A long time ago I used a Headline 2 powered by a hicap with Grado GS1000 headphones.
This was very enjoyable but my circumstances changed and I sold my system at the time but never got round to selling the headphones.
Since the end of last year I have put together a system comprising 82/2xhicap/napsc - 180 - Kudos super 20a. My source is a Wiim ultra into a Chord Mojo 2.
Can you offer alternatives with better sound than a headline/hicap? Budget around £700ish as I could get a headline/hicap used for around that. Or is that my best bet? I’m looking for a “Naim” sound (PRaT). Also hoping that I could get a decent increase in sound quality over the already good Mojo 2.
I am unsure if you are still using the Grado GS1000 headphones or intend buying something new?
In general if you are looking at new headphones as well as the headphone amp it may be best to buy, or at least try, together. I have never heard the Headline to offer a comparison but don’t forget it, and the HiCap may need a service. I think there’s probably better one box non-Naim alternatives. Popular choices from Graham Slee, Trilogy, Lake, iFi etc around your budget.
If you are looking for headphones and liked the Grado sound (I have had a number of pairs over the years) the range remains great, but with better comfort thankfully. The RS is a sweet spot of performance vs value I think.
Looking for a headphone amp with PRaT that would work well with the GS1000 and perhaps outperform the headline/hicap and be available new or s/h for under £1k
Thanks. From my own experience the Trilogy 931 is pretty good, the newer 931i is about £1k and apparently improved to be close to the performance of the much pricier 933. I went from 931 to a 933 and it is fantastic so if that is the case I would want to demo the 931i. No reason it wouldn’t suit the Grados. Trilogy are pretty minimal bits of kit, if you want lots of controls and input/output options look elsewhere. There’s lot of choice at that budget level, I am sure others will have suggestions too.
Incidentally if you need new foam cushions be careful of any non-Grado options out there. I tried some on my GS3000 hoping for a softer more comfy fit. They gave that but spectacularly ruined the sound. Stick to OEM would be my suggestion!
I actually bought a while ago, a new pair of foam cushions (non oem) but haven’t had a chance to listen to them. Thanks for the tip though. I read somewhere about adjusting the sound with different cushions which I never thought of.