Headphones sound harsh with Reflex-M, suggestions?

Depending on your budget, choice of headphone and on the practicality, I would recommend the Proprius monoblocks as a dual-purpose amplifier for your speakers or headphone. Some headphones can be adapted to be a suitable load for driving from these speakers amps, either by considering their standard impedance/sensitivity ratings or a change of cable terminations/impedance. Maybe a good investment as you can get more out of less. I use my Proprius for driving speakers or headphones. If you are sensible with dial positions, no problems with noise floor or equipment damage. Can't have them them connected at the same time though.

Edited by Ash - 01 Apr 2020 at 9:23pm

Thanks both, I don't want to go down the path of changing my main amp, which I am happy with after much auditioning and which is improved with the Reflex phono stage. 

Hello everyone..

It's been a long, long while since I've been active around here. Not knowing if or when (or where) I'd chime in so here's as good as any as I see fit.

[partial quote]

Graham Slee wrote: Yes, but I would try and wait until I develop the next one. There is also the issue of whether I should try and "smooth the corners" or let it tell the truth. The latter is far easier and I have to take my hat off to those who have the ability to "smooth the corners". They never seem to publish the way it's done!

It's a very exicting prospect. Far as I'm concerned, Graham's been 'telling the proverbial, musical, electrical (and audio design) engineering truth' for a while now.  Understatement.  The sheer musical performance and quality craftsmanship of all his company's products provide no reason to stop doing so now; BUT I wouldn't necessarily cast my vote towards "smooth the corners" either. To these ears the 'valvee' essence of the Ultra Linear has less in common with the syrupy, mushy, boomy, rolled-off sound of tubes so prevalent in those '70's home-fi' stigmatic traits - and more in common with the sublime qualities of sweetness, clarity, lack of fatigue, clout (the kind you can garner enjoyment out of even in low volumes), sound-stage imagery and yes, with the extra linear performance and its accompanying upper and lower frequency extension prevalent in only the most hefty and expensive of tube rigs...

(catches breath) 

..That being said, I remember reading a post years back on the forum where Graham described the differences between the original Solo Ultra Linear and the current Diamond Edition and made an analogy to its low-level hiss at higher volume levels to the sound of amplifiers 'humming at idle' warming up and ready to rock at a live venue.. Where I cast my vote ; ) whatever that means, I follow my goosebumps. My opinion is the prevalence of high-sensitivity IEM's tailored for mobile use and it's accompanying user demand brought about the advent of the DE. I love mine, but also feel that all things being subject to tradeoffs (laws of physics, no free lunch et al.) I would dig it if a new head amp design went more in the direction of the original Ultra Linear (if such a tradeoff had to be made ostensibly in the pursuit of sonic traits). Admittedly I never heard one of the original units, maybe I'm totally off and something akin to the innovations that went into the Accession's design will roll over into the headphone amp.

I apologize for the unbridled enthusiasm if it constituted a slight hijack of the thread.. I hope everyone here, and your families, have all have been safe and healthy with your financial heads above the water in these troubled times. Time to push back against this tide of confusion..


Edited by Sounder 905 - 31 Jul 2020 at 2:04pm