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Reviews

Grado Labs Reference Headphone Amp RA1

Posted 12/11/2008 at 10:45:22am | by Michael Brown

image of Grado Labs Reference Headphone Amp RA1
Grado’s RA1 gets our nod for its amazing power and subtlety—not to mention its good looks.

Grado’s RA1 won’t look like anything else in your entertainment center, unless you’re a steampunk fan who’s built custom enclosures for your gear. The RA1, is housed in a block of solid mahogany. We wondered if it was that rare rain forest wood that accounted for this amp’s lusciously warm sound. And the amp’s bass response is nothing short of remarkable. Upright bass tends to turn to mush when reproduced on many audio systems, but the RA1 delivered every pluck of every string. The amp performed well with Paul Thorn’s rockin’ blues. Listen to “Crutches” on this amp, and if you aren’t nodding your head and tapping your feet within the first two bars, you better check your pulse. The fact that the amp is powered by two 9-volt batteries (an AC version is also available) means you can take it from the drawing room to the boudoir without having to mess with power cords. Exquisite.

The Grado RA1 is a glittering jewel of a headphone amp.

COMPANY: Grado Labs
CONTACT: www.gradolabs.com
PRICE: $399
REQUIREMENTS: Headphones, audio player

Delivers enough warmth to rival a tube amp.

Rechargeable battery would be nice.

COMMENTS: 3

TAGS: Grado Labs

COMMENTS

Another bizarre review
Submitted by macsuperuser on Fri, 2009-02-06 15:20

So let's see, here we have a $399 box that runs on batteries (looks like AC power isn't even an optional thing, it's a whole other unit, which is just stupid), doesn't support rechargeable batteries without removing them from the wooden case. It's supposed to make your headphones sound better. Can I hook a set of speakers up to it? No, which is ridiculous. Does it come with an adaptor for my headphones with a 1/8 jack? I doubt it, the review doesn't say. So why exactly is this an awesome product? Lame review.

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Grado Headphone Amp
Submitted by MacGeorgeHB on Tue, 2009-02-10 11:51

macsuperuser's comments are surprising, considering that a headphone amp is just that, a headphone amp, not a speaker amp. We ARE discussing a headphone amp, right? Nothing "ridiculous" about that.Yes, it IS battery-powered. Perfect for this oh, so mobile society, and free from entangling power cords. And 9 volt batteries are rechargeable, and are available with chargers for that purpose.Yes, the price is off-putting for a small wood-encased product. Or so it would appear. Priced at $399, the Grado amp is an audiophile product. Audiophiles expect to spend more money for superior sound reproduction. The Grado amp provides it, and more. If one is not looking for superior sound, avoid pricey audiophile products.I do not understand why the review is lame. It is accurate, as far as it goes. Audiophile magazines give more detailed information, but that's not what Mac|Life is all about. I am delighted that one of the best headphone amps around has gotten a review in a mainstream publication of the quality of Mac|Life.I hope that macsuperuser takes a chance to give the Grado amp a listen. It is superb. It is now available in two configurations for either high- or low-impedance headphones. If you do a good deal of listening with "cans", Mr. macsuperuser, you'll either reach for your checkbook, credit card, or start saving your pennies. This amp is fantastic. I flat-out guarantee it.

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Now available with AC supply!
Submitted by MacGeorgeHB on Fri, 2009-02-13 03:00

That about says it. Check Grado's website. It's all there.

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