richard

[alan47]

Well done,burn it in for a few days and let us know what you think of it..
Not that i need another headphone amp,,,Oerr.:doh:

[Fi-Wi]

Yes, please do let us know what you think of it, as I am interested for one.

[Bonky]

Yes, please do let us know what you think of it, as I am interested for one.

Thanks everyone.

I now have the Matrix amp + HD650s (2nd hand from EBay - so I'm assuming they are not 'clones') and new HD 598s.

The 598s sound the same to me whether driven by the caiman or the matrix. The 650s do sound a little better in the matrix,but, here is the rub: I don't know which of the two headphones I prefer!
The 598s are brighter and more articulate, the 650s smoother and bassier and perhaps a little less tiring overall; less comfortable on my head though.


Soundstage is similar. I'm expecting the 650s to be better -but they just seem different. Very difficult to say which is 'better'.

I can't afford to have both, so one set will be going on EBay.

I think the caiman has a good ha output stage for the price.BW

Richard

[Fi-Wi]

Thanks for your comment.

The Caiman is awesome as a dac but unfortunately my Gator (V1?) makes it unusable as a headphone amp. The music just gets too distorted to enjoy it. It is replaced by another V1 Gator but with the same results.

I don't know if the current Gator version 3 took care of this problem (anyone here had the same problem solved with V3?) but looking at its raving reviews the Matrix has my interest.

[Bonky]

Well done,burn it in for a few days and let us know what you think of it..
Not that i need another headphone amp,,,Oerr.:doh:

Thanks everyone.

I now have the Matrix amp + HD650s (2nd hand from EBay - so I'm assuming they are not 'clones') and new HD 598s.

The 598s sound the same to me whether driven by the caiman or the matrix. The 650s do sound a little better in the matrix,but, here is the rub: I don't know which of the two headphones I prefer!
The 598s are brighter and more articulate, the 650s smoother and bassier and perhaps a little less tiring overall; less comfortable on my head though. The 598s's soundstage seems about 140 degrees, the 650's 180+..

I'm listening to the 650s with the foam removed.

I can't afford to have both, so one set will be going on EBay.

I think the caiman has a good ha output stage for the price.
BW

Richard